Author: Horace Walpole
Narrator: Tony Jay
Format: Audio Book from the Library
Published Date: 1764
I just finished listening to Horace Walpole's classic gothic novel The Castle of Otranto. It's considered the first gothic novel in the English language. Back in 1764, Walpole must have been a character. He first claimed that he found this manuscript, printed in 1529 and translated it. Later on, after it became widely popular did he say "ha ha I actually wrote it" or something like that. Wow, that so wouldn't fly today.
What did I think of this novel? Eh. I first picked it up because it's a classic gothic novel perfect for the R.I.P. V Challenge. It's also on my ongoing challenge to read the 1001 Books to Read Before You Die. But I was a little disappointing. At first I was enthralled but then it just drooped off. It kind of reminded me of Hamlet...but not as good.
Anyway, here's the story:
Manfred and Hippolita are lord and lady of castle Otranto. They have two children: Matilda and Conrad. Conrad is scheduled to be married to lady Isabella in haste because Conrad is a pretty sickly boy. However, on the day of the wedding, Conrad is crushed and killed by a giant helm (I Googled it and it seems to be a giant helmet worn by a knight). Now without an heir, Manfred decides to pressure Isabella into marrying him. He makes a silly plea that Hippolita and him should get a divorce because they are cousins or something of the sort (reminds me of Henry VIII does it not?). Isabella flees the castle and is helped in her escape by a peasant who happens to be handsome and well versed.
Ok there is a bit more left to the plot but I'd be giving away the whole story. Up through Isabella's flight I was all for the story. But after that it got a little predictable, slow, and well...eh. There are a few supernatural things - ghostly figures, paintings and sounds but not enough for me to enjoy it.
Also Reviewed by:
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Age 30+ A Lifetime of Books
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