← Back
Home › Horror › The Castle of Otranto
The Castle of Otranto book cover
Horror · Dark

The first Gothic novel, with a giant helmet falling from the sky

The Castle of Otranto

by Horace Walpole

See it on Amazon
1764Moderate readSteady pace

What it is about

At the castle of Otranto, the heir Conrad is killed on his wedding day by a giant helmet, and the tyrant Manfred tries to secure his line by marrying his son’s bride. Walpole’s 1764 tale started the Gothic genre.

Who will enjoy it

Readers who enjoy gothic tales and ghost stories, with a dark mood and a steady pace. It is a read that rewards some attention.

Themes: Gothic · Castle · Supernatural
See it on Amazon

Page count and cover shown for: Selected edition

About the author

Horace Walpole1 book on Tori Books

Similar books

Dracula coverDraculaBram StokerThe Thirteenth Tale coverThe Thirteenth TaleDiane SetterfieldWe Have Always Lived in the Castle coverWe Have Always Lived in the CastleShirley JacksonThe Mysteries of Udolpho coverThe Mysteries of UdolphoAnn RadcliffeRebecca coverRebeccaDaphne du MaurierInterview with the Vampire coverInterview with the VampireAnne Rice
The Woman in Black
The Woman in BlackSusan HillJane Eyre coverJane EyreCharlotte BrontëThe Shining coverThe ShiningStephen KingFrankenstein coverFrankensteinMary ShelleyPet Sematary coverPet SemataryStephen KingThe Phantom of the Opera coverThe Phantom of the OperaGaston Leroux