Böcker i Gothic Classics-serien

Young Claudio di Bartelma leaves the home of his adoptive father, the Marchese di Bartelma, to attend university at Rome. There, he befriends the handsome and mischievous Lodovico di Ponta. Together, the two youths become involved in a variety of amorous pursuits and humorous adventures. But their fun is short-lived, as events quickly take a turn for the sinister. A mysterious pilgrim seems to stalk their steps, and Claudio is drawn into an affair with an enigmatic older woman, Viola, who lives in splendour but yet claims to be imprisoned. Meanwhile, Claudio investigates the truth of his parentage. Who were his parents, and what is his connection to Lodovico's father, the Count di Ponta, who many years ago was involved in a murderous love affair with his brother's wife? Midnight meetings among ruins, supernatural warnings, and a vengeful spectre will help to reveal the shocking truth behind the strange mysteries!A clever mix of Bildungsroman, picaresque tale, mystery, and Gothic horror, Astonishment!!! (1802) shows Francis Lathom at the height of his powers. This new edition, the first since 1821, includes the unabridged text of the first edition, a reproduction of the first edition's title page, and the complete text of two contemporary reviews.

The Mysterious Hand; or, Subterranean Horrours! (1811) is the story of two young lovers, Theodore Dalbert and Julia Bolton, and their attempts to escape the machinations of the diabolical Count Egfryd. Egfryd, one of the most remarkable villains in Gothic literature, is a gifted athlete, poet, and inventor, brilliant, handsome, charming - and ruthless. Angered at Theodore''s negative review of the his book of poems and enamoured of Julia, Egfryd will stop at nothing to destroy his rival and possess the lovely maiden. Egfryd''s wild and improbable schemes include framing Theodore for murder, attempting to rape Julia in a hot air balloon, and finally imprisoning them both on a remote island rigged with gunpowder to blow them both to bits should they attempt to escape. Can the two lovers avoid the snares of the wily Count or will they fall victim to his inveterate malice?A Gothic novel remarkable both for its rarity (fewer than five copies are known to survive) and its originality, The Mysterious Hand is a lost gem that will be enjoyed by readers, collectors, and specialists of Gothic fiction. And perhaps even more surprising than its unique plot are the modern views the author expresses on such issues as capital punishment, criminal justice, marriage, and sexuality. This edition includes a new introduction and notes by Caspar Wintermans as well as a reproduction of the title-page of the first edition.