Such a timely essay for me! I’m reading The Romance of the Forest by Ann Radcliffe for my book club, and I was also struck not just by the main character’s reveling in nature and the use of the word “sublime,” but how this often turns her to praise of God and feeling His peace.
I have liked elements of The Romance of the Forest but disliked other elements, so now I’m very curious about The Mysteries of Udolpho!
Ooh I'd like to read The Romance of the Forest since I enjoyed Udolpho so much! Not having read it, I've heard it has some darker themes than Udolpho, which was honestly a cozy read for me. Something Eleanor Tilney would enjoy, quite unlike The Monk.
Love this!! You know what, I forgot to go back and listen to Alison Milbank's talk! I need to remedy that asap. This line: "What I didn’t expect to find was a contemplation of nature as devotion, a cozy book that made me feel like a clergyman’s adolescent daughter reading by the fireside." Love it! Emily sounds a lot like Fanny Price actually with her room set aside for all the things that make for a well-informed mind. You're still making me want to read Udolpho again!! Definitely my favorite 18th century novel to date. (Sorry Fanny Burney!)
As I'm in my Mansfield Park re-read Emily is so much like Fanny Price! A bit less nervous about asserting herself, though. Haha. It's certainly my favorite 18th century novel but nothing else I've read from that century (which isn't much) comes close for me. I still need to try Fanny Burney!
Great article. I read Northanger Abbey last year and it was chock full of references to Udolpho. I went through quite a gothic streak in my reading life where I devoured anything I could get that was in any way gothic related. The Mysteries of Udolpho, Jane Eyre, Phantom of the Opera, The Moonstone, The Woman in White, Rebecca, The Monk, and The Yellow Wallpaper. It was a great experience.
These are great! I just started Rebecca this week and am loving it. I hadn't considered The Yellow Wallpaper as a gothic work but now I want to re-read it with that in mind. Thank you!
I have never read any Radcliffe and this essay has convinced me that Udolpho needs to join my TBR!
I think you'd get a kick out of it! I can see why Austen loved her work so much.
A delightful read as ever, Melody!!! Thank you for this!
Thank you, dear Sofia! ❤️
Such a timely essay for me! I’m reading The Romance of the Forest by Ann Radcliffe for my book club, and I was also struck not just by the main character’s reveling in nature and the use of the word “sublime,” but how this often turns her to praise of God and feeling His peace.
I have liked elements of The Romance of the Forest but disliked other elements, so now I’m very curious about The Mysteries of Udolpho!
Ooh I'd like to read The Romance of the Forest since I enjoyed Udolpho so much! Not having read it, I've heard it has some darker themes than Udolpho, which was honestly a cozy read for me. Something Eleanor Tilney would enjoy, quite unlike The Monk.
Love this!! You know what, I forgot to go back and listen to Alison Milbank's talk! I need to remedy that asap. This line: "What I didn’t expect to find was a contemplation of nature as devotion, a cozy book that made me feel like a clergyman’s adolescent daughter reading by the fireside." Love it! Emily sounds a lot like Fanny Price actually with her room set aside for all the things that make for a well-informed mind. You're still making me want to read Udolpho again!! Definitely my favorite 18th century novel to date. (Sorry Fanny Burney!)
As I'm in my Mansfield Park re-read Emily is so much like Fanny Price! A bit less nervous about asserting herself, though. Haha. It's certainly my favorite 18th century novel but nothing else I've read from that century (which isn't much) comes close for me. I still need to try Fanny Burney!
Great article. I read Northanger Abbey last year and it was chock full of references to Udolpho. I went through quite a gothic streak in my reading life where I devoured anything I could get that was in any way gothic related. The Mysteries of Udolpho, Jane Eyre, Phantom of the Opera, The Moonstone, The Woman in White, Rebecca, The Monk, and The Yellow Wallpaper. It was a great experience.
These are great! I just started Rebecca this week and am loving it. I hadn't considered The Yellow Wallpaper as a gothic work but now I want to re-read it with that in mind. Thank you!