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The Mysteries of Udolpho

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The Mysteries of Udolpho

By: Ann Ward Radcliffe
Narrated by: Alison Larkin
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About this listen

This was the most popular novel of Radcliffe's time; Radcliffe's portrayal of her heroine's inner life raised the Gothic romance to a new level. The atmosphere of fear and the gripping plot continue to thrill today.

This is the story of the orphaned Emily St Aubert, who finds herself separated from the man she loves and confined within the Castle of Udolpho by her aunt's new husband Montoni. Here she must cope with an unwanted suitor, Montoni's threats, and the wild imaginings and terrors which threaten to overwhelm her.

Public Domain (P)2012 Audible, Inc. Classics Gothic Horror Mystery Scary Fiction

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Editor reviews

Ann Radcliffe’s most popular novel, The Mysteries of Udolpho, with its titular enigmatic castle, vivid landscapes, supernatural portents, and brooding characters is considered by many to be the standard by which all Gothic novels are judged. When her father dies, Emily is forced to live at the castle of her aunt’s new husband, the malevolent Count Montoni. The drama unfolds as Emily is treated cruelly by Montoni and alarming events constantly trouble her. Alison Larkin performs the grotesque and the sumptuous elements of the audiobook with equal dexterity, excelling at the villainous men who inhabit the story. If you’re ready to escape into a romantic and chilling world, you won't want to stop listening to this classic tale.
All stars
Most relevant  
She was called the Shakespeare of her time. Her prose is like poetry. Like William Shakespeare, it is a mystery who Ann Radcliff was. The voice for this audio is gusto-enthused and passionate.

Shakespeare's real sister!

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Would you consider the audio edition of The Mysteries of Udolpho to be better than the print version?

Yes, I would never have the time or patience to read the novel.

Have you listened to any of Alison Larkin’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I have not but will look out for other titles.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No, the whole novel was a sheer delight and difficult to stop listening to.

Any additional comments?

Pure quality literature and narration. So so enjoyable.

A newly discovered literary gem.

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Great story, suitably spooky and romantic.

It does have that unfortunate habit common to 18th century novels where, at the peak of the action, we pause for 15 pages of scenery. But the scenery was beautifully written...

[slight spoiler alert] The breakup was the best breakup I've ever heard/read/seen and I loved it.

The narrator was very good - amazing facility with accents, and I felt like her accents and tones enhanced the characters.

Fully recommended

Loved this: great story, great narrator

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Write in 18th century, this novel with its drama, supernatural occurrences, evil bullying men who seek to subdue our sweet innocent heroine -this novel must have thrilled it's middle class audience it was designed for. It is still an exciting gothic romp well worth a read.

A gothic novel which has endured

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You have to like gothic fiction to tolerate this book. Luckily I love it, so really enjoyed this reading of a book I already knew. Alison Larkin reads the sections of poetry really nicely, I often don't 'get' poetry but this made the passages enjoyable, rather than a struggle which I normally skip over to return to the narrative.

The characters are French and Italian in this book, but to differentiate between different persons, Ms Larkin uses Scottish, West Country and Yorkshire accents! This however does not spoil the story and makes it easy to tell who is speaking. The heroine Emily St Aubert is a little insipid for modern tastes perhaps, always with unsupportable spirits and fainting away, but remember what kind of novel this is and enjoy the luscious description of the landscape and, once about a quarter of the way in, a really gripping tale of mysteries.

Luscious indulgent listen

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I like the narrator. The dtory is a bit longwinded, but with some very suspenseful parts where Radcliffe is at her best.

From suspence to... longwinded?

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I was interested in this book as a big Jane Austen fan and it featuring in Northanger Abbey. It's a good story very intriguing with lots of twists and turn and mystery. However it has I feel alot of unnecessary poetry in for a modern reader. It makes me appreciate Austen's writing style and humor all the more.

Good story bit too much poetry for modern tastes?

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Radcliffe’s prose (though perhaps not her poetry) is superb and makes this a joy to listen to. Furthermore, the plot is absolutely gripping! The pacing is perhaps a little slow at first but the patient listener will be very well rewarded for persevering. The characters (especially Emily) are quite ridiculous but this does no real harm. I highly recommend this tale to anyone with a taste for mystery and beautiful language.

A gripping plot written by a wordsmith

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I listened to the whole book (which is about 4 times longer than Northanger Abbey) for completion it’s sake but my lord it doesn’t hold up. Austen tells a better story so much quicker with much more humour and tension.

I’m a huge fan of older novels but this was one that even for historical sake wasn’t worth my time. Contrived and passive, 800 pages of a girl fainting and refusing to ask the right questions. I wish I’d give it up but I powered on. It is not worth it at all

Read Northanger Abbey instead

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This book is very much “of its time” and doesn’t hold up well in the modern world - I appreciate that it wasn’t written recently, but can’t get past all of the men in this story making decisions for the main character and her constantly asking their permission.
The performance of the person reading the book is very good and is the only reason I held out until the end, but did not enjoy any moment of the story.

Unlikeable Main Character Makes Annoying Choices

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