Book Review: Uncle Silas by J.S. Le Fanu
Oct. 28th, 2012 12:50 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
juushikaTitle: Uncle Silas
Author: J.S. Le Fanu
Published: New York: Dover, 1966 (1864)
Rating: 3 of 5
Page Count: 436
Total Page Count: 121,020
Text Number: 352
Read Because: fan of the genre, purchased used from The Book Bin
Review: Living in isolation on her ancient family estate, accompanied by her distant father and haunted by her mother's early death and the mysterious figure of her estranged uncle, Maud Ruthyn's story is one of rich gothic atmosphere—almost to the point of parody. Maud's first person narration gives the text an intimacy and immediacy which makes her atmospheric musings evocative rather than laborious; the short chapters encourage serial-style reading (as the text was originally published): it's accessible and reads quickly, but is equally easy to put down for days at a time. In many ways, this is the classic gothic novel at its best, unusually accessible to a modern audience and overflowing with gothic tropes—indulgent, excessive, but maintaining a faithful atmosphere. But the novel lacks refinement; it destroys frightening antagonists with exaggerated characterization and is both heavy-handed and inconsistent in theme. It's almost a delight, as exaggeration well suits the gothic genre; the book is a success on the whole. But I prefer a more accomplished text, and found Uncle Silas to be fun but forgettable. I recommend it moderately; for fans of the genre, it is a fun romp.
Review posted here on Amazon.com.
Author: J.S. Le Fanu
Published: New York: Dover, 1966 (1864)
Rating: 3 of 5
Page Count: 436
Total Page Count: 121,020
Text Number: 352
Read Because: fan of the genre, purchased used from The Book Bin
Review: Living in isolation on her ancient family estate, accompanied by her distant father and haunted by her mother's early death and the mysterious figure of her estranged uncle, Maud Ruthyn's story is one of rich gothic atmosphere—almost to the point of parody. Maud's first person narration gives the text an intimacy and immediacy which makes her atmospheric musings evocative rather than laborious; the short chapters encourage serial-style reading (as the text was originally published): it's accessible and reads quickly, but is equally easy to put down for days at a time. In many ways, this is the classic gothic novel at its best, unusually accessible to a modern audience and overflowing with gothic tropes—indulgent, excessive, but maintaining a faithful atmosphere. But the novel lacks refinement; it destroys frightening antagonists with exaggerated characterization and is both heavy-handed and inconsistent in theme. It's almost a delight, as exaggeration well suits the gothic genre; the book is a success on the whole. But I prefer a more accomplished text, and found Uncle Silas to be fun but forgettable. I recommend it moderately; for fans of the genre, it is a fun romp.
Review posted here on Amazon.com.
