Edgar Huntly or Memoirs of a Sleep-Walker

By Charles Brockden Brown

"Edgar Huntly or Memoirs of a Sleep-Walker" is a seminal work of early American Gothic fiction that explores the dark recesses of the human psyche and the untamed wilderness of the Pennsylvania frontier. The narrative follows Edgar Huntly, a young man driven to investigate the mysterious murder of his friend, Waldegrave. His quest leads him into a labyrinth of psychological turmoil and physical danger as he encounters a somnambulist named Clithero Edny, whose own troubled past mirrors Huntly's growing obsession.

Charles Brockden Brown's novel is renowned for its innovative use of the Gothic genre, transplanting traditional European tropes to a distinctively American setting. Instead of haunted castles, the reader is confronted with the perilous caves and rugged terrain of the new world. The theme of sleepwalking serves as a powerful metaphor for the subconscious mind and the blurred lines between reason and madness. "Edgar Huntly or Memoirs of a Sleep-Walker" remains a significant literary achievement, offering a gripping mystery while providing profound insight into the anxieties of the early American republic and the complexities of human nature.

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• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 102562257X
• ISBN13: 9781025622576
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Length: 342 Pages
• Weight: 1.06 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 9.2"