The Beetle

Paperback, 288 pages

Published March 1, 2007 by Wordsworth Editions Ltd.

ISBN:
978-1-84022-609-6
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OCLC Number:
572755402

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4 stars (2 reviews)

The Beetle, written in 1897 by British author Richard Marsh, is a classic gothic horror story set in Victorian London. The book follows the characters of Paul Lessingham, Robert Holt, Sydney Atherton, Marjorie Lindon and Augustus Champnell all having a different encounter with the Beetle, a shape-shifting ancient Egyptian creature that seeks revenge for wrongs done in Egypt two decades before.

53 editions

Review of 'Beetle' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

This book left me with conflicted feelings. It was a joy to read, and the language was surprisingly modern for a book written in 1897. It was actually hilariously witty in many places. However, the premise had racist undertones that continually rubbed me the wrong way.

The story is split into four parts, each told from the point of view of a different character. The first part follows Robert Holt, a homeless man looking for food and shelter for the night. He encounters a strange old man who puts him under a trance to control him and make him commit burglary. I loved this way of getting into the story and meeting the antagonist, because it provided an up-close introduction to the powers of the Beetle. It really started the story off with a horrific bang.

The second part is from the perspective of Sydney Atherton, a rich inventor. I …

Subjects

  • Modern fiction