wille44's review
3.5
A Sicilian Romance is an early Gothic horror novel that surprisingly reads more like a contemporary thriller than anything else. One of Radcliffe's first novels, it starts slowly, establishing the trappings of the genre, setting up a spooky castle, women trying to escape domineering evil authority figures, and a plethora of secret passages and catacombs that inexplicably seem to link all locations together in a vast, unknown network.
Once the stage is set, suddenly the brakes are cut, and the story becomes a breathless chase as our heroine Julie runs from her villain father and equally hateful groom to be, roving the Italian countryside, escaping into and out of abbeys, castles, and ruins. These endless escape scenarios are quite fun and never outstay their welcome, Radcliffe's control over the pace of the story is impressive for an early work, and while there is a horror element circling the castle it is resolved as non supernatural (but somehow more ridiculous, a twist that is truly implausible and the weakest element of the book). Romance and danger are the order of the day in this book, set against a gothic backdrop, and on the whole it's an enjoyable romp.
Radcliffe's prose is impressive, especially relative to her contemporaries, she paints a world with high saturation, the castles are otherworldly and creepy and the sunrise and fields are glowing and gorgeous in equal measure. On the whole it is a sometimes silly, always fun melodrama set against an almost fantastically rendered gothic landscape. A Sicilian Romance is an 18th century theme park ride, a breakneck novel that hurtles forward fast enough to bypass most of it's plot holes unless you're looking hard, and sometimes a roller coaster is most fun when you close your eyes.
Once the stage is set, suddenly the brakes are cut, and the story becomes a breathless chase as our heroine Julie runs from her villain father and equally hateful groom to be, roving the Italian countryside, escaping into and out of abbeys, castles, and ruins. These endless escape scenarios are quite fun and never outstay their welcome, Radcliffe's control over the pace of the story is impressive for an early work, and while there is a horror element circling the castle it is resolved as non supernatural (but somehow more ridiculous, a twist that is truly implausible and the weakest element of the book). Romance and danger are the order of the day in this book, set against a gothic backdrop, and on the whole it's an enjoyable romp.
Radcliffe's prose is impressive, especially relative to her contemporaries, she paints a world with high saturation, the castles are otherworldly and creepy and the sunrise and fields are glowing and gorgeous in equal measure. On the whole it is a sometimes silly, always fun melodrama set against an almost fantastically rendered gothic landscape. A Sicilian Romance is an 18th century theme park ride, a breakneck novel that hurtles forward fast enough to bypass most of it's plot holes unless you're looking hard, and sometimes a roller coaster is most fun when you close your eyes.
kailey_luminouslibro's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Julia falls in love with the dashing young Hippolitus, but her father insists that she must marry the evil Duke. Julia's brother tries to help her escape from the clutches of her ruthless father by arranging an elopement, but their plans are betrayed and Julia is caught. Julia goes through every kind of disaster and terrifying mishap, fleeing for her life and weeping along the way.
This is Gothic melodrama at its best! Julia dissolves into tears, is frozen with terror, collapses under the strain of horror, and is prostrate with grief in every single chapter. Several other ladies, not to be outdone, also fainted on several occasions. Everyone is constantly exclaiming some version of "Alas, woe is me!"
Everything that possibly can go wrong for Julia does go wrong in the plot. It's one catastrophe after another for the entire book! There are so many lucky coincidences and timely misfortunes that it became funny, and when that plot twist finally arrived, it was so obvious that I didn't bat an eye.
The writing is laboriously descriptive and extravagant, peppered with pompous poetry which various characters recite or compose on the spot. I started skimming over the descriptive passages, and skipped the poetry altogether.
I was both charmed and frustrated with Julia. She's sweet and virtuous and adorable. I was glad to see that she really takes action when she has the choice. She doesn't sit around weeping and fainting all the time, only most of the time.
Despite the wild plot and the sensational melodrama, I really enjoyed reading this book! It's so mournful and terrifying that I found it funny!
This is Gothic melodrama at its best! Julia dissolves into tears, is frozen with terror, collapses under the strain of horror, and is prostrate with grief in every single chapter. Several other ladies, not to be outdone, also fainted on several occasions. Everyone is constantly exclaiming some version of "Alas, woe is me!"
Everything that possibly can go wrong for Julia does go wrong in the plot. It's one catastrophe after another for the entire book! There are so many lucky coincidences and timely misfortunes that it became funny, and when that plot twist finally arrived, it was so obvious that I didn't bat an eye.
The writing is laboriously descriptive and extravagant, peppered with pompous poetry which various characters recite or compose on the spot. I started skimming over the descriptive passages, and skipped the poetry altogether.
I was both charmed and frustrated with Julia. She's sweet and virtuous and adorable. I was glad to see that she really takes action when she has the choice. She doesn't sit around weeping and fainting all the time, only most of the time.
Despite the wild plot and the sensational melodrama, I really enjoyed reading this book! It's so mournful and terrifying that I found it funny!
tasmurcia's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
littlelines's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
samanthalvnn's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
mangosugar's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
elise_dom's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
kiddisafailure's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Among the classic gothic novels I have read I find A Sicilian Romance to be one of the more accessible and fun reads. The plot of the book moves by very quickly and there is very few instances where something is not happen. It was easy to keep reading because nearly every chapter left you at a point where you wanted to know what happened next, especially the later half. While I do not find the characters likeable or dislikeable they are engaging enough, but the constant shift in focus between them can be jarring at time and make events difficult to follow. The mystery of this story is also well executed and the acute detail to scenery really adds to the ambiance and can even make readers nervous about what it around the corner.
With that all being said, this book is lacking in believable explanations and decent character development that can definitely turn a reader away. However, I do not think that was the point of the novel n fairness, but if you have problems with those two things it will likely be a big deal to you. For me, I could still find enjoyment in the text regardless, but not so much that it left an impact on me or that I could even see myself revisiting.
With that all being said, this book is lacking in believable explanations and decent character development that can definitely turn a reader away. However, I do not think that was the point of the novel n fairness, but if you have problems with those two things it will likely be a big deal to you. For me, I could still find enjoyment in the text regardless, but not so much that it left an impact on me or that I could even see myself revisiting.
lucythemidnightreader's review
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bethanydark's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0