The Castle of Otranto

The Castle of Otranto, written by Horace Walpole in 1764, is considered the first Gothic novel, blending medieval romance with supernatural elements. It tells the story of a cursed castle where mysterious occurrences, ghosts, and tragic secrets unfold, involving the noble Manfred family. The novel explores themes of honor, inheritance, and the supernatural's influence on human fate. Its atmospheric setting, moody tone, and focus on suspense and Gothic imagery laid the groundwork for future horror and Gothic fiction. Overall, it combines historical fantasy with a dark, eerie mood to create a compelling, imaginative story about destiny and guilt.