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Rookwood - cover

Rookwood

William Harrison Ainsworth

Publisher: DigiCat

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Summary

In 'Rookwood,' William Harrison Ainsworth weaves a rich tapestry of historical fiction that intertwines romance, adventure, and the eerie elements of the Gothic tradition. Set against the backdrop of the 18th century, the novel delves into the life of a notorious highwayman and the curse of Rookwood—which looms over a decaying estate steeped in dark legacy. Ainsworth employs a vivid, descriptive narrative style, blending dramatic dialogues with detailed depictions of both characters and settings, showcasing his prowess in creating an atmosphere of suspense and intrigue that was emblematic of the early Victorian literary landscape. Ainsworth, a contemporary of notable writers such as Charles Dickens, found inspiration in the folklore and the tumultuous history of England. His own background in the theatrical world and his penchant for sensational stories influenced his writing, prompting him to explore themes of morality, crime, and redemption. The societal issues of his time, alongside his fascination with the supernatural and criminal elements, serve as a lens through which he crafts 'Rookwood'—a masterful exploration of human psychology and the consequences of a life lived on the fringes of society. 'Rookwood' is not merely a novel; it is an exploration of the dark recesses of the human condition—perfect for readers who relish complex characters and intricate plots. The novel invites you to immerse yourself in its captivating world of mystery and excitement, making it an essential addition to the library of any aficionado of Gothic or historical fiction.
Available since: 11/21/2022.
Print length: 390 pages.

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