11-25-2017, 07:41 AM
(12-09-2016, 10:17 PM)paigenumber Wrote: Original title: The Man in Grey
"The artist's name was long since forgotten, but the brooding, enigmatic face in the portrait would forever haunt those who chanced to look upon him. Â Young Mary Rohan was no exception to the influence of The Man in Grey. Â Bride of the last descendant of the House of Rohan, Mary was alone in the ghost-ridden manor when she came upon the portrait in a hidden room. Â Driven by forces she could not explain, she soon found herself deep in an atmosphere of soul-searing terror and evil, as she strove to unlock a fatal secret - the ancient mystery of two star-crossed lovers."
Copyright 1941
I had been waiting to give reviews of the books I have read in order to allow myself time to compose a fair assessment rather than an impetuous one. Â However, this one made me want to sit down right away to review. Â As Ms. Radcliffe says, "this is a real humdinger - the kind I hope for with each new book I open."
This book is not the typical Gothic romance. Â It reminds me of Rebecca, which was published in 1938. Â It begins with a first-person narrative from Mary, then becomes a third-person narrative as she describes the story of the Regency Rohans, then returns to her. Â I cannot say more without spoiling it for anyone who is lucky enough to find this book.
I do want to say that Ms. Radcliffe had one error in her book. Â She lists A Dark and Splendid Passion and The Man in Grey as separate books but they are the same one. Â She apparently did not read The Man in Grey and/or her A Dark and Splendid Passion did not state that it was originally titled The Man in Grey.
I do wish there were more Rebecca-like novels. Â I like Anya Seton's books, which I think of as cousins to Du Maurier's, but I've read them all. Â I'm going to look for this title based on your review.