Bibliographic Information

Vathek

William Beckford ; edited with an introduction and notes by Roger Lonsdale

(Oxford world's classics)

Oxford University Press, 1998

  • : pbk

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Note

Bibliography: p. [xxxvii]-xl

Description and Table of Contents

Description

Vathek (1786), originally written in French, remains one of the strangest eighteenth-century novels and one of the most difficult to classify. Perverse and grotesque comedy alternates with scenes of 'oriental' magnificence and evocative beauty in the story of the ruthless Caliph Vathek's journey to superb damnation among the subterranean treasures of Eblis. Underlying the elegant prose is a strong element of self-indulgent personal fantasy on the part of Beckford, youthful millionaire, dreamer, and eventually social outcast. Byron, Poe, Mallarme, and Swinburne are some of the literary figures who have admired Vathek's imaginative power. The text follows that of the 'Third Edition' of 1816, in which Beckford extensively revised and corrected Samuel Henley's original English translations from the French. The elaborate notes retained by Beckford in 1816 are also included. 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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Details

  • NCID
    BA41044339
  • ISBN
    • 9780199537228
  • Country Code
    uk
  • Title Language Code
    eng
  • Text Language Code
    eng
  • Original Language Code
    sanfre
  • Place of Publication
    Oxford ; New York
  • Pages/Volumes
    xliii, 170 p.
  • Size
    20 cm
  • Parent Bibliography ID
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