About the book
William Beckford
A story that paints neither man nor outward nature as they are, but reproduces with happy vivacity the luxuriant imagery and
wild incidents of an Arabian tale. There is a ghost of a moral in the story of a sensual Caliph going to the bad, as represented by his final introduction to the Halls of Eblis. But the enjoyment given by the book reflects the real enjoyment that the author had in writing it--enjoyment great enough to cause it to be written at a heat, in one long sitting, without flagging power.
This gothic novel takes a different turn from most. It's not a story based in a castle in Europe, with ghosts, demons, and vampires . . . this time it's set in Middle East about a Caliphate's descent to hell, almost like Dante's Inferno without the happy ending
About the Author
William Beckford
Miscellaneous writer, only son of William B., Lord Mayor of London, the associate and supporter of John Wilkes, inherited at the age of 9 an enormous fortune. In these circumstances he grew up wayward and extravagant, showing, however, a strong bent towards literature. His education was entrusted to a private tutor, with whom he travelled extensively on the Continent. At the age of 22 he produced his oriental romance, Vathek (c. 1781), written originally in French and, as he was accustomed to boast, at a single sitting of three days and two nights. There is reason, however, to believe that this was a flight of imagination. It is an impressive work, full of fantastic and magnificent conceptions, rising occasionally to sublimity. His other principal writings are Memoirs of Extraordinary Painters [1780], a satirical work, and Letters from Italy with Sketches of Spain and Portugal [1835], full of brilliant descriptions of scenes and manners. B.’s fame, however, rests nearly as much upon his eccentric extravagances as a builder and collector as upon his literary efforts. In carrying out these he managed to dissipate his fortune of £100,000 a year, only £80,000 of his capital remaining at his death. He sat in parliament for various constituencies, and one of his two daughter became Duchess of Hamilton.
