The Mysteries of Udolpho (Illustrated) [NOOK Book]

A classic everyone should own!

This is my favorite novel ever! I stumbled across it beacuse Jane Austen's "Northanger Abbey" was heavily influenced by this classic book, and name-dropped it several time. This book was instrumental in shaping the modern detective novel, and is drenched in gothic atmosphere. There's mystery, suspense, romance, drama and it's even a travelogue of sorts. It's an ambitious read, but thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding.

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

A Truly Captivating Novel

I'm still envolved in the book at the moment. And, despite a slow start, it quickly got me interested and now I am captivated by it. I find myself even shouting out exclamations for the characters like one does in a movie theater when the actors start walking towards the weird light and the creepy music starts playing. I can't wait to find out what happens next!!!

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

The Best Book I Ever Read

I would greatly recommend The Mysterys of Udalpho, by Ann Radcliffe, to any adult or young adult who loves a suspenseful plot with an added bonus of romance. The Mysterys of Udalpho tells the classic story of good versus evil. The book¿s focus is on a young orphaned heroine, Emily St Aubert. Radcliffe does a brilliant job in showing Emily¿s growth physiologically as well as psychologically throughout the book. Emily is held a prisoner at the castle of Udalpho, where it is hard for her to tell reality from fantasy. The constant twists in the plot keep you on the edge of your seat as you are reading. The intricate plot comes together well with an exceptional ending that has you smiling and shaking your head in disbelief.

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

Great book!

The book started out slow, but once I got into it there was no putting the book down. There are so many mysteries throughout the book that it only adds to the intrigue. The author does well in answering all of the questions you form while reading the book. It was a great romance with adventure. I would recommend this book to any serious reader.

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

The Mysteries of Udolpho

I first heard about this book when I was reading Jane Austen's 'Northanger Abbey'. It made this book sound so interesting I just had to read it. I am only 14, but it is one of the greatest books I have ever read. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone even remotely interested in literature.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Exciting but a bit underwhelming

Written in 1794, Udolpho has served as the prototype for most detective novels and horror stories for the past 200 years. Unfortunately, this book did not live up to my expectations, but was still enjoyable. While yes, there were may parts that were genuinely suspenseful and exciting, and Radcliffe did create a masterfully woven mystery that incorporated events and clues from throughout the book. But as a piece of literature, it just seems to lack focus. It was almost like she wanted it to be as exciting as possible, and went out of the way to manufacture extraordinary events that felt simply thrown into the story (mountainous bandit pirates?). At the beginning of the story, Radcliffe's detailed description of landscapes can be extremely excessive, but do taper off towards the end of the book. The most contrived part of the book was the poetry. Now I do adore poetry, but it just did not have a place in this novel. The narration would simply halt to say "here are some lines written by Emily (the heroine)", and then go back to where the story left off. Also, the characters tended to be quite stoic, and never evolved out of the good/evil archetypes. But this novel was not meant to be a detailed analysis of human nature, but a gothic horror story, and it did manage itself quite beautifully to that end. And for a 18th century housewife who never wrote a book until she was thirty, this hefty novel was indeed quite an accomplishment. So one the whole I deem this an indulgent bit of mystery and excitement, but not something that leaves a lasting impression.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Super read!

Amazing book that kept me hooked all the way to the end. I fell in love with these characters. This book goes through all the emotions! It's great!!!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Disapointing digital copy

Google's digitaization of this classic is at times impossible to decipher the original word. With numbers and various puncuations thrown in place of letters the text finds itself struggling to convey the intended meaning. To truly enjoy this tale look for a better digital copy.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Mysterious and Fantastic

This was an awesome read. It does start out very slow but it's worth sticking to it. It is full of adventures and mysteries. Quite fabulous.....I definitely want to read more of her.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Buy the real version

Theres too many strange characters and typos. About to buy the real version

Creepy and long but worth it.

I read this book years ago, and it was very lengthy and drawn out. But overall I enjoyed it. It's a true Gothic novel; seemingly every character has sinister motives. And the locations are all dark and mysterious. One of the great mysteries of the novel isn't explained real well. The nefarious characters are contrasted with truly benevolent people, and they all get their just rewards in the end. This book is helpful to read if you plan on reading Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen. Ms. Austen references Udolpho often.

Not Worth Free

Filled with confusing characters and poorly organized. Better off actually buying the book.

Very Enjoyable

The first time I ever heard of this book was when I read Jane Austens Northanger Abey. This book plays a role in the other and so I was curious. I found this book very enjoyable and am looking forward to reading more of Radcliffe's novels.

What a great book!

Radcliffe illustrates every scene so thoroughly that the reader experiences all the same fear, empathy, and intrigue as the beautiful Emily. This heroine is remarkably selfless and her moral convictions and discipline are inspiring.

The only tedious parts of the book, for me, were some of her descriptions of the landscapes which were quite loquacious, though I imagine I would have enjoyed them more were I not so anxious for the next action scene. This curious impatience is probably more to her credit than otherwise.

Overall the book is sweet, intriguing and terrifying. I could not read it when at home alone...or at night...or really any other time that is else wise conducive to hearing bumps in the night! : )

Fantastic Classic Read!

I was curious about The Mysteries of Udolpho after reading Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey - and it did not fail! It was a fantastic read. The characters are so interesting. They are sad and happy, gallant and mischievious. I couldn't stop reading it. The story keeps you guessing and boy was I wrong when I discovered the truth! It is the perfect mixture of a romance story, mystery, thriller, etc. Wait until you read about the black veil, what are the noises she hears, and who is the mysterious nun??? Now I will admit I am not big on poetry and skipped most of that, but it not take away from the story, so don't let the poetry stop you from reading it, if you are like me. This was a great story and I can't wait to read the rest of Mrs. Radcliffe's horid novels!

Incredibly Captivating

I decided to read The Mysteries of Udolpho after reading Jane Austin's Northanger Abbey, which is also an excellent book. This (Udolpho) is by far the best book I have ever read. There are so many twists and turns in the story. Emily is such a dear sweet girl who finds herself in horrible circumstances. Your heart aches for her. Will she ever fulfill her father's desires for her future?

The first romantic novel

The Mysteries of Udolpho is the first romantic novel in which a heroine is the main focus of the book. Written in a time where women had so little control over their own life, Emily attempts and in the end suceeds in getting her hearts content. Like modern day romances, we watch as Emily and Valancourt fight the odds and obstacles to become a couple. The deep descriptions of the Castle of Udolpho add to the books mystery. If you are a modern day romance novel reader I would suggest you read the book that started it all. However, there are pages on pages of description in which modern day readers may find a bit tedicious.

You've heard of it from Jane and here it is...

The Mysteries of Udolpho! The perfect window on the imagination and reasoning of the 18th century. Holding this thick volume in your hands is like touching a piece of history. How frequently Northanger Abbey alluded to it, how often has one seen a parody of it and not know... The heroine is annoyingly helpless and the hero just as charming. The villain very obligingly quits his villainies on que, and the plot is somewhat predictable. However, if you're one for imagery and scenes of the Alps and Venice so clear you feel as if you've been there - here's the novel for you. The very gothicly romantic nature of it is hard to say 'no' to. The pensive melancholy of gothic architecture and the dynamic spirit of Italian carnivals is enchanting and hard to bid farewell to. You'll want either an oboe or a lute to play and a nice hill with a view on the French campagne to sit upon when you finish with this tale.

A Gothic Masterpiece

'The Mysteries of Udolpho' are not easily forgotten, they will accompany their reader well after the book is shut. Radcliffe submerges the reader in a world of drowsy blurs between reality and fantasy, consciousnes and sleep, good and evil. Emily St. Aubert is the epitome of the Edwardian heroine; rational and self-conscious, she remains forever sceptic of the supernatural. The setting combines the decadence of ruinous castles and the organic sensuousness of the Appenines. The villain and the hero are deliciously antithetical, and are the unshakable foundation for many of the contemporary sort. Radcliffe's work must be read in context. Some sections may be found tedious to a hurried modern reader. My recommendation, however, savour every word!

Timeless Suspense!!!

I read the book from cover to cover with my hair standing on end! A brilliant example of 17th century imagination. How refreshing to read something written in beautifully proper english.