| Author |
Beckford, William, 1760-1844 |
| Contributor |
North, William, -1854 |
| Title |
Vathek; An Arabian Tale
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| Note |
Reading ease score: 61.4 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.
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| Credits |
This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler
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| Summary |
"Vathek; An Arabian Tale" by William Beckford is a novel written in the late 18th century. The story follows the indulgent and curious Caliph Vathek, who is consumed by his desires for knowledge and pleasure, ultimately leading him into a supernatural quest filled with danger and temptation. The character Vathek embodies a sensuous and extravagant lifestyle, seeking enlightenment through forbidden means, and the narrative hints at darker themes under this opulence. The opening of "Vathek" introduces us to the title character, the ninth Caliph of the Abbasid dynasty, who is portrayed as both majestic and terrifying. His insatiable appetite for pleasure drives him to construct multiple palaces dedicated to satisfying each of his five senses. However, his curiosity pushes him to seek knowledge beyond reason, ultimately disrupting the peace in his realm. When a mysterious stranger appears, offering rare curiosities and knowledge, Vathek's obsession deepens, culminating in his decision to pursue the secrets of heaven through increasingly reckless actions. As the narrative unfolds, foreshadowing hints at the perilous consequences of necking knowledge with desire, setting the stage for the ensuing drama of his hubris and the dark forces at play. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
PQ: Language and Literatures: Romance literatures: French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese
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| Subject |
Fantasy fiction
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| Subject |
Gothic fiction
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| Subject |
Arab countries -- Fiction
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| Subject |
Middle East -- Fiction
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
42401 |
| Release Date |
Mar 24, 2013 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Mar 19, 2015 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
597 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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