The Romance of the Forest (1791) heralded an enormous surge in the popularity of Gothic novels, in a decade that included Ann Radcliffe's later works, The Mysteries of Udolpho and The Italian. Set in Roman Catholic Europe of violent passions and extreme oppression, the novel follows the fate of its heroine Adeline, who is mysteriously placed under the protection of a family fleeing Paris for debt. They take refuge in a ruined abbey in south-eastern France, where sinister relics of the past - a skeleton, a manuscript, and a rusty dagger - are discovered in concealed rooms. Adeline finds herself at the mercy of the abbey's proprietor, a libidinous Marquis whose attentions finally force her to contemplate escape to distant regions. Rich in allusions to aesthetic theory and to travel literature, The Romance of the Forest is also concerned with current philosophical debate and examines systems of thought central to the intellectual life of late eighteenth-century Europe.
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"Excellent notes and solid introduction. A good example of the gothic mode, of use in an introduction to fiction or survey of the novel class."--Leslie G. Bailey, St. Martin's College
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Chloe Chard is Lecturer in English at the University of Sheffield.
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By disco75
Format:Paperback
The contrived situations, coincidences, and overwrought events in this book overwhelm what little character insight and logic are there. Plot-driven, it does engage the way an old fashioned horror movie might, but there are repetitious circlings in the narrative and such helplessness in the protagonist that reader frustration is inevitable. I would have loved this book as a young teen had I been able to master the older English.
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I admire the way in which the authoress took all of her threads at the end and made them part of a carpet intricate in design. The heroine was lovable, but the romance between her and her lover was too restrictive and cold that I was often disappointed with it and not convinced, all though perhaps it suits the stereotype of the times, but I doubt I could ever keep my feelings so hidden. Despite my many qualms with the book, it was often exciting, and I do credit Radcliffe's ability to set words on paper. It is a perfect example of the gothic genre.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I enjoyed this book. It seemed a bit slow to get going but when it did, I couldn't put it down. When I got to the high point of the story I was anxious to read on and find out what the fate of poor Adeline would be.(The suspense kept me going).
I don' want to give the plot away but, while reading this book I enjoyed the story about the La Motte family. If you like suspense and a bit of turmoil and agony that goes with a gothic tale then read this book! You'll wonder why you didn't read it before.
I gave this book 4 stars because some of the text has typos but otherwise well worth the effort.
I don' want to give the plot away but, while reading this book I enjoyed the story about the La Motte family. If you like suspense and a bit of turmoil and agony that goes with a gothic tale then read this book! You'll wonder why you didn't read it before.
I gave this book 4 stars because some of the text has typos but otherwise well worth the effort.
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gothic mystery
this is the third of radcliffe's five "gothic romances" and it truly marks the emerging radcliffean heroine,scene painting, suspense and "romance" that Mother... Read more
Published on Aug 11 2002 by dom
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful Mystery
The story of a persecuted girl who is delivered from one person to another who are compelled by different motives to decide her destiny. Read more
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