The Mysteries of Udolpho, by Ann Radcliffe, was first published in 1794 by G. G. and J. Robinson of London. The novel was originally published in 4 volumes. This novel's influence can be seen in Jane Austen's novel Northanger Abbey. This novel is of the Gothic novel genre.

The Mysteries of Udopho is set in 1584 and tells the story of Emily St. Aubert, who is orphaned and sent to live with her aunt, Madame Cheron, later Madame Montoni. Madame Cheron marries Montoni, the villain of the story. Montoni brings Madame Montoni and Emily to Udolpho, (therefore separating Emily from her suitor Valancourt, who she met during a trip to Switzerland, when her father was alive, and after her mother had passed away due to a serious disease), in which Montoni threatens Madame with violence in order to force her to sign over her properties in Tolouse, which upon her death, will go to Emily. A lot of frightening, but coincidental events happen within the castle, and in the end, Emily takes control of her property and is reunited with Valancourt.

The Mysteries of Udolpho is important because coincidental events are given rational explanations by Radcliffe and the novel was one of the works parodied in Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey. Though recognised for Austen's mocking, The Mysteries of Udolpho was popular in its day and praised by personages such as Sir Walter Scott, author of the Waverley novels.

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1794 books | Gothic novels

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