On the Pleasure Derived from Objects of Terror (Illustrated): With Sir Bertrand, a Fragment

By Anna Laetitia Barbauld and John Aiken

A foundational essay on the psychology of horror in literature, featuring eleven period illustrations.

In 1773, siblings John Aikin and Anna Laetitia Barbauld wanted to know why we take such pleasure in being terrified. We joyfully consume tales of ghosts, murders, earthquakes, and shipwrecks...but it's difficult to tell why tragedy attracts onlookers even though people think of themselves as decent humans who would never enjoy the terror and suffering of others. Why do we love spooky? Listen and learn.

This illustrated edition features works by Fuseli, Blake, Delacroix, and Dulac, alongside the Gothic fragment "Sir Bertrand"-a haunting tale of a knight drawn into a mysterious ruined mansion that helped establish the conventions of Gothic fiction.

THIS EDITION FEATURES:
- Eleven period illustrations and artworks
- The complete essay on the aesthetics of terror
- "Sir Bertrand, a Fragment" - a pioneering Gothic tale
- Audiobook edition narrated by Tarah Wheeler
- Editorial colophon with audiobook details

Cedar House Audio

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0GG452DKW
• ISBN13: 9798988036432
• Release Date: January 2026
• Publisher: Red Queen
• Length: 24 Pages
• Weight: 0.13 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 6.0" x 9.0"