Society, Culture, and the Gothic - Clara Reeve (Essay Date 1777)
CLARA REEVE (ESSAY DATE 1777)
SOURCE: Reeve, Clara. "Address to the Reader." In The Champion of Virtue. A Gothic Story. By the Editor of The Phoenix. A Translation of Barclay's Argenis, pp. i-vii. Colchester, 1777.
In the following excerpt from an introduction to her novel, which was published in 1778 as The Old English Baron, Reeve urges her readers to appreciate her novel as part of a Gothic literary tradition, and declares that every reader will find something in her work to enjoy.
Address to the Reader.
Reader, before you enter upon the history before you, permit the Author to hold a short conference with you, upon certain points that will elucidate the design, and perhaps induce you to form a favourable, as well as a right judgment of the work.
Pray did you ever read a book called, The Castle of Otranto? if you have, you will willingly enter with me into a...
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