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There are TWO posts today...Sorry about that :)

Monday, October 17, 2011

Behind the story: Venice, Apennines, and Tuscany from The Mysteries of Udolpho

After the beautiful scenery of France, our story travels to Venice, Italy.  Ah yes, that beautiful city filled with wide eyed young people, mysterious lovers, financially ruined or debt ridden aristocracy, and lots of liscentious behavior.  Just imagine being young Emily St Aubert as she entered Venice....


 Sad because she had to leave her lover, meanwhile she is surrounded by a city filled with love and clandestine meetings.














After a staying for a few weeks, like thieves in the night, Signor Montoni (our villain) packs up his people in the early morning and flees Venice for his castle in the mountains, Udolpho.  I believe it is in the Apennine mountain range, which runs down the middle of Italy.  I'm a bit fuzzy about the exact location.



Udolpho was an ancient castle, situated in the mountains, surrounded by dense forests and mountain cliffs.  I tried to find a suitable picture,  but in my mind Udolpho is dark, cold, and dank, and run down as well.  It's falling apart in places.  Unfortunately, this photo below was the best I could do, so picture dark and stormy like.


At some point, our heroine, Emily, will escape Udolpho and make her way back to France via Tuscany.  Ah, I can feel the warmth on my skin already, just like Emily.




Next time on Behind the story, I'll discuss the background of Mysteries of Udolpho, how it was originally published and it's various covers through the years.

Comments (15)

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These type of posts make me want to book a vacation.

I dream of seeing Venice.
Love your dark and story idea of a castle, they really are I think. Thanks
I really want to read this one :D I always come across it
Ah, Italy. How I loved you!
Beautiful pictures I love it.......:)
Ah, beautiful!! You are really tempting me. I wish I had a copy of the book on my shelf - I'd pull it down right now.
I loved taking this visual road trip with you!!
Beautiful photos -- I love the castle!
Venice is my favorite city. If only I could find a way for us to live there :)
These posts and those pictures are really making me want take off and go vacationing to these spots. It's just so beautiful there!
I like how you provide photos to help describe the story a bit, very nice touch! I dream of going to Venice someday, and riding in a gondola. The sights and sounds must be breathaking!
What a neat way to make a book come alive. And I really must visit Venice some day!
Thanks for posting all these pictures!! I just finished reading this novel and ADORED it! I didn't expect to like Gotic Lit so much. :-)
I really want to go to Italy! Such beautiful pictures!
1 reply · active 696 weeks ago
Me too! �Italy is on my short list, but now I just have to afford it :)
Eventually.

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