The Castle of Otranto

The Castle of Otranto
ISBN: 9780140437676
Publication Date: 2 November 2001

On the day of his wedding Conrad, heir to the house of Otranto, is killed in mysterious circumstances. Fearing the end of his dynasty, his father, Manfred, determines to marry Conrad's betrothed Isabella, until a series of supernatural events stands in his way. A giant helmet falls from the moon, a portrait sighs, a statue bleeds and spirits warn of impending tragedy, as the curse on Manfred's house inexorably works itself out.

First published pseudonymously in 1764 as a scholarly translation from an ancient Italian text, The Castle of Otranto arguably has never been out of print. With its compelling blend of psychological realism and supernatural terror, it has influenced a literary tradition stretching from Ann Radcliffe and Bram Stoker to Daphne du Maurier and Stephen King.

About the Author

Horace Walpole (1717-97), 4th Earl of Orford, was the son of the Whig Prime Minister, Robert Walpole. In 1747 he moved to Strawberry Hill in Twickenham, which he transformed into his "little Gothic castle". He was at the centre of literary and political society and an arbiter of taste. He is remembered for his witty letters to a wide circle of friends.