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Set in the late 1500s, this historical gothic novel is a tale of horror and psychological terror from Ann Radcliffe, one of the most influential writers of the genre.
Emily St. Aubert suffered the loss of her mother early in life and formed a tight bond with her father amidst their grief. Yet, when further tragedy strikes and her father also passes away, she's placed into the care of her aunt. Her new guardian shows Emily little affection, and her marriage to an Italian brigand results in the small family moving to an eerie, crumbling castle. As seemingly supernatural events haunt the young girl's life, she begins to unravel a long string of secrets and schemes.
This volume is part of the Mothers of the Macabre series, celebrating the gothic horror masterpieces of pioneering women writers who played a pivotal role in shaping and advancing the genre. First published in 1794, The Mysteries of Udolpho is Radcliffe's most popular novel and is commonly referred to as the archetypal gothic novel. The captivating tale has influenced many well-known works, and is prominently featured in Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey (1817). This volume is not to be missed by fans of horror classics.
A propos de l'auteur
English novelist Ann Radcliffe (née Ward; 9 July 1764 - 7 February 1823) is credited with creating Gothic fiction. She was the only child of haberdasher William Ward and Ann Oates and was born in London. Young Radcliffe started writing, and she became well-known for her atmospheric, suspenseful books that mixed aspects of romance and horror. She wed writer and editor William Radcliffe in 1787. She achieved enormous popularity with her two well-known works, "The Mysteries of Udolpho" (1794) and "The Italian" (1797). Strong characters, frightening locations, and evocative descriptions were all hallmarks of Radcliffe's books. She received accolades for using psychological suspense rather than supernatural components to create a feeling of horror. While Radcliffe was alive, she was quite well-liked, but certain literary groups also had criticism for her. Her writings were criticized for being too romantic and sensational. Even yet, Radcliffe's books impacted the Gothic subgenre and provided authors like Jane Austen and Edgar Allan Poe with inspiration. Early in the 19th century, Radcliffe's writing career came to an end, and she had a tranquil life until her death in 1823. Even today, people acknowledge and appreciate her influence on literature and her role in the development of Gothic fiction
