Vathek and Other Stories

Description

This collection of stories includes the whole of "Vathek"and selections from: "The Vision"; "Biographical Memoirs"; the novels; and Beckford's travel diaries, including the journal of 1787. The book provides an assessment of Beckford's literary status and the significance of his place in the traditions of the oriental tale and the picturesque. Published in English in 1786, "Vathek" is the story of Caliph Vathek, whose eye can kill at a glance, who makes a pact with the Devil, Eblis. After a series of terrifying incidents, he reaches the subterranean halls of Eblis only to discover the worthlessness of the riches there and the penalties of sin.

William Beckford (1760-1844) inherited a large fortune and, at the age of nineteen, went on a tour of Holland, Germany, Belgium, France and Italy. He was a Member of Parliament and a traveller who spent large sums of money collecting rare books, curiosities and paintings for the embellishment of his Gothic Extravaganza, Fonthill Abbey, where he lived in opulent seclusion until forced by bankruptcy to sell it in 1822.