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Cover of An Arabian tale

An Arabian tale

from an unpublished manuscript: with notes critical and explanatory.

by William Beckford, Samuel Henley, Richard Garnett , Samuel Henley, Franz Blei, John Beckford, Giaime Giaime Pintor

Fiction, generalFrench literature, translations into englishDescription and travelFictionInheritance and successionClassic LiteratureThirty years' war, 1618-1648Civilization

Vathek is one of the earliest and most influential Gothic novels. Its hero is the Caliph Vathek who renounces Islam in a hedonistic quest for supernatural powers, which leads to his downfall. Beckford's genius was in marrying Orientalism with the Gothic, both sources of fascination and delight to reading audiences of the time.

Writing a summary for young readers…

For young readers

Book data: Open Library