Olalla by Robert Louis Stevenson

Name: Olalla
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson

Olalla is a novella by Robert Louis Stevenson, first published in 1885. It tells the story of a young Spanish woman, Olalla, who is living in a remote mountain village in Spain. She is the last of her family, and is believed to be cursed with a mysterious affliction that causes her to age rapidly. When a young Englishman, Hugh, visits the village, he is immediately drawn to Olalla and her strange beauty. He soon discovers that she is a vampire, and that her family has been cursed for generations. Despite the danger, Hugh is determined to save Olalla from her fate. The novella follows Hugh and Olalla as they attempt to break the curse and find a way to be together. Along the way, they must confront the dark forces that have been controlling Olalla's life, and the secrets of her family's past. In the end, they must decide if their love is strong enough to overcome the curse and save Olalla from her fate.

By Robert Louis Stevenson · First published 1885 · Genre: Romance, Gothic Fiction, Horror · 17,269 words

First lines

'Now,' said the doctor, 'my part is done, and, I may say, with some vanity, well done. It remains only to get you out of this cold and poisonous city, and to give you two months of a pure air and an easy conscience. The last is your affair. To the first I think I can help you. It fells indeed rather oddly; it was but the other day the Padre came in from the country; and as he and I are old friends, although of contrary professions, he applied to me in a matter of distress among some of his parishioners. This was a family--but you are ignorant of Spain, and even the names of our grandees are hardly known to you; suffice it, then, that they were once great people, and are now fallen to the brink of destitution. Nothing now belongs to them but the residencia, and certain leagues of desert mountain, in the greater part of which not even a goat could support life. But the house is a fine old place, and stands at a great height among the hills, and most salubriously; and I had no sooner heard my friend's tale, than I remembered you. I told him I had a wounded officer, wounded in the good cause, who was now able to make a change; and I proposed that his friends should take you for a lodger. Instantly the Padre's face grew dark, as I had maliciously foreseen it would. It was out of the question, he said. Then let them starve, said I, for I have no sympathy with tatterdemalion pride. There-upon we separated, not very content with one another; but yesterday, to my wonder, the Padre returned and made a submission: the difficulty, he said, he had found upon enquiry to be less than he had feared; or, in other words, these proud people had put their pride in their pocket. I closed with the offer; and, subject to your approval, I have taken rooms for you in the residencia. The air of these mountains will renew your blood; and the quiet in which you will there live is worth all the medicines in the world.'

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Olalla is listed on Textopian as a novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, dated 1885 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson
Date: 1885 CE
Language: English
Genres: Romance, Gothic Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Fantasy
Length: 17,269 words
Structure: 1 section, 505 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering Olalla?
How does this novel by Robert Louis Stevenson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Romance first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Romance — The story follows the romantic relationship between Olalla and the protagonist, and the themes of love and passion are explored throughout the narrative.
Gothic Fiction — The story is set in a mysterious and spooky castle, and the atmosphere is dark and eerie. There are also supernatural elements, such as the protagonist's visions of a ghostly figure.
Horror — The story contains elements of horror, such as the mysterious castle and the ghostly figure. There is also a sense of dread and suspense throughout the narrative.
Mystery — The story contains elements of mystery, as the protagonist attempts to uncover the secrets of the castle and its inhabitants. There is also a sense of suspense as the protagonist tries to unravel the mystery.