{"product_id":"the-castle-of-otranto-9798897188598","title":"The Castle of Otranto","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Castle of Otranto\u003c\/strong\u003e by \u003cstrong\u003eHorace Walpole\u003c\/strong\u003e (1764) is considered the first \u003cstrong\u003eGothic novel\u003c\/strong\u003e, blending supernatural elements with medieval romance.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe story centers on \u003cstrong\u003ePrince Manfred\u003c\/strong\u003e, who rules the castle of Otranto. After his son Conrad is mysteriously crushed to death by a giant helmet on his wedding day, Manfred becomes desperate to continue his family line. He decides to divorce his wife, \u003cstrong\u003eHippolita\u003c\/strong\u003e, and marry his son's fiancée, \u003cstrong\u003eIsabella\u003c\/strong\u003e. Terrified, Isabella flees through the castle's dark passages with the help of a young peasant named \u003cstrong\u003eTheodore\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs the tale unfolds, strange supernatural events occur-ghostly apparitions, moving portraits, and giant armor pieces. Ultimately, it is revealed that Manfred's family has usurped the rightful rulers of Otranto. When Manfred accidentally kills his own daughter, \u003cstrong\u003eMatilda\u003c\/strong\u003e, in a tragic mistake, he repents and relinquishes the castle to Theodore, the true heir.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe novel explores \u003cstrong\u003ethemes of tyranny, fate, and the supernatural\u003c\/strong\u003e, setting the foundation for later Gothic literature.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Lushena Books\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 11\/20\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798897188598\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 102\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.68lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.50h x 5.50w x 0.44d","brand":"Horace Walpole","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52136469364917,"sku":"9798897188598","price":27.16,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/files\/img_b4690337-15e5-4f57-a117-58cd67e50ff9.jpg?v=1767114704","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/the-castle-of-otranto-9798897188598","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}