Dexter Reviews

_{Written by: Caleb J. Dexter}

I’ve been exploring Gothic literature lately. I came across some classic recommendations like Frankenstein, Dracula, The Picture of Dorian Gray, and works by Edgar Allen Poe, Jane Austen, Stephen King, Ransom Riggs, and more. I was more familiar with this genre than I believed, but I was still looking for something that would be a fine establishment of old world literature told in a unique or revamped tone.

Melmoth by Sarah Perry grasped my attention.

This book draws inspiration from the 1820 Gothic tale, ‘Melmoth the Wanderer‘ by Charles Maturin, which tells the story of a male figure named Melmoth, who originally makes a sinister pact to obtain immortality at the cost of his own soul. In the 1820 tale, we find the haunting narrative of Melmoth’s eternal journey, which can only be recounted by those who have been influenced to take over his pact with the devil.

In Perry’s retelling of the classic tale, Melmoth takes on a female form, a dark-robed shadowy figure who once witnessed the resurrection of Christ, but then denied it. As a result she was condemned to eternal loneliness and cursed to wander the earth, witnessing the wicked acts of humanity. She feeds off the guilt that consumes others, so in moments of deep despair, she extends her hand, inviting them to join her in her eternal misery.

The story is also centered around Helen Franklin, a middle-aged Englishwoman & translator living in Prague who becomes deeply entangled with this enigmatic entity after receiving a mysterious file from her friend Karel. The manuscript details haunting encounters with ‘Melmoth the Witness’. After Karel’s sudden disappearance, Helen begins to feel as though she’s being watched.

I admired how we get to read different stories about encounters with Melmoth through letters, diaries, and other entries. It was interesting to see how the characters responded when they come face-to-face with their guilt, sins, and dark secrets. It made me wonder how we would react if we were confronted with our deepest fears in a reflection that knows no bounds. No restrictions. No ability to bury those things in the subconscious mind anymore. Would we be willing to face the most terrifying part of ourselves or personal history and do so with courage?

This novel is such an eerie tale with a very heavy atmosphere attached – in both the author’s words and the various scenes in which the stories are told. It truly has a way of drawing one in. In the end, it leads us to a deep reflection on the power of facing one’s transgressions to experience the redemption found within hope, as hope is the very thing can blot out the inner darkness so that we can kindly burst forth with new light.

Sarah Perry is a master writer.

Melmoth by Sarah Perry left such an impression on me that I am choosing it as my next selection for the Editor’s Picks! Soon you will see this book sold in our upcoming bookstore, and shared across our platforms. We’ll also be opening up room for discussion with our fellow readers!