The Castle of Otranto
Published: 1764
Author: Horace Walpole
Genres: Classic, Fiction, Fiction, Gothic, History, Horror, Literary, Literature, Occult, Supernatural
Check the summary of this book here:
The Review:
Horace Walpole's The Castle of Otranto is said to be the original horror story that inspired Bram Stoker to write Dracula. It terrified the poor British guys so much that they couldn't sleep. I'm not sure about that, but I am certain that Horace Walpole understood the power of a good scary narrative to affect young Men. Thomas Grey, a friend of Walpole's, wrote to him, saying that his gothic horror novel had terrified the Cambridge students so terribly that "some of them cried a little, and all in general afraid to go to bed at nights." It was the year 1765.
The author claims to have seen a gigantic armored glove, a stairway, a gallery, and a castle in a dream. As a result, he was inspired to write this narrative, which he claims he discovered and translated from the original Italian, and which is attributed to a fictional character named "William Marshal" The narrative takes place between 1095 AD and 1243 AD, during the first and second Crusades, while the novel takes place in the 1500s. The first book was published in 1764 and was written in English.
This is a tale featuring a feisty priest, a fleeing Princess, a dying hermit with God on his side, chases in burial vaults, Crusaders, huge men with swords, hidden tunnels, liberated slaves, long-lost parents, lost heirs, misidentification, murder, prophecies, saints, and the colossal killing armor It reminds me a touch of Mathew Lewis's The Monk, but that one came out a long time after this one.
A fascinating book, especially if you're interested in gothic novels, which were the first of the literary genre's prominence, with authors like Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (Frankenstein), Bram Stoker (Dracula), and Edgar Allan Poe (The Masque of the Red Death) to mention a few.
By today's standards, this is mild, but I can imagine what it was like hundreds of years ago. It was a tremendous hit in its day, despite the fact that it was written more satirically than seriously. Some of us may no longer be frightened by the substance of this book in these times, but it may still be terrifying to someone who has never read or seen horror before.
It is neither epic fantasy nor great literature, but it is a work of its time and in some ways before its time, fundamental in certain respects. The narrative is set in a fictional Italy - admittedly an early "alternative reality" - and is a morality drama with strange - dreamy - components. Recommended not so much for pure amusement as for providing the reader with a broader grasp of western fantasy, particularly as it has evolved in the English language over the previous two centuries. Some might give it a four or five-star rating, while others who aren't ready for it will only give it a one or two. As a result, it will be a worthwhile read for fans of the period, the genre, or both.
It's an enjoyable read, but you might need to get used to the writing style. The story's language, tempo, and structure will tire many modern readers because it was first published in 1764. The plot, whatever it is, is extremely contrived and should be read with a sense of amusement. The characters frequently come out as exaggerated. But that's part of the allure, and as I read, I imagined a film with rich costumes, long dark hallways, and mist-shrouded courtyards. It has all of the gothic narrative motifs long before they became clichéd. This is compulsory reading for anybody interested in the history of the Gothic style. The book is rather brief and easy to read.
Final Thoughts:
This book changed the course of history. Medieval fantasy, gothic horror, and a variety of other subjects were largely influenced by this work, and we continue to see and read material that is, in some way, a descendant of this masterpiece.
Once more I must talk about the things a reader is going to read about in this novel. The prophesy, knights and castles, the Crusades, the ardent tyrant, the lost heir, the swooning damsels in distress, the dying hermit, the dead knight coming to rescue his daughter, AND massive armor that kills people and much more that may drive a reader insane but still make them want to keep reading is all here to be read again and again.
Many readers may notice the author's writing style is basic, although this isn't always a bad thing. At the very least, it indicates how he was aiming to make his work more accessible by making it available to others who were less educated. I strongly advise all Goth aficionados to read it so they may experience the granddaddy of gothic books.
Synopsis:
“The Castle of Otranto (1764) is the first supernatural & one of the most influential works of Gothic fiction, first published in 1764.
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.”
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Rating: 90/100
Recommended: 95/100 Yes.
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