The Curse of the Catafalques
In this novel, a young woman returns to her family's ancestral home after her father's death and discovers that the estate is deeply in debt. She decides to restore the family's fortunes by reopening the catafalques, which are ornate tombs containing the bodies of her ancestors. As she delves deeper into the family's history, she uncovers dark secrets and mysterious events surrounding the deaths of her relatives.
By Thomas Anstey Guthrie · First published 1907 · Genre: Gothic Fiction, Comedy, Romantic Fiction · 4 chapters · 14,322 words
First lines
Unless I am very much mistaken, until the time when I was subjected to the strange and exceptional experience which I now propose to relate, I had never been brought into close contact with anything of a supernatural description. At least if I ever was, the circumstance can have made no lasting impression upon me, as I am quite unable to recall it. But in the 'Curse of the Catafalques' I was confronted with a horror so weird and so altogether unusual, that I doubt whether I shall ever succeed in wholly forgetting it -- and I know that I have never felt really well since.
What this Textopian page supports
The Curse of the Catafalques is listed on Textopian as a novel by Thomas Anstey Guthrie, dated 1907 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Thomas Anstey Guthrie
- Date: 1907 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Gothic Fiction, Comedy, Romantic Fiction, Adventure, Satire
- Length: 14,322 words
- Structure: 4 chapters, 224 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Curse of the Catafalques by Thomas Anstey Guthrie
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Curse of the Catafalques?
- How does this novel by Thomas Anstey Guthrie fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Gothic Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Count Of Nideck by Erckmann Chatrian
- The Wraith Of Barnjum by Thomas Anstey Guthrie
- The Street Of Our Lady Of The Fields by Robert W. Chambers
- The Witch Of Prague by F. Marion Crawford
- Spalatro by J. Sheridan Le Fanu
- The Oubliette by Egerton Castle
Genres
- Gothic Fiction — The book features elements of horror, supernatural occurrences, and a dark, eerie atmosphere typical of Gothic literature.
- Comedy — The narrative employs humor through the protagonist's misadventures and the absurdity of the situations, particularly regarding the suitor's predicament.
- Romantic Fiction — The plot revolves around romantic entanglements and the protagonist's pursuit of love, albeit through deception.
- Adventure — The journey from Australia to England and the ensuing challenges faced by the protagonist contribute to an adventurous narrative.
Tags
Gothic fiction · Mystery · Supernatural · Horror · Victorian era · Dark fantasy · Occult · Suspense · Macabre · Death · Dying · Funeral rites