As a scholar of the classic Gothic novels of the nineteenth century, I read the Gothic novels of the 21st century from time to time to see how prosperous the seeds planted by Mrs. Radcliffe. I am happy to report that writers like Michelle Pillow maintain a Gothic tradition by using standard Gothic plots, but as Gothic evolves into a more spiritual and less horrible thing than the originator might first imagine. thing.
Forget that I don't have all the classic Gothic elements that readers want, and it relies heavily on the settings and atmosphere of those early novels. We can also define it as a regency novel - because it was set in England in 1812 - when George IV was still the regent of England. Today's readers may call it supernatural rather than Gothic. Of course, it also belongs to the category of romantic novels.
The story begins with Isabel Drake and her sister Jane are wondering if Rossfield Park is haunted. The family has rented out the estate from its owner, Marquis of Rothfield. Legend has it that in the fire, a child and servant died in the house. Jane claims that she has seen evidence of harassment in the castle, but Isabel believes that Jane has made her imagination better after reading a "shilling horror." [Shilling shockers are popular short stories of the 19th century, often copying long-selling Gothic novels, and are abridged, affordable, and cost only shillings.] This scene is reminiscent of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey and Catherine Morland. stimulate. And Isabella Thorpe read the "terrible" novels of Lady Radcliffe and others.
However, Isabel has a bigger problem than the ghost. Her parents didn't like how she treated her tutor, so they decided to hire a colonel-approved mentor and scorpion to the Marquis of Rosefield, who planned to get her married. Isabel has nothing to do with marrying a colonel or with a new tutor.
In an angry situation, Isabel rode to the woods, where there was thick fog. There was a mysterious child who asked her to play with her, but Isabel refused and was scared. When she tried to go home, she had an accident on the branch and fell from her horse.
Isabel had no memory of the accident, but when she recovered, she found that her parents had left Rosefield alone with her new mentor, Dougal Weston. Here, I admit that my willingness to suspend suspicion is a bit of a challenge - a noble family with no self-respect in this era will let her daughter alone with a servant and a handsome male tutor - but Michelle Pillow will provide some surprising and extremely credible explanations. This series of events before the end of the novel.
It turns out that Dougal Weston is like any mentor that Isabel expects. He really didn't teach her anything - just ask her to read and then discuss with her what she read. Isabel soon began to suspect that he was not a mentor, but because there was a person with ulterior motives in Rosefield.
Despite this, Isabel found that he fell in love with him and admitted to him that she suddenly saw the ghost child. Dougal seems interested in the history of the house and the ghost boy, but he also tries to comfort Isabel and calm her fears. His comfort is always a bit overdone - although Isabel does not object - you guess it, they have quite a pleasant sex. Soon after, Isabel began thinking about how to escape her social status and marital expectations in order to escape and live in Dougal in a small house.
However, sometimes Isabel began to suspect that Dugar just used her to learn more about ghost children. Then Dougal asked Pastor Stillwell to talk to Isabel about the ghost. Pastor Stillwell was a medium that could communicate with the deceased; he explained to Isabel the ghost that made her feel more comfortable and realized that she was not crazy. He will also encourage Isabel and Dugar to seek happiness.
I can't say more if I don't give up all the twists and turns of the plot, but I just want to say how I like Michelle Pillow to adopt ancient Gothic themes and make them new. Before the end of the story, there was even a cursed person who had developed a Faust agreement to gain the knowledge of the evil wizard in exchange for his soul. However, if he captures other souls for the devil, he can prevent himself from going to hell - this is a classic Victorian twist that was previously used by authors such as George Valle Reynolds [1852]. . Pillow also draws on the conventions of Regency novels - even the uncontrolled marriages with Gretna Green are worthy of Jane Austen's novels. In the end, I didn't see the final plot distortion, although I thought I should have it, but I was helped by it anyway.
Forgot that I am not Jane Austen, but if you like books like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies or Mr. Darcy, Vampyre, forget that I should not give you a lot of ghostly fun. If you're a fan of a TV show like The Ghost Whisperer or a fan of a movie like The Sixth Sense, you'll find more interesting modern rotating ghosts and Gothic on these pages. After you forget me, I suspect that you will want to read more about Michelle Pillows - fortunately, she has written a lot in romantic and supernatural genres.
Orignal From: The new novel of Michelle Pillow reflects the vitality and goodness of Gothic romance.
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