Elizabeth Bonhote

Bungay Castle: A Novel Elizabeth Bonhote

Life at Bungay Castle seems ideal for the De Morney family. Nestled in the abundant countryside of Norfolk, Bungay Castle's massive towers reach for blue skies and its solid stone walls are firmly planted in the earth - but all that's about to change. Strong winds from a violent storm bring the sound of chilling, ghostly cries located far below the castle's floors. The young De Morneys, Roseline and Edwin, begin a frightening search through the ancient subterranean passageways to discover the cause. Among the dark haunted dungeons, they discover a secret from their family's past that will forever change their lives. Cob-webbed passageways lit by a single candle, rotting caskets, ghostly sightings, and a mysterious mournful cry are just a few of the abundant gothic surprises in store for all who dare to wonder beyond the castle's locked doors. Firmly rooted in the Domestic Gothic tradition, Elizabeth Bonhote's rediscovered 1796 classic is a treasure chest of gothic elements. Combining romance, mystery, seduction, and betrayal, Bungay Castle revises and reinvents the tradition of the trapped female heroine. As we follow Roseline's journey, we become aware of one of the novel's most unique aspects: it is a surprisingly feminist novel- a rare achievement in the eighteenth century gothic genre. Rather than waiting to be rescued by men, the young women of Bungay castle achieve agency over their lives, refuse patriarchal orders, and become the rescuing heroines. An exemplary blend of sentiment, romance and the gothic, this reprint is a welcome and long overdue addition to the bookshelves of academics, subway riders, goths, and anyone longing to rediscover the joy of a great read.