Gothic Literature | Godwin, William (1756 - 1836) - Things As They Are; Or, The Adventures Of Caleb Williams

Things as They Are; or, The Adventures of Caleb Williams

THE BRITISH CRITIC (REVIEW DATE JULY 1794)

SOURCE: A review of Things as They Are; or, The Adventures of Caleb Williams, by William Godwin. The British Critic 4 (July 1794): 70-1.

In the following excerpt, the critic condemns Caleb Williams as an "evil use" of Godwin's talents.

[Things as They Are; or, The Adventures of Caleb Williams] is a striking example of the evil use which may be made of considerable talents, connected with such a degree of intrepidity as can inspire the author with resolution to attack religion, virtue, government, laws, and above all, the desire (hitherto accounted laudable) of leaving a good name to posterity.

In this extraordinary performance, every gentleman is a hard hearted assassin, or a prejudiced tyrant; every Judge is unjust, every Justice corrupt and blind....

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