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"Woe to the rash mortal who seeks to know that of which he should remain ignorant; and to undertake that which surpasseth his power "

Unique Elements Author Biography About The History of the Caliph Vathek "The History of the Caliph Vathek" by William Beckford is a mesmerizing tale of a young and powerful Caliph who seeks to gain ultimate knowledge and power, even if it means making a pact with the devil himself... Read Full Overview

Vathek (alternatively titled Vathek, an Arabian Tale or The History of the Caliph Vathek) is a Gothic novel written by William Beckford.

The young Caliph Vathek's hedonism is matched only by his insatiable lust for forbidden knowledge. When a hideous and strange traveller arrives bearing occult artifacts beyond mortal comprehension, the prince tumbles down a path of ruin to uncover their secrets, risking his... Read Full Overview

The young Caliph Vathek's hedonism is matched only by his insatiable lust for forbidden knowledge. When a hideous and strange traveller arrives bearing occult artifacts beyond mortal comprehension, the prince tumbles down a path of ruin to uncover their secrets, risking his... Read Full Overview

The young Caliph Vathek's hedonism is matched only by his insatiable lust for forbidden knowledge. When a hideous and strange traveller arrives bearing occult artifacts beyond mortal comprehension, the prince tumbles down a path of ruin to uncover their secrets, risking his... Read Full Overview

Vathek (1786), originally written in French, remains one of the strangest eighteenth-century novels and one of the most difficult to classify. Perverse and grotesque comedy alternates with scenes of 'oriental' magnificence and evocative beauty in the story of the ruthless Caliph... Read Full Overview

Beckford's Gothic novel, Vathek, an Arabian tale, was originally written in French when the author was 21. It is the story of Caliph Vathek, whose eye can kill at a glance, who makes a pact with the Devil, Eblis.

Vathek is a Gothic novel written by William Beckford. It was composed in French in 1782, and then translated into English, and it was first published in 1786. Beckford's combined the popular Oriental elements with the Gothic style with its emphasis on the supernatural, ghosts,... Read Full Overview

Vathek (1786) is a novel by William Beckford. Inspired by his travels, Beckford wrote Vathek in French before supervising its translation into English by Reverend Samuel Henley. Recognized as an instrumental work in the popularization of Orientalist fiction,... Read Full Overview

The young Caliph Vathek's hedonism is matched only by his insatiable lust for forbidden knowledge. When a hideous and strange traveller arrives bearing occult artifacts beyond mortal comprehension, the prince tumbles down a path of ruin to uncover their secrets, risking his... Read Full Overview

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely... Read Full Overview

Excerpt from Vathek: An Arabian Tale

Vathek, conte incontournable de William Beckford, a ?t? publi? pour la premi?re fois en France en 1786.