Edgar Huntly; Or, Memoirs of a Sleep-Walker Ebooks ISBN 9781596251274

The novel is considered one of the earliest examples of American Gothic literature. It follows the protagonist, Edgar Huntly, who experiences a series of strange events and delves into the mysteries surrounding the death of his friend Waldegrave. Edgar Huntly, dealing with personal trauma and psychological struggles, also grapples with sleepwalking episodes that further complicate the unfolding events.Charles Brockden Brown's novel explores themes of guilt, psychological disturbance, and the uncertainties of reality. It incorporates elements of the Gothic genre, featuring mysterious occurrences, psychological tension, and a sense of foreboding. The narrative blends elements of mystery, psychological horror, and the supernatural."Edgar Huntly" is recognized for its innovative narrative style and its exploration of the human psyche amidst a backdrop of suspenseful and eerie events. As one of the early American novels in the Gothic tradition, it contributed to the development of Gothic literature within the American literary landscape.

In addition to the UVA text of Brown's novel, this edition includes an introduction setting the work in its historical, literary, and intellectual contexts. It also includes several of Brown's writings on such subjects as somnambulism and the uses of history in fiction. In addition to the definitive UVA text of Brown's seminal novel, this edition includes an introduction setting the work in its historical, literary, and intellectual contexts. Related texts include selections from William Godwin's Enquiry Concerning Political Justice (1793), Erasmus Darwin's Zoonomia; or, The Laws of Organic Life (1794), Benjamin Franklin's A Narrative of the Late Massacres (1764), and Thomas Barton's The Conduct of the Paxton-Men (1764), as well excerpts from Brown's own essays on somnambulism and the uses of history in fiction.