Month: April 2023

The Castle of Otranto

LauraLeave a Comment on The Castle of Otranto
The Castle of Otranto
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Penguin
1764
Paperback
160
English
March 18, 2023 March 22, 2023
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On the day of his wedding, Conrad, heir to the house of Otranto, is killed in mysterious circumstances. Fearing the end of his dynasty, his father, Manfred, determines to marry Conrad's betrothed, Isabella, until a series of supernatural events stands in his way. . . .

Set in the time of the crusades, The Castle of Otranto established the Gothic as a literary form in England. With its compelling blend of psychological realism and supernatural terror, guilty secrets and unlawful desires, it has influenced a literary tradition stretching from Ann Radcliffe and Bram Stoker to Daphne Du Maurier and Stephen King.

This Penguin Classics edition includes a full selection of early responses to the novel, as well as a critical introduction, chronology of Walpole's life and works, suggestions for further reading, and full explanatory notes.

What I think

The story is cute, but nothing special. The version I read is a bit difficult to read, as they adopt an old-fashioned style and don’t use the right direct speech signs. And there are some typos.

The story is obviously dated and it is noted that at the time women were subjected to the will of their father first and then their husband, but I’m happy with how the book ended.

 

Les Misérables

LauraLeave a Comment on Les Misérables
Les Misérables


Penguin
1862
Paperback
1463
French
Norman MacAfee, Charles E. Wilbour, Lee Fahnestock, Isabel Florence Hapgood
January 1, 2023 March 17, 2023
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Victor Hugo's tale of injustice, heroism and love follows the fortunes of Jean Valjean, an escaped convict determined to put his criminal past behind him. But his attempts to become a respected member of the community are constantly put under threat: by his own conscience, when, owing to a case of mistaken identity, another man is arrested in his place; and by the relentless investigations of the dogged Inspector Javert. It is not simply for himself that Valjean must stay free, however, for he has sworn to protect the baby daughter of Fantine, driven to prostitution by poverty.

What I think

I liked the book much more than War and Peace although this book also has some history though not as much as War and Peace which is way better.

I liked Fantine’s part. Although I knew her ending, her whole story is very fascinating or rather you want to know how it ends.

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