The History of the Caliph Vathek - The Original Classic Edition

The History of the Caliph Vathek - The Original Classic Edition, written by Mr William Beckford has been published in the English language.

Vathek was the ninth Caliph of the Abassides, who ascended to the throne at an early age. His figure was pleasing and majestic, but when he got angry his eyes became so terrible that "the wretch on whom it was fixed instantly fell backwards and sometimes expired". He was addicted to women and pleasures of the flesh, so he ordered five palaces to be built: the five palaces of the senses. Although he was an eccentric man, well versed in the ways of science, physics, and astrology, he loved his people. His main greed was thirst for knowledge, he wanted to know everything and this is what led him on the road to damnation.

The novel chronicles the fall from power of the Caliph Vathek, who renounces Islam and engages with his mother, Carathis, in a series of licentious and deplorable activities designed to gain him supernatural powers. At the end of the novel, instead of attaining these powers, Vathek descends into a hell ruled by the demon Eblis where he is doomed to wander endlessly and speechlessly.

William Beckford, born 1760 was an English novelist, a profligate and consummately knowledgeable art collector, was reputed to be the richest commoner in England of his time. William is most commonly remembered as the author of the novel The History of the Caliph Vatherk, one of the very few books he wrote.

The History of the Calph Vathek is a deep and intrinsic gothic novel full of mythical characters and a plot thickening storyline. A read that is well suited to those who enjoy loosely historical based novels and dark and abstract books.

Dettagli