{"product_id":"book-kq1s","title":"Tales of Terror: A BBC Radio Gothic Drama Collection","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFour full-cast dramatisations of classic Gothic novels, plus documentaries exploring the genre's rise and enduring appeal\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDark 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…\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe begin with \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eA Gothic Quest\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, 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 \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eA Guided Tour of the Castle of Otranto\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, Rory McGrath explores the origins of gothic horror, first manifested in Horace Walpole's 1764 novel. It is followed by a dramatisation of \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Castle of Otranto\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e itself, a dark supernatural tale of duplicity and dynastic rivalry. Treading warily into the book's strange world in \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKaleidoscope Feature: A Little Gothic Castle\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, Peggy Reynolds draws parallels between Walpole's vision for his London villa, Strawberry Hill, and the haunted mansion in the novel.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNext, we unveil the male gothic in a gripping drama featuring disguise, abduction, incest and murder. \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Monk\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, based on the 1796 classic by Matthew Lewis, tells the story of Ambrosio (\u003cb\u003eMichael Pennington\u003c\/b\u003e), who is tempted into breaking his vows of chastity by a beautiful young nun. The dawn of the female gothic is revealed in \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Mysteries of Udolpho\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e 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 \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eNorthanger Abbey\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, 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. \u003cb\u003eGeorgia Groome,\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cb\u003eMiriam Margolyes \u003c\/b\u003eand \u003ci\u003eBridgerton's\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cb\u003eLuke Thompson\u003c\/b\u003e star in this full-cast dramatisation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWrapping up our collection is \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eIn Our Time: Gothic\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, which sees Melvyn Bragg and guest experts considering the origins and significance of the 18th century Gothic movement.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFirst published 1764 (\u003ci\u003eThe Castle of Otranto\u003c\/i\u003e), 1794 (\u003ci\u003eThe Mysteries of Udolpho\u003c\/i\u003e), 1796 (\u003ci\u003eThe Monk\u003c\/i\u003e), 1817 (\u003ci\u003eNorthanger Abbey\u003c\/i\u003e)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cu\u003eContent List\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart 1. Gothic Imagination\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eA Gothic Quest\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePresented by Louise Welsh\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart 2. The First Gothic Novel: \u003ci\u003eThe Castle of Otranto\u003c\/i\u003e by Horace Walpole\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eA Guided Tour of the Castle of Otranto\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePresented by Rory McGrath\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Castle of Otranto\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003ecast and credits to be announced\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eKaleidoscope Feature: A Little Gothic Castle\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePresented by Peggy Reynolds\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart 3. Unveiling A Male Gothic: \u003ci\u003eThe Monk\u003c\/i\u003e by Matthew Lewis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Monk\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStarring 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\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart 4. The Dawn of a Female Gothic: \u003ci\u003eThe Mysteries of Udolpho\u003c\/i\u003e by Ann Radcliffe\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Mysteries of Udolpho\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStarring Georgia Groome, Tracy Wiles, John Dougall, Finlay Robertson, Luke Thompson, Natasha Cowley, Stephen Wight, John Bowler, Karen Bartke and Alison Belbin\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart 5. Gothic Satire: \u003ci\u003eNorthanger Abbey\u003c\/i\u003e by Jane Austen\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eNorthanger Abbey\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStarring 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\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart 6. Gothic Legacies\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eIn Our Time: Gothic\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePresented by Melvyn Bragg\u003cbr\u003eWith Chris Baldick, A N Wilson and Emma Clery\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e© 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Penguin UK","offers":[{"title":"Audiobook","offer_id":50254383284528,"sku":"BDkq1s","price":14.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0879\/2784\/9264\/files\/kq1s-cover.jpg?v=1761679847","url":"https:\/\/downpour.com\/products\/book-kq1s","provider":"Downpour","version":"1.0","type":"link"}