I know what you mean!
Posted by LauraN on November 19, 1997 at 20:25:42:
In response to Period gothic novels, written by Carolyn B on November 19, 1997 at 12:39:37
I know what you mean about Udolpho! It took QUITE a bit of work to get throught that novel (in my case anyway)! If you want to continue on Anne Radcliffe, I would suggest one of her shorter works (well, I guess that would mean all else, as Udolpho is the longest I think). "The Castles of Athlin and Dunbayne: A Highland Story" is a VERY short work and is (relatively) easy to get through. But, if you want to try something that was more popular (and that was mentioned by Jane Austen) you might want to try "The Romance of the Forest" which is also much shorter than Udolpho. There are also the novels "A Sicilian Romance" and "The Italian" if you want. I looked up Mrs. Radcliffe on Bookserve, but they don't have "The Castles of Athlin and Dunbayne" available, thogh the others are.
I can really empathize with you, as I too had to struggle through Udolpho - and in the end it was worth it, I guess, as it made Northanger Abbey even funnier than I found it before. I hope this helps a bit - I'm not a fan of Gothic novels and only read Anne Radcliffe because Jane Austen mentioned her, and believe me I wouldn't have done it otherwise! After all, how much of "On the pleasant banks of the Garrone in the province of Gascony..." and Mrs. Radcliffe's excessive use of the comma can one take in one stting?! :-)
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