A/N: Just a couple of thoughts I had after reading the book.
The Mysteries of Udolpho is perhaps the most perfect example of a Gothic tale.
Travels through Europe, seemingly supernatural mysteries, and a heroine who most conveniently faints, whenever the plot demands it.
Whatever you assimilate with the genre of Gothic, you will most likely find in The Mysteries of Udolpho.
It is certainly not a problem to see why people in the 18th century considered this thrilling tale a page-turner, but for the modern reader the story is most likely also going to appear unnecessary long and with an entirely unneeded quantity of poetry.
A couple of hundred of pages could easily be cut away, and Radcliffe would have been better off using half a dozen fewer sub-plots.
Nevertheless, The Mysteries of Udolpho can still be an entertaining story for the modern reader – assuming that he or she has the time to spare.
mariasjostrand 