The Castle of Otranto, Horace Walpole
The Castle of Otranto, Horace Walpole
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The Castle of Otranto

Author: Horace Walpole

Narrator: Esh Alladi

Unabridged: 5 hr

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 10/07/2021

Categories: Fiction, Classic, Gothic


Synopsis

Brought to you by Penguin.

This Penguin Classic is performed by Esh Alladi.

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.

© Horace Walpole 2001 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

About Horace Walpole

Horace Walpole (1717–1797), was educated at Eton and King’s College, Cambridge, and then spent several years in politics. In 1757, he established a private printing press at Strawberry Hill, his home in Twickenham. There he published his own works as well as those of other authors. Upon his death, he held the title of Earl of Oxford.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Bill on January 29, 2020

This granddaddy of all Gothics is still worth a read. It has its flaws, but Walpole's style is crisp and economical, and the book itself is mercifully brief. Manfred possesses all the important features of the classic gothic hero that Mrs. Radcliffe and others would later use to great advantage, and......more

Goodreads review by Justin on January 15, 2021

The Castle of Otranto was the Blair Witch Project of 1764. Both were game-changers which popularized a new genre. Blair Witch launched the “found footage” horror trope and Otranto inaugurated the “Gothic.” Interestingly enough, Otranto also employs a “found footage” gimmick with its first edition, pr......more

Goodreads review by Henry on June 21, 2024

Prince Manfred of Otranto in medieval Italy is looking forward to the wedding of his only son Conrad, because the family name must continue...In those violent times, petty men try for glory against others of the same class , (the era of the Crusades also) Italian politics dictates noblemen have sons......more

Goodreads review by Paul on April 04, 2023

This classic was sooo baaad. You know in these fancy introductions when these big shot professors are frothing about how brilliant this thing is that you are now about to read, well, in the introduction to this book the guy tells you right there he’s sorry but this is a baaaad book The dream origin o......more

Goodreads review by Katie on April 29, 2020

Quite frankly one of the oddest things I've ever read.......more