In A Sicilian Romance (1790) Radcliffe began to forge the unique mixture of the psychology of terror and poetic description that would make her the great exemplar of the Gothic nove, and the idol of the Romantics. This early novel explores the cavernous landscapes and labyrinthine passages of Sicily's castles and covents to reveal the shameful secrets of its all-powerful aristocracy. Julia and Emilia Mazzini live secluded in an ancient mansion near the Straits of Messina. After their father's return to the island a neglected part of the house is haunted by a series of mysterious sights and sounds. The origin of these hauntings is only discovered after a series of breathless pursuits through dreamlike pastoral landscapes. When revelation finally comes, it forces the heroines to challenge the united forces of religious and patriarchal authority.
A Sicilian Romance
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About the Author
Ann Radcliffe was born Ann Ward. She married William Radcliffe. They had no children, and with her husband's encouragement, she wrote fiction to amuse herself. Her Gothic novels, which were extremely popular, tend to involve innocent but heroic young women who find themselves in gloomy, mysterious castles at the mercy of complicated men. They influenced Sir Walter Scott and were parodied by Jane Austen. Radcliffe died in 1823 pneumonia.
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TOWARDS the close of the sixteenth century, this castle was in the possession of Ferdinand, fifth marquis of Mazzini, and was for some years the principal residence of his family. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
TOWARDS the close of the sixteenth century, this castle was in the possession of Ferdinand, fifth marquis of Mazzini, and was for some years the principal residence of his family. Read the first page
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This was Ann Radcliffe's second novel and like her first it was published anonymously. Although gothic to some extent, her first novel was more historical fiction, but here we see Mrs Radcliffe starting to write what she became famous for. Once again, this tale didn't cause a big splash as it were when first published, but it did carry on being quite popular even many years later.
Set near the end of the sixteenth century, our story revolves around a family who inhabit a castle in Northern Sicily. With bigamy, adultery, false imprisonment, an attempted forced marriage and secrets and other shenanigans, as well as a few coincidences, this isn't the best gothic tale ever written, but it is fun. At only 200 pages long this is a relatively quick read that should keep you absorbed for a few hours.
Set near the end of the sixteenth century, our story revolves around a family who inhabit a castle in Northern Sicily. With bigamy, adultery, false imprisonment, an attempted forced marriage and secrets and other shenanigans, as well as a few coincidences, this isn't the best gothic tale ever written, but it is fun. At only 200 pages long this is a relatively quick read that should keep you absorbed for a few hours.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By book geek
Format:Paperback
Having read Mysteries of Udolpho, I decided to give this one a go. Although it is not as good as Udolpho and is very predictable, it is an entertaining, quick read and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
By margaret
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
The story concentrates very much on the heroine of the piece and her "Romeo" plays a very secondary role in terms of space given to him in the story. Of course, he is necessary or there would be no point to what the heroine goes through.
I would say it is three quarters tragedy and one quarter Romance but give it a go. There is a surprising twist at the end. It is perhaps a bit far fetched for modern times but it is a good read.
I would say it is three quarters tragedy and one quarter Romance but give it a go. There is a surprising twist at the end. It is perhaps a bit far fetched for modern times but it is a good read.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
gothic novel
Really enjoyed this classic gothic novel Damsels in distress, dark brooding lords, underground tunnels & castles ruins all you would expect of novel of this genre
Published 2 months ago by cathk
3.0 out of 5 stars
Melodrama and romance
This is a quick read - if you like gothic, melodramatic, romantic literature, you will like this. Although the characters could be a bit more dimensional, overall it is not a bad... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mp
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Queen of Gothic
A Sicilian Romance, Ann Radcliffe's second novel, was published at the beginning of what was to be a remarkable decade for Gothic fiction. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Gregory S. Buzwell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Historical Hokum
If you've read "Northanger Abbey", then try "A Sicilian Romance" and you'll know exactly why Jane Austen was taking the micky. Read more
Published 6 months ago by magrite
4.0 out of 5 stars
Book Review of Ann Radcliffe
I hav'nt read all of this novel, but what I have read so far has impressed me very much. This is not my usual genre or type of novel. Read more
Published on 20 Dec 2009 by S. D. Carr
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