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Rating: 
Summary: A gothic attempt at Fall of the House of Usher.
Review: "Dark Interval" is one of Joan Aiken's earlier novels, and is her fourth "adult" novel. It is a step down from the previous work of hers, "Beware of the Bonquet". This novel follows a young wife, who is recovering psycologically from her amnesia following the tragic death of her three-year old child. Her family is full of malice, and doesn't wish for her to recover. The woman then finds herself increasly drawn into a plot by a Eastern European emigree to keep his life private at all costs. Aiken does confuse us slightly with his name. Is it Harry Lupac, or Hari Lupac? Anyway, the writing seems to be slowed down by the overall mood of despair and rotting.
Rating: 
Summary: Moody, Suspenseful
Review: This novel is a fine example of Aiken's gothic romance novels; perfect for rainy day reading, it is satisfyingly dark and just unpredictable enough to keep the reader on edge. The main character's hateful and abusive family is believably drawn, which contributes much to the novel's effectiveness--this is real, dreary misery, not the colorful Dahl-like cruelty of some of her children's work. The resulting tension throws the heroine's search for love (and our sympathetic hopes) into sharp relief. Reminiscent of Shirley Jackson's short suspense novels, this is a powerfully written and engaging work. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Moody, Suspenseful
Review: This novel is a fine example of Aiken's gothic romance novels; perfect for rainy day reading, it is satisfyingly dark and just unpredictable enough to keep the reader on edge. The main character's hateful and abusive family is believably drawn, which contributes much to the novel's effectiveness--this is real, dreary misery, not the colorful Dahl-like cruelty of some of her children's work. The resulting tension throws the heroine's search for love (and our sympathetic hopes) into sharp relief. Reminiscent of Shirley Jackson's short suspense novels, this is a powerfully written and engaging work. Highly recommended.
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