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A review by bookslovejenna
Dragonwyck by Anya Seton
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Five things about Dragonwyck by Anya Seton đź“šđź“šđź“šđź“šđź“š
1. First off - this won’t be for everyone. Being a mid-century gothic romance, some of it just didn’t age well. So, if you’re of a mi d to demand contemporary ideals and norms from a historical work - this won’t be for you. If you’re capable of reading a work in light of its own time period and you enjoy a cheeky gothic romance then this one may be right up your alley. What didn’t age well? Mainly use of force on a marriage night and some fat shaming. There is also racism in this book because the antagonist is racist. It’s not glorified or condoned. The character - not the book - is racist.
2. Now that that is out of the way - this book is so readable! I was enchanted from the very start. Miranda is such a wonderfully developed character that starts young and naĂŻve but over the course of the novel develops a wisdom that comes from hardship and disillusionment.
3. I won’t say that the reader can’t figure out key plot points. As a mystery, this would probably disappoint- but as a gothic romance/coming of age it’s just right.
4. According to the author, she was inspired to write this novel after coming upon a news article from 1849 and that “there was on the Hudson a way of life such as this and there was a house not unlike Dragonwyck.”
5. The history in these pages is also quite fascinating if you’re of a historical bent. You’ll meet authors like Poe and learn about the anti-rent wars and Astor Place massacre. All in all a mesmerizingly fascinating reading experience.
1. First off - this won’t be for everyone. Being a mid-century gothic romance, some of it just didn’t age well. So, if you’re of a mi d to demand contemporary ideals and norms from a historical work - this won’t be for you. If you’re capable of reading a work in light of its own time period and you enjoy a cheeky gothic romance then this one may be right up your alley. What didn’t age well? Mainly use of force on a marriage night and some fat shaming. There is also racism in this book because the antagonist is racist. It’s not glorified or condoned. The character - not the book - is racist.
2. Now that that is out of the way - this book is so readable! I was enchanted from the very start. Miranda is such a wonderfully developed character that starts young and naĂŻve but over the course of the novel develops a wisdom that comes from hardship and disillusionment.
3. I won’t say that the reader can’t figure out key plot points. As a mystery, this would probably disappoint- but as a gothic romance/coming of age it’s just right.
4. According to the author, she was inspired to write this novel after coming upon a news article from 1849 and that “there was on the Hudson a way of life such as this and there was a house not unlike Dragonwyck.”
5. The history in these pages is also quite fascinating if you’re of a historical bent. You’ll meet authors like Poe and learn about the anti-rent wars and Astor Place massacre. All in all a mesmerizingly fascinating reading experience.