THE MYSTERIES OF UDOLPHO

London: Printed for G.G. and J. Robinson, 1794. Near fine.. First edition of the Ur-Gothic, the literary sensation credited by many for inaugurating one of the first major trends of the English novel - and the literary heart of Austen's NORTHANGER ABBEY, which is both a satire of and homage to it. THE MYSTERIES OF UDOLPHO is a gothic thriller that follows the heroine Emily's tortuous path to womanhood, from a picturesque journey through the south of France, to scandalous parties along Venetian canals, to her extended imprisonment at ominous Castle Udolpho. Radcliffe sold the manuscript for £500 - more than double the previous record paid to an English woman. When the publisher Cadell heard the amount, he was so sure it was an exaggeration that he wagered ten pounds against it. (He not only lost that bet, but then went on to pay even more himself for the rights to her next novel a few years later.)

The book was an immediate hit: readers reported staying up all night to finish UDOLPHO. Literary journals printed odes inspired by reading it. One contemporary reviewer called it "the most interesting novel in the English language." Others wrote that Radcliffe was an "enchantress," a "genius," and "unrivalled." (Byron was so taken with Radcliffe's description of Venice that he plagiarized it in CHILDE HAROLD'S PILGRIMAGE.) Critics associated her with Homer, Virgil, Milton, and Shakespeare. Radcliffe did not invent the gothic novel - but she was the one who legitimized it.

Today most readers know UDOLPHO from Jane Austen's novel NORTHANGER ABBEY, often called a satire of gothic novels. While it does contain many elements of satire, Austen's famous ambivalence stays true here: the book is also an extended celebration of the joys of reading, with UDOLPHO as its primary example. "While I have UDOLPHO to read," her heroine says, "I feel as if nobody could make me miserable." The hero, Henry Tilney, adds that "when I had once begun it, I could not lay down again; I remember finishing it in two days - my hair standing on end the whole time."

This copy was first purchased by Sarah Price Clarke, likely the heiress of Sutton Scarsdale Hall, Derbyshire, now a Grade I Georgian ruined stately home (and the perfect setting for a gothic novel). UDOLPHO was issued on 8 May 1794; Clarke's ownership inscription is dated 23 June 1794. An exceptional set in an unrestored contemporary calf binding, with terrific provenance. Four volumes, 6.75'' x 4''. Full contemporary speckled calf, gilt-ornamented spines, green and black goatskin spine labels. With all half titles. [4], 428; [4], 478; [4], 463, [1]; [4], 428 pages. Ink owner name of Sarah Price Clarke on front pastedown of each volume, dated 23 June 1794 in vol. 1 (and partially effaced in vol. 3). A few gatherings partially sprung and/or standing proud, with edges correspondingly softened. Light rubbing to bindings. Faint scattered foxing. Firm.