Goth Chic: A Connoisseur's Guide to Dark Culture

by Gavin Baddeley

Due to its passionate, extreme aesthetic, Goth culture remains both vibrant and vibrantly loved, and continually inspires new developments in pop culture. Both a starting place for newcomers and a source of incisive insights for veterans, Goth Chic examines this dark culture from multiple angles. Each chapter of this lavishly illustrated guide dissects a distinct aspect of the Goth genre, including movies, music, books, graphic novels, and more. Written by an official representative of the Church of Satan, Goth Chic is an insider's view of a fascinating realm.

Genres: Nonfiction, Goth, Music, Gothic, Pop Culture, Art, Fashion

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A surprisingly entertaining glimpse to the goth culture, and a good Finnish translation. Although being the nitpick I am, I disagreed with some language choices, but that is just me not being able to switch off my work brain even when I read for pleasure.

Not sure I learned much from reading this, however. That is the main issue I have with it. Almost all the stuff about movies, series, sex and clothes was something I knew already. Actually most of it was stuff I had learned even before I was interested in the goth culture in the first place: I just happened to like the same stuff as goths did. Never really dressed like one, however. I dabbled, but that was it.

The thing I DID learn was the history of gothic music. Some band names I recognized, most I did not. And none seemed interesting enough to test, so I'm not sure this worked as it should've. Ah well, at least I can say "I know the name" the next time someone talks about some old school classic goth rock band...

All in all I'd say the book in itself would maybe work better for someone who knows nearly nothing about the scene, but I'm not sure why someone like that would even bother picking up this book. For me personally the thing that made it interesting was the writing style and the translation that only made me cringe because of a few typographic choices rather than because of being a horrible excuse for a Finnish translation (a feat way too rare nowadays).

[Scott Holstad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is a gem, an invaluable resource of things and categories Goth-related that even older Goth "veterans" like myself will find interesting new facts, histories, and recommendations of some seminal rarities I feel quite lucky to know about now. I mean, there's a short-but excellent section on Goth classical music, especially pre-twentieth century that I knew nothing about. Some reviewers complain there's insufficient information on contemporary Goth music, typically thought to have been fathered by Bauhaus -- as everyone knows. Two comments: 1) This isn't an encyclopedia nor does it pass itself off as focusing extensively on every major Goth band since the late 1970s. There are already good books that do that and that isn't this book's focus, nor does it purport to be. 2) The author did serious research for this book in basically every category covered, and traces the first Goth rock album/Goth to a surprising artist who preceded Bauhaus by a good half dozen years. The actual beginning of the movement traced to one early 1970s album, to someone who gets NO credit for shit. That type of information is what sets this apart from other books on Goths or Goth music. And obviously not only is music addressed here, but Goth literature (besides the obvious), the huge influence of early German cinema, a bit about clothing, comic books, and more. As someone who has been into the Goth scene and/or music for well over 30 years, I thought I knew all. I was dead wrong. This is an excellent resource for those interested in Goth of ANY age. I learned about films, novels, bands, and composers I'm grateful to have been introduced to now, even in my older years. You may think you've heard it all or read it all, but you're wrong. I was glad to find out I was wrong. This is definitely for a niche market, but I can't recommend it more strongly. A must for any Goth's bookshelves. Definitely recommended.

[Eileanór Bláth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think a more appropriate subtitle would be "a connoisseur's guide to stupid movies about zombies". There's almost nothing about literature, or the actual subculture, and the chapter about music is ridiculously short and incomplete. Money wasted.

[Alice · Rating 2 out of 5]

Puh, das hier ist schwierig ...
Wenn du ein Buch suchst, dass dir die Gothic Szene erklärt und näher bringt: Ne, lass bleiben.
Wenn du ein Buch suchst, das dir schaurige Bücher und Filme (chronologisch sortiert) aufzählt und ... beschreibt, dann kannst du dir dieses Buch durchaus holen. Zeitgenössische Musik (nur GB und Amerika) wird auch aufgezählt und ... beschrieben. Der Autor hat für dieses Werk wohl nur bis ins Jahr 2000 recherchiert. Bands wie VNV Nation ("aufsteigender Stern") und Apoptygma Berzerk sind ihm nur eine kleine Randnotiz wert, "aktuelle" Horrorfilme und Bücher (z. B. von Stephen King, der fehlt komplett, wird nur drei mal zitiert!) tauchen nicht auf.
Es ist schon verwirrend und hält nicht das, was man erwartet.

Ich werde es wohl wieder zum Erschlagen von Spinnen benutzen

[Katelen · Rating 3 out of 5]

While interesting at first, it gets painfully obvious that the main attraction for the novel is the in-depth exploration of music (especially music from the 60's and 70's). I felt like every chapter except that one left me craving for the details and wanting less of the snide opinionated comments by the author.

Useful reference book for a specific look at goth music and some culture, but not for the things that I was more interested in learning about (literature, movies, and fashion. They are included, but were not that explored.)

[Satu Ylävaara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gavin Baddeleyn Goth chic - johdatus pimeän puolen estetiikkaan -kirjaan kannattee tarttua törpöstä nimestä huolimatta - alkuperäinen koko oli suurempi, kuin Virginillä kirjaa katsoin, joten kuvat olivat isompia... ja kansi oli vanhemman goottilaisen kaavan mukaan hämärine nurkkineen ja kynttelikköineen. Oli jo aikakin suomentaa tämä vuonna 2005 tämä jo vuonna 2002 julkaistu kirja.

[Nina Misson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thorough, well researched (and backed up with sources and literature) and exquisitely written. It's something I'll definitely be coming back to.

[Rāsa-saranī dāsī · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very complete guide explaining this subculture. I loved it!

[Mauro Aguilar · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most amazing books I ever read. A required classic.

[RecensioniVere · Rating 5 out of 5]

A landmark work that explores Goth culture in all its facets, from music to literature, fashion to cinema, rituals and worldviews. An in-depth analysis that challenges prejudices and offers a nuanced view of this fascinating movement.

Short: https://youtube.com/shorts/MJY17DXPm2U

He will later publish an in-depth study about fashion:

[Isorgu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was definitely great.

[Kaarne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unlike the name Goth Chic would suggest this book is not a style or how-to-be guide. Baddeley walks the reader through the history of the Gothic subculture with a heavy emphasis on the media that often goes with it, from classic Gothic literature to comics and from German Expressionist horror films to Tim Burton. Naturally music takes up a good chunk of the book as well. The one chapter focusing on fashion is rather short and for the most part details the history and influences of the archetypal Goth style.

Goth Chic is an interesting and entertaining read, Baddeley obviously knows the subject well and often delivers his facts with a wry, witty sort of humor. While it may not provide any new information to those already more or less well-acquainted with the subject it should still be fun enough to pick up at least once.

[Leonardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite an intelligente, passionate and comprehensive look into Goth: a must read for Goths and anyone wanting to understand Goth beyond sterotypes. Baddeley covers everything from gothic literature, to horror movies, comics, and tv series, before even beginning to make a history of late 20th-century and early 21st-century Goth pop culture... and that is a welcome change from studies and chronicles which start usually move the other way around. Lavishly illustrated, its prose is quite passionate and enrapturing. My one complaint is the excessive emphasis on "transgression for transgression's sake".

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most in depth books about the goth subculture outside of academic literature. This book offers information about many semi-obscure books and movies that every goth should check out. Virtually every element of goth culture is touched upon. While goths in their thirties may not find too much new information, those in their late teens and twenties can find this book useful and entertaining.

Be forewarned, not all of the material in this book is suitable for younger readers so parents shouldn't get this book for their tweenage children.

[Laura Morrigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was clearly written by one who understands the intricacies of gothic culture and influences. Lots of detail and information. A useful text. I was pleased that it covered classical music. It was divided well into chapters that traced various aspects, such as literature, music and movies, separately in a chronological way. This is a good and informative book for anyone seeking to learn more about the origins of gothic culture. It is good that it was written by someone who understands it, not someone who doesn't and has to interview random strangers, as some other books seem to do.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just remebered this book,it's one I read ages back and is well worth a re-read, it looks at the Gothic influence as much in the context of film and literature as much as music and is a fascinating run through genres and sub genres..though I suspect other genres possibly exist now.
Fine photos throughout to illustrate points and interesting opinions on the birth of the 'Goth' sound citing the Doors as a strong possibility.
A fine read

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. It was a really interesting look into a Sub-culture that I didn't know that much about. Everything from film to books was covered. The book kept my attention and I've whipped through it several times now, never gets old.

[Claudia]

i want this one! if anyone has it i will but it!

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book if you are a fan of Gothic culture. I'm going to go through it again and use it as an A to Z guide of Gothic music, literature, theatre etc. It's absolutely worth buying.

[Matti Karjalainen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vähän sillisalaattimainen opus goottikulttuurista ja siihen nivoutuvista asioista kuten elokuvista, musiikista ja pukeutumisesta.

[Molly Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book!

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly thorough and comprehensive. The author's tendency to overuse the word disingenuous, stood out to me. Interestinglyhe spelt Siouxsie's name Siouxsie Sue, which I'd never seen before.

[Charlotte Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have learned a lot! I already read/listened to a number of the artists listed in this book, but it was interesting to see how each thing inspired the next over centuries.