The book Uncle Silas by J. S. Le Fanu has been on my to-read list for awhile after reading about in some magazine article I have long since forgotten. My Dover Publications copy has a line at the top of the cover that describes it as “A Victorian Gothic Novel of Mystery.”
It’s sort of like Pride and Prejudice with a thriller element thrown in, and a tad less romance. It tells the story of Maud Ruthyn who lives a sheltered childhood with her somewhat eccentric father, and upon his death finds herself going to live with her mysterious, at times frightening Uncle Silas.
I was quickly drawn into the book, and despite its age, the novel didn’t have that dated quality to it. It still seems fresh. By the end when things get really exciting, I could not put the book down.
Technically, there was no such thing as YA fiction when Le Fanu wrote Uncle Silas, but were this book to be published today it would most certainly do so under a young adult imprint. I recommend this book for anyone looking for a dash of excitement with their classics.
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Sounds very interesting! I’m going to have to check it out. Thanks for the recommendation.
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I remember reading some of it in college, but not the whole thing. I downloaded it recently, so I’ll be revisiting it.
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Heather: You’re welcome. I wish I could remember where I originally read about it.
Medeia: You are so 21st century. I’m still a long way from downloading books. Well, I only started downloading music about a year ago. So, I am a bit behind the times.
That looks really interesting, Alissa. I’ll have to find a copy to read too.
Hope you’re week is going well!
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