The Mysteries of Udolpho
Published: 8, May 1794
Author: Ann Ward Radcliffe
Genres: 80/100, Adventure, Classic, Education, Fiction, Gothic, History, Horror, Literary, Literature, Mystery, Romance, Supernatural
Check out the review of this book here:
The Mysteries of Udolpho is a classic Gothic tale, full of physical and psychological terrors such as lonely decaying castles, supposedly supernatural happenings, a brooding, plotting villain, and a persecuted heroine.
Radcliffe added extended descriptions of exotic landscapes in the Pyrenees and Apennines, as well as Venice, none of which she had visited, to which modern editors point out that only about a third of the novel takes place in the titular Gothic castle, and that the tone and style of the work vary significantly between sections. She depended on travel guides for specifics, which resulted in various inaccuracies.
The story, set in southern France and northern Italy in 1584, follows Emily St. Aubert, a young French woman orphaned by her father's death. Signor Montoni, an Italian brigand who has married her aunt and guardian Madame Cheron, has her imprisoned at Castle Udolpho. Emily's relationship with the dashing Valancourt is thwarted by him and others. Emily also looks into her father's relationship with the Marchioness de Villeroi and how it relates to Castle Udolpho.
Emily St. Aubert is the sole child of a wealthy rural family on the verge of bankruptcy. Emily and her father have a very strong relationship based on their common love of nature. Following her mother's death from sickness, they become further closer. She travels with him from their home Gascony to the Mediterranean coast of Roussillon, passing through several rugged regions. During their travels, they meet Valancourt, a dashing young man who has a mysterious connection with nature. Emily and Valancourt develop feelings for one another.
Emily's father passes away after a lengthy illness. Emily, who is now orphaned, is forced to live with her aunt, Madame Cheron, who has no interest in Emily's hobbies and displays no compassion for her. Her aunt marries Montoni, a shady Italian aristocrat. He wants to marry Emily's friend, Count Morano and attempts to force him on her. Montoni invites Emily and her aunt to his secluded castle of Udolpho after finding Morano is virtually demolished.
Emily is concerned that she has lost Valancourt for good. Morano looks for Emily and attempts to smuggle her away from Udolpho in the dark, but Emily's heart belongs to Valancourt, and she refuses. Montoni discovers Morano's attempted escape and wounds him before chasing him away. Montoni threatens his wife with violence in the months following, attempting to get her to sign up her possessions in Toulouse, which would otherwise pass to Emily upon his wife's death. Madame Cheron dies of a serious illness brought on by her husband's harshness without renouncing her inheritance.
In the castle, many terrifying yet fortuitous incidents occur, but Emily tries to leave with the assistance of a hidden lover, Du Pont, who is also a prisoner there, and the servants Annette and Ludovico. When Emily returns to her aunt's house, she discovers that Valancourt has fled to Paris and squandered his fortune. Despite this, she gains control of the land and is eventually reunited with Valancourt.
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Rating: 80/100
Recommended: 90/100 Yes.
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