![]() A number of these luminaries appear in this collection. It as though this fluid and unrestricted format allowed them to let their dark imaginations flow free. Many famous authors have contributed to the Gothic scene over the years. This brief entry is redolent with atmosphere and pure Gothic elements: ‘a large antique mansion’, isolated and derelict, the tolling of the bell in the deserted tower and the strange coffin that contains a living corpse. The set commences with a titillating entrée: ‘Sir Bertrand: A Fragrance’ (1773) by Anna Letitia Aiken. The Wordsworth collection of Gothic Short Stories has tales that run from the onset of the genre up to the early days of the twentieth century. There is a dark honesty about the true Gothic tale its purpose is to lead to dank, shady places, enmesh you in its dusty embrace and then frighten the hell out of you. When you pick up one of these stories you enter the realm of the unknown where anything can happen. Other writers inspired by this darkly flamboyant tale took it as a template for their own work in this new genre.Īs time moved on the Gothic style diversified somewhat, encompassing the now more familiar form of ghost and horror stories, but always maintaining the elements of strangeness, violence and shock. The first Gothic novel was Horace Walpole’s The Castle of Otranto (1764), which tells the story of Manfred, the prince of Otranto, who is keen to secure the castle for his descendants in the face of a mysterious curse. Originally, Gothic narratives usually took place in remote castles, dungeons and mountainous regions and the plots hinged on suspense and mystery, involving the fantastic and the supernatural. They were written as a reaction to the sedate, undramatic tales of the Age of Reason. Originally, it referred to stories which were wild, barbarous and chillingly strange. The term ‘Gothic’ as applied to literature first came into use in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. However, in terms of the tone, the supernatural elements and a focus on darker aspects of life, it’s clear why these novels fall under the classification of “Gothic novels.David Stuart Davies looks at our collection of chilling tales from a genre now in its fourth century. Additionally, the issues that Southern Gothic novels explore typically grapple with a different set of social issues than “traditional” Gothic novels and have cultural characteristics that are reflexive of the American South. ![]() Southern Gothic literature typically to replaces the euro-centric elements of traditionally Gothic writing like castles and maidens and replaces them with American Southern elements like farmhouses, churches, small town lawyers or the local drunkard. Southern Gothic literature is a sub-genre of the Gothic novel. ![]() There’s also generally a reliance on supernatural or unusual events to guide the plot. It’s a genre typified by heightened emotions, often with an air of sexuality or romance as well. Gothic novels typically dabble with darker elements, like horror, death or the macabre. This list is divided into the following categories:įor a quick primer on the Gothic genre and Southern Gothic sub-genre: What are Gothic Novels? The list below encompasses a variety of Gothic books, short stories and novellas, both modern and classic, and includes Southern Gothic novels as well. Gothic novels are notable for their overwrought drama, dark corridors, mysterious locales and eerie atmospheres. 100 Best Gothic Books and Stories (of All Time)īy Jennifer Marie Lin on Aug 26th, 2020 (Last Updated Oct 7th, 2020)
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |