Vathek is a Gothic novel written by English novelist William Beckford. The book was first published in 1786, with the original title being "An Arabian Tale, From an Unpublished Manuscript." Originally, it was claimed the novel was translated from Arabic, however, it was actually written in French in 1782.
The novel incorporates a number of Gothic tropes, a genre that was popular at the time Beckford was writing and tells the story of "Caliph Vathek" and his terrible demise. For example, the novel contains ghosts and the supernatural and also provokes a sense of terror in the reader. The text is heavily inspired by Galland's The Arabian Nights, and capitalizes on the popular Gothic element of depicting "the Oriental."
Vathek is a unique blend of Gothic and Arabian fiction, and it is considered one of the earliest examples of the genre of the "Oriental tale." The novel tells the story of Caliph Vathek, a powerful and wealthy ruler who becomes obsessed with gaining even more power and knowledge. He makes a deal with the devil and ultimately descends into darkness and despair. The novel also explores themes of ambition, greed, and the consequences of unbridled desire.
