Published in 1794, The Mysteries of Udolpho is one of the most influential Gothic novels ever written. Ann Radcliffe weaves a story of romantic suspense centered on the young heroine Emily St. Aubert, whose journeys through the landscapes of southern France and Italy bring her to the sinister, labyrinthine castle of Udolpho, presided over by the menacing Montoni.
Radcliffe’s mastery of atmosphere, scenic description, and the explained supernatural — mysterious effects that turn out to have rational causes — defined the Gothic novel for a generation and directly inspired writers from Jane Austen to Matthew Lewis. Download this free EPUB from Better Gutenberg to read a foundational work of the genre.