The Castle of Otranto

By: Horace Walpole

Narrated by: Tony Jay

Length: 3 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

On the day of his wedding, Conrad, heir to the house of Otranto, is killed under mysterious circumstances. His calculating father, Manfred, fears that his dynasty will now come to an end and determines to marry his son's bride himself, despite the fact he is already married. But a series of terrifying supernatural omens soon threaten this unlawful union, as the curse placed on Manfred's ancestor, who usurped the lawful Prince of Otranto, begins to unfold.

First published pseudonymously in 1764, The Castle of Otranto is purported to be an ancient Italian text from the time of the crusades and is a founding work of Gothic fiction. With its compelling blend of sinister portents, tempestuous passions, and ghostly visitations, it spawned an entire literary tradition and influenced such writers as Ann Radcliffe and Bram Stoker.

(P)2006 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"[Walpole] is the father of the first romance and surely worthy of a higher place than any living writer." (Lord Byron)

A Comedy?

A great story that switches between genre at a welcoming pace yet sometimes hard to keep track what what’s happening towards the end.
The best part though is I find the story quite humorous. The older prince trying to get answers out of people and them giving him all the information except what he wants. It comes of hilarious to me. Purple proses around the real answer. 😹😹😹

Don’t forget the story is from the Gothic time

Incredible story based on the fear of god. Oh the Gothic times are just so delicious.

Grumpy Man Yells At People

I think I need to read a physical copy of this, because I really wanted to love it and I really didn't. the narrator was phenomenal, which is why I kept listening, but for the book itself I just didn't vibe with it. I'm going to try again at some point with a physical copy and see if I like it more then.

Haunting from another era

I appreciate the gothic style and thought I would enjoy this more- perhaps better read so that your mind can wander and focus on the details better. The narrator was great! But listening rather than reading didn’t give me time to ponder some of the ghostly elements… I think I’ll give it another listen or pick up a hard copy. Short enough to do so. Otherwise the story was intriguing and the characters were well written. I really loved hating Manfred lol, but poor Matilda.

Overly dramatic in delivery, style, and writing

It doesn't hold up as well as Dumars or Austin for its age, but my friends say it's historically important. The story is interesting, mostly as what is implied about cultural norms of the time.

Bizarre, Weird and Wonderful Classic

It’s all there in the title. Enjoy it for the weird and wacky classic work of Gothic fiction it is.

Dual Narrators Would Have Worked Better

Tony Jay's reading of Walpole's iconic but clearly dated romance was good. He really gets into it with much Orson Welles panache, but his overblown masculine reading style (its a bit like listening to testicles falling through space) creates problems when it comes to his performance of the heroines. A female narrator would have rendered this recording a major success. As for the story, it was a bit too medieval for my liking, and the female characters do, i have to say, come across like inflatables. I was glad to get through the listening, but i shan't return to this one again.

Amusing classic tale.

The job done by the voice actor was good, but I've heard better. The story is good for whom like chivalry tales and the sort.

Religious Terror

This may have been intended to horrify British adherents to the line of succession and Catholic piety, as much of the horror springs from Manfred's corruption, greed, disrespect for the "will of God," and usurpation of the royal family of Otranto. As a modern progressive, I felt more terror from the patriarchal and religious control of women's bodies and choices. One of the most terrifying scenes is at the beginning when the elderly Manfred attempts to force the young Isabella to marry him, and because of his powerful position, nearly succeeds! Scary indeed! The performer of this audiobook is amazing and really helped me to enjoy this story more than I might have otherwise.

Gran narrador

Muy bien narrado, con una voz potente, pero también dúctil para los diálogos. En cuanto a la novela, me la esperaba algo más terrorífica, pero es puro Shakespeare