William Beckford
Vathek
- ISBN 13:
- 9780199576951
- author:
- William Beckford
- format:
- Paperback
- publisher:
- OUP Oxford
- language:
- English
- Publication Year:
- 2013
- Pages:
- 192
- Dimensions:
- 141mm X 196mm
- Genre:
- Fiction, World Literature, Fiction Subjects
- Condition:
- New
- Availability:
- Item usually sent within 4 working days
Description
Vathek is a wild and unforgettable novel of Gothic fantasy, whose sensuous imagination and grotesque comedy have inspired writers for centuries. The story follows a dissolute and debauched Caliph who is willing to sacrifice everything to satisfy his obsession with knowledge. His journey to a subterranean palace is a captivating tale of magic, oriental fantasy, and corrupted love, defying easy classification. This new edition of Vathek reprints Beckford's authorized English text of 1816 with its elaborate and entertaining notes. The introduction by Thomas Keymer provides a thoughtful exploration of the novel's literary qualities, its hybrid nature, and its connections to oriental fiction and the Gothic. With its unique blend of moral fable, grotesque comedy, and evocative beauty, Vathek is a fascinating and unsettling read. This second edition includes new, fuller notes, an up-to-date bibliography, and a new chronology of the author, making it a valuable resource for scholars and readers alike.