Rating: 
Summary: Exceptional!!
Review: A very good book, I can't express it enough.. Very dry and slow moving at first, but once the events and story starts unraveling it's hard to put down - I read it in 3 days time I was soo absorbed. All I thought about was getting back to the book it was fantastic.If you read this book, once you get past the slow beginning, I can guarantee you won't be disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: Passion and Reason - A Heady Brew
Review: Ann Radcliffe's "The Mysteries of Udolpho" is as much a transitionary work between the enlightenment and romanticism, as it is a traditional horror story. In it, we follow Emily St. Aubert as she tries to reconcile her father's teachings of reserve and moderation with the reckless passions of love and fear. Between her father's dying requests that initiate the action of the novel, and the mysterious secret chambers of Chateau le Blanc and the ominous Castle Udolpho, Emily attempts to control her overflows of emotion in order to resolve doubts about herself and the world around her. The first third of the novel will appeal to art-lovers, who will revel in Radcliffe's florid, epic landscapes from the Italian sea-coast to the wine country of southern France. The remainder of the novel shows Radcliffe's manipulation of what have become standards of the gothic-terror genres, foremost being building and maintaining suspense. The ways in which Radcliffe poses questions, answers them, and then retracts the answers keep even the most astute reader in the dark straight through to the end. While Radcliffe is quick to indulge flights of emotional and poetic fancy, she carefully balances this with the notion that the well-adjusted person can balance these impulses with self-governing rationality. The fact that the story's protagonist is a young woman bears further implications for Radcliffe's vision in terms of female empowerment and ability to cope with the terrors of the 'real world'. A dense, convoluted plot, still-relevant themes, and charming minor characters keep "The Mysteries of Udolpho" worth reading over 200 years after it was first published.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful Mystery
Review: Ann Radcliffe's "The Mysteries of Udolpho" is as much a transitionary work between the enlightenment and romanticism, as it is a traditional horror story. In it, we follow Emily St. Aubert as she tries to reconcile her father's teachings of reserve and moderation with the reckless passions of love and fear. Between her father's dying requests that initiate the action of the novel, and the mysterious secret chambers of Chateau le Blanc and the ominous Castle Udolpho, Emily attempts to control her overflows of emotion in order to resolve doubts about herself and the world around her. The first third of the novel will appeal to art-lovers, who will revel in Radcliffe's florid, epic landscapes from the Italian sea-coast to the wine country of southern France. The remainder of the novel shows Radcliffe's manipulation of what have become standards of the gothic-terror genres, foremost being building and maintaining suspense. The ways in which Radcliffe poses questions, answers them, and then retracts the answers keep even the most astute reader in the dark straight through to the end. While Radcliffe is quick to indulge flights of emotional and poetic fancy, she carefully balances this with the notion that the well-adjusted person can balance these impulses with self-governing rationality. The fact that the story's protagonist is a young woman bears further implications for Radcliffe's vision in terms of female empowerment and ability to cope with the terrors of the 'real world'. A dense, convoluted plot, still-relevant themes, and charming minor characters keep "The Mysteries of Udolpho" worth reading over 200 years after it was first published.
Rating:
Summary: Passion and Reason - A Heady Brew
Review: Ann Radcliffe's "The Mysteries of Udolpho" is as much a transitionary work between the enlightenment and romanticism, as it is a traditional horror story. In it, we follow Emily St. Aubert as she tries to reconcile her father's teachings of reserve and moderation with the reckless passions of love and fear. Between her father's dying requests that initiate the action of the novel, and the mysterious secret chambers of Chateau le Blanc and the ominous Castle Udolpho, Emily attempts to control her overflows of emotion in order to resolve doubts about herself and the world around her. The first third of the novel will appeal to art-lovers, who will revel in Radcliffe's florid, epic landscapes from the Italian sea-coast to the wine country of southern France. The remainder of the novel shows Radcliffe's manipulation of what have become standards of the gothic-terror genres, foremost being building and maintaining suspense. The ways in which Radcliffe poses questions, answers them, and then retracts the answers keep even the most astute reader in the dark straight through to the end. While Radcliffe is quick to indulge flights of emotional and poetic fancy, she carefully balances this with the notion that the well-adjusted person can balance these impulses with self-governing rationality. The fact that the story's protagonist is a young woman bears further implications for Radcliffe's vision in terms of female empowerment and ability to cope with the terrors of the 'real world'. A dense, convoluted plot, still-relevant themes, and charming minor characters keep "The Mysteries of Udolpho" worth reading over 200 years after it was first published.
Rating:
Summary: I couldn't put it down!
Review: Because of the sheer length of the work and the slow and overly descriptive sections, mainly the 1st and 3rd volumes, Udolpho presents a challenge to the reader. If, however, the reader persists, he (or she)will be rewarded by the suspense, mystery and romance to come. In the beginning I found Emily's fainting spells (she is a victim to 'sensibility' you know)annoying, but she gets better. I was disappointed with the revelations at the end. I think that Radcliffe would have been better off leaving the mystery of the black veil, a mystery. The only reason I have heard of this work is because I had just read Northanger Abbey. Radcliffe deserves a bit more credit for Udolpho than to-day's society is willing to bestow upon her. It is a great work for those interested in the genre or for those who love mysteries or romances. Don't take my word for it though, read it!
Rating:
Summary: Literary Perfection
Review: I fear I don't have the words to fully explain just how important, enjoyable, and breath-taking this novel is to me; The Mysteries of Udolpho is simply one of the greatest written works ever produced. While this is a Gothic novel, arguably the greatest Gothic novel ever written, it is so much more than that. "Gothic" denotes dark castles, spectral haunts, dastardly deeds performed by cruel, mysterious men--certainly these elements are here. However, a large portion of this novel is simply beautiful--no one I know of has ever described the simple grandeur of life and nature or waxed more poetically on the noble merits of love and honor as does Ann Radcliffe. Emily is one of the most memorable characters in all of fiction. To be frank, I simply fell in love with her. Through her, I was able to not only see but to better appreciate life itself and the simple beauties it manifests. When she was hurt or pained, I shared her sorrow; many times, I felt compelled to jump up and somehow defend her against the monstrous injustices inflicted upon her. I admired her morality and deep commitment to honor, a commitment so deep that she sacrificed in deference to it her own deep love for Valancourt, a love so deep that it alone allowed her to withstand the horrors of Count Montoni and the castle of Udolpho. Certainly, Emily is very sensitive and overdramatic, and she does tend to faint a lot, but she is a pure angel to someone like myself who is a Victorian at heart. The Gothic horror is very well done, but it does not take up nearly as much of the novel as I had anticipated. Radcliffe can bring chills to readers even today. The description of someone's silent entry by night into Emily's room is spine-tingling, as are the descriptions of Emily's reluctant journeys down to the catacombs beneath the castle. The wide-eyed Annette's rambling descriptions of supernatural manifestations feed Emily's and the reader's own fears. Emily escapes from the nefarious castle about two-thirds of the way through the novel, but a number of strange events at Chateau-le-Blanc quickly serve to return the reader to the dark dimensions of fright. At that point, I wondered how so much story could be left to tell, but Radcliffe introduced new characters and new situations as compelling as those that had come before and succeeded in absorbing me even further into this world of her creation. Lady Blanche inspired in me many of the feelings I felt for Emily, and the resulting story not only added much to the experience of this novel but ultimately helped to tie many threads together. The experience of Emily and Annette in the late Countess' room, shut up for 20 years since the lady's mysterious death, was as frightening as any scene that took place inside the walls of Udolpho. I did worry as I neared the final pages that Radcliffe would not successfully explain everything that had taken place or would leave some loose ends dangling--the only thing I was left wondering, however, was what happened to the dog Emily took with her to Udolpho after she escaped. I wish I could mention all of the wonderful characters and all of the scenes and events, both beautiful and horrific, to be found in these pages. These were times when I literally had to put one hand across the page to keep from jumping ahead to see what was about to happen. I do want to stress the beauty and romance of the novel because these aspects are overshadowed by the perception people have of Gothic literature. The story of Emily and Valancourt is one of the greatest love stories in literature. Future readers, please don't pick the novel up until such a time as you are truly committed to reading it; it is rather long, and this is not a novel you will want to lay aside for several days at a time. Also, the first 100 pages or so are somewhat hard to get through. Radcliffe paints a living portrait of nature in these pages, describing more details than I could ever even hope to witness. You won't encounter the Gothic horror you may be expecting until you get rather deeply into the story, so keep that in mind. Approach this novel as you would a work of art because that is exactly what it is.
Rating:
Summary: Intriguing, romantic...Can't get it out of my mind.
Review: I finished the book a couple of months ago, but still cannot get it out of my mind. The mysteries center around the old, decrepit Castle of Udolpho, which the owner saves from ruin in order to fulfill his insane ambition for power. The young and beautiful Emily has always relied on her strength of mind and spirit to buoy her in her travels. Now she must use all that is left in her to survive the outrages forced upon her gentle nature within the gloomy confines of Udolpho.
Rating:
Summary: I love this book
Review: I had to read this for a sophomore seminar in college. I had never even heard of Ann Radcliffe and was more than a little intimidated at the size of the novel. And the first 150 pages of endless descriptions of the Alps didn't help. But once you get past that, you'll be completely swept up in the story, the intrigues, the romance, the danger and the creepiness. It was well over 10 years ago that I read this and I STILL think back on how entertaining and captivating it was. Don't be scared off! And I'm shocked that Ann Radcliffe isn't better known for her legacy to English literature (gothic, in particular!)
Rating:
Summary: Long, but wonderfully fun and creepy
Review: I love novels, especially gothic novels, but I dreaded reading this book for my senior seminar on the gothic novel. The sheer size of it was so imposing to me. Aside from that, I had never even heard of it, nor had I heard the name Ann Radcliffe. I began to believe that my fears were justified after the first few totally over-descriptive chapters, but I persisted and was rewarded for my patience! Once the "mysteries" of Udolpho began to appear, I couldn't put the book down, so anxious was I to know their outcomes. Like most gothic novels, it is a bit farfetched and melodramatic (especially the love angle), but that's not the point here. The story is just jam-packed with gothic sexual thrills, lust, rotting corpses, spooky sounds, unexplainable "creeping flesh" sensations... read it and appreciate a virtually unknown gem!
Rating:
Summary: One amazing book!
Review: I read Mysteries of Udolpho in my freshman year of high school. I had never heard of it before, aside from when I read Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey. I discovered it on the internet, and the plot immediately intrigued me. I bought it the next chance I got, and I was not disappointed. I've read some reviews saying that the descriptions were too long, or the plot too tedious, and I am shocked. Ann Radcliffe's story, and style of writing are the best I've seen in my entire life. It's disappointing to know that she is not credited for her works as she should be. I consider Ann Radcliffe the best writer of all time, and Mysteries of Udolpho her greatest achievement. At first, I was a little worried about the size of the book, but that soon diminished when I discovered how fast-paced the novel was. I couldn't put the book down! When I grew near the end, I wished that there was more! I can safely say that if you enjoy gothic style novels, this will be the best one you have ever read! It is a must-read for everyone!
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