Rappaccini's Daughter (Gothic Classic) - A Gothic Tale of Love Isolation and Corruption

Nathaniel Hawthorne

Summary

Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Rappaccini's Daughter" explores the intersection of science, ethics, and the human condition through a rich tapestry of Gothic elements. Set in 19th-century Italy, the narrative unfolds in the lush gardens of Dr. Giacomo Rappaccini, where botanicals take on a life of their own, symbolizing both beauty and danger. Hawthorne's lyrical prose reflects his deep engagement with Romanticism, illustrating the conflict between nature and man-made knowledge. The novella, a poignant meditation on isolation and obsession, ultimately raises profound questions about the potential perils of scientific advancement and its impact on human relationships. Hawthorne, born in 1804 in Salem, Massachusetts, was steeped in a history of Puritanism, which heavily influenced his philosophical and ethical inquiries throughout his literary career. His fascination with morality, sin, and human fallibility is palpable in this work, which also reflects his personal struggles with his family'Äôs legacy and the broader societal implications of knowledge and power. This background imbues 'Rappaccini's Daughter' with a rich psychological depth, setting it apart in the canon of American literature. For readers seeking an intricate blend of moral quandary and Gothic horror, "Rappaccini's Daughter" stands as a compelling choice. Hawthorne'Äôs incisive examination of the duality of human nature will resonate deeply, urging readers to reflect on the implications of scientific curiosity and the ethical boundaries of innovation. This timeless tale promises to engage and challenge anyone willing to traverse its intellectual landscape.

Available since: 01/06/2024.

Print length: 60 pages.

Other books that might interest you

Girls In The Woods The: The...

Helen Phifer

The edge-of-your-seat fifth book in the Annie Graham crime thriller series
* * * *
Don’t go into the woods. Because you’re in for a big surprise…
Annie Ashworth is currently off duty. With her baby bump growing fast, she is under strict instructions to stay away from police work and look after herself, especially as she has a history of leading danger right to her door. So when her police officer husband, Will, is called to the discovery of a skeleton buried out in the local woods, Annie tries to keep out of the investigation. But as another body is discovered and her own niece suddenly goes missing, staying away just isn’t an option.
As Annie is soon to discover, a picture really does tell a thousand stories. But which one leads to a killer?
The thrilling fifth book in the Annie Graham series
* * * *Readers love the Annie Graham series!
'This is a fantastic story… An excellent combo of "who-dunnit", tragic timelines and haunted houses' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'This book had me reading into the early hours of the morning, I just loved it… I was there with Annie and felt the hairs stand up on a few occasions. Great start to a new series' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'This book is raved about by all who read it and rightly so… It is a startling good read which grips you from the first few pages… I COULD NOT put this book down!' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'There were times I totally lost myself in the plot… I even found myself sat up at 4am racing through the last couple of chapters as I wanted to know what happened. I loved it' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
In this latest novel from best-selling author Helen Phifer, suspense and mystery intertwine in a supernatural dance of horror. The Girls in the Woods is a top-tier addition to the detective fiction genre, a thrilling sequel that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
For fans of Carolyn Arnold (Ties That Bind), Lisa Regan (Vanishing Girls), Angela Marsons (36 Hours), Jennifer Chase (Her Last Whisper), and Stacy Green (One Perfect Grave).
HarperCollins 2025

Show book

Unnatural Acts - Dan Shamble...

Kevin J. Anderson

“Wickedly funny, deviously twisted and enormously satisfying. This is a big juicy bite of zombie goodness. Two decaying thumbs up.”—Jonathan Maberry 
To be dead, or not to be dead… 
In the Unnatural Quarter, golems slave away in sweatshops, necromancers sell black-market trinkets to tourists, and the dead rise up—to work the night shift. But zombie detective Dan Shamble is no ordinary working stiff. 
When a local senator and his goons picket a ghostly production of Shakespeare in the Dark—condemning the troupe’s “unnatural” lifestyles—Dan smells something rotten. And if something smells rotten to a zombie, you’re in serious trouble…. 
Before his way of life, er, death is destroyed, Dan wants answers. Along the way, he needs to provide security for a mummified madame, defend a mixed-race couple (he’s a vampire, she’s a werewolf) from housing discrimination, and save his favorite watering hole, the Goblin Tavern, from drying up. Throw in a hairy hit-man and a bank robber who walks through walls, and Dan Shamble’s plate is full. 
Maybe this time the zombie detective has bitten off more than he can chew… 
“A darkly funny, wonderfully original detective tale.”—Kelley Armstrong 
“Sharp and funny; this zombie detective rocks! Loved it!”—Patricia Briggs 
“An unpredictable walk on the weird side. Prepare to be entertained.”—Charlaine Harris

Show book

Beth-Harvest Home (Unabridged)

Rosalie Parker

Rosalie Parker runs the independent UK publishing house Tartarus Press with R. B. Russell. Her previous collections include The Old Knowledge (Swan River Press 2010) and Damage (PS Publishing 2016). "In the Garden" was selected for Best New Horror 21 (2010), and "Random Flight" for Best British Horror 2015. Rosalie lives in Coverdale, North Yorkshire, the magnificent landscape of which inspires and sometimes provides the settings for her writing.
BETH-HARVEST HOME: Beth wrapped the bread and cheese back in their papers and tied the parcel into her bundle. It was proper harvest weather; the afternoon sun roasting, the sky a faultless blue.

Show book

Pox You - A Croft and Tabby Short

Brad Magnarella

Warning: Foul-mouthed cat ahead  
Prof Croft here and, yes, I trapped a murderous succubus in a kitten’s body and made her my pet. The alternative was to behead her, and as wizards go, I’m just not that callous. 
Do you think Tabitha shows any appreciation? Two years old now, her speech has grown along with her girth, and when not insulting me, she’s plotting ways to devour my soul. 
But that’s the least of my problems. An early winter storm has plunged our unheated apartment to near freezing, and I’m too cash-strapped to afford a chimney sweep. So when a strange woman appears, asking me to investigate an attack at an old smallpox hospital, I accept the case along with her vague offer of compensation. 
And If I can involve Tabitha, who knows? Maybe we’ll finally start bonding. 
Sure, and maybe Hell will host the next Winter Games. 
Croft & Tabby is a spinoff of the popular Prof Croft series, set before the main books. If you like snarky cats, fledgling mages, and supernatural investigations, you'll love Croft & Tabby!

Show book

Dracula: Deluxe Edition - The...

Bram Stoker

Bram Stoker’s legendary Gothic tale is brought to thrilling life in this  dramatic full-cast audio production  from Jason Damron. Through diary entries, letters, and journal fragments, Dracula unfolds as an immersive sonic experience that captures both the terror and the elegance of Victorian England as Count Dracula’s shadow spreads from Transylvania to London. 
Jason Damron’s production surrounds the listener with  cinematic sound design , haunting music, and richly detailed performances that transport you straight into the heart of the story. Every voice, every creak, and every whisper builds an atmosphere of suspense and dark beauty that pays homage to Stoker’s timeless masterpiece. 
Listeners have called this dramatization “a classic brought to life with a phenomenal cast and amazing soundscape” (Marco), “spot-on in its vivid descriptions and performances” (Teresa J. Kendall), and “a great performance of a classic story—you’ll be wishing for a longer car trip just to keep listening” (C.M.). Others describe it as “one of the best books I’ve ever come across—the performance was amazing too!” (Jon Van). 
Whether you’re discovering Dracula for the first time or revisiting it through sound, this audiobook offers a  captivating, emotionally charged performance  that turns Stoker’s masterpiece into a living, breathing experience of Gothic horror and timeless fascination.

Show book

The Emperor is dead long live...

Rachel Lawson

Blake Is the emperor of the solar system and the secret king of the dead. 
What if he was revealed as a dead man, a grim reaper is basically as good as a dead man he would find his secret life as a dead man a betrayal to his people. How would they react to their false king? 
And how long will the hapless new Emperor the Masked Chicken survive his job without the help of the man now seen as the pretender to the Empire?

Show book