Vathek William Beckford is a compelling blend of Gothic, Oriental, and satirical fiction, released in the renowned Oxford World’s Classics series. This edition is intended for readers who enjoy classic fantasy tales with a deeper moral dimension and cultural richness.
Contents
The novel follows the Caliph Vathek in his obsessive quest for knowledge, power, and pleasure, which ultimately leads to his downfall. From the mysterious treasures promised to him to his descent into the palace of Eblis, the story combines magic, violence, and tragic love in a unique literary style that inspired writers from Byron to H. P. Lovecraft. The text is concerned with the authorized English edition from 1816 and includes new notes and an introduction by Thomas Keymer, highlighting the literary genres and cultural contexts of this work.
Product details
- Author: William Beckford
- Series: Oxford World's Classics
- Publisher: Oxford University Press
- Publication date: June 13, 2013
- Number of pages: 192
- ISBN: 9780199576951
- Theme: Classic fiction: literary and general
- BISAC: FICTION / Classics
About the author
Thomas Keymer, editor of multiple Oxford World’s Classics editions, is an expert in 18th- and early 19th-century English literature. He has written numerous critical essays and co-authored the Cambridge Companion series.