The Castle of Otranto

Name: The Castle of Otranto
Brand: Findaway
Availability: InStock
Author: Horace Walpole
ISBN: 9798868663666

Author: Horace Walpole

Narrator: Jason Smith (Male Synthesized Voice)

Unabridged: 3 hr 28 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Loudly

Published: 12/14/2023

Categories: Fiction, Gothic, Horror, Classic

Synopsis

"The Castle of Otranto" is a novel written by Horace Walpole and first published in 1764. It is considered the first Gothic novel, setting the stage for a genre that would become popular in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The book is known for its blend of supernatural elements, romance, and suspense. The story is set in the medieval Castle of Otranto in Italy and revolves around the mysterious and supernatural events that unfold within its walls. The narrative involves a cursed noble family, secret passages, prophecies, and a large helmet that seems to portend doom. The novel explores themes of power, love, and the supernatural, creating an atmospheric and suspenseful tale.

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