A review by junelaurens
Four Gothic Novels: The Castle of Otranto; Vathek; The Monk; Frankenstein by William Beckford, Horace Walpole, Mary Shelley, Matthew Gregory Lewis
5.0
A brilliant, brilliant quartet of early Gothic novels.
The Castle of Otranto: 4 stars. I found it comic in places, and rather abundant in euphemisms. Great story though, and the foundation of many subsequent Gothic novels.
Vathek: 4 stars. Seemed to be more fantasy-gothic, but very haunting, especially at the end.
The Monk: 5 stars. My personal favourite in this collection. It was scandalous in its day, but all the elements of a good gothic ghost story are included in it. Loved it.
Frankenstein: 5 stars. Highlights the difficulties of the "alien"/"other" in society, and the destructive effects of exclusion. The reverse of Stoker's "Dracula", I was left feeling quite sorry for the monster.
Highly recommend this collection - I know I will be re-reading it more than once.
The Castle of Otranto: 4 stars. I found it comic in places, and rather abundant in euphemisms. Great story though, and the foundation of many subsequent Gothic novels.
Vathek: 4 stars. Seemed to be more fantasy-gothic, but very haunting, especially at the end.
The Monk: 5 stars. My personal favourite in this collection. It was scandalous in its day, but all the elements of a good gothic ghost story are included in it. Loved it.
Frankenstein: 5 stars. Highlights the difficulties of the "alien"/"other" in society, and the destructive effects of exclusion. The reverse of Stoker's "Dracula", I was left feeling quite sorry for the monster.
Highly recommend this collection - I know I will be re-reading it more than once.