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kittybetty 's review for:
The Mysteries of Udolpho
by Ann Radcliffe
Five stars for historical interest, minus one for a slow narrative even for its day, and minus one for sexism, and minus one for racism.
Having read Udolpho, I'm an even bigger fan than before of my favorite Jane Austen novel, "Northanger Abbey," which is even more delightful plus a huge relief once you know what it was spoofing. Mrs Radcliffe's excellent adventure is full of over-the-top sentimentality, in addition to the preposterous horrors I was prepared for by Austen's spoof.
If you can agree that swarthy Italians are likely treacherous lecherous villains, and that young Englishwomen are delicate flowers full of poetic sensitivities, then you'll have no problem with the storyline.
If you've got all day to read a plodding travelogue's glowing sceneries, and a gushing heroine's sentimental verse, before getting on with the narrative, you'll have no problem with the pace.
If, however, dear reader, you catch yourself reflecting on the role of such entertainments in reinforcing attitudes that were played out in real atrocities against women and people of color, then you might find yourself reading with a very real horror unanticipated by the author of this story of horrifying abductions and murder.
I can't give 5 stars as if recommending this novel to the general reader. But if you are interested in the history of the novel form, in expanding your knowledge of 18th century popular novels, or in this novel in particular as the basis of Austen's sendup, then do enjoy it. It delivers all that, plus revelations of entrenched prejudices in its day.
Having read Udolpho, I'm an even bigger fan than before of my favorite Jane Austen novel, "Northanger Abbey," which is even more delightful plus a huge relief once you know what it was spoofing. Mrs Radcliffe's excellent adventure is full of over-the-top sentimentality, in addition to the preposterous horrors I was prepared for by Austen's spoof.
If you can agree that swarthy Italians are likely treacherous lecherous villains, and that young Englishwomen are delicate flowers full of poetic sensitivities, then you'll have no problem with the storyline.
If you've got all day to read a plodding travelogue's glowing sceneries, and a gushing heroine's sentimental verse, before getting on with the narrative, you'll have no problem with the pace.
If, however, dear reader, you catch yourself reflecting on the role of such entertainments in reinforcing attitudes that were played out in real atrocities against women and people of color, then you might find yourself reading with a very real horror unanticipated by the author of this story of horrifying abductions and murder.
I can't give 5 stars as if recommending this novel to the general reader. But if you are interested in the history of the novel form, in expanding your knowledge of 18th century popular novels, or in this novel in particular as the basis of Austen's sendup, then do enjoy it. It delivers all that, plus revelations of entrenched prejudices in its day.