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The Castle of Otranto

By Horace Walpole
Penguin Classics
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole, a mysterious tragedy strikes a noble family, leading to a series of supernatural events. As a cursed castle and its secrets unravel, love and legacy are tested, capturing a blend of romance and gothic horror. This novel is often credited as the first gothic novel, setting a precedent for many that followed.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're intrigued by gothic tales filled with ancestral curses, mysterious events, and dramatic tension. A pioneer in blending romance and horror, it introduces elements like haunted castles and supernatural occurrences that laid the groundwork for the gothic genre. It's perfect for readers who appreciate classic stories with a dark and eerie atmosphere.

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With this title, Walpole established the Gothic as a literary form in England. It was first published as a scholarly translation from an ancient Italian text, a supernatural tale of a fatal prophecy set in the time of the crusades and one which inspired terror in its early readers.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

On the day of his wedding, Conrad, heir to the house of Otranto, is killed in mysterious circumstances. His calculating father, Manfred, fears that his dynasty will now come to an end and determines to marry his son's bride himself, despite the fact he is already married.

But a series of terrifying supernatural omens soon threaten this unlawful union, as the curse placed on Manfred's ancestor, who usurped the lawful Prince of Otranto, begins to unfold.

First published pseudonymously in 1764, purporting to be an ancient Italian text from the time of the crusades, The Castle of Otranto is a founding work of Gothic fiction. With its compelling blend of sinister portents, tempestuous passions, and ghostly visitations, it spawned an entire literary tradition and influenced such writers as Ann Radcliffe and Bram Stoker.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Castle of Otranto is often praised for its innovation as the first Gothic novel, blending supernatural elements with melodramatic themes. Many reviews highlight its suspenseful atmosphere and intriguing plot, though some note its characters can be somewhat one-dimensional. Readers appreciate its historical significance and enjoy it as a quintessentially eerie and imaginative tale.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780140437676

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 27 September 2001

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Contributors:

  • Edited by Michael Gamer
  • Notes by Michael Gamer

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 12.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 158g

Pages: 208

Collections

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About the Author

Horace Walpole (1717-97), 4th Earl of Orford, was the son of the Whig Prime Minister, Robert Walpole. In 1747 he moved to Strawberry Hill in Twickenham, which he transformed into his "little Gothic castle". He was at the centre of literary and political society and an arbiter of taste. He is remembered for his witty letters to a wide circle of friends. Michael Gamer is Professor of English at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the author of 'Romanticism and the Gothic' (CUP, 2000).

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