The Castle of Otranto

by Horace Walpole, Michael Gamer

Overview

The founding work of Gothic fiction

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.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780140437676
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	01/29/2002
Series:	Penguin Classics
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	113,637
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.80(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

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.

Table of Contents

	Introduction: Horace Walpole and The Castle of Otranto	vii
	The Castle of Otranto
	Sir Walter Scott's Introduction	3
	Preface to the First Edition	17
	Preface to the Second Edition	21
	The Castle of Otranto	27

Editorial Reviews

Narrator Tony Jay’s deep, resonant voice is perfectly suited to the gothic trappings of this romance. His subtle characterizations, including a deft handling of the three women at the heart of the story, make the dialogue easy to follow. For best results, listen to this recording in a cold, damp dungeon.”

AudioFile

To The Castle Otranto we owe nothing less than a revolution in public taste, and its influence is strong even at present day.”

author of The Gothic Quest Montague Summers

In reviving this largely forgotten tale in audio format, Blackstone deserves credit for recognizing that it—like any classic ghost story—is at its best when read well out loud. Jay’s sonorous, menacing voice and expressive, fast paced performance so heighten the aura of evil that listeners can easily focus on the action.”

Kliatt

The merging of romance and realist conventions into a form which would later be designated ‘Gothic’ inspired several subsequent generations of writers.”

Oxford University Press

"Containing a Harry Potter-like array of animated portraits, supernatural adventures in vaults and cellars and astonishing, inexplicable events."  —Telegraph

From the Publisher

If you’ve never read or listened to THE CASTLE OF OTRANTO, you’ve almost certainly encountered dozens of works that were influenced by it. First published in 1764 and considered the granddaddy of gothic fiction, it’s the story of the impetuous Manfred, Prince of Otranto, and the curse on his ancestral line. Narrator Tony Jay’s deep, resonant voice is perfectly suited to the gothic trappings of this romance. His subtle characterizations, including a deft handling of the three women at the heart of the story, make the dialogue easy to follow. For best results, listen to this recording in a cold, damp dungeon. D.B. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine

DEC 06/JAN 07 - AudioFile