Classic Novels Library

Vathek; An Arabian Tale

Vathek; An Arabian Tale

by Beckford, William, 1760-1844

BookID: 42401

Language:English

Contributor:North, William, -1854

Reading Level:Reading ease score: 61.4 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.

Copyright Status:Public domain in the USA.

Fantasy fictionGothic fictionArab countries -- FictionMiddle East -- Fiction

Description

"Vathek; An Arabian Tale" by William Beckford is a Gothic novel composed in French beginning in 1782 and first published in English in 1786. The story follows Vathek, a tyrannical ninth caliph consumed by insatiable thirst for forbidden knowledge. When a mysterious stranger offers him access to the legendary Palace of Underground Fire and its supernatural powers, Vathek descends into increasingly dark acts, sacrificing innocents and renouncing his faith. His obsessive quest leads him toward Istakhr and a fate that promises either ultimate power or eternal damnation. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Class:PQ: Language and Literatures: Romance literatures: French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese

Data Source: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42401

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