The Mysteries of Udolpho (Oxford World's Classics)

by Ann Radcliffe | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 0192825232 Global Overview for this book
Registered by Sterile of Burnley, Lancashire United Kingdom on 4/4/2009
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4 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by Sterile from Burnley, Lancashire United Kingdom on Saturday, April 4, 2009

Journal Entry 2 by Sterile from Burnley, Lancashire United Kingdom on Thursday, April 9, 2009
Releasing today to Danielle23. I can't wait for the library to add it to the shelves any longer!!

Journal Entry 3 by Danielle23 from Sunderland, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Tuesday, April 14, 2009
This arrived today Sterile, thank you so much. I have wanted to read this since I read about it in 'Northanger Abbey'. Once read I will donate it to the library (and make sure they take it).

Journal Entry 4 by Danielle23 at Sunderland, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Friday, July 30, 2010
A really good read. It took me a while to get through this but it was worthwhile. The story did get a little frustrating towards the end and then felt just a little rushed in parts.

Off now to soffitta1 who has requested it xx

Journal Entry 5 by Danielle23 at Sunderland, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Friday, July 30, 2010

Released 13 yrs ago (7/30/2010 UTC) at Sunderland, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Travelling now to soffitta1. Sorry for the delay but this took me a while to read, you may see what I mean. Hope you enjoy it xx

Journal Entry 6 by soffitta1 at Dovercourt, Essex United Kingdom on Saturday, August 7, 2010
Thanks, this arrived during the week, but Mum had to pick it up.

I first heard of this book when I read Northanger Abbey, in which the young heroine, Catherine Moreland, is fascinated by it.

It is a Gothic romance in which Emily is caught up in various mysteries, not least that of the castle of Udolpho. Emily is a young girl left orphaned near the start of the novel, after her father succumbs to an illness. She comes from a good Gascony family, but is left in less than healthy finacial circumstances and under the guardianship of her aunt.

Emily undergoes many trials, both physical and mental, not least as everyone from her aunt, her aunt's suitor to her servants believe they know best about her choice of husband. Often left alone,she has to deal with strange occurences all around her, trying to keep hold of her sanity and her chasity.

This is not a book for the fainthearted, not so much because of the Gothic imagery, so much as its length. The plot is rather drawn out, indeed if I were Emily, I too would have sought sanctuary or indeed spent half my day in a swoon, though I would not have had the strength to comment on the landscape in verse.

It is full of drama and dramatic devices, we have banditti, Gothic castles, villians, heroes, all against a backdrop poetically descibed in minutiae by Radcliffe. Once I got into the narrative, however, I did find it racing along, though there was at least a twist too many.

I am glad I read this book, there are many more recent works of fiction that give more than a nod to it. I also found it rather fun, Gothic is not a style I usually read, and while I would agree more with Frank Tilney's view of the book, I can see why Catherine Moreland loved it.

To be sent to Caroley who chose it from the 1001-Library UK VBB.

Journal Entry 7 by Caroley at Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Friday, March 18, 2011
The postman has just staggered up my path with this! I think I shall enjoy crossing it off the 1001 list. I do enjoy a bit of Gothic. Thanks for sending it Soffitta1.

Journal Entry 8 by Caroley at Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Wednesday, August 31, 2016
This has been damaged due to a damp problem in the house so unfortunately has had to be disposed of.

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