| Author |
Beckford, William, 1760-1844 |
| Author of introduction, etc. |
Morley, Henry, 1822-1894 |
| Title |
The History of Caliph Vathek
|
| Note |
Reading ease score: 53.2 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.
|
| Note |
Translation of Vathek
|
| Credits |
Transcribed from the 1887 Cassell & Company edition by David Price
|
| Summary |
"The History of the Caliph Vathek" by William Beckford is a novel written in the late 18th century that draws on themes from Arabian folklore infused with a rich, fantastical style reminiscent of horror and humor. The narrative follows the extravagant and sensual life of Vathek, the ninth Caliph of the Abassides, whose desires lead him to seek forbidden knowledge and power, warranting both fascination and dread as he encounters various supernatural elements. The opening of the story introduces Vathek as a powerful yet indulgent ruler, obsessed with satisfying his senses through opulent palaces dedicated to pleasure, music, and beauty. Despite his grandeur, he is plagued by a thirst for knowledge that lures him down a dangerous path. The narrative begins to unfold when the Caliph encounters a strange and hideous traveler in his palace, a meeting that swiftly escalates into a gripping tale of desire and consequences, as Vathek's curiosity incites a chain of events that draws the reader into a world of enchantment and foreboding. The stage is set for his moral downfall as he seeks to unlock the secrets of the universe, highlighting the interplay between excess and consequence that defines his character and the story itself. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
|
| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
PR: Language and Literatures: English literature
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| Subject |
English fiction
|
| Subject |
Gothic fiction
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| Subject |
Arab countries -- Fiction
|
| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
2060 |
| Release Date |
Feb 1, 2000 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Jan 8, 2012 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
121 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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