The Mysteries of Udolpho

It takes patience and understanding to sit down and appreciate Mrs. Radcliffe's masterpiece of Gothic horror. I believe I had to read through about 5 chapters before my mind was smoothly processing the dialog and style of this period piece.

The dramatic landscapes and journeys that are brought to life in this work are thrilling. Even several months after completing the novel, my mind's eye is filled with images of the dark and wild Pyrenees and the stormy forests of the Italian hills ...more It takes patience and understanding to sit down and appreciate Mrs. Radcliffe's masterpiece of Gothic horror. I believe I had to read through about 5 chapters before my mind was smoothly processing the dialog and style of this period piece.

The dramatic landscapes and journeys that are brought to life in this work are thrilling. Even several months after completing the novel, my mind's eye is filled with images of the dark and wild Pyrenees and the stormy forests of the Italian hills. I still recall the scene where the guards staffs, put at a distance in the ground, channel the electric current of the lightning, dancing between them and to the earth.

I have read many complaints from readers of this volume. There are two difficulties with this work, they are justified, though I didn't let them impede my progress, or enjoyment of the finer aspects of the novel.

The first issue modern readers have is with that of the heroine. In this day and age, we are not accustomed, or pleased to be presented with a female heroine who seems incapable of any personal strength, firmness of mind, and who weeps endlessly, Yes, this is frustrating in our age of liberation. It is very hard to relate to Emily, and sometimes even harder to like her.

What needs to be remembered is that Mrs. Radcliffe is from a different time, a different world than the one we know. When reading any book of such antiquated date, we must remember that we become time travelers. We must not try to hold the characters up to modern day standards. I feel it imperative to set aside modern notions of the female sex to truly appreciate this work.

The second issue, is that which has been pointed out by scholars of literature, of the mode Mrs. Radcliffe employs to keep her mysteries hidden till the end. It does rob the reader of a sense of fairness and fulfillment. I was exceedingly pleased that all mysteries were resolved by the end. For a time, I was becoming nervous that I would be left in doubt forever as to what lay beyond the black veil...

In conclusion, this is a wonderful work that deserves to be remembered and enjoyed. I will definitely read it again.