I hope to write a proper review of this book later, but for now, all I want to say is that this has been the most fun and diabolical romp through the darkest recesses of Gothic fiction that I have ever come across. 

I'm not sure it is a book I would recommend without reservations because there are large parts where this story just drags on and on, but it is definitely also a book I wish I had read much earlier. 

And for what it is worth, I am very impressed that this story ends with both a bang and a whimper.

I had no idea what this book was when I picked it up as it was wrapped-up in plastic when I bought it.  I had found it at one of our thrift stores and for .88 cents, I thought I would take a chance and just buy it.  I thought my granddaughter or my daughter-in-law might like it (she's an high school language arts teacher).

This book was like new inside and the pop-outs are fantastic!  They truly pop-out and they are really detailed and big.  I don't know which one I like the best out of the seven that are in the book.  I have never read the Chronicles of Narnia so I have nothing to go on for these illustrations but I did enjoy the little stories that accompanied these pop-outs.  This is a seven double-page book where there is a pop-out in the middle of each of these pages.  There were even four smaller pop-outs on a few of these pages and some of them are in a foldout.  

Dreams, magic terrors, spells of mighty power, Witches, and ghosts who rove at midnight hour.

It's said this was written by a 19/20 yr old and within 10 weeks, which if true, is amazing. The format of having a main character, Ambrosio (the monk), and then having secondary characters branch off from him and tangentially going astray and telling their stories, only to have them all come together in the end, was extremely compelling. I was expecting more creepiness, it takes until the 50% mark for a ghost to appear:

At length the Clock struck two. The Apparition rose from her seat, and approached the side of the bed. She grasped with her icy fingers my hand which hung lifeless upon the Coverture, and pressing her cold lips to mine, again repeated, "Raymond! Raymond! Thou art mine! Raymond! Raymond! I am thine! &c.----" She then dropped my hand, quitted the chamber with slow steps, and the Door closed after her. Till that moment the faculties of my body had been all suspended; Those of my mind had alone been waking. The charm now ceased to operate:  The blood which had been frozen in my veins rushed back to my heart with violence:  I uttered a deep groan, and sank lifeless upon my pillow.

Until the last 30-20% the story is really about love, lust, and jealousy. As an atheist I don't hold religious individuals, rather they be in high ranking positions in the church, to a higher regard. I don't think it is any more crazy that a monk would give into his lust than an average non-religious male. (Not talking about Ambrosio's later desire to rape Antonia; he wants her and she doesn't want him. This is a different issue than him being turned on by Mathilda who willing wants to sleep with him) Religious individuals might find this story more, I don't know, worrisome because of the themes of non-infallibility regarding sin; no one is safe from the devil. 

I did really enjoy how the author played around with the themes of religious doctrine and the hypocrisy/corruption of its supposed devout leaders, men putting the blame on women for their failings, jealousy, and power. If you read this looking for a Gothic, I think you'd hit the gold mine with it's verbiage and tone. Like I mentioned, the more creepy scenes didn't have a strong presence until the ending with the Devil making a strong appearance:  

He appeared in all that ugliness which since his fall from heaven had been his portion:  His blasted limbs still bore marks of the Almighty's thunder:  A swarthy darkness spread itself over his gigantic form:  His hands and feet were armed with long Talons:  Fury glared in his eyes, which might have struck the bravest heart with terror:  Over his huge shoulders waved two enormous sable wings; and his hair was supplied by living snakes, which twined themselves round his brows with frightful hissings. In one hand He held a roll of parchment, and in the other an iron pen. Still the lightning flashed around him, and the Thunder with repeated bursts, seemed to announce the dissolution of Nature.

This story had some twists and turns with characters having some pretty intriguing life stories. I didn't find it as outlandish as some reviews led me to believe it was going to be (a lot mention how Ambrosio lusts and rapes his sister. He didn't know it was his sister during his obsession, so calling him incestuous seems a bit unfair). I read a small amount of horror stories and watch a ton of horror movies so maybe my creep/crazy bar is set too high but I did notice two movies were made about this and Netflix has the 2011 on DVD so I'll be adding it to the queue. 

Man was born for society. However little He may be attached to the World, He never can wholly forget it, or bear to be wholly forgotten by it. 

Medieval Britain in 100 Facts is a quick paced, blog style collection of entries that is an ideal introduction to medieval Britain for younger readers or those who are beginning their journey into the past. It also has enough little tidbits to be fun for those who have greater expertise in this era.

Beginning with Edgar II, the last Anglo-Saxon king of England, Lewis takes the reader on a trip through medieval times along an easy to follow chronological path. Each topic is covered briefly in a page or two, giving enough detail for basic understanding and to provide inspiration for further research. This format is wonderful for people who like to read in article style form or in short spurts.

Although I consider myself fairly well-read on the time period covered, I learned some fun facts, such as that there is a legal date set for 'Time Immemorial' - July 6, 1189. Other facts include the discussion of prophecies, mysteries, betrayals, and minor events that made a huge difference in British history. All in bite size portions.

Perfect for kids who have expressed an interest in history or for the long-suffering spouses of history enthusiasts. This book will provide enough background to make history fun without getting too deep to be confusing or overwhelming. I think I will be handing my copy over to the hubby. ;-)