The Italian, or, The confessional of the Black Penitents

"First published in 1797, The Italian is one of the finest examples of Gothic romance. The fast-paced narrative centres on Ann Radcliffe's most brilliant creation, the sinister monk Schedoni, whose past is shrouded in mystery."

"From the opening chapters the reader is ushered into a shadowy world, in which crime and religion intermingle. Leagued against Ellena Rosalba and Vincentio di Vivaldi's union are the proud and ambitious Marchese di Vivaldi and her confessor Father Schedoni. Supernatural forces seem at work, but it is to the Holy Inquisition that the ill-omened lovers eventually fall prey. This edition explores the work in the context of British attitudes to Italy and Roman Catholicism in the late eighteenth century, as well as providing close analysis of the novel's structure and form."--Jacket.