Uncle Silas

Sheridan Le Fanu

Dec 2022 · Oxford University Press

About this ebook

'The old woman opened the door, and the next moment I was in the presence of Uncle Silas.' In Victorian Derbyshire, 17 year old orphan and heiress Maud Ruthyn is sent to live at the claustrophobic Bartram-Haugh house with her mysterious Uncle Silas. Silas has a reputation for gambling debts and past accusations of murder, but now lives as a reformed Christian. Sinister schemes and preternatural events unfold as Silas, his son, and a malevolent governess plot against Maud and her fortune. Uncle Silas has been hailed by contemporaries and modern critics alike as one of the finest works of sensation fiction. With elements of tragic romance, horror, and psychological thriller, Uncle Silas shows Le Fanu at the height of his powers. With an introduction from Claire Connolly, this edition places the novel in its broadest context and unpicks the layers of Celtic, Christian, and mystic influence behind Le Fanu's best known work. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

Ratings and reviews

great classic that may still provide modern audiences with suspenseful thrills. there are moments where not much is happening and yes it is a bit drawn out but the end is worth it all.

About the author

Claire Connolly is Professor of Modern English at University College Cork in Ireland. Her book A Cultural History of the Irish Novel, 1790-1829 (2011) won the Donald J. Murphy Prize, awarded by the American Conference for Irish Studies. With Marjorie Howes (Boston College), she is General Editor of Irish Literature in Transition, 1700-2020 (2020).