Description
By: Ann Radcliffe (1764-1823)
A Sicilian Romance by Ann Radcliffe is a captivating tale of love, intrigue, and betrayal set against the stunning backdrop of Sicily. The story follows the plight of a noble family whose lives are forever changed by dark secrets and forbidden passions.
The richly descriptive prose and atmospheric setting bring the world of Sicily to life, immersing the reader in a world of crumbling castles, hidden passages, and lush gardens. Radcliffe’s intricate plotting and skillful characterization keep the reader on the edge of their seat, as mysteries unravel and secrets are revealed.
The novel masterfully blends elements of Gothic romance and suspense, creating a sense of unease and tension that keeps the reader guessing until the very end. Radcliffe’s evocative writing style and keen understanding of human nature make A Sicilian Romance a timeless classic that will continue to enchant readers for generations to come.
Book Description:
A Sicilian Romance is a Gothic novel by Ann Radcliffe. It was her second published work, and was first published anonymously in 1790. The plot concerns the turbulent history of the fallen aristocrats of the house of Mazzini, on the northern shore of Sicily, as related by a tourist who becomes intrigued by the stories of a monk he meets in the ruins of their doomed castle.
The introduction to the ‘Worlds Classics’ edition notes that in this novel “Ann Radcliffe began to forge the unique mixture of the psychology of terror and poetic description that would make her the great exemplar of the Gothic novel, and the idol of the Romantics”. The novel explores the “cavernous landscapes and labyrinthine passages of Sicily’s castles and convents to reveal the shameful secrets of its all-powerful aristocracy”
