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A review by i_love_big_books
The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe
funny
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is a classic that I had not heard much about but the promise of a gothic mystery in a castle drew me in when I decided to buddy read this with a group of friends. I'm glad I did because even though it is very very descriptive as is standard for most books in this genre and hence really long,I did enjoy the story.
Set in the 16th century, the narrative follows a young woman,Emily St Aubert, as she struggles to gain control of her own life and destiny after losing her father and becoming the ward of her aunt and the unscrupulous man she is married to.
Separated from the man she loves and forced to stay in the eponymous castle of the title that has a dark history and a foreboding look about it, Emily fights for her freedom and against the plans of her aunt's new husband Signor Montoni who wants a marriage for her that will be advantageous for him.
While staying in the castle, Emily is troubled by some supernatural noises and sights she encounters. The descriptions of the gloomy rooms and turrets of the castle and the hints about what could have happened there are very mysterious. This book is peopled with a lot of dramatic personalities and situations and beautiful verses that are composed spontaneously mostly by Emily, to express her feelings. I marvelled at the elaborate way in which nature, places and events are written about so many years ago even if they are a little too wordy at times!
I liked how it all came together in the end. After such a long journey to get there, the resolution was very satisfactory.
Set in the 16th century, the narrative follows a young woman,Emily St Aubert, as she struggles to gain control of her own life and destiny after losing her father and becoming the ward of her aunt and the unscrupulous man she is married to.
Separated from the man she loves and forced to stay in the eponymous castle of the title that has a dark history and a foreboding look about it, Emily fights for her freedom and against the plans of her aunt's new husband Signor Montoni who wants a marriage for her that will be advantageous for him.
While staying in the castle, Emily is troubled by some supernatural noises and sights she encounters. The descriptions of the gloomy rooms and turrets of the castle and the hints about what could have happened there are very mysterious. This book is peopled with a lot of dramatic personalities and situations and beautiful verses that are composed spontaneously mostly by Emily, to express her feelings. I marvelled at the elaborate way in which nature, places and events are written about so many years ago even if they are a little too wordy at times!
I liked how it all came together in the end. After such a long journey to get there, the resolution was very satisfactory.