A Sicilian Romance

by Ann Radcliffe, Alison Milbank (Editor)

Overview

In A Sicilian Romance (1790) Radcliffe began to forge the unique mixture of the psychology of terror and poetic description that would make her the great exemplar of the Gothic nove, and the idol of the Romantics. This early novel explores the cavernous landscapes and labyrinthine passages of Sicily's castles and covents to reveal the shameful secrets of its all-powerful aristocracy. Julia and Emilia Mazzini live secluded in an ancient mansion near the Straits of Messina. After their father's return to the island a neglected part of the house is haunted by a series of mysterious sights and sounds. The origin of these hauntings is only discovered after a series of breathless pursuits through dreamlike pastoral landscapes. When revelation finally comes, it forces the heroines to challenge the united forces of religious and patriarchal authority. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780192669292
Publisher:	OUP Oxford
Publication date:	10/09/2008
Series:	Oxford World's Classics Series
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Also Hon. Wordsworth Fellow, University of Lancaster (1988-1992). Has contributed to volumes of essays on Josephine Butler, and on Gothic writing.

Table of Contents

About the Author ......... vi

Character List .......... ix

A Sicilian Romance .......... 1

Poem: Sonnet .......... 25

Poem: Evening .......... 45

Poem: Song .......... 88

Poem: Superstition - An Ode .......... 124

Editorial Reviews

[A Sicilian Romance] attracted in no ordinary degree the attention of the public…far excelling the ordinary meagerness [of contemporary fiction].”

Sir Walter Scott

'Every Romantic or post-Romantic author you can think of imitated, discussed or cited her.' - John Dugdale, The Guardian

'It was particularly Radcliffe's deft manipulation of the experience or terror and wonder that, together with her superlative skills in the rendition of visual, almost pictorial natural landscapes, most pleased her early readers.' - Dale Townshend, British Library.

From the Publisher