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A review by clangsydes
The Lost History of Dreams by Kris Waldherr
4.0
The story begins with Robert Highstead, a post-mortem photographer who was once a historian in Oxford. One day his brother writes to him — their distant cousin Hugh de Bonne had died. He is then tasked to photograph Hugh's remains in Ada's Folly, a chapel situated in Shropshire which he (Hugh) designed for his beloved, Ada. Ada is his long-dead wife, she rests at the same chapel.
Robert travels to Shropshire and stays in Weald House where Ada's niece, Isabelle, presides. But Isabelle who is in mourning does not agree with the task Robert has undertaken. After a series of misfortunes, Isabelle strikes a deal with Robert. He must write about Ada and Hugh's history to see that he fulfills his task.
I picked up this book because I love gothic novels. It's one of my weaknesses and guilty pleasures. It reads like Wuthering Heights but grimmer and darker. The book reads like a nested doll. It's a story within a story and there are many layers to it.
I found Robert to be quite the character. He keeps many secrets but also unravels those kept by Hugh, Ada, and Isabelle, herself. I think what I like generally about this book is it's about artists and writers during the Victorian era. It also carefully describes how it's like to be a post-mortem daguerreotypist. I was schooled in photography when I was in college so I appreciate the details of photography history in the book. I also found the poems in between the chapters very endearing and heartbreaking.
I am giving this book 4 stars. Reading thru the book, I thought that it was going to be a breeze, that I'll finish it immediately. But I found some parts are dragging and rather confusing. I guess it also shows the mental state of our dear historian/photographer Robert Highstead which makes sense as I write this review. But also for some reason, I hated his attachment to his dead wife. Some parts go on about Sida, how she died, how he won't let go of her.
But all in all, it's a fantastic book about love and loss. And I recommend it to anyone who loves gothic romance.
Robert travels to Shropshire and stays in Weald House where Ada's niece, Isabelle, presides. But Isabelle who is in mourning does not agree with the task Robert has undertaken. After a series of misfortunes, Isabelle strikes a deal with Robert. He must write about Ada and Hugh's history to see that he fulfills his task.
I picked up this book because I love gothic novels. It's one of my weaknesses and guilty pleasures. It reads like Wuthering Heights but grimmer and darker. The book reads like a nested doll. It's a story within a story and there are many layers to it.
I found Robert to be quite the character. He keeps many secrets but also unravels those kept by Hugh, Ada, and Isabelle, herself. I think what I like generally about this book is it's about artists and writers during the Victorian era. It also carefully describes how it's like to be a post-mortem daguerreotypist. I was schooled in photography when I was in college so I appreciate the details of photography history in the book. I also found the poems in between the chapters very endearing and heartbreaking.
I am giving this book 4 stars. Reading thru the book, I thought that it was going to be a breeze, that I'll finish it immediately. But I found some parts are dragging and rather confusing. I guess it also shows the mental state of our dear historian/photographer Robert Highstead which makes sense as I write this review. But also for some reason, I hated his attachment to his dead wife. Some parts go on about Sida, how she died, how he won't let go of her.
But all in all, it's a fantastic book about love and loss. And I recommend it to anyone who loves gothic romance.