Happy October! This is my favorite month/ season, so I want to celebrate it with a series of book recommendations to get you in the spooky spirit. Starting with one of my favorite categories: gothic!
What is a Gothic Story?
The gothic genre has been around since 1764 with the publication of Horace Walpol’s The Castle of Ontranto. Since then, it’s become a popular genre in Victorian literature, appealing to the likes of Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, Emily Bronte, and Edgar Allen Poe.
Since then, it’s been split into several sub-genres, like gothic horror, gothic romance, and gothic mystery.
Key Elements of a Gothic Story
To identify a gothic story, ask yourself this:
- Is it set in a dark, isolated place?
- Is the foreshadowing in the style of omens, curses, nightmares, etc.?
- Is there a battle between humanity and the forces of evil (either supernatural or man-made)?
- Does the main hero gradually fall into madness or gain a sense of overwhelming doom?
- Is there a damsel in distress?
If so, congrats! You’re reading a gothic story.
There are more to a good gothic novel, obviously, but these are your basic elements. If you’d like to learn more, check out this incredible article from Invaluable.
My Favorite Gothic Books
And now, for the moment you’ve all been waiting for: my favorite books in the gothic genre.
Dracula by Bram Stoker
A classic for a reason! If you can, get the new annotated version (pictured here). It has all the original text, footnotes, and more.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
One of my all-time favorites! It’s a great place to begin on your gothic journey- it has forbidden love, madness, and a great sense of loneliness.
The Silk Vendetta by Victoria Holt
Anything by Victoria Holt, really, but this one is among the top! It’s got romance, murder, classism, fashion, and more.
The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allen Poe
A short story from one of the greatest gothic writers that contains humanity’s desperate attempt to hide from the inevitable.
Other options from Poe are The Tell-Tale Heart, The Pit and the Pendulum, and the Fall of the House of Usher.
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
A wild book from start to finish. Not my first thought when it comes to gothic, but it definitely has the qualities later on.
The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
The musical has NOTHING on the book! It’s dark, gritty, and full of twist and turns.
Those are my recommendations! I’ve read them all (and some more than once), and they’re a great way to get into the spooky spirit! If gothic isn’t your thing, check in next week for my list of favorite ghost stories!
What is your favorite gothic story? Let me know in the comments!
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