The Tale of Terror: A Study of the Gothic Romance (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

Edith Birkhead

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0265414113 ISBN 13: 9780265414118

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

Synopsis

Trace the roots of the Gothic tale and discover how fear becomes storytelling that endures.

In this book, the history of the tale of terror is traced from ancient myth to later Gothic fiction. It shows how fear, wonder, and mystery shaped early stories and how celebrated writers influenced the genre's evolution. Readers gain a clear view of the ideas, methods, and cultural context behind the most enduring works.

Drawing on discussions of key authors and works—from Mrs. Radcliffe’s early Gothic fiction to later voices in Britain and America—the book links critical theory with close readings. It explains how configurations of suspense, supernatural elements, and narrative technique contributed to the Gothic tradition.

• Origin stories and the role of myth, folklore, and legend in terror fiction
• How authors like Radcliffe, Lewis, and Scott helped shape the genre
• The evolution of the tale of terror across continents and through time
• Critical perspectives on structure, atmosphere, and the psychology of fear

Ideal for readers of literary history and Gothic criticism, this edition offers a clear map of the genre’s development and its lasting impact on fiction.

About this title

About the Author

Edith Birkhead was a lecturer in English Literature at the University of Bristol and a Noble Fellow at the University of Liverpool. She wrote a pioneering work on Gothic literature: The Tale of Terror (1921). This work described the fascination with supernatural fiction in English literature from the publication of Horace Walpole's The Castle of Otranto in 1764 to Charles Maturin's 'Melmoth the Wanderer' in 1820 on to modern times. She included works from Europe as well as America, including Nathaniel Hawthorne and Edgar Allan Poe.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0265414113
• ISBN 13: 9780265414118
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 258