Monday, October 31, 2022

Uncle Silas by Sheridan Le Fanu

 
For my Wild Card Classic category in Karen's Back to the Classics Challenge, I decided to go with Sheridan Le Fanu's Gothic novel Uncle Silas, which was first published in 1864. It's a good example of Victorian sensation fiction, with thrills, chills, drama, secrets, death and danger, and is similar in feel to Wilkie Collins' novels. 

Seventeen-year-old Maud Ruthyn is the narrator and main character. She lives a quiet, pleasant life in the country with her father until his sudden death. She is then sent to live with her mysterious Uncle Silas, who her father named as her guardian, much to everyone's surprise. Silas, who was once accused of murder, is not a well man. He lives a very isolated life, and though he pretends to welcome Maud in, and to want what is best for her, he has many secrets of his own, as well as an unpredictable temper, and she can't help fearing him and his true intentions. 
"You would have fancied that one so young as I, born to wealth so vast, and living a life of such entire seclusion, would have been exempt from care. But you have seen how troubled my life was with fear and anxiety during the residence of Madame de la Rougierre, and now there rested upon my mind a vague and awful anticipation of the trial which my father had announced ... You perceive I had more spirit than courage. I think I had the mental attributes of courage; but then I was but a hysterical girl, and in so far neither more nor less than a coward." 

Though pretty, well-spoken and educated, Maud is at times also weak-willed, fearful, and naive; but then she's also very young. She befriends her rustic cousin, Millicent, but Millie is also afraid of her father. Maud fends off the advances of her other cousin, Dudley, but can't ever seem to stand up to her uncle. And when her former governess, Madame de la Rougierre, reappears on the seem, all hope of happiness seems lost to poor Maud. 

I have to say, even though this novel dragged a bit in the middle and felt a little long, I enjoyed reading it. I was rooting for Maud to find a way to free herself from her unhappy circumstances. And I liked the Gothic atmosphere that Le Fanu creates throughout the book, as well as his lyrical and descriptive prose. Like here: 
"It was late--just that hour when dejected people feel their anxieties most--when the cold grey of twilight has deepened to its darkest shade, and before the cheerful candles are lighted, and the safe quiet of night sets in."
This turned out to be a great October read. There's even a chilling twist at the end. I'm glad I chose this one as my Wild Card Classic novel. And I look forward to trying some of Le Fanu's other novels.

Happy Reading!

44 comments:

  1. I'm just reading one of his short story collections, In a Glass Darkly and it's excellent. Uncle Silas is on my radar for a future Le Fanu read after your great review!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Really fine review Lark and I have read quite a few Victorian authors but Sheridan Le Fanu I have yet to read though I have heard of his novel Camilla. Uncle Silas is the book I want to start with.and the second passage you quote is really interesting and well done: "It was late--just that hour when dejected people feel their anxieties most". Le Fanu is talented!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was really amazed at how good his writing was!

      Delete
  3. Thank you for sharing. Regine

    ReplyDelete
  4. I haven't heard of this one before, but it sounds really good. I always enjoy a Gothic atmosphere. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I liked Carmilla a lot but haven't read any of Fanu's other work. This sounds like a good choice for Halloween.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It wasn't as spooky/ghostly as I thought it might be, but I still enjoyed reading it. And that ending! :D

      Delete
  6. That last quote is AWESOME. Yes, talk about atmospheric!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's what I loved most about this book...Le Fanu's writing.

      Delete
  7. I really enjoyed this book, although I agree that it was slow in places. It wasn't as spooky as I expected, but I loved the atmosphere and I thought Madame de la Rougierre was very creepy! I've also read Carmilla and that was good too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've read Carmilla, too. And Madame de La Rougierre was very creepy and unlikable! But she did get what she deserved at the end.

      Delete
  8. The writing certainly makes reading the book worthwhile in spite of dragging in the middle.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Very timely! I've never read any Le Fanu, but I keep meaning to.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've now read two things by him...this book and Carmilla.

      Delete
  10. To be honest, I was unaware of this author but your review has made me quite curious about his work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I only knew of his vampire novella, Carmilla, before stumbling across this book in my library. But this one makes me want to check out more of his stuff.

      Delete
  11. I'm not familiar with this author so thanks for your review, Lark! Will keep this book in mind! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wasn't very familiar with this author or his works either before running across this book.

      Delete
  12. I'm glad you included those quotes as it give me a great insight in to the writing and it's certainly gothic

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really liked the way Le Fanu wrote. There were several amazing passages I could have quoted for this post.

      Delete
  13. This one is new to me as I've never heard of it. But it sounds like the perfect atmospheric read for this time of year!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sounds like a great classic to choose for this time of year. Happy to hear you enjoyed it! Another check off for your challenge, yay! :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm totally unfamiliar with this one, but I'm about to take care of that. Sounds like something I need to explore. 19th century fiction can really be great fun sometimes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Sam! I wasn't very familiar with Le Fanu, even though I did read Carmillo years ago. His writing impressed me, and I thought this was a pretty fun Victorian sensation/Gothic novel.

      Delete
  16. I can't say that I'd heard of this one before reading your review, but it sounds like a pretty good read, even though the middle dragged a bit. Thanks for introducing me to this classic!

    ReplyDelete
  17. You have a way of finding old classics I haven't heard of -- which sparks my interest. I hope Maud frees herself at the end. The premise of this one reminds me a bit of a Robert Louis Stevenson story I read last year ... Kidnapped.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kidnapped is a classic I still need to read. Maybe next year. :D

      Delete
  18. Nice review, Lark! You read a wide variety of books!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do. I think if I read just one genre I'd get bored. ;D

      Delete
  19. I have ask, how to you find a title published in 1864??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So, I found this one by chance when I was searching my library catalog for Penguin Classics. But you can also find lists of books published different years at Goodreads.

      Delete
  20. I've never heard of Le Fanu, but this does sound fun. I might have to give him (her?) a go.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I haven't heard of this author but I'm adding this one to my TBR. I really love the classic Gothic novels and have really loved everything by Wilkie Collins that I've tried.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I hate to admit that I have not heard of this book or even the author. I am so glad that you enjoyed it even though it was slow at times.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'd never heard of this one either until I ran across it at my library, so don't feel bad! ;D

      Delete