Ann Radcliffe was an English author and a pioneering figure in the Gothic novel. Her works, frequently featuring innocent heroines in mysterious castles ruled by enigmatic barons, achieved immense popularity. She was renowned for her vivid descriptions of exotic locales, often places she had never visited. Her distinctive style profoundly influenced subsequent writers and inspired notable parodies.
The story revolves around a heroine plagued by mysterious sounds and terrifying legends, alongside her devoted attendant, Annette. Following her aunt's death, she escapes with the help of a fellow prisoner. Her journey home leads her to a chateau filled with eerie remnants, including an abandoned wing and a deathbed shrouded in darkness. Ultimately, she finds safety and happiness with her lover, Valancourt, after uncovering a secret that initially shrouded her origins in mystery.
Set against the haunting backdrop of the Scottish Highlands, this Gothic novel explores themes of revenge and legacy through the tragic tale of Osbert and Mary, heirs to the Earl of Athlin. Following their father's murder by the vengeful Malcolm, Osbert vows to reclaim his family's honor. As he embarks on a perilous quest with his clansmen and ally Alleyn, the story intertwines suspense and the supernatural, showcasing Ann Radcliffe's early mastery of Gothic fiction. This edition presents a classic reimagined for contemporary audiences.
First published in 1797, THE ITALIAN is Ann Radcliffe's classic creation of Gothic romance. Set against the backdrop of the Holy Inquisition, the narrative revolves around a sinister and mysterious monk and two ill-fated lovers. With a new Introduction and updated notes, this edition examines the formal, historical, and political aspects of Radcliffe's most brilliant work.
This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curated for quality. Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process. Though we have made best efforts - the books may have occasional errors that do not impede the reading experience. We believe this work is culturally important and have elected to bring the book back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.
`Her present life appeared like the dream of a distempered imagination, or like one of those frightful fictions, in which the wild genius of the poets sometimes delighted. Rreflections brought only regret, and anticipation terror.' Such is the state of mind in which Emily St. Aubuert - the orphaned heroine of Ann Radcliffe's 1794 gothic Classic, The Mysteries of Udolpho - finds herself after Count Montoni, her evil guardian, imprisions her in his gloomy medieval fortress in the Appenines. Terror is the order of the day inside the walls of Udolpho, as Emily struggles against Montoni's rapacious schemes and the threat of her own psychological disintegration. A best-seller in its day and a potent influence on Walpole, Poe, and other writers of eighteenth and nineteenth-century Gothic horror, The Mysteries of Udolpho remains one of the most important works in the history of European fiction. As the same time, with its dream-like plot and hallucinatory rendering of itscharacters' psychological states, it often seems strangely modern: `permanently avant-garde' in Terry Castle's words, and a profound and fascinating challenge to contemporary readers.
Gothic Classics presents Ann Radcliffe's archetypal gothic novel The Mysteries of Udopho, adapted by Antonella Caputo and Carlo Vergara. Plus: Jane Austen's gothic parody Northanger Abbey" by Trina Robbins and Anne Timmons; and Poe's "The Oval Portrait" by Malaysian illustrator Leong Wan Kok. Also "At the Gate," a ghost story with dogs by Myla Jo Closser, illustrated by Shary Flenniken;, and J. Sheridan Le Fanu's great vampire tale "Carmilla," by Rod Lott and Lisa K. Weber. With a dramatic cover painting from "Carmilla" by Lisa K. Weber.
Excerpt from "The Mysteries of Udolpho," And, "a Sicilian Romance" Talents raised them to a proud distinction; but their appearance has been lilie angels visits, few and far between. It has, however, been reserved to the present age for woman to maintain her just rank' 'ia the creation; to exchange the distal! For the pen; and to wield the 'latter with as much force, and as much elegance, as hail ever been. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
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The travelogue memoir captures the essence of 18th-century European exploration through the author's journey in 1794 across Holland and the Western Frontier of Germany, culminating in a return down the Rhine River. Rich cultural observations and vivid descriptions of landscapes and historical landmarks immerse readers in the era. Radcliffe's personal reflections and sociopolitical commentary provide deeper insights into the challenges and dynamics of her time, making this work a significant historical document that embodies the spirit of adventure in European travel.
