Vathek, an Arabian Tale (Lady Valkyrie Classics)

Book excerpt: In this classic and timeless novel, we encounter the rise and fall of the once mighty Vathek. The story chronicles the fall from power of the Caliph Vathek (a fictionalized version of the historical Al-Wathiq), who engages with his mother, Carathis, in a series of licentious and deplorable activities designed to gain him supernatural powers. Perverse and grotesque comedy alternates with scenes of magnificence and beauty in the story of the ruthless Caliph Vathek's journey to damnation. In his attempts to reach the unreachable, Vathek, instead of attaining mighty powers, descends into a hell ruled by the demon Eblis. Unable to escape from the deeps of the earth, Vathek is doomed to wander endlessly. Visit ladyvalkyrie.com for more Classics as well as for Other titles and Collections/Series of books!