the themes of beauty and terror being so intertwined makes for such a fascinating read. the conversations surrounding youth & sin, body & soul are still met with such curiosity and intrigue today. apart from the wildly misogynistic pov, (which is to be expected in a book written by a man in 1891), this novel still rings true in so many ways. it’s poetic, gothic, romantic and horrifying all at once. i loveeeeed this book.