Uncle Silas

<p><I>Uncle Silas</I> (1864) is a novel by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu. Expanded from an earlier short story <I>Uncle Silas</I> is considered an important precursor to the works of Arthur Conan Doyle and remains the author's most popular novel. It has been adapted several times for film television and radio.</p><p>Following the untimely death of her father Maud Ruthyn is sent to live at Bartram-Haugh the estate of her estranged Uncle Silas. Under the terms of her father's will Maud must live in Silas's care for three and a half years or until she is old enough to take control of the family fortune. Unsure but trusting her father's judgment she consents to the terms and makes her way to Bartram-Haugh where she will live with a man of whom she knows very little. Rumored to have lived a troubled youth Silas has supposedly found religion but the recent suicide of a man to whom Silas owed money casts doubts on his intentions and unsettles young Maud. Nevertheless she soon grows accustomed to life at his estate befriending Silas's daughter Millicent. When Dudley her cousin begins to court her Maud first denies his advances before seeking her uncle's advice. The family soon discovers that Dudley has been married all along and he is banished from Bartram-Haugh leaving Maud in peace for a time. Soon however Millicent is sent away to France to attend school leaving Maud at the estate on her own. Only slightly comforted by Silas's promise to reunite the two cousins as soon as he can Maud waits for the day of her journey altogether unaware of the plot unfolding right before her eyes. <I>Uncle Silas</I> is a masterful novel of mystery and suspense from Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu an important pioneer of Gothic horror.</p><p>With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript this edition of Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu's <I>Uncle Silas</I> is a classic of Irish literature reimagined for modern readers.</p>