First published 1786
Vathek rules as Caliph of Samarah, consumed by an insatiable hunger for forbidden knowledge and pleasures. When a mysterious stranger offers him access to the treasures of the pre-Adamite sultans, Vathek abandons all moral restraint. He commits increasingly horrific acts, including sacrificing children, to gain entry to the halls of Eblis. His mother Carathis, a sorceress, encourages his descent into darkness while his beloved Nouronihar becomes both accomplice and victim. Together they journey toward the subterranean palace where eternal damnation awaits. This collection also includes Beckford's sharp satirical writings from Biographical Memoirs, featuring fictional artists, and excerpts from Azemia, his biting commentary on British political corruption. The complete texts reveal Beckford's skill at weaving Oriental fantasy with cutting social criticism.
Genres: literary-fiction, historical-fiction, fantasy, 19th-century
Vibes: dark, emotional, thought-provoking
Tropes: descent-into-darkness, forbidden-knowledge
Setting: Samarah
Period: Pre-Adamite
352 pages · Paperback · Penguin Classics
Content warnings: child-death, violence