The Castle of Otranto
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On the day of his wedding, Conrad, heir to the house of Otranto, is killed under mysterious circumstances. His calculating father, Manfred, fears that his dynasty will now come to an end and determines to marry his son’s bride himself—despite the fact he is already married. But a series of terrifying supernatural omens soon threaten this unlawful union, as the curse placed on Manfred’s ancestor, who usurped the lawful prince of Otranto, begins to unfold.
First published pseudonymously in 1765, The Castle of Otranto purported to be an ancient Italian text from the time of the crusades and is a founding work of gothic fiction. With its compelling blend of sinister portents, tempestuous passions, and ghostly visitations, it spawned an entire literary tradition and influenced such writers as Ann Radcliffe and Bram Stoker.
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Horace Walpole (1717–1797) was an English writer, art historian, man of letters, antiquarian, and politician. He was the youngest son of Britain’s first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole. His literary reputation today rests largely upon his novel The Castle of Otranto (1764), widely regarded as the first Gothic novel, and his voluminous Letters, which are of significant social and political interest and are often used as an historical resource.
Tony Jay was born in London. A former Royal Shakespeare Company actor, he is a veteran of stage, television, film, and radio. His voice is recognized internationally for his work as Judge Frollo in Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame and in innumerable narrations for the History Channel and A&E.
