Vathek (Oxford World’s Classics) is a strange and unforgettable eighteenth-century novel by William Beckford. The Caliph Vathek, consumed by his lust for knowledge and power, embarks on a perilous journey that leads him to the subterranean palace of Eblis, where he faces unimaginable horrors. A wild Gothic fantasy filled with sensuous imagination and grotesque comedy, this tale has inspired writers such as Byron and Lovecraft. The novel explores themes of corruption, moral decay, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. This new edition reprints Beckford’s 1816 authorized English text, accompanied by detailed notes that enhance the reading experience. Thomas Keymer’s introduction delves into the literary merits of the work, its hybrid nature, and its connections to oriental fiction and the Gothic genre. With a second edition featuring new, fuller notes, an updated bibliography, and a chronology of Beckford’s life, this volume offers a rich exploration of one of the most captivating works from the Romantic era.