Horace Walpole

Gebundenes Buch

The Castle of Otranto (Deluxe Library Edition)

Beschreibung

The Castle of Otranto tells the story of Manfred, lord of the castle, and his family. His son, Conrad, is set to be married to princess Isabella, but dies on the day of the wedding. Manfred believes this event is the beginning of an ancient prophecy coming true - a prophecy telling of Manfred's downfall as lord of the castle. In an attempt to stop the prophecy, Manfred resolves to divorce his wife and marry Isabella. The princess escapes, but Manfred refuses to stop looking for her. The Castle of Otranto was first published in 1764 and is regarded as the first gothic novel. The story merges medievalism and terror in a style that has endured ever since. The aesthetic of the book has shaped modern-day gothic books, films, art, music and the goth subculture. By combining fantastic situations with supposedly real people acting in a "natural" manner, Walpole created a new and distinct style of literary fiction, which has frequently been cited as a template for all subsequent gothic novels.

Autor

Horace Walpole was born in 1717, the youngest son of politician Robert Walpole, and became a writer, historian, and art enthusiast. After studying at Cambridge, he held parliamentary seats before retiring to focus on his writing and collections. His most famous work, The Castle of Otranto, is often credited as the first Gothic novel, a genre he helped establish.Walpole was deeply interested in antiquarianism and transformed his home, Strawberry Hill, into a Gothic-style castle. His writings ranged from history to letters, but his supernatural works are what solidified his place in literary history. His sharp wit and unique style made him a standout figure in 18th-century English society.Walpole's influence on literature lasted long after his death in 1797. His pioneering Gothic works inspired generations of writers, and his contributions to art history helped preserve valuable treasures. He is remembered as a key figure in the development of English literature's darker, imaginative traditions.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Engage Classics
• Seitenzahl: 96
• Erscheinungstermin: 15. März 2022
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 235mm x 157mm x 10mm
• Gewicht: 303g
• ISBN-13: 9781774765135
• ISBN-10: 1774765136
• Artikelnr.: 64365668