Walpole's The Castle of Otranto

Horrifying supernatural visitations, long-dreaded curses, and barbarous murders, Horace Walpole’s revered The Castle of Otranto is the founding gothic novel, launching one of the most popular literary genres.

When the heir of Otranto is mysteriously murdered, his Machiavellian father, Manfred, schemes to marry his late-son’s fiancé in a bid to keep the castle and continue his family line. As he att...