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The Italian

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The Italian

By: Ann Radcliffe, Robert Miles - editor and introduction
Narrated by: Sara Alexander
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

From the first moment Vincentio di Vivaldi, a young nobleman, sets eyes on the veiled figure of Ellena, he is captivated by her enigmatic beauty and grace. But his haughty and manipulative mother is against the match and enlists the help of her confessor to come between them. Schedoni, previously a leading figure of the Inquisition, is a demonic, scheming monk with no qualms about the task, whether it entails abduction, torture - or even murder.

The Italian secured Ann Radcliffe's position as the leading writer of Gothic romance of the age, for its atmosphere of supernatural and nightmarish horrors, combined with her evocation of sublime landscapes and chilling narrative.

Public Domain (P)2020 Penguin Audio Classics Gothic Horror Scary

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The Italian was one of the most boring books I’ve read. I struggled to finish it. I had high expectations as Jane Austen referred to Ann Radcliffe in her own novels and I had thought that The Italian would be a gripping and entertaining read (one of Jane Austen’s characters enjoyed another Radcliffe’s novel). Instead I endured over 20 hours about two helpless lovers who have only a passive role in the story as everyone else persecuted and bullied them. The mystery in the story is very naive and there is no adventure, but constant struggle in hands of evil characters.
That said I enjoyed the narration. Sara’s voice is pleasant and performance is nicely theatrical.

Boring story

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A brilliant piece of reading. A real treat to listen to. A story that enables you to suspend reality and let your imagination work overtime.

Well worth the purchase

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The Gothic novel has not retained a reputation for erudition, but no serious consideration of feminine literary history can ignore the works of Ann Radcliffe, and The Italian is arguably her greatest achievement. Miles’ introduction provides useful context and commentary, and allows the modern reader to understand subtleties that may have escaped her/him - such as the significance of the epitaphs that head each chapter, and the reputation and reception of the Inquisition in Protestant Georgian England.

Sara Alexander’s masterful reading is beautifully paced and her characterisation is first rate. I especially enjoyed the voice of Paulo, and I suspect she had fun voicing him. Schedoni is brilliantly portrayed - and instantly recognisable at every sinister appearance. One gets the feeling Alexander could read a spreadsheet and make it sound thrilling!

Superbly read - and an impressive novel

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Excellent narrator in Sara Alexander. Her theatrical voice is bliss. Good gothic story. The Supernatural elements create suspense and and conjure up thrilling imagery. Enjoyed it.

Wonderful narration

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