The Castle of Otranto, Horace Walpole

The Castle of Otranto

Horace Walpole

Level
B2
Words
37,033
Chapters
8
First published
1764
Reading time
about 4 hours
Translation
instant AI translation as you read

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Widely regarded as the first Gothic novel, this tale unfolds in a medieval castle where supernatural events terrorize its inhabitants. Manfred, the prince of Otranto, seeks to secure his lineage, but a series of mysterious occurrences thwart his plans. The atmospheric setting and dramatic plot make it a foundational work for understanding the genre.

Learn English with The Castle of Otranto

  • Suits learners around level B2: you read the original, not a simplified retelling.
  • 4,442 distinct words, each one a tap away from your personal vocabulary list.
  • Read in English, glance at the translation under any sentence you are unsure of, and listen to natural read-aloud voices to train your ear.

How it works

  1. Open the book: no installation, it reads in the browser on any device.
  2. Read a sentence in English. Its translation sits right under it, so you never lose the thread.
  3. Tap a word for its meaning and save it; listen to the chapter read aloud.

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Questions about this book

Can I read The Castle of Otranto in English for free?

Yes. The first chapters of The Castle of Otranto open without an account, with the translation, audio and dictionary included. A free account unlocks the rest of the book.

How much English do I need?

The text is estimated at level B2. Because every sentence has its translation underneath, lower levels can follow along too.

Is there audio?

Yes. Each chapter can be read aloud by a natural-sounding voice while the current sentence is highlighted.