Take a photo of a barcode or cover
lady_grey_with_honey's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is a short "sensation thriller" published in 1869, which features a femme fatale in the form of a mummified sorceress. Alcott enjoyed writing these kinds of "blood & thunder tales" because they were easy to write and paid better than more elaborate/serious works. She wrote this at the same time as writing Little Women. I thought this was a really fun story and it's one of the very first "mummy's curse" tales ever written (that we know of).
winternamja's review against another edition
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
tori_storydelver's review against another edition
4.0
The writing was excellent. I like mummy things, and I feel like there is not enough of it so finding this was a pleasant surprise!
sharperteeth's review against another edition
4.0
Listened to this on the Classic Tales Podcast today. It was an entertaining short story. It was predictable but that’s alright, especially when it’s an old story that may (or may not) pre-date tropes. It’s well written and a fun quick listen or read.
qalminator's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyable tale of a mummy's curse. I can't recall another such tale where the mummy was specifically female (though I haven't read widely in the subgenre). It's the sort of tale where you know doom is coming, you're just not sure of the exact form.
One detail annoyed me:
One detail annoyed me:
Spoiler
The scientists describe the poisonous plant as "stealing vitality". I would believe a hedgewitch or folklorist or occultist giving that description, but not a scientist.jdsutter's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting and creepy little tale about an Egyptologist. A tad predictable, but still enjoyable. If you like dark stories it's worth a read.
steffi_27's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
blushingbookkeeper's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
ghostlydreamer's review against another edition
5.0
I want to know what made me love this back then, because I've since tried other stories by Louisa May Alcott and didn't much like them. And this somehow got 5 stars? I feel like I would give this a very different rating now...
vermidian's review against another edition
3.0
A classic mummy story. If you've ever seen a mummy movie, you should know never to disturb their rest - and certainly never to take their treasures. Of course, these characters were blissfully unaware of such a danger as they had no such resources to fall back on. Instead, they desecrated a sorceress's wooden casket, stole her treasure, and even burnt her remains for firewood until they were to be rescued. This story is a study in why you should respect the dead, especially in a tomb.