I am awestruck. This magnificent work of art is an epic gothic tale that manages to be both poetic and gritty, thrillingly dark and yet deeply moving. Shelley's masterful storytelling skills are on full display here, as she weaves a hauntingly beautiful tale of love, loss, and redemption. What sets "Mathilda" apart from other gothic tales is Shelley's deeply introspective narrative voice. The story is told through Mathilda's eyes, and we are given an intimate look into her innermost thoughts and feelings. Shelley's prose is lyrical and poetic, imbuing even the darkest moments with a sense of beauty and grace. At the same time, however, "Mathilda" is unflinchingly gritty and disturbing. Shelley does not shy away from exploring the darkest corners of the human psyche, and the novel's themes of incest, suicide, and madness are all handled with a frankness and honesty that is both shocking and compelling.