Shorter novels, vol. 3: Eighteenth century: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
Shorter novels, vol. 3: Eighteenth century: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
Shorter novels, vol. 3: Eighteenth century is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Johnson, Samuel (1709–1784); Walpole, Horace (1717–1797); Beckford, William (1760–1844).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"Shorter Novels, Eighteenth Century" by Johnson, Beckford, and Walpole is a collection of classic novels written during the later years of the eighteenth century. The volume includes notable works like Johnson’s "Rasselas", Walpole’s "The Castle of Otranto", and Beckford’s "Vathek", showcasing a mixture of philosophical reflection, Gothic terror, and Oriental fantasy. The collection illustrates a key transitional period in literature, where traditional themes began to give way to the emotions and imaginations celebrated in Romantic literature. The opening of the book introduces "Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia", which centers on Prince Rasselas, who lives in a paradise-like valley but grows discontented with the pleasures and comforts of his life. Despite the lavish lifestyle provided to him and his siblings, Rasselas has an insatiable yearning to explore the world outside, leading him to reflect on the nature of happiness. His growing melancholy sets the stage for his eventual quest for meaning, as he grapples with existential questions about fulfillment and the human condition.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Shorter novels, vol. 3: Eighteenth century
- Author credits: Johnson, Samuel (1709–1784); Walpole, Horace (1717–1797); Beckford, William (1760–1844)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- English fiction -- 18th century
Gutenberg collections
- Category: British Literature
- Category: Classics of Literature
- Category: Novels
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
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