Vathek'Woe to the rash mortal who seeks to know that of which he should remain ignorant; and to undertake that which surpasseth his power!' The Caliph Vathek is dissolute and debauched, and hungry for knowledge. When the mysterious Giaour offers him boundless treasure and unrivalled power he is willing to sacrifice his god, the lives of innocent children, and his own soul to satisfy his obsession. Vathek's extraordinary journey to the subterranean palace of Eblis, and the terrifying fate that there awaits him, is a captivating tale of magic and oriental fantasy, sudden violence and corrupted love, whose mix of moral fable, grotesque comedy, and evocative beauty defies classification. Originally written by Beckford in French at the age of only 21, its dreamlike qualities have influenced writers from Byron to H. P. Lovecraft. This new edition reprints Beckford's authorized English text of 1816 with its elaborate and entertaining notes. In his new introduction Thomas Keymer examines the novel's relations to a range of literary genres and cultural contexts. 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. |
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Common terms and phrases
afrit al-Wathiq Alboufaki amongst appeared Arabian mythology Arabian Nights Arabic Bababalouk bath beautiful Beckford’s Vathek began beheld besom Caliph camels Carathis Circassians commanded cried D’Herbelot dark delightful dives dwarfs earth East Eblis edition of Vathek emir English Entertainments Episodes of Vathek eunuchs eyes faithful Fakreddin fire Fonthill Abbey French Genii Gian Giaour gothic Gulchenrouz H. P. Lovecraft hands harem hast hath heard heart Henley Henley’s Indian Istakar Koran ladies Lausanne Letters light London Lonsdale Mahomet Mahometans Mecca Melville Morakanabad mountain Mussulmans mutes negresses Nouronihar oriental Ottoman Ottoman Empire Oxford World’s Classics Paradise Paris passage Persian pleasure prayers pre-adamite pre-adamite sultans prince Princess replied rock Rocnabad sabres Sale’s Prelim Samarah Samuel Henley santons Shaban simurgh Soliman soon Story stranger Sutlememe tale talismans thee thou tion tower trans translation Vathek vizir voice vols WB’s whilst William Beckford