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A review by kierscrivener
The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole
4.0
The story that started gothic literature. Is it a tad convoluted and dramatic. Yes. Is it hilarious, spooky and clever. Also Yes. Did Walpole pull a Princess Bride and pretend to find an old manuscript and translate it. Yes. I find it really fascinating that is was acclaimed when people believed that it was a rediscovered medieval text but then when he revealed his own authorship in the second printing it of it was dismissed as silly but remained as popular. I think it is an interesting case study in how people dismiss work that is newer when lauding older works. I am definitely guilty of this as well as I adore classics but am more critical of contemporary novels especially ones with ridiculous plots or romance,that I would find endearing in a classic.
The novel itself is funny, the opening narration made me laugh and throughout Walpole has a comedic way of storytelling, and is both celebrating and cracking fun a Shakespeare and medieval literature. (I was a little proud that I picked up on the Shakespeare allusions before researching the novel).
The story begins with the wedding of Conrad and Isabella being delayed when Conrad the often sick and newly fifteen year old son of the Prince of Otranto fails to show up to the ceremony. He is found dead under a helmet. The spookiness begins and so does the madness, as Manfred Prince of Otranto enraged that his only son is dead and that his wife can no longer have children, decides that he must divorce Hippolita and marry Isabella. Isabella is rightfully outraged and scared that the man whose ward she has been and who was to be her father in law wants to marry her flees and on the way is helped by a handsome and brave peasant.
and so our story begins.
It is full of prophecies, odd deaths, superstitions, Shakespearean comedy, secret tunnels and people in disguise.
The novel itself is funny, the opening narration made me laugh and throughout Walpole has a comedic way of storytelling, and is both celebrating and cracking fun a Shakespeare and medieval literature. (I was a little proud that I picked up on the Shakespeare allusions before researching the novel).
The story begins with the wedding of Conrad and Isabella being delayed when Conrad the often sick and newly fifteen year old son of the Prince of Otranto fails to show up to the ceremony. He is found dead under a helmet. The spookiness begins and so does the madness, as Manfred Prince of Otranto enraged that his only son is dead and that his wife can no longer have children, decides that he must divorce Hippolita and marry Isabella. Isabella is rightfully outraged and scared that the man whose ward she has been and who was to be her father in law wants to marry her flees and on the way is helped by a handsome and brave peasant.
and so our story begins.
It is full of prophecies, odd deaths, superstitions, Shakespearean comedy, secret tunnels and people in disguise.