Author Description
'Woe to the rash mortal who seeks to know that of which he should remain ignorant; and to undertake that which surpasseth his power!' The Caliph Vathek is dissolute and debauched, and hungry for knowledge. When the mysterious Giaour offers him boundless treasure and unrivalled power he is willing to sacrifice his god, the lives of innocent children, and his own soul to satisfy his obsession. Vathek's extraordinary journey to the subterranean palace of Eblis, and the terrifying fate that there awaits him, is a captivating tale of magic and oriental fantasy, sudden violence and corrupted love, whose mix of moral fable, grotesque comedy, and evocative beauty defies classification. Originally written by Beckford in French at the age of only 21, its dreamlike qualities have influenced writers from Byron to H. P. Lovecraft. This new edition reprints Beckford's authorized English text of 1816 with its elaborate and entertaining notes. In his new introduction Thomas Keymer examines the novel's relations to a range of literary genres and cultural contexts. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
Menrva's Summary
THE PULSE
The Caliph Vathek, driven by an insatiable hunger for forbidden knowledge and power, enters into a catastrophic pact with a mysterious stranger that leads to his moral and physical ruin. The protagonist, a debauched ruler, abandons his duties and his people to pursue supernatural secrets promised by the Giaour. His quest forces him to commit heinous acts, including the sacrifice of innocent children, as he descends into a world of dark magic and shifting allegiances. The narrative unfolds as a linear, fable-like progression that tracks the Caliph's physical movement from his opulent court toward the terrifying subterranean palace of Eblis, where his ultimate fate is sealed.
INSIDE THE PAGES
- Use of an ornate, dreamlike prose style characteristic of the late eighteenth century.
- Integration of grotesque comedy alongside elements of high-stakes horror.
- Exploration of the consequences of unchecked ambition and moral corruption.
- Incorporation of supernatural entities and magical artifacts.
- A narrative structure that mirrors the conventions of an orientalist moral fable.
- Vivid, atmospheric descriptions of both opulent palaces and desolate, hellish landscapes.
- A focus on the psychological disintegration of a ruler obsessed with forbidden power.
- The presence of a cynical, detached narrator who observes the protagonist's downfall.
THE COLLECTIVE ECHO
Readers and critics frequently note the unique position of this work as a bridge between the early Gothic tradition and later supernatural horror. Discussion often centers on the juxtaposition of its lush, evocative language with the stark, often brutal actions of the characters. Many highlight the influence of the text on later writers like H. P. Lovecraft, noting how its dreamlike quality creates a sense of unease that persists throughout the narrative. The balance between the satirical elements of the Caliph's court and the genuine terror of the final act remains a primary point of analysis for scholars of the period. Readers often find the work to be a distinct example of how eighteenth-century writers utilized exotic settings to explore universal themes of human depravity.
Page Count:
192
Publication Date:
2013-01-01
Publisher:
OUP Oxford
ISBN-10:
0191645788
ISBN-13:
9780191645785
Horror
Fantasy
Satire
Orientalism
English & College Success
English
English literature
classic
Gothic
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