Abstract
The well‐known image of young Percy Bysshe Shelley clandestinely devouring forbidden tales of terror under the rose bushes at Sion House is a familiar, if not disquieting feature of literary history. Shelley's youthful predilection for ‘stories of haunted castles, bandits, murderers, and other grim personages – a most exciting and interesting food for boys’ minds’ was satisfied in the form of cheap Gothic chapbooks (Medwin 1847: 29–30). Notwithstanding the pleasure provided by these short tales of terror, adaptations of popular Gothic novels had the added benefit of being economical – sixpence or a shilling – or a penny a night from the circulating library which stocked dozens of thrilling and dangerous titles.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
