William Beckford

La Excursión a Alcobaça y Batalha, publicada originalmente en 1835, es (junto con el cuento Vathek) la obra mejor de aquel raro, aristócrata, maldito y sublime heterodoxo que fue William Beckford.Es el recuerdo, desde su vejez inglesa, de un placentero viaje, en dias de juventud, entre Lisboa y los dos celebres monasterios goticos de Portugal. Pero, ante todo, es una leccion (en la memoria) de placer y alegria, entre un leve color local romantico, muchas curiosidades, y literatura de la mejor.

This volume, with its erudite introduction by Mario Praz, presents three of the most celebrated Gothic novels: The Castle of Otranto, published pseudonymously in 1765, is one of the first of the genre and the most truly Gothic of the three. Vathek (1786), an oriental tale by an eccentric millionaire, exotically combines Gothic romanticism with the vivacity of The Arabian Nights and is a narrative tour de force. The story of Frankenstein (1818) and the monster he created is as spine-chilling today as it ever was; as in all Gothic novels, horror is the keynote.

Macabre and melodramatic, set in haunted castles or fantastic landscapes, Gothic tales became fashionable in the late eighteenth century with the publication of Horace Walpole's The Castle of Otranto (1764). Crammed with catastrophe, terror, and ghostly interventions, the novel was an immediate success, and influenced numerous followers. These include William Beckford's Vathek (1786), which alternates grotesque comedy with scenes of exotic magnificence in the story of the ruthless Caliph Vathek's journey to damnation. The Monk (1796), by Matthew Lewis, is a violent tale of ambition, murder, and incest, set in the sinister monastery of the Capuchins in Madrid. Frankenstein (1818, 1831) is Mary Shelley's disturbing and perennially popular tale of young student who learns the secret of giving life to a creature made from human relics, with horrific consequences. This collection illustrates the range and the attraction of the Gothic novel. Extreme and sensational, each of the four printed here is also a powerful psychological story of isolation and monomania.

Poseedor de una inmensa hacienda que había dilapidado a la hora de su muerte, conocido de Mozart y Voltaire, viajero, orientalista, bibliómano y coleccionista de arte, William Beckford (1760-1848) fue un aristocrata romantico ingles cuya vida excentrica acabo llevandole a la ruina y hundiendo su carrera politica. Autor de dos interesantes libros de viajes, debe su fama, sin embargo, a sus relatos fantasticos de corte oriental, entre los que sobresale su obra maestra, Vathek. Escrita originalmente en frances y fruto de una tumultuosa velada acaecida a finales de 1781 en Fonthill, que prefigura la de Villa Deodati en 1816 donde habrian de reunirse las cumbres del romanticismo fantastico ingles -Shelley, Byron, el doctor Polidori-, la obra narra la historia del califa homonimo, personaje desmesurado a quien su sed de conocimiento acaba precipitando en el Palacio del Fuego Subterraneo, la morada de Iblis, el Infierno, donde encuentra a otros principes condenados que le relatan, a su vez, sus desventuras, dando lugar a los llamados tres Episodios, narraciones practicamente autonomas que, a causa de diversas y desafortunadas circunstancias, han venido publicandose hasta hoy separadas del texto original que los motivo. La presente edicion, preparada, anotada y prologada por Javier Martin Lalanda, corrige esta omision historica y reune por primera vez en castellano el texto integro de un relato que une al exotismo de lo maravilloso y del cuento oriental la truculencia de la narracion gotica y un peculiar e irreverente sentido del humor, elementos que hacen deel uno de los hitos de la literatura fantastica anterior al siglo XX.

l romanzo orientaleggiante Vathek (titolo originale Vathek, o in alcuni testi Vathek, an arabian tale) rese il suo autore, il viaggiatore e scrittore inglese William Beckford, molto piu famoso dei suoi libri di viaggio. Beckford compose Vathek in francese nel 1785, di getto, in tre soli giorni e due notti e lo pubblico in inglese a Losanna nel 1787.[1]. Il romanzo ha oltre 160 note dellautore (e del primo traduttore dal francese allinglese), moltissime delle quali sono corpose e dotte.Nota: gli e-book editi da E-text in collaborazione con Liber Liber sono tutti privi di DRM; si possono quindi leggere su qualsiasi lettore di e-book, si possono copiare su piu dispositivi e, volendo, si possono anche modificare.Questo e-book aiuta il sito di Liber Liber, una mediateca che rende disponibili gratuitamente migliaia di capolavori della letteratura e della musica.

Precursor de Poe, Baudelaire, de Quincey y Huysmans, Beckford, prototipo del aristócrata británico extravagante y culto, rebelde y marginal, publicó en 1787 una novela, Vathek (Cuento árabe), sobre un califa que se entrega al servicio del diablo.

La nimfa de la Font, de William Thomas Beckford, publicada l’any 1791, és una narració que combina en poques pàgines la historia oriental i la historia gòtica. Malgrat l’equilibri del seu destí que e

Vathek, ninth Caliph of the race of the Abassides, was the son of Motassem, and the grandson of Haroun Al Raschid. From an early accession to the throne, and the talents he possessed to adorn it, his subjects were induced to expect that his reign would be long and happy. His figure was pleasing and majestic; but when he was angry one of his eyes became so terrible that no person could bear to behold it, and the wretch upon whom it was fixed instantly fell backward, and sometimes expired. For fear, however, of depopulating his dominions and making his palace desolate he but rarely gave way to his anger.Being much addicted to women and the pleasures of the table, he sought by his affability to procure agreeable companions; and he succeeded the better as his generosity was unbounded, and his indulgences unrestrained, for he was by no means scrupulous, nor did he think with the Caliph Omar Ben Abdalaziz that it was necessary to make a hell of this world to enjoy Paradise in the next.

"Vathek" is a Gothic novel written in 1786 by William Beckford. The story follows the eponymous Caliph, Vathek, who becomes obsessed with obtaining knowledge and power beyond mortal limits. The novel is known for its vivid descriptions of the supernatural and exotic settings, as well as He eventually makes a pact with the devil to achieve his desires, leading to his own downfall. its portrayal of decadence and corruption in high society. It has been cited as an influence on later writers in the Gothic genre, such as Edgar Allan Poe and H.P. Lovecraft. "Vathek" is a fascinating work of Gothic literature that is well worth reading for anyone interested in the genre or in the history of English literature. Its exotic setting, supernatural elements, and themes of greed and corruption continue to resonate with readers today.

Vathek; An Arabian Tale William Beckford - Vathek; An Arabian Tale is a Gothic novel written by William Beckford, and first published in 1786. It tells the story of Caliph Vathek, the ninth caliph of the Abassides, who buys some glowing swords from a travelling merchant. Wanting to decipher the messages on them, he invites the merchant to dinner. However, he gets no answers and locks up the merchant, who somehow disappears in the night. Finally he finds a scholar who translates the lettering, but the next morning, the message on the swords changes. Led by an insatiable thirst, Vathek goes to a fountain to drink and comes across the merchant again, who goes back to the Court with him. Afer this, things get weirder, with the merchant being transformed into a ball and being kicked by all the townspeople, child sacrifices, and Islamic dwarfs - all in the name of Vathek trying to gain supernatural powers.

This is one of the earliest Gothic novels. The Caliph Vathek is one of the wealthiest and most powerful men who ever lived. But this is not enough for him. He seeks also forbidden knowledge, and doesnt care who he has to hurt to get it. Aided by his depraved mother Carathis, Vathek proceeds to damn himself, and those around him.

"The History of Caliph Vathek" is a richly woven narrative that emerges from the vibrant tapestry of Gothic literature, blending elements of Orientalism with the sublime. This 1786 work features the extravagant and tyrannical caliph Vathek, whose insatiable thirst for knowledge and power leads him on a darkly comical quest through fantastical realms. Beckfords elaborate prose, infused with sensuous imagery and allegorical depth, compels readers to explore themes of excess, ambition, and moral decline, all nestled within a captivating narrative that oscillates between the fantastical and the grotesque. The cultural milieu of the late 18th century, marked by fascination with the East and its perceived mysteries, serves as a backdrop that enriches the texts exploration of the human condition under the strain of indulgence and greed. William Beckford, an English novelist, art collector, and traveler, was profoundly influenced by his encounters with the exotic landscapes and cultures of the East, alongside the artistic movements of his time. His privileged upbringing and extensive travels inform the opulent vision encapsulated in "Vathek," offering readers a glimpse into the mind of a man whose life was characterized by the pursuit of beauty and excess. This background, combined with his unique perspective on societal norms, allows Beckford to craft a narrative both critical and celebratory of the themes he explores. "The History of Caliph Vathek" stands as a seminal work that invites modern readers to ponder the consequences of unchecked desire and the pursuit of the unattainable. Its rich narrative style and thought-provoking themes make it a compelling addition to any literary canon. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the intersections of Eastern and Western thought, as well as those who appreciate a masterful blend of adventure, philosophy, and introspection.