The Castle of Otranto

A Gothic Story

Horace Walpole, Nick Groom (University of Exeter)

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English

Oxford University Press
20 October 2014

Literature, Poetry & Criticism; Classic fiction (pre c 1945)

Series: Oxford World's Classics

'Look, my lord!

See heaven itself declares against your impious intentions!'

The Castle of Otranto (1764) is the first supernatural English novel and one of the most influential works of Gothic fiction. It inaugurated a literary genre that will be forever associated with the effects that Walpole pioneered. Professing to be a translation of a mysterious Italian tale from the darkest Middle Ages, the novel tells of Manfred, prince of Otranto, whose fear of an ancient prophecy sets him on a course of destruction. After the grotesque death of his only son, Conrad, on his wedding day, Manfred determines to marry the bride-to-be. The virgin Isabella flees through a castle riddled with secret passages. Chilling coincidences, ghostly visitations, arcane revelations, and violent combat combine in a heady mix that terrified the novel's first readers.

In this new edition Nick Groom examines the reasons for its extraordinary impact and the Gothic culture from which it sprang. The Castle of Otranto was a game-changer, and Walpole the writer who paved the way for modern horror exponents. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

By: Horace Walpole
Edited by: Nick Groom (University of Exeter)
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Edition: 3rd Revised edition
Dimensions: Height: 196mm, Width: 129mm, Spine: 11mm
Weight: 148g
ISBN: 9780198704447
ISBN 10: 0198704445
Series: Oxford World's Classics
Pages: 192
Publication Date: 20 October 2014
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Nick Groom has published widely for both academic and popular readerships, with particular interest in questions of authenticity and the emergence of national and regional identity. His books include The Gothic (2012) for the Very Short Introductions series, The Union Jack: the Story of the British Flag (Atlantic, 2006), and The Seasons: an Elegy for the Passing of the Year (Atlantic, 2013).