Guy Deverell

By J. Sheridan Le Fanu

Book Overview

Delve into the atmospheric world of Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu's "Guy Deverell," a classic of gothic fiction. Set against the backdrop of a grand country house, this volume invites readers into a tale steeped in mystery and historical intrigue. Le Fanu masterfully crafts a narrative where secrets lurk within the walls and shadows of an Irish estate.

Experience the enduring appeal of this historical fiction, originally published in two volumes, meticulously prepared for print republication. Explore themes of family, inheritance, and the weight of the past in this captivating exploration of life in a country home. Fans of gothic novels and classic mysteries will find themselves drawn into the intricate plot and evocative setting of "Guy Deverell." A timeless read for those who appreciate expertly crafted suspense.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1023213206
• ISBN13: 9781023213202
• Release Date: March 2025
• Publisher: Creative Media Partners, LLC
• Length: 204 Pages
• Weight: 0.64 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Old Dark Houses and Gothic Castles

I am writing this review on Labor Day, 2023. On one of the television stations, there is a barrage of Old Dark House movies from the late 1930s and early 1940s: _The Cat and the Canary_ (with Bob Hope and Paulette Godard), _The Ghost Breakers_ (also with Hope and Goddard), _Murder, He Says_ (with Fred MacMurray and Helen Walker), and _Horror Island_ (with Peggy Moran). I have also been reading J.S. Le Fanu's novel, _Guy Deverell_ (1865), which features an Old Dark House-- though not exactly the same kind of O.D.H. as in the movies listed above. It is a touch less sensational and comic, a bit more realistic and psychological. Late in life, Le Fanu was plagued by a recurring nightmare in which an old house was threatening to collapse on him. This novel was the result. One of the central characters is Sir Jeckyl Marlowe, M.P., a landowner who is outwardly jovial (especially to women), but who seems to be a rather deceptive chap with a shady past. He has little knowledge of other ruins of Gothic houses on his estate but is more than ready to assign guests in his own house to rooms that he knows are dangerous and deadly. He is threatened by Monsieur Varbarriere (an old enemy of his) and his nephew, who calls himself Guy Strangeways. He is also sharply criticised by his mother-in-law, who has no love for him at all. There is a lot of table talk, arguments in bedrooms, and croquet games. But there is also a growing feeling of impending doom.