Orphaned heroine Adeline seeks refuge with a mysterious nobleman, Pierre de la Motte, and his family in an isolated French château. As she delves deeper into the secrets of the forest surrounding the estate, Adeline uncovers a series of dark and perilous mysteries, including hidden identities, treacherous schemes, and the haunting presence of a ghostly nun. Amidst the threats and dangers that lurk in the shadows, Adeline must also navigate budding romances. Ann Radcliffe's atmospheric prose and suspenseful storytelling have solidified The Romance of the Forest's status as a classic of the Gothic literary tradition. Its exploration of the human psyche, the allure of the unknown, and the interplay between light and darkness continues to captivate readers today. ANN RADCLIFFE [1764-1823] was an English novelist. She was a pioneer of Gothic fiction and the most popular author of her time. Her work inspired many later authors, among them Edgar Allan Poe, Honoré de Balzac, and Sir Walter Scott.