Behind a Mask far exceeded my expectations of the novel prior to reading it. The author chose a much different ending then I would of generally expected. In most novels you expect the plot of the "antagonist" to be revealed and justice be served, in this case though, Jean got what she desired by getting married. She manipulated people throughout the whole novel to do exactly what she wanted. This was effective in part because of the "mask" that hid her true identity. The author L.M. Alcott wrote under another name so she would not be held responsible for her liberal views of women. This hiding of identity is the central theme of the novel and helps add to the compelling nature of the story. In all I really enjoyed this book, a lot more then I expected.
As for the Southern Gothic short stories, The Goopherded Grapevine, The Sherrif's Children, & Jean-ah Poquelin, all made for a unique writing style, unlike any I have ever read. The only thing I didn't like about them was the hard to understand Southern dialect used , especially in Jean-ah Poquelin. The stories included traditional gothic settings such as swamps and old plantation homes. The plots included spookie elements such as curses, sick kin, and illegitimate sons. The stories portrayed aspects of our nations history through these southern gothic novels.
I agree with the you on your opinion on the writing styles used in these short stories. It was completely unique and unlike anything I have ever read before. I also found it completely impossible to read and something that I literally felt I had to translate on the page next to the text as I read. I also liked to hear about the history of the times through the perspective of these characters throughout these short stories.
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