pickLess Gothic horror, more Gothic romance, with a dusting of Ruritanian adventure sprinkled on top. An epistolary adventure tale of the pre-WWI Balkan political scene, the romance is atmospheric, creepy and intimate, if at times overwrought. Stoker doesn't quite pull it off, and I would have preferred more of his take on Hope's Prisoner of Zenda scenario and a bit less of the "Bloofer Lady" swanning about the midnight garden. A good read, though.
saresmoore Great review! It makes me want to read The Prisoner of Zenda more than the tagged book, though. 7y
Bookwomble @saresmoore Zenda is a great romp! I've got the sequel, Rupert of Hentzau In my tbr pile, but not got round to it yet. If you like Hergé's Tintin, King Ottokar's sceptre is a homage to Ruritanian romances.![[tagged book]](https://image.librarything.com/pics/litsy_webpics/icon_taggedBook@3x.png)
Tintin and the King Ottokars Sceptre 7y
Tintin and the King Ottokars SceptreBookwomble I should say that Lady of the Shroud is a good read, I just think it would have benefited from Stoker having chosen to write either an adventure or a gothic romance. His attempt to write a cross-genre story just didn't quite get there for me, but I'd happily reread it. 7y
saresmoore How fun re: Tintin! I really enjoyed Dracula when I read it in my early twenties & I think I‘m due for a revisit Stoker. Thank you for the recommendations! 7y
Leftcoastzen Oh my yes! Wacky wonderful cover! 6y