Edgar Huntly; or, Memoirs of a Sleep-Walker

Charles Brockden Brown's 1799 gothic novel Edgar Huntly, or, Memoirs of a Sleep-Walker is another of those works that's rather difficult to review. Like Brown's other works, it contains fascinatingly complex motifs (concealed or mistaken identities, sleep-walking, unrequited guilt, revenge) and intensely complicated problems (tangled financial matters, inter-racial warfare, and the persistent dilemmas associated with growing up).

In his prefatory note, "To the Public," Brown notes that his unconventional uses of particularly American gothic motifs is entirely intentional: "One merit the writer may at least claim; that of calling forth the passions and engaging the sympathy of the reader, by means hitherto unemployed by preceding authors. show more Puerile superstition and exploded manners; Gothic castles and chimeras, are the materials usually employed for this end. The incidents of Indian hostility, and the perils of the western wilderness, are far more suitable; and, for a native of America to overlook these, would admit of no apology. These, therefore, are, in part, the ingredients of this tale, and these he [the author] has been ambitious of depicting in vivid and faithful colours." He certainly succeeds there.

It's impossible to evaluate 18th-century novels in the same ways I would a novel published today: the styles are utterly different, as are the motives (of both writer and reader). But that's alright. I enjoyed the twists and turns of the narrative, and even after all these years, Brown's ability to creep out his reader remains as powerful as it ever was. Well worth a read.

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This was billed as America's first gothic novel. it did have all things requisite for being a gothic novel--that is the most positive thing I can say about this book. The story was sufficient, but the prose is over done and over dramatic. The plot is rambling. The author writes in first person throughout the book, but fails to introduce the characters sufficiently. Basic story: A man is trying to search for the killer of his fiancee's brother. Can not recommend this one! Published in 1799. 285 pages 2

This features some riveting action scenes and some ingenious plot surprises. The Irishman Clithero is a memorable but exceedingly problematical character. I got the impression that Brown brought this to an end in a semi-complete form, perhaps having tired of it.

I found this book to be particularly dry. While normally an astute reader whose triumphs include Finnegans Wake, Gravity's Rainbow, and Atlas Shrugged, I found it difficult to follow the narrative structure of this book.

Edgar Huntly, or so I assume from what I gathered reading the book, is an American who, after the mysterious death of an associate, decides to investigate the murder. He targets a stranger, who he finds is also a somnambulate. The other man spends some time telling of his back story, and how he feels guilt at having caused the death of a man back home, as well as the man's sister, whom he loved. Huntly's interactions with this man take him on a journey wrapped in mystery, danger, and adventure, I guess. During a raid show more conducted by angry indigenous people of North America, Huntly escapes, and does some other things to prove to himself, and the reader, that he is of superior stock.

This book may just not have been down my alley. I found myself struggling continually trying to figure out what the heck was going on. Before I picked up a copy of Edgar Huntly, I had never before heard of Charles Brockden Brown. I may attempt other books by him, but I won't set my expectations quite as high for future works. show less

Crap.