Happy Thursday! Today I have a review for Melmoth, a new Gothic Literary Fiction with a touch of Fantasy, from Sarah Perry and publishing by Custom House/Harper Collins on October 16, 2018!
My Thoughts:
Although Melmoth is set in the present, it has a dark, foreboding Gothic feel, not unlike an 18th century work. Set in Prague, we meet Helen Franklin, an English translator with a mysterious past. She carries tremendous guilt with her.
Helen’s friend Karel finds a file holding letters from different periods of time. There are common themes of guilt within all these entries. There is a warning, too…Melmoth the Witness travels through time to observe everyone’s guilt. But what does she do with it? Does she hurt, or does she help? Or does she do nothing at all?
Helen’s story is remarkable and emotional. I loved her as a character. It’s not just what the story was, but how richly it was told. Sarah Perry has given a gift to the reader in the form of her words.
The words I would use to describe Melmoth are inadequate and sift right through my fingertips, so I will end with this. In its glory, Melmoth is full of darkness and despair juxtaposed with drips and drabs of sheer hope and determination. If you are looking for a complex, literary read unlike any other, Melmoth is a solid and ultimately rewarding choice.
Thanks to my Goodreads friend Tammy for the recommendation!
Thanks also to Custom House Books/Harper Collins for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis:
For centuries, the mysterious dark-robed figure has roamed the globe, searching for those whose complicity and cowardice have fed into the rapids of history’s darkest waters—and now, in Sarah Perry’s breathtaking follow-up to The Essex Serpent, it is heading in our direction.
It has been years since Helen Franklin left England. In Prague, working as a translator, she has found a home of sorts—or, at least, refuge. That changes when her friend Karel discovers a mysterious letter in the library, a strange confession and a curious warning that speaks of Melmoth the Witness, a dark legend found in obscure fairy tales and antique village lore. As such superstition has it, Melmoth travels through the ages, dooming those she persuades to join her to a damnation of timeless, itinerant solitude. To Helen it all seems the stuff of unenlightened fantasy.
But, unaware, as she wanders the cobblestone streets Helen is being watched. And then Karel disappears. . . .
Have you read Melmoth, or do you plan to? Have you read The Essex Serpent? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
I love your review!
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Thank you, Celine! 💗
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Fantastic review Jennifer! Sounds very unique and different – a nice change in pace! 🌸💜
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Thanks, Lindsay! ♥️ It was different in a really cool way. I’ve experienced nothing like it before! 🌺
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Awesome review and pretty pic. I have not read this one or E. S.
I plan to read this thriller. Happy Thursday. 🌚🌑💗📚🌹
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Thank you, Virginia! I hope you enjoy this one, if you decide to pick it up. Happy Thursday to you, too! 💕
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Awesome review, Jen! So glad you enjoyed it. Sounds like one I might enjoy. 😘❤ xoxo
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Thanks, favorite M! I think you’d enjoy it, too, because you are always open to a genre stretch! This is so engaging and well-done! 💗 xoxo
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Another one that is on my list. Great review as always.
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Thanks, Marialyce! I’m already excited to hear what you think of this one. It’s in a league of its own!
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Awesome review Jen! I have not heard of this author. Glad you enjoyed it!😊🎃💕 How’s your weather? Feeling the tropical storm or are you farther inland??
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Thanks, Sus! Everything is shut down today due to the weather. We are having some flooding with lots of rain. It’s moving quickly so hopefully it will be in and out fast! Thanks for thinking of me! 💗
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I wasn’t planning on reading this cuz i thought it had a historical setting. Then i found out not so long ago that it’s set in the present, so i was more intrigued.
Loved your review, and defo sounds good. I think i might read it next year 🙂
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Thanks, Norrie! It has a old world feel to it, but is most definitely set in the present, and that’s just so cool! I’ll look forward to your thoughts if you are able to read it. This author is something special!
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I know how it feels like when the words are sifting away. But this one sounds really intriguing. and it’s right up my alley! I think this is the first time i’ve seen fantasy around here, Jennifer.
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Thanks, Jina. This is such a unique and breathtaking read, I hope you get a chance to read it. I have a couple other fantasy reviews, but just a couple. I’m trying to branch out more for sure. ♥️
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I love fantasy. It has the ability to take one away from the world and all .
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It does- the truest escape! You are exactly right!
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Great review!
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Thank you!
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Wonderful review Jennifer! I like emotional reads.
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Thanks, Chrissi! Me, too!
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Lovely review this looks fascinating!🧡
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Thanks so much, Berit! 💕
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Oh my goodness, this sounds DIVINE!! Historical fiction mixed with fantasy? Plus the Gothic feel? *SWOON* I love it when I end up getting fantasy recs from you 😊
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I was hoping you’d see this one, Kathy! This is completely your type of read with so much extra- it’s so good! ♥️
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A lovely review as always, Jennifer. I just wanted to wish you all the best with this latest dreadful storm. I hope it misses you this time. It seems so unfair that your state has been caught a second time. Hugs! 💙🐱🌺
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Thank you, Paula! Have we made it in the news over there again? I’m sad to tell you this storm was worse for us locally. I may have some water damage to my house. It was so much rain, coming down so heavy, with strong winds blowing it, that the gutters could not keep all the water away. Everything has been shut down today and yesterday. Trees are down everywhere and so many without power, but luckily our big oaks withstood the storm and we have power today. Thank you for thinking of me. The squirrels and chipmunks are out this morning looking for food! Thank goodness it has passed and didn’t last longer than it did! 🦋 ♥️
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I’m so glad you’re safe but sorry to hear about the water damage. I should think everyone has heard about Storm Michael it was so prodigious. Those poor people in Florida. Let’s hope it’s the last nasty one of the year.
At the moment I’m sitting in our lodge in Talybont (a small village on the Mid Wales coast) with Storm Callum raging outside. It’s quite scary but nothing when compared to your monsters! 🐿️🌧️☔💙
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A lodge on the coast of Wales sounds heavenly, but not with a storm outside. I am so sorry to hear you are having a bad storm, too.
Thanks for your well-wishes, Paula. Surely this is our last one. Stay safe and dry. ♥️
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It’s normally a lovely place to be. I’m here on my own with the dogs getting some work done. The wind has dropped considerably in the last few hours but the rain is relentless. Hope you soon dry out and the damage isn’t too severe. 💙
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Sounds an amazing read! Great review.
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Thank you, Mallika! I really loved it!
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Wow, this is such a beautiful review. I like how you said that the writing is so wonderful that its like the author is gifting readers with words. That is amazing! Glad you enjoyed this one, Jenn.
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Thanks so much, Diana! It was a difficult book to describe so I’m glad that my love for it came through!
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Sounds amazing! I’m intrigued — the plot definitely appeals to me. Adding to my TBR!
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It was a captivating read, Lisa! I hope you find it worthwhile, too!
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Thank you Jenni for this fabulous review. Darkness and despair, hope and determination? Yes please! I adore The Essex Serpent so can’t wait to get round to this one! 🤗
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Thanks, Beth! I now need to read The Essex Serpent! I can’t wait for your thoughts on Melmoth! ♥️
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You had me at gothic! In truth, I’m waiting for my library hold to come in because I’ve heard so many wonderful things about this book, and it was on a list somewhere. You’ve just confirmed it as a solid choice!
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You are in for a treat with this one, Myndi. Wow, is it ever something, and it really defies my description of it. I’ll be watching for your thoughts!
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your pictures with the book titles are so sweet to look at.I await a book that I myself have read.Hope our novel minds collide as i am catching up to my fiction book list!
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Thank you- so kind of you to say! I hope our books collide, too! I love following your articles! ♥️
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