From the eerie corridors of ancient strongholds to the depths of ancestral secrets, The Castle of Otranto and The Old English Baron are captivating works of classic horror with significant influence in the history of gothic fiction. Esteemed and highly influential, Horace Walpole's The Castle of Otranto (1764) was England's first gothic horror novel, but when Clara Reeve rewrote the story as The Old English Baron (1778) over thirty years later, her work was received with heavy criticism. With looming curses and familial treachery, both works are set in the medieval era with atmospheres steeped in relentless suspense. Yet, where Walpole's prolific work blurs the line between realism and the supernatural, Reeve rewrote the fantastical story with features of naturalism for the modern reader. Discover the origins of gothic fiction in these two prolific novels and read their comparisons and critiques in this volume's featured excerpts by H. P. Lovecraft and Montague Summers.

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.

The Castle of Otranto, written by Horace Walpole in 1764, is credited as being the original gothic novel. The first edition claimed to be a translation of an ancient, 16th-century?Italian manuscript, which had been recently discovered among the belongings of a Catholic family in the north of England. Furthermore, that manuscript was said to have its roots in tales from the time of the Crusades. All of this intrigue, of course, served to make the novel an instant success and launched the gothic fiction craze. This volume contains not only Walpole's story, but a brief biography of him written by later gothic novelist, Clara Reeve. She credits The Castle of Otranto with having influenced her book, The Old English Baron, which is also included here.

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

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.