Zofloya: The Moor: A Romance of the Fifteenth Century
Select Format
Select Condition 
Book Overview
Zofloya or, The Moor: A Romance of the Fifteenth Century by Charlotte Dacre. Zofloya; or, The Moor: A Romance of the Fifteenth Century is an 1806 English Gothic novel by Charlotte Dacre, writing as Rosa Matilda. It was her second novel. It was published in three parts, and later collected into a single volume. It was highly criticised during its publication, due to its provocative subject matter and racial and religious themes. Zofloya opens with the adulterous actions of the mother, Laurina di Cornari, and continues to portray the repercussions of her sinful actions throughout the novel. Victoria de Loredani is the beautiful, spoiled daughter of the Marchese di Loredani and his wife, Laurina. Victoria, her brother Leonardo, and her parents reside in a palazzo in Venice, Italy. They live in happiness until the Marchese's friend, Count Ardolph, visits from Germany. Ardolph takes pleasure in destroying the reputations of pure women, and breaking up happy marriages. Ardolph quickly sets his sights on Laurina di Loredani. Laurina's vanity makes her highly susceptible to Ardolph's advances, and he succeeds in seducing her away from the husband she claims to love. They disappear from Venice together, which sets off a cascade of increasingly tragic events.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:1722628766
ISBN13:9781722628765
Release Date:July 2018
Publisher:Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Length:166 Pages
Weight:0.88 lbs.
Dimensions:0.3" x 8.5" x 11.0"
Customer Reviews
5 ratings
Zofloya
Published by Rita Rivera , 1 year ago
This book talks about a woman who was evil and wanted things her way. She worked with a spirit that gave her everything she wanted, but there was a price. At the end she got what she did not thought was coming. The twist at the end was unexpected.
'there is certainly a pleasure...in the infliction of prolonged torment'
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 15 years ago
Zofloya is both fascinating to study and a really good read. The main character, Victoria, is a strikingly unusual protagonist and very much subverts the conventions of what was thought to be appropriate 'women's literature' at the time Dacre was writing. It works on a bunch of levels - you can analyse the moral structure of the novel, the images of violence, look at it in context of orientalist writing, compare it to Sade...or just enjoy the great writing that compels you to turn the pages as quickly as any modern Gothic novel would. This is one of my favourite books. I normally just buy the cheapest edition of a book, but in this case I'd highly recommend the Broadview copy for the interesting introductions and helpful contextual materials at the back.
Wonderful
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 15 years ago
This was my first time ordering all of my books online for my college classes. I was a bit hesitant not being able to see the books before I purchased them, however, it turns out I didn't need to be. The book was in excellent condition, nothing to hinder my use of it for class. It was also much less expensive than I would have paid at the book store here. I haven't read the book yet, but it looks like it will be a great fit for the class.
A good study in Gothic Literature. Sex and violence galore.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
Kim Ian Michasiw is the associate professor at my university (York U in Toronto!) and he's awesome. He brilliantly sets up his ideas in the introduction of this work and provides, as clearly as he can, something of a chronology (much is yet to be known about Dacre's life). The book is an interesting study in gothic literature and feminine writing circa Jane Austen.Eighteenth-century trash, actually. Lots of sex and violence, elegantly written. Also interesting in its portrayal of race and the sexualization of "The moor". A perverse work, actually.
The Poisoned Pages
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
The text is of particular interst for its depiction of "subtle poison that which is extracted from and administered by books" (Dacre)The act of writing and reading are "sovereign poisons," an interesting notion from a woman writer in the early 19th century.
Copyright © 2025 Thriftbooks.com
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information | Cookie Policy | Cookie Preferences | Accessibility Statement
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
