The Forest of Valancourt; Or, the Haunt of the Banditti (Valancourt Book)

Name: The Forest of Valancourt; Or, the Haunt of the Banditti (Valancourt Book)
Price: 39.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780977784110

✍️ Peter Middleton Darling

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

$39.99

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A rare 1813 Gothic novel about a son denounced by his father to the Inquisition.

Darling’s text focuses on Lucien’s quest for identity and love, which spirals into a nightmare of imprisonment and torture. The plot hinges on the revelation that the man Lucien saves is his own father, who then betrays him to religious authorities. This edition restores the narrative from a single surviving copy in Oxford, making it available as a limited hardcover. The story blends romantic longing with the terror of the Inquisition, creating a tense atmosphere typical of early Gothic literature. It stands as a physical artifact of literary history, bridging the gap between early nineteenth-century publication and modern collecting.

Key Themes

Inquisition persecution Familial betrayal Gothic dungeon horror

Literary Context

Originally published in 1813, this work sits within the early nineteenth-century Gothic tradition. The Valancourt Books edition revives a text preserved in only one copy at the Bodleian Library in Oxford, highlighting the efforts to preserve rare literary heritage from that specific historical period.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Ann Radcliffe · Matthew G. Lewis · Horace Walpole

👻

Ghost Stories

🏛 Valancourt Books 📅 2006 📖 140 pages 🌐 English 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9780977784110

📝 Description: The Forest of Valancourt; Or, the Haunt of the Banditti (Valancourt Book)

Peter Middleton Darling’s The Forest of Valancourt traces the journey of young Lucien as he seeks his origins and strives to prove himself worthy of Countess Adelaide. His path leads him to save a man who turns out to be his father, only for that father to denounce him to the Inquisition. This betrayal thrusts Lucien into a dungeon where he faces the threat of horrible torture while trying to uncover the truth behind his parent’s past. First published in 1813, this narrative belongs to the Gothic tradition, drawing heavily on themes of family secrets, religious persecution, and romantic struggle. The Valancourt Books edition presents a newly typeset version of this rare work, based on the sole surviving copy held in the Bodleian Library in Oxford. It appears as an attractive cloth-bound volume with a dust jacket, offering readers access to a text that exists in only one known original. This book suits collectors of early nineteenth-century Gothic fiction and those interested in the history of rare literary preservation. Readers seeking modern psychological horror or fast-paced thrillers may find its structure less appealing. The edition provides a tangible connection to a specific moment in publishing history, preserving a story that might otherwise remain inaccessible to the public.

💎 Our verdict on The Forest of Valancourt; Or, the Haunt of the Banditti (Valancourt Book)

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Peter Middleton Darling’s novel effectively blends romantic longing with the terror of the Inquisition, creating a tense atmosphere characteristic of early Gothic literature. The narrative focuses on Lucien’s quest for identity and love, which spirals into imprisonment and torture upon discovering his father’s betrayal. This Valancourt Books edition restores the narrative from the sole surviving copy in Oxford, presenting it as an attractive cloth-bound volume with a dust jacket. It stands as a significant artifact of literary history, bridging the gap between early nineteenth-century publication and modern collecting. The book is best suited for enthusiasts of gothic fiction and true crime history, offering a rare glimpse into a period where religious persecution and family secrets drove the plot.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

This volume is essential for collectors and scholars of early nineteenth-century Gothic literature who value the preservation of rare literary history. It offers a tangible connection to a specific moment in publishing, allowing readers to access a narrative that survives in only one known original copy. Those interested in the evolution of horror fiction, particularly the themes of family secrets and religious terror, will find this text invaluable as a historical document. It is not intended for readers seeking modern psychological horror or fast-paced thrillers, but rather for those who appreciate the tense atmosphere and romantic struggle typical of early Gothic works. The book serves as a unique window into literary history, preserving a story that might otherwise remain inaccessible to the public.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Peter Middleton Darling’s novel effectively blends romantic longing with the terror of the Inquisition, creating a tense atmosphere characteristic of early Gothic literature. The narrative focuses on Lucien’s quest for identity and love, which spirals into imprisonment and torture upon discovering his father’s betrayal. This Valancourt Books edition restores the narrative from the sole surviving copy in Oxford, presenting it as an attractive cloth-bound volume with a dust jacket. It stands as a significant artifact of literary history, bridging the gap between early nineteenth-century publication and modern collecting. The book is best suited for enthusiasts of gothic fiction and true crime history, offering a rare glimpse into a period where religious persecution and family secrets drove the plot.