Dragonwyck
by Anya Seton
Set in the 1840s in New York's Hudson River Valley, the story follows Miranda, a young girl who becomes a governess at the eerie Dragonwyck mansion and falls in love with her employer, Nicholas Van Ryn.
Tropes & Themes
About This Book
In 1844, Miranda Wells, a young woman from a modest Connecticut farm, receives an invitation from her distant cousin, Nicholas Van Ryn, to serve as a governess at his grand estate, Dragonwyck, in New York's Hudson Valley. Eager to escape her mundane life, Miranda is captivated by the mansion's Gothic architecture, lush gardens, and the allure of its enigmatic master. As she becomes entangled in the Van Ryn family's complex dynamics, Miranda's initial enchantment gives way to unease, sensing that the mansion's opulence conceals unsettling secrets.
The narrative delves into Miranda's evolving relationship with Nicholas, whose charm masks a darker, more volatile nature. The story is steeped in a moody atmosphere, with the mansion's eerie presence amplifying the tension and suspense. As Miranda uncovers the family's hidden past and confronts the oppressive forces within Dragonwyck, she is drawn into a web of mystery and danger that challenges her perceptions and tests her resilience.
Set against the backdrop of 19th-century New York, the novel intertwines historical events with a haunting tale of love, power, and the pursuit of freedom. The slow-burn suspense and dark ambiance create an immersive experience, inviting readers to explore the depths of human desire and the shadows lurking within the walls of Dragonwyck.
What Readers Say
Many readers appreciate the novel's rich historical context and atmospheric setting. Fans praise Seton's evocative writing style that immerses readers in the 1840s Hudson Valley. Some note the book's slow pacing and predictability may not appeal to all readers. Content warnings include themes of violence, sexual assault, and racial attitudes reflective of the period. Ideal for fans of classic Gothic romances seeking a historical American setting.
Reader Reviews
7 curated reviewsAnonymous Reader
Aug 26, 1998
Dragonwyck is a terrific read.
Dragonwyck is a great historical, gothic romance novel, especially appealling to those of us who live in the historic Hudson valley region of New York state. I first read Dragonwyck when I was in junior high school. I picked it up in a yard sale for 10 cents. It was compelling. There was a naive girl from Greenwich, Ct., a wealthy, mysterious older cousin, drug addiction, ghosts and famous historical persons such as Edgar Allen Poe and the Vanderbilts. The Hudson River itself becomes a character with the steamboat races and travel to glamorous turn-of-the-century New York City. The pace of the
Anonymous Reader
Dec 29, 1997
Why does "Dragonwyck" haunt my memory?
The story is derivative; the ending predictable. So what is it about "Dragonwyck" that draws me back to the literally falling-apart hardcover copy that I borrowed from a friend 15 years ago?Perhaps it's Anya Seton's realistic rendering of a Connecticut farm girl's yearning for a more elegant lifestyle, and the authenticity of Seton's description of life in New England and New York right before the Civil War, in the age of Dutch patroonships. Names of prominent Americans -- particularly those of Dutch descent, like Melville, Roosevelt and Van Buren -- are scattered throughout each cha
M. Marlene Smith "tiger lily"
Jul 21, 2008
Nice Job!
I first read this book at age 17, nearly 30 years ago. I pulled it from a dusty shelf at my grandfather's home. I loved it then; I was swept away into a history of which I knew nothing and an unconventional love story with supernatural elements. I have been thinking of it ever since and for the longest time could not find a copy anywhere (should have stolen granddad's!) I caught the movie version of it on the classics TV channel and was disappointed in Vincent Price's portrayal of Nicholas - he is not at all what I imagined while reading the book. However, since Anya Seton's books have been re
Linda McDonnell
May 25, 2001
Beware of answered prayers....
I searched for years for a copy of "Dragonwyck" and finally found an old copy in an East Hampton church sale. Why such a quest? Because I had seen the movie version with Gene Tierney and Vincent Price at least 10 times as a child. And the book is no disappointment--rather, it went beyond my wildest expectation! I've read it over quite a few times. The most appealing part for me is the early part of the novel, when Miranda is first in love with her handsome but remote cousin Nicholas, a married man whose daughter she is governess to. Seton captures the inexpressable longing of a crush
CoffeeGurl
Sep 9, 2006
A true American gothic!
I am quite a big fan of classic gothic love stories. Jane Eyre is one of my all-time favorite gothic romances, which is why I cannot believe it took me so long to give Anya Seton's Dragonwyck a whirl. This is a wonderful, yet underrated piece of fiction, "a classic in the tradition of Jane Eyre and Rebecca," as the back cover blurb says. Set in the year 1844, Dragonwyck tells the story of Miranda Wells, an eighteen-year-old daughter of a strict farmer. She has romantic notions of being swept by her feet by a tall, dark and handsome man. She also dreams of a better life. So when she is invited
Michele
Sep 18, 2009
a great "escapist" book
Dragonwyck has all the ingredients of a stereotypical Gothic story -- a beautiful, innocent young girl, a handsome, brooding aristocrat, a haunting ghostly presence connected to some past evil, and a huge castle-like mansion. Even the name of this mansion "Dragonwyck" adds to the melodrama, suggesting the abode of a dragon. In the hands of a less skillful writer these ingredients could easily add up to a hackneyed cliche of a book. However, Anya Seton weaves her story in such a way that it is never boring, never contrived, and though the plot is pretty predictable without any real surprises, s
