Der Italiener oder Der Beichtstuhl der Schwarzen Bussenden

Name: Der Italiener oder Der Beichtstuhl der Schwarzen Bussenden
Price: 39.90 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9783743143869

✍️ Maria Weber

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

$39.90

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A Gothic romance edited by Maria Weber featuring Ellena Rosalba and Vincentio di Vivaldi.

This volume captures the tension between personal desire and social hierarchy in eighteenth-century Italy. The conflict arises when the Marchesa uses her confessor, Schedoni, to sabotage the relationship between her son and a commoner. The narrative relies on the classic Gothic formula of threatened virtue and hidden malice within religious institutions. It provides insight into how class distinctions drove dramatic plots in early horror fiction. The text remains faithful to the original 1797 publication while offering a fresh translation perspective.

Key Themes

Gothic romance Inquisition history Class conflict

Literary Context

The story is set in Italy during the Inquisition period, specifically beginning in 1758. It draws on the late eighteenth-century Gothic tradition established by Ann Radcliffe in 1797. This edition serves as part of a comprehensive German-language collection edited by Maria Weber.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Horace Walpole · Matthew G. Lewis · Ann Radcliffe · Charles Maturin

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Bod - Books on Demand 📅 2016 🌐 non-English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9783743143869

📝 Description: Der Italiener oder Der Beichtstuhl der Schwarzen Bussenden

Maria Weber edits this fifth volume in a German-language complete edition of Ann Radcliffe’s work. The narrative centers on Ellena Rosalba, a beautiful orphan, and Vincentio di Vivaldi, a young nobleman who falls in love with her at first sight in 1758. Their union faces opposition from the proud Marchesa, Vincentio’s mother, who opposes the match due to Ellena’s bourgeois status. She conspires with Father Schedoni, a dark monk and confessor, to create schemes that will separate the lovers forever. The story unfolds against the historical backdrop of Italy during the Inquisition. It features a sensitive heroine, a passionate hero, and a villainous antagonist amidst plots and betrayals. This edition presents a lovingly revised version of Meta Forkel-Liebeskind’s German translation. The text preserves the grand Gothic romance elements established by Radcliffe in 1797. Readers interested in classic supernatural fiction and historical intrigue will find this volume compelling. Those seeking modern pacing or non-European settings may prefer other selections. The book offers a direct look into late eighteenth-century literary traditions through its specific plot of familial opposition and religious manipulation.

💎 Our verdict on Der Italiener oder Der Beichtstuhl der Schwarzen Bussenden

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

This edition serves as a vital resource for understanding the structural conventions of early Gothic romance. The narrative effectively captures the claustrophobic tension between individual passion and societal expectation, anchored by the conflict involving a proud Marchesa and a dark confessor. While it lacks modern pacing, its value lies in preserving the grand romantic elements and historical intrigue characteristic of 1797 publications. It suits readers interested in literary history, religious themes in horror, and the development of the villainous antagonist trope. Those seeking fast-paced action or non-European settings may find the pace deliberate, but for students of the genre, it remains a compelling artifact of its time.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers with an interest in the foundational elements of Gothic horror and the evolution of psychological tension will find this text particularly rewarding. It offers a direct window into late eighteenth-century literary traditions, specifically how authors utilized religious manipulation and familial opposition to create dramatic plots. Those who appreciate the classic formula of threatened virtue and the intricate interplay between social status and personal desire will gain insight into the historical roots of horror fiction. This book is ideal for scholars or enthusiasts seeking to understand how early narratives framed class conflict through supernatural and psychological undertones, providing a faithful representation of the genre's origins without modern pacing adjustments.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

This edition serves as a vital resource for understanding the structural conventions of early Gothic romance. The narrative effectively captures the claustrophobic tension between individual passion and societal expectation, anchored by the conflict involving a proud Marchesa and a dark confessor. While it lacks modern pacing, its value lies in preserving the grand romantic elements and historical intrigue characteristic of 1797 publications. It suits readers interested in literary history, religious themes in horror, and the development of the villainous antagonist trope. Those seeking fast-paced action or non-European settings may find the pace deliberate, but for students of the genre, it remains a compelling artifact of its time.