Audiobooks by Ann Radcliffe

[Italian] - I misteri di Udolpho vol. 3 Audiobook

"Considerato l'archetipo del romanzo gotico, I misteri di Udolpho fu pubblicato nel 1794, anno dell'ascesa e della caduta di Robespierre. Sull'apparente struttura del racconto di formazione femminile, Ann Radcliffe modella un percorso attraverso gli spazi sublimi del terrore, nei quali l'eroina si smarrisce in una vertigine noir che la conduce oltre i limiti della ragione e della natura. Nella Francia del 1584 la giovane e sensibile Emily St. Aubert, rimasta orfana di entrambi i genitori, viene rinchiusa dalla zia Madame Cheron e dal suo compagno, il perverso zio Montoni, nel tenebroso castello di Udolpho, sugli Appennini. Solo dopo una convulsa serie di avvenimenti agghiaccianti Emily riesce a riacquistare la libertà e a ricongiungersi con il suo innamorato, Valancourt. L'introduzione al romanzo di Viola Papetti, oltre a definire il genere gotico, racconta come la 'debole mano' di Ann Radcliffe sia riuscita a trasfigurare il castello di Udolpho in una perfetta e animata macchina del terrore. contributori TR Vittoria Sanna LE Francesca Melis"

Ann Radcliffe (Author), Francesca Melis (Narrator)

Audiobook

[Italian] - I misteri di Udolpho vol. 4

Ann Radcliffe (Author), Francesca Melis (Narrator)

Audiobook

[Italian] - I misteri di Udolpho vol. 2

Ann Radcliffe (Author), Francesca Melis (Narrator)

Audiobook

[Italian] - I misteri di Udolpho vol. 1

"Un segreto antico sussurra nel fragore del tuono, un lampo squarcia il cielo e Udolpho si rivela a Emily come un gigante pietrificato. È il 1584 quando, orfana, Emily St. Aubert raggiunge la zia Madame Cheron: un rifugio che presto si rivela prigione. Il matrimonio di lei con il conte Montoni la trascina in un dedalo di torri aguzze, stanze invase dall'ombra e corridoi in cui ogni eco vibra come un presagio. Quando cala la notte, note lontane e sussurri intrappolati nelle mura guidano Emily fino a lettere ingiallite, dietro a tende consumate dal tempo. Passaggi nascosti emergono al suo tocco, impronte sfocate la invitano a seguire indizi che l'occhio distratto non coglierebbe. Il conte Montoni la fissa con gelida determinazione, desideroso di soffocare ogni barlume di speranza. Eppure la paura stessa accende in Emily un coraggio insolito: tra un enigma e l'altro, ricompone i frammenti di un complotto così fitto da sfidare ogni autorità. Pubblicato nel 1794, 'I misteri di Udolpho' è il capolavoro che ha definito il romanzo gotico. Ann Radcliffe plasma paesaggi ostili e tensioni sottili, trasforma l'angoscia in un'esperienza viva, psicologica. Solo penetrando nel cuore del castello — prigione del corpo e della mente — Emily potrà liberarsi, dimostrando che non esiste catena più stretta di quella forgiata dal terrore. contributori TR Vittoria Sanna LE Francesca Melis"

Ann Radcliffe (Author), Francesca Melis (Narrator)

Audiobook

Tales of Terror: A BBC Radio Gothic Drama Collection: The Castle of Otranto, The Monk, The Mysteries of Udolpho & Northanger Abbey

"Four full-cast dramatisations of classic Gothic novels, plus documentaries exploring the genre’s rise and enduring appeal Dark deeds, dastardly villains, innocent victims and supernatural happenings – these are the terrifying tropes that make up Gothic fiction, a genre that has captured our imagination for over 250 years. Blending both classic and modern dramatisations, this specially curated anthology couples thrilling masterpieces with insightful documentaries… We begin with A Gothic Quest, in which Louise Welsh examines what ‘gothic’ really means, and takes a look at its many appearances in poetry, fiction, art, architecture and film. In A Guided Tour of the Castle of Otranto, Rory McGrath explores the origins of gothic horror, first manifested in Horace Walpole’s 1764 novel. It is followed by a dramatisation of The Castle of Otranto itself, a dark supernatural tale of duplicity and dynastic rivalry. Treading warily into the book’s strange world in Kaleidoscope Feature: A Little Gothic Castle, Peggy Reynolds draws parallels between Walpole’s vision for his London villa, Strawberry Hill, and the haunted mansion in the novel. Next, we unveil the male gothic in a gripping drama featuring disguise, abduction, incest and murder. The Monk, based on the 1796 classic by Matthew Lewis, tells the story of Ambrosio (Michael Pennington), who is tempted into breaking his vows of chastity by a beautiful young nun. The dawn of the female gothic is revealed in The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe, centred on a powerless young heroine trapped in an isolated castle and pitted against an evil Italian Count. Showcasing the Gothic satire is Jane Austen’s 1817 novel Northanger Abbey, poking fun at the popular sensation fiction of her day. In this witty drama, Catherine Morland is taken to Bath for the season, and finds that in her fertile imagination, danger and hair-raising horrors lurk around every corner. Georgia Groome, Miriam Margolyes and Bridgerton’s Luke Thompson star in this full-cast dramatisation. Wrapping up our collection is In Our Time: Gothic, which sees Melvyn Bragg and guest experts considering the origins and significance of the 18th century Gothic movement. First published 1764 (The Castle of Otranto), 1794 (The Mysteries of Udolpho), 1796 (The Monk), 1817 (Northanger Abbey) Content List Part 1. Gothic Imagination A Gothic Quest Presented by Louise Welsh Part 2. The First Gothic Novel: The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole A Guided Tour of the Castle of Otranto Presented by Rory McGrath The Castle of Otranto cast and credits to be announced Kaleidoscope Feature: A Little Gothic Castle Presented by Peggy Reynolds Part 3. Unveiling A Male Gothic: The Monk by Matthew Lewis The Monk Starring Michael Pennington, Sorcha Cusack, Emily Morgan, Christopher Douglas, Brian Smith, Jenny Funnell, Tessa Worsley, Mary Wimbush, Simon Hewitt, Anne Jameson, Alan Thompson, Melinda Walker, Mia Soteriou, Allan McClelland, Garard Green, Graham Blockey, Peter Acre, David Learner and Bernard Brown Part 4. The Dawn of a Female Gothic: The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe The Mysteries of Udolpho Starring Georgia Groome, Tracy Wiles, John Dougall, Finlay Robertson, Luke Thompson, Natasha Cowley, Stephen Wight, John Bowler, Karen Bartke and Alison Belbin Part 5. Gothic Satire: Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen Northanger Abbey Starring Georgia Groome, Luke Thompson, Tracy Wiles, Kim Wall, Ainsley Howard, Alison Belbin, John Bowler, Karen Bartke, Miriam Margolyes, Stephen Wight, Finlay Robertson, Natasha Cowley, John Dougall, Nick Murchie, Keziah Joseph and Luke MacGregor Part 6. Gothic Legacies In Our Time: Gothic Presented by Melvyn Bragg With Chris Baldick, A N Wilson and Emma Clery © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Ann Radcliffe, Horace Walpole, Jane Austen, Matthew Lewis (Author), Full cast, Garard Green, Georgia Groome, John Bowler, Karen Bartke, Louise Welsh, Luke Thompson, Melvyn Bragg, Miriam Margolyes, Rory McGrath, Tracy Wiles (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Mysteries of Udolpho

Ann Radcliffe (Author), Digital Voice Madison G (Narrator)

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The Italian

"This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice. Dark secrets, forbidden love, and the shadow of the Inquisition fill the pages of Ann Radcliffe’s Gothic masterpiece, The Italian. First published in 1797, this novel cemented Radcliffe’s reputation as one of the foremost pioneers of Gothic fiction, weaving mystery, suspense, and romance into an unforgettable tale of terror and passion. The story follows Ellena Rosalba, a young woman of beauty and virtue, and her love for the nobleman Vincentio di Vivaldi. Their happiness is soon threatened by the schemes of Vivaldi’s mother, the proud Marchesa, who enlists the sinister monk Schedoni to prevent their union. As Ellena is pursued, abducted, and imprisoned, she must navigate treacherous plots, haunted convents, and the ever-present threat of the Inquisition. At the heart of the drama lies Father Schedoni—one of Radcliffe’s most complex and chilling villains—whose secret past casts a long shadow over the lives of all involved. Blending romance and suspense with sublime landscapes and psychological intensity, The Italian exemplifies Radcliffe’s hallmark style: evoking terror through suggestion and atmosphere rather than outright horror. It is both a love story and a tale of corruption, faith, and the struggle between innocence and evil. This audiobook edition captures the eerie beauty and emotional power of Radcliffe’s classic, making it essential listening for fans of Gothic romance, historical suspense, and literary tales of intrigue and mystery."

Ann Radcliffe (Author), Digital Voice George E (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Romance of the Forest

"Ann Radcliffe, a pioneer of Gothic literature, had her first major success with The Romance of the Forest. Critically acclaimed as the ‘mighty enchantress’, she fused the supernatural, terror, romance and history to forge clever and compelling novels. Here young Adeline escapes danger with the La Motte family, finding refuge in the darkness of a decaying abbey, with its hidden passages… but what secrets are held here? Whom can she trust? Threatened and tested, she gradually uncovers her mysterious heritage. Sublime landscapes and psychological tension enrich a thrilling story – which, thanks to this superb audio performance that includes original song settings, can now be enjoyed in the dark for full effect!"

Ann Radcliffe (Author), Sarah Lambie (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Mysteries of Udolpho

"This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice. A cornerstone of Gothic literature, The Mysteries of Udolpho is a sweeping tale of suspense, romance, and eerie enchantment that helped define an entire genre. First published in 1794, Ann Radcliffe’s masterpiece continues to mesmerize readers with its blend of atmospheric storytelling, emotional depth, and spine-tingling mystery. Set in 16th-century France and Italy, the novel follows the virtuous and imaginative Emily St. Aubert, who, after the death of her beloved father, is placed under the care of her cruel and manipulative aunt. Emily is soon imprisoned in the gloomy and remote Castle Udolpho, where haunting events, dark corridors, and strange apparitions begin to unfold. Surrounded by secrecy and shadows, Emily must navigate loss, betrayal, and hidden threats as she clings to hope—and to love. Radcliffe’s rich descriptions, psychological tension, and use of sublime landscapes transport listeners into a world where every whisper of wind might hide a secret, and every locked door might conceal a haunting truth. The Mysteries of Udolpho is a must-listen for fans of classic literature, Gothic romance, and tales where beauty and terror exist side by side. A profound influence on authors like Jane Austen, Edgar Allan Poe, and the Brontës, this audiobook is a journey into the heart of the Gothic imagination."

Ann Radcliffe (Author), Digital Voice George E (Narrator)

Audiobook

A Sicilian Romance

"The commission of one crime often requires the perpetration of another. When once we enter on the labyrinth of vice, we can seldom return, but are led on, through correspondent mazes, to destruction. On the northern shore of Sicily, a tourist visiting the ruins of the once-magnificent castle of the house of Mazzini uncovers the noble family’s turbulent history. The Marquis Mazzini’s daughters, Emilia and Julia, are beautiful and accomplished young ladies. Julia quickly falls in love with the young and handsome Italian count Hippolitus de Vereza, but, to her dismay, her father decides that she should marry Duke de Luovo instead. On the night before her wedding, Julia flees to elope with Hippolitus, but the Marquis ambushes them and seemingly kills Hippolitus, whose body is carried away by his servants. The Marquis demands that Julia accepts the engagement with de Luovo, but she manages to escape again, this time alone. In a tense game of cat-and-mouse, the Marquis and the spurned Duke de Luovo set out to catch Julia, who adopts various hiding places as she narrowly avoids capture and eventually ends up, by way of a secret tunnel, in the abandoned and supposedly haunted southern apartments of the Mazzini castle. There Julia discovers that her mother, thought to be dead, has instead been imprisoned here for years by the Marquis, who had grown to despise her. The newly reunited mother and daughter are determined to help each other. Meanwhile, the Marquis faces his own marital troubles with his new wife, Maria de Vellorno, and boldly accuses her of infidelity … with fatal consequences. First published anonymously in 1790, A Sicilian Romance is a haunting Gothic novel from Ann Radcliffe, whom Sir Walter Scott dubbed “the first poetess of romantic fiction.” She has influenced such notable authors as Sir Walter Scott, Victor Hugo, the Marquis de Sade, Alexandre Dumas, Jane Austen, Mary Shelley, Edgar Allan Poe, and H. P. Lovecraft."

Ann Radcliffe (Author), Justine Eyre (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Italian

"Brought to you by Penguin. From the first moment Vincentio di Vivaldi, a young nobleman, sets eyes on the veiled figure of Ellena, he is captivated by her enigmatic beauty and grace. But his haughty and manipulative mother is against the match and enlists the help of her confessor to come between them. Schedoni, previously a leading figure of the Inquisition, is a demonic, scheming monk with no qualms about the task, whether it entails abduction, torture - or even murder. The Italian secured Ann Radcliffe's position as the leading writer of Gothic romance of the age, for its atmosphere of supernatural and nightmarish horrors, combined with her evocation of sublime landscapes and chilling narrative. (P) Penguin Audio 2020"

Ann Radcliffe (Author), Sara Alexander (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Castles of Athlin and Dunbayne

"The Castles of Athlin and Dunbayne. A Highland Story is a gothic novel by Ann Radcliffe first published in London by Thomas Hookham in 1789. The novel is a set in a powerful landscape which became familiar in her later work, with complex clan feuds and mysterious romantic intrigues played out against a backdrop of ruined medieval castles and rugged Scottish coastlines. Each of the characters can be defined by their passions: The present Earl of Athlin, Osbert, is driven by a passionate desire to avenge his father’s murder at the hand of Malcolm, the Baron of Dunbayne. His sister, Mary, is ever swooning and fainting in an attempt to resist her passion for Alleyn, a highlander not of noble birth (and therefore unworthy). Alleyn is likwise driven to heroic deeds of rescue because of his love for Mary. Even the villain, Baron Malcolm, is driven by his desire—first a desire to kill Osbert; it is later supplanted by his desire to possess Mary. Although the passions of its leading characters dominate the plot, the castles of the title are as central to the narrative, establishing an enduring Gothic trope."

Ann Radcliffe (Author), Shelby Reinhart (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks by Ann Radcliffe

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