Cover of Vathek; An Arabian Tale
Gothic FictionClassic Fantasy

Vathek; An Arabian Tale

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    William Beckford's Vathek; An Arabian Tale is a gothic fiction and classic fantasy novel. Key subjects include arab countries and Middle East.

    On Project Gutenberg it was downloaded 1,261 times in the last 30 days.

    It is in the public domain in the United States and free to read on Project Gutenberg.

    About Vathek; An Arabian Tale

    "Vathek; An Arabian Tale" by William Beckford is a Gothic novel composed in French beginning in 1782 and first published in English in 1786. The story follows Vathek, a tyrannical ninth caliph consumed by insatiable thirst for forbidden knowledge. When a mysterious stranger offers him access to the legendary Palace of Underground Fire and its supernatural powers, Vathek descends into increasingly dark acts, sacrificing innocents and renouncing his faith. His obsessive quest leads him toward Istakhr and a fate that promises either ultimate power or eternal damnation.
    Summary from Project Gutenberg (automatically generated)

    Themes, setting & tropes

    Genres

    Subjects

    • Fantasy fiction
    • Gothic fiction
    • Arab countries
    • Middle East

    Quick answers

    Who wrote Vathek; An Arabian Tale?

    Vathek; An Arabian Tale was written by William Beckford.

    What genre is Vathek; An Arabian Tale?

    It is usually shelved as Gothic Fiction and Classic Fantasy.

    Is Vathek; An Arabian Tale free to read?

    Yes. It is in the public domain in the United States and can be read free on Project Gutenberg in EPUB, Kindle and HTML formats.

    What books are similar to Vathek; An Arabian Tale?

    Readers who like it often enjoy Carmilla, The Fall of the House of Usher and The Works of Edgar Allan Poe in Five Volumes.

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