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The Italian

Or the Confessional of the Black Penitents; A Romance (Oxford World's Classics)

By E. J. Clery, Ann Radcliffe

(3)

| Paperback | 9780192832542

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Book Description

`His figure was striking, but not so from grace ... and as he stalked along, wrapt in the black garments of his order, there was something terrible in its air; something almost super-human.' First published in 1797, The Italian is one of the finest examples of Gothic romance. The fast-paced, nContinue

`His figure was striking, but not so from grace ... and as he stalked along, wrapt in the black garments of his order, there was something terrible in its air; something almost super-human.' First published in 1797, The Italian is one of the finest examples of Gothic romance. The fast-paced, narrative centres on Ann Radcliffe's most brilliant creation, the sinister monk Schedoni, whose past is shrouded in mystery. From the novel's opening chapters the reader is ushered into a shadowy world in which crime and religion are mingled. In the church of Santa Maria del Pianto in Naples, Ellena Rosalba and Vincentio di Vivaldi first meet; but their love is ill-omened. Leagued against them are the proud and ambitious Marchese di Vivaldi and her confessor Father Schedoni. When Ellena vanishes on the death of her guardian, Vivaldi sets out in pursuit of her across the mountainous regions of southern Italy before himself falling prey to the Holy Inquisition. This revised and expanded edition explores the novel in the context of British attitudes to Italy and Roman Catholicism in the late eighteenth century with close attention to the novel's style and form.

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  • I had been wanting to read one of Anne Radcliffe's gothic novels and recommended this to our Gothic reading group as it was one of her shorter books. I have to say that it was a little disappointing. I did enjoy the style and there were a couple of scenes that I found quite breathtaking, but I felt ... (continue)

    I had been wanting to read one of Anne Radcliffe's gothic novels and recommended this to our Gothic reading group as it was one of her shorter books. I have to say that it was a little disappointing. I did enjoy the style and there were a couple of scenes that I found quite breathtaking, but I felt that the book was let down by the ending.

    I remember Anne Radcliffe being criticised for explaining away the supernatural in her books and I think I prefer a book that has more of an occult element to it. It reminded me more of Walter Scott than Mathew Lewis. Still I did find it enjoyable and will probably read more of her novels at some point.

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    Robot-mel said on Sep 1, 2007 | Add your feedback

Book Details

  • Rating:
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  • English Books
  • Paperback 464 Pages
  • Edition: Reissue
  • ISBN-10: 0192832549
  • ISBN-13: 9780192832542
  • Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
  • Pub date: Nov 19, 1998
  • Dimensions: 1290 mm x 839 mm x 129 mm Just how big is that?
  • Also available as: Hardcover and Others
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9780192832542 Paperback $11.95 $10.75 bn.com
$11.95 -- The Book Depository
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