The Castle of Otranto (1764) is the first supernatural English novel and one of the most influential works of Gothic fiction. It inaugurated a literary genre that will be forever associated with the effects that Walpole pioneered. Professing to be a translation of a mysterious Italian tale from the darkest Middle Ages, the novel tells of Manfred, prince of Otranto, whose fear of an ancient prophecy sets him on a course of destruction. After the grotesque death of his only son, Conrad, on his wedding day, Manfred determines to marry the bride-to-be. The virgin Isabella flees through a castle riddled with secret passages. Chilling coincidences, ghostly visitations, arcane revelations, and violent combat combine in a heady mix that is both chilling and terrifying.

In this new edition Nick Groom's wide-ranging introduction explores the novel's Gothic context in the cultural movement that affected political and religious thinking before Walpole developed it as a literary style, helping to explain the novel's impact on contemporaries, its importance, and Walpole's pioneering innovations in the horror genre.

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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.

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The Castle of Otranto tells the story of Manfred, lord of the castle, and his family. His son, Conrad, is set to be married to princess Isabella, but dies on the day of the wedding. Manfred believes this event is the beginning of an ancient prophecy coming true - a prophecy telling of Manfred's downfall as lord of the castle. In an attempt to stop the prophecy, Manfred resolves to divorce his wife and marry Isabella. The princess escapes, but Manfred refuses to stop looking for her.

The Castle of Otranto was first published in 1764 and is regarded as the first gothic novel. The story merges medievalism and terror in a style that has endured ever since. The aesthetic of the book has shaped modern-day gothic books, films, art, music and the goth subculture. By combining fantastic situations with supposedly real people acting in a natural manner, Walpole created a new and distinct style of literary fiction, which has frequently been cited as a template for all subsequent gothic novels.

This case laminate collector's edition includes a Victorian inspired dust-jacket.

Manfred, the lord of the castle of Otranto, has long lived in dread of an ancient prophecy: it's foretold that when his family line ends, the true owner of the castle will appear and claim it. In a desperate bid to keep the castle, Manfred plans to coerce a young woman named Isabella into marrying him.

Isabella refuses to yield to Manfred's reprehensible plan. But once she escapes into the depths of the castle, it becomes clear that Manfred isn't the only threat. As Isabelle loses herself in the seemingly endless hallways below, voices reverberate from the walls and specters wander through the dungeons. Otranto appears to be alive, and it's seeking revenge for the sins of the past.

Considered to be the first gothic novel, this story follows the twisted machinations of the evil Manfred as he schemes to maintain his grip on the castle and power over his family. Secrets, supernatural occurrences, and forbidden romances abound in this classic tale of horror and suspense.

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The Castle of Otranto was first published in 1764 and is known as the first Gothic novel ever written. After a nightmare involving a ghost featuring a gigantic hand in armour at his Gothic Revival home called Strawberry Hill House, Walpole penned this short novel which would grow to inspire several future authors. It tells of Manfred's family, the supernatural events that befall his son's wedding, a prophecy and the haunting follows after.

When tragedy strikes on his son's wedding day, Lord Manfred believes it is a foreboding omen, and will do whatever it takes to stop it-no matter how immoral.

Set in the 18th century, The Castle of Otranto begins on the day Manfred's son, Conrad, was meant to be married. Known for his sickly nature, Conrad is the eldest child of two, and is set to marry Princess Isabella, a union that would reap strong benefits for the noble family. However, when tragedy strikes right before the ceremony, Manfred is terrified that it is a premonition of a bad luck curse. Paranoid that the curse would threaten his bloodline, he leaps into action. Determined to strengthen his legacy before it's too late, Manfred decides to divorce his wife so that he can marry Isabella in his son's place. However, when Isabella adamantly refuses, Manfred slips into a manic state of immorality, as he becomes desperate to do whatever it takes to marry Isabella. After Theodore, a brave peasant man with mysterious origins, becomes dedicated to protecting Isabella from Manfred, the lord must outsmart and overpower the couple to get his way. Through coercion, capture, and even murder, Manfred will do anything to avoid the threat of a curse.

First published under a pseudonym in 1764, The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole is regarded as the first gothic horror novel, a literary genre that later flourished in the 18th and 19th century. Walpole's work has shaped the modern-day gothic aesthetic in literature, film, art, and music. The Castle of Otranto and the genre it inspired also encouraged many major writers, such as Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, and Edgar Allan Poe. Featuring a dark narrative, twists, tragedy, and elements of surrealism, The Castle of Otranto is dramatic and shocking, enthralling from start to finish.

This edition of The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole features an eye-catching new cover design and is printed in a font that is both modern and readable. With these accommodations, The Castle of Otranto caters to a contemporary audience while preserving the original innovation of Horace Walpole's work.