The Necromancer

Name: The Necromancer
Price: 15.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781605203362

✍️ George W M Reynolds

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

$15.99

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A restored 1857 edition of Reynolds' lurid 1851 supernatural serial featuring original illustrations.

This volume presents a replica of an 1857 printing of The Necromancer, preserving the visual and textual integrity of George William MacArthur Reynolds' work. Reynolds was a significant Victorian author whose penny dreadfuls reached wider audiences than Dickens. The novel opens in 1510 with a beautiful lady affrighted in a Gothic hall. The plot unfolds through themes of murder and supernatural doings that defined his reputation. Cosimo Classics provides this edition to highlight the historical context of pulp fiction. The inclusion of original illustrations supports the study of how such tales were visually presented to nineteenth-century readers. This format allows modern audiences to experience the material as it appeared during Reynolds' peak popularity.

Key Themes

supernatural doings Gothic hall penny dreadful serials

Literary Context

George William MacArthur Reynolds was a Victorian author whose penny dreadfuls were more widely read than Dickens in his time. This edition replicates an 1857 publication of his 1851 to 1852 tale, situating the work within the era when he shocked readers with lurid stories of murder and intrigue.

Difficulty

● Easy

Recommended For Fans Of

Charles Dickens · Bram Stoker · Edgar Allan Poe

🗡️

Dark Fantasy

🏛 Cosimo Classics 📅 2008 📖 272 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781605203362

📝 Description: The Necromancer

George William MacArthur Reynolds was a prolific Victorian writer whose serialized penny dreadfuls achieved greater popularity than Charles Dickens during his lifetime. His narrative The Necromancer returns to print in this Cosimo Classics edition, which replicates the visual style of an 1857 release complete with original illustrations. The story begins in 1510 within a Gothic hall where a young woman of exquisite beauty experiences deep terror. This setting launches a plot involving murder, intrigue, and supernatural events that shocked readers of the nineteenth century. The narrative follows a tale so wicked that it even haunts a King. Reynolds draws upon gothic traditions to construct a horror story that appeals to fans of pulp fiction history. The text presents lurid content designed to delight and frighten its audience through serial publication techniques common in the era. This volume offers a glimpse into a period when Reynolds was considered a major literary figure. Readers interested in the history of supernatural fiction will find this work valuable for understanding early horror tropes. Those seeking modern psychological depth may find the style dated. The book suits collectors of Victorian literature and students of genre evolution. It does not suit readers who prefer contemporary pacing or lack interest in historical reprint aesthetics.

💎 Our verdict on The Necromancer

“

🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

This edition successfully captures the lurid spirit of Reynolds' original serial, preserving the visual integrity of the 1857 release. It excels in providing historical context for fans of gothic horror and dark fantasy, allowing modern audiences to engage with the material as it was originally consumed. The inclusion of period illustrations enhances the study of how supernatural stories were marketed and viewed in the Victorian era. While lacking the pacing expected by contemporary readers, it remains a compelling artifact for those interested in the roots of pulp fiction. It is best appreciated by collectors and literary historians rather than casual readers seeking immediate thrills.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers with a scholarly or collector's interest in the history of supernatural fiction will find this volume invaluable for understanding the evolution of early horror tropes and Victorian publishing aesthetics. It is particularly suited for those seeking to experience pulp fiction as it appeared during its peak popularity, complete with original illustrations that reveal how such tales were visually presented to nineteenth-century audiences. While modern readers seeking deep psychological nuance or contemporary pacing may find the style dated, this book serves as an essential resource for students of genre evolution and enthusiasts of dark fantasy history who appreciate the lurid, thrilling narrative techniques that defined Reynolds' reputation.

⭐ 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 successfully captures the lurid spirit of Reynolds' original serial, preserving the visual integrity of the 1857 release. It excels in providing historical context for fans of gothic horror and dark fantasy, allowing modern audiences to engage with the material as it was originally consumed. The inclusion of period illustrations enhances the study of how supernatural stories were marketed and viewed in the Victorian era. While lacking the pacing expected by contemporary readers, it remains a compelling artifact for those interested in the roots of pulp fiction. It is best appreciated by collectors and literary historians rather than casual readers seeking immediate thrills.