The Children of the Abbey is a novel by the Irish romantic novelist Regina Maria Roche. It first appeared in 1796, in London in 4 volumes, and related the tale of Amanda and Oscar Fitzalan, two siblings robbed of their rightful inheritance by a forged will. The book contains many standard Gothic elements (old mansions, a haunted abbey) in the context of a sentimental novel.

Roche’s third novel, it was a major commercial success, remaining in print for most of the 19th century.

The Children of the Abbey was mentioned in Jane Austen’s popular novel Emma, in Emily Climbs by L. M. Montgomery, and in ‘Arabella’ by Georgette Heyer. It is also referenced in the artículo costumbrista “El casarse pronto y mal” by the Spanish Romantic Mariano José de Larra, 1832.

Considered one of the pillars of Gothic Literature, this is an affordable 19th century edition.

Hardcover. 1st Hurst Edition. VG/ no dj as issued- Original publishers brick embossed cloth with gold gilt box and brown title on spine-some light rubbing at extremities, but solid and square- 629pp toned but clean, no tears or writing, no library nor owner plates. Attractive copy of rare edition.