Modern Mephistopheles

by Louisa May Alcott

Paperback, 1987

Status

Available

Call number

813.4

Genres

General Fiction

All Topics

Fiction

Collection

Your library

Publication

Bantam Classics (1987), Mass Market Paperback, 168 pages

Description

Although beloved for her children's classic Little Women, Louisa May Alcott had a passion for sensational literature that she only dared issue anonymously or under a pseudonym. Her favorite among these adult fictions, A Modern Mephistopheles was first published in 1877 and has been rediscovered and published under Alcott's name. This chilling tale of lust, deception, and greed beings on a midwinter night as Felix Canaris, a despairing writer about to take his own life, is saved by a knock at the door. His mysterious visitor, Jasper Helwyze, promises the poor student fame and fortune in return for his complete devotion. The embittered Helwyze then plots to corrupt his overly ambitious protégé by artfully manipulating the innocent and beautiful Gladys. When Helwyze decides that he wants Gladys for himself, Felix must defend the adoring young woman from the corrosive influence of his diabolical patron. A novel of psychological complexity that touches on controversial subjects such as sexuality and drug use, A Modern Mephistopheles is a penetrating and powerful study of human evil and its appalling consequences.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member andreablythe

Many people are not aware that along with writing classic children's morality books, such as Little Women, Louisa May Alcott much preferred writing sensation thrillers.

This book, which is Alcott's only completed full novel in this genre, tells the story of a young writer, who makes a sort of

devil's compact with a rcih, bored old man. The old gentlman uses a variety of means to corrupt his charge, including the corruption of the writer's young and innocent wife.

For me, I enjoyed this book far more than Little Women, in which the morality seemed to get in the way of the story (though I did love the characters as a girl). A Modern Mephistopheles offered sharper writing with interesting characters, who make mistakes and suffer for them. Only the too pure wife seemed two dimensional to me. She never seemed to grow in the book beyond this girlish purity.

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LibraryThing member PhilSyphe

Before reading this I was expecting something as good as, and similar to, "A Long Fatal Love Chase" or some of LMA's superb thrillers; however, this novella is one of few works by Ms Alcott that I found tedious.

I knew beforehand that when "A Modern Mephistopheles" was first published it was part of

an anonymous author series and LMA wasn't revealed as the true writer until some years afterwards. At the time people who knew LMA had made comments to her regarding "A Modern Mephistopheles", such as, "I know it can't have been you who wrote it." Indeed, it's *nothing* like LMA, and I don't just mean it differs from her lighter works of fiction; I mean it's a world away from all her darker works too.

I just couldn't get into this. It bored me. Because of my respect for the author I continued to the end, although had it been full-length novel as opposed to a novella, I would've had to give up.

Owing to the occasional flash of interest, plus a decent ending to an otherwise mundane tale, I've rated this two stars instead of one.

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LibraryThing member Sovranty

Despite there being only four main characters, it is difficult to assign titles like Villain and Hero. As soon as you side with one character, a piece of information is revealed that makes you question your loyalty. This book will keep you guessing.

This book was slow to read, being more of a

emotional thriller.

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