A review by ed_moore
The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole

adventurous dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

“It is sinful, replied the friar, to christ those whom heaven has doomed to destruction. A tyrant’s race must be swept from the earth to the third or fourth generation” 

Walpole’s ‘The Castle of Otranto’ is recognised as the first work of the Gothic genre, though despite being very atmospheric and vibey with a very fast paced opening, it does seem like a book that’ll be very much forgettable. It is very Shakespearian feeling in plot but also seems awfully convenient in parts, much of it relying on tropes of prophecy. I also think Manfred gets away with far too much given his violent and impulsive nature and with frankly how awful a protagonist he is. The man really needs to get some grief counselling… 

Also Horace, what did speech marks do to hurt you?