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A review by morgan_evernight
The Mysteries of Udolpho - Volume 1 by Ann Radcliffe: Happiness arises in a state of peace, not of tumult. by Ann Radcliffe, Ann Radcliffe
4.0
A slow starter, with the first three or four chapters giving the impression that you're reading a nature documentary rather than a novel with characters and lives. Eventually, through tragedy, the pace picks up, and the story begins to focus on the series of unfortunate events that befall the protagonist, Emily St. Aubert.
Once the focus shifted from the beautiful French countryside to Emily's misfortunes, I found myself hooked—wanting to see her overcome the obstacles and obtain happiness despite the horrid people in her life who would rather see her suffer. However, Volume 1 ends with a cliffhanger. Being a four-volume series, more sorrow is to befall Emily before her fate is revealed.
I picked up this book to learn more about the origins of the gothic novel genre. It has been fun yet challenging to read through a book written in archaic English. It truly feels like traveling through time. Thankfully, I have the internet to help me distinguish the words and syntax of the era.
I have enjoyed this book and look forward to starting Volume 2 shortly.
Once the focus shifted from the beautiful French countryside to Emily's misfortunes, I found myself hooked—wanting to see her overcome the obstacles and obtain happiness despite the horrid people in her life who would rather see her suffer. However, Volume 1 ends with a cliffhanger. Being a four-volume series, more sorrow is to befall Emily before her fate is revealed.
I picked up this book to learn more about the origins of the gothic novel genre. It has been fun yet challenging to read through a book written in archaic English. It truly feels like traveling through time. Thankfully, I have the internet to help me distinguish the words and syntax of the era.
I have enjoyed this book and look forward to starting Volume 2 shortly.