All Formats & Editions

'Look, my lord See heaven itself declares against your impious intentions '

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... Read Full Overview

Horace Walpole's classic novel, regarded as the first gothic novel ever published and starting the influential genre. In this seminal tale, a the ancient curse of a castle drives its inhabitants to murder and other grisly acts in attempts to protect family lines.

First published pseudonymously in 1764, The Castle of Otranto purported to be a translation of an Italian story of the time of the crusades. In it Walpole attempted, as he declared in the Preface to the Second Edition, "to blend the two kinds of romance: the ancient and the modern."... Read Full Overview

About The Castle of Otranto The Castle of Otranto is a work of literary fiction by British author Horace Walpole, first published in 1764 in the UK. Manfred, Prince of Otranto, had one son and one daughter: the latter, a most beautiful virgin, aged eighteen, was called Matilda... Read Full Overview

The founding work of Gothic fiction

In a faraway medieval realm, Manfred, an arrogant and evil prince, rules with an iron fist. Banishing his wife to the castle dungeon, he confines -- and plans to wed -- the lovely Isabella, fiancee of his recently deceased son. The prince's plans are foiled, however, when a well-meaning... Read Full Overview

The Castle of Otranto is a book by Horace Walpole first published in 1764 and generally regarded as the first gothic novel. In the second edition, Walpole applied the word 'Gothic' to the novel in the subtitle - "A Gothic Story".

First published in 1764, Horace Walpole's "The Castle of Otranto" is generally regarded as the first gothic novel, a work which blended supernatural and fantastical elements with realistic characters and events. Heralding in a new and immensely popular literary style, the... Read Full Overview

This novel is the story of Conrad, son of Manfred of the house of Otranto. This thrilling tale abounds in adventure, suspense, and supernatural occurrences. Crammed with invention, entertainment, terror, and pathos, the novel was an immediate success and Walpole's own favorite... Read Full Overview

Horrifying supernatural visitations, long-dreaded curses, and barbarous murders, Horace Walpole's revered The Castle of Otranto is the founding gothic novel, launching one of the most popular literary genres.

When the heir of Otranto is mysteriously... Read Full Overview

'Look, my lord See heaven itself declares against your impious intentions ' 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... Read Full Overview

First published pseudonymously in 1764, The Castle of Otranto purported to be a translation of an Italian story of the time of the crusades. In it Walpole attempted, as he declared in the Preface to the Second Edition, "to blend the two kinds of romance: the ancient and the modern."... Read Full Overview

Complete and unabridged paperback edition.

The Castle of Otranto is a 1764 novel by Horace Walpole. It is generally regarded as the first gothic novel. In the second edition, Walpole applied the word 'Gothic' to the novel in the subtitle - "A Gothic Story"... Read Full Overview

First published pseudonymously in 1764, The Castle of Otranto purported to be a translation of an Italian story of the time of the crusades. In it Walpole attempted, as he declared in the Preface to the Second Edition, "to blend the two kinds of romance: the ancient and the modern."... Read Full Overview

A gruesome accident abruptly plunges the noble house of Otranto into chaos, consuming Prince Manfred with his mad obsession to preserve his bloodline at any cost. As Manfred haunts the halls of his ancient home, strange apparitions and dark omens begin to stalk the castle

Horace Walpole produced The Castle of Otranto in 1765, at the mature age of forty-eight. It was suggested by a dream from which he said he waked one morning, and of which "all I could recover was, that I had thought myself in an ancient castle (a very natural dream for a head... Read Full Overview