Historical Fiction
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book data
224 ratings, 3.59 average rating, 35 reviews
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published
September 28th 2005
(first published 1944)
by Chicago Review Press
binding
Paperback, 352 pages
isbn
1556525818
(isbn13: 9781556525810)
description
First published in 1944, Dragonwyck was a national bestseller that was made into a major motion picture starring Gene Tierney and Vincent Price...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 398)
recommended to Tara by:
Some book rack in Moore?
recommends it for: people who like gothic literature with depth
recommends it for: people who like gothic literature with depth
The first time I opened Dragonwyck was incidentally the first time I was exposed to Edgar Allan Poe. The novel opens with the poem "Alone," and Poe is one of the characters in this quintessential gothic tale. I first found this in a used book store when I was about 10 or 11, and every few years I am compelled to pick it up again, even though I know it through and through.
Dragonwyck is the story of Miranda Wells, a farm girl in upstate New York with dreams of a luxurio...more
Dragonwyck is the story of Miranda Wells, a farm girl in upstate New York with dreams of a luxurio...more
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Read in July, 2008
recommends it for:
those interested in psychological, romantic thrillers
This is a very odd book. It is interesting, and I couldn't put it down while reading it, but now that I have finished, I have no inclination to read it again, and indeed, feel slightly embarrassed that I read it at all. It feels so teenager-ish and melodramatic, plus the title makes it sound like some crazy science-fiction book.
It is a book in the same vein as Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca, though not quite as richly written. A young, simple, poor girl falls in love with a handsome, rich, mys...more
It is a book in the same vein as Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca, though not quite as richly written. A young, simple, poor girl falls in love with a handsome, rich, mys...more
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2 comments
Read in January, 1986
I pulled this off my Southern grandama's shelf when I was in high school. It's a gothic romanc set in New York's Hudson River Valley. Miranda is the poor but beautiful girl who dreams of living in Dragonwyck. The creepy lord of the manor has a sickly wife and hires Miranda as his housegirl and, duh, falls for her. My memory is sketchy on the details but there is conflict and Miranda may or may not learn to be careful what she wishes for. In any event, I loved this book when I was 15. Wheth...more
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general-fiction
In my humble opinion, the greatest gothic novel of all time. Think Jane Eyre with a twist. The twist is that the heroine is a beautiful creature who longs to be above her station. It is a classic tale of getting what you want then wanting what you get. This is a darker story filled with light moments. First written in the 1940's, the book is "clean" but dark. The ending surprises everyone.
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Another favorite Anya Seton - this one not only because of the local setting (upper Hudson Valley) but also because it's a great love story. Anya Seton throws in the history of the rent wars that took place in the mid 1800's as the feudalistic patroon system was coming to an end. But it's also a brooding tale of love, obsession and redemption (which is often a theme of her novels).
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Read in October, 2008
I really liked this book. I haven't read this author before but I will read more of her works. This is historical fiction set in the 1800's. A mix of mystery, romance and history. A young girl falls in love with the rich master of Dragonwyck and the plot plays out. It held my attention and I wanted to know what would happen. A good read.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in March, 2008
Pretty cool book- I kept wanted to dismiss it as derivative and not nearly as good as "Rebecca", but Seton kept me interested. Wonderful characters and somehow the drama stays realistic, though just barely. Also- I know little to nothing about the time period and area (up-river NY society pre-civil war) so that was interesting as well.
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Read in August, 2007
I read this on holiday in South Africa, which felt odd as it's possible the least South African thing I've ever read. I felt it was important to flesh out my reading of the Gothic genre, but aside from that I didn't gain much from this. It was predicable and a bit too heavy on the historical detail for my taste.
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This was first published in 1944 and then republishd in the 70s. It's the traditional gothic romance, but still holds up today. I even tracked down the movie and watched it. The movie kept to the book pretty well and Vincent Price was good as Nicholas!
Read in September, 2008
A very *gothic* novel with a heroine that in any other genre I would not put up with, but she's exactly what's expected in this setting! This is my first book by Anya Seton, and one of the first she wrote. I'll be interested to read more!
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Read in June, 2006
recommended to NanTze by:
saw the movie, wanted to read the bookrecommends it for: Anyone who likes romantic suspense
This is a wonderful romantic suspense novel with all the elements in place, plus Edgar Allan Poe thrown in as a minor character! A great piece of escapist literature. It was made into a movie with Vincent Price and Gene Tierney. Brr!
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Read in January, 1989
An absolute favorite, I could read this over and over again -and did, until my copy started to fall apart. Now I don't even want to take it off the bookshelf. As soon as I get a paperback copy, I will drop everything and read it again.
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Read in January, 1999
I think every teenage girl should be required to read this book along with others such as Tennant of Wildefell Hall. It is a great read near Halloween. Another historical romance, but placed in America.
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bookshelves:
historical,
romance
When you're in the mood for that Gothic Jane Eyre/Rebecca vibe but you don't feel like rereading the classics just yet, try this. It's fun...in a gloomy, brooding sort of way.
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Read in December, 2007
I have been into book written awhile ago. This is almost liek a modern gothic. It's great of you like dark, historical mystery, with a little love of course.
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Read in July, 2007
I liked it but overall I didn't think it was anything that special. It was a pleasant summer read that is probably forgotten afterwards.
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Read in June, 2008
I just couldn't get into this book. The male character who was the romantic lead was just plain creepy and unattractive.
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I am doing what I can to get through 2 or 3 pages before I fall asleep. Sometimes it's only 2 or 3 paragraphs.
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recommends it for:
Amy Wilks
Takes place during the mid 19th century along the banks of the Hudson River. Excellent, couldn't put it down!
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Read in October, 2007
Creepy guy, holy cow. I couldn't help routing Miranda on to win the dream guy, but craziness in the twists!!
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