Gothicked (Gothic Novel Lovers) discussion
General
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Welcome and introductions
Louiz wrote: "Hello Everyone,I'm really pleased to find this group, I love gothic fiction, and am currently working my way through my Barbara Michaels collection (and adding them as I go to my Goodreads books)..."
Hi Louiz! I go through my "lurk" and "de-lurk" moods, so I know what you're talking about. I have enjoyed Barbara Michaels for a long time. Glad she was so prolific. Wish she would write a recent gothic, but it looks like Amelia Peabody is a fixture with her lately.
ToniS wrote: "Hi. I'm Toni. I'm slowly working my way through Mary Stewart books. I've also read a lot of Daphne du Maurier and I love Sarah Waters. I'm lukewarm on Kate Morton. I'm always looking for a new auth..."Hi ToniS! I really enjoyed Morton's The Forgotten Garden, but didn't much like The Distant Hours.
The House at Riverton ended up being shelved as "did-not-finish", so I can understand your feelings about her. I think she's a good writer, but her work needs more editing, IMO.
Mod
Hello Louiz and ToniS :)
I am, too. I've read Sarah Waters, Marty Stewart, Victoria Holt, and Daphne du Maurier. But I have many more to enjoy down the road.
Hi Hannah, thanks for the welcome. I grew up reading Gothic-genre authors such as Dorothy Daniels, Marilyn Ross and Marilyn Harris. I like Victoria Holt, too. One of my favorites is "Ghost Song" by Dorothy Daniels and I adore the Dark Shadows series of pocket books by Marilyn Ross (aka Dan Curtis). "Bledding Sorrow" by Marilyn Harris ranks at the top of my list for all-time best books, not just Gothic. I've never read Sarah Waters or Marty Stewart, but I'll definitely check them out now! :)
Deidre wrote: "Hi Hannah, thanks for the welcome. I grew up reading Gothic-genre authors such as Dorothy Daniels, Marilyn Ross and Marilyn Harris. I like Victoria Holt, too. One of my favorites is "Ghost Song" by..."Those writers aren't familiar to me. I'm going to go check them out right now. Thanks for the new leads!
EDIT: I'm back from looking up these writers on Goodreads. How on earth did I never read any Dorothy Daniels?? The publication dates put her books right around the time I was just getting into reading gothics, and the covers really take me back (so evocative - lol!).
Would you say that of the ones of hers you've read that Ghost Song is one of her better ones? I'll look for a copy off Paperbackswap.com.
Mod
Hello Deidre, Lisa, Toni, and Hannah:All of you have such a wealth of information in this area. I never read Dorothy Daniels, Marilyn Ross, or Marilyn Harris. So thanks for the information. Has anyone here ever read Anna Jacobs? I bought a used copy and can't wait to get started. Although, I am way behind in my reading. When I get busy writing, I always seem to fall behind in my reading. Thanks again.
Jill wrote: "Hello Deidre, Lisa, Toni, and Hannah:All of you have such a wealth of information in this area. I never read Dorothy Daniels, Marilyn Ross, or Marilyn Harris. So thanks for the information. Has a..."
Hi Jill!
I looked up Anna Jacobs. Is this her? Salem Street.
If so, it looks like you're in for a historical fiction treat. Let us know how you like one of her books.
Lisa wrote: "I have read one of Dorothy Daniels or twenty pages of it-- Mystic Manor-- (and reviewed it briefly here and on Gothicked), and I didn't care for it. :) I need to pick up some others when I stumble ..."Bummer on Mystic Manor (I'll not pick that one at Paperbackswap.com). I usually try to give authors another chance, unless I can tell that their writing style just isn't for me.
And yes, doncha love those covers? Looking at them took me back!
Here's a link to a listing of all Dorothy Daniels' titles: http://www.romancewiki.com/Dorothy_Da....I think "Mystic Manor" is one of the few Daniels' books I haven't read. Aside from "Ghost Song," other goodies are "The Tormented," "The Raging Waters," "Island of Bitter Memories" and the list goes on. Most of the books are written in first person, which not everyone likes, including me. But it somehow works in the Daniels' books!
:)
Lisa wrote: "I agree with you, Hannah and Toni. Morton is wordy or gets bogged down in subplots (maybe), but I think she's trying to do a women's fiction and gothic romance thing. It's tough to do both. :) I st..."The thing is with Kate Morton is that I find the first third of the books really intriguing. There was a spot in The Distant Hours that I got goosebumps and thought it was SO good. Then it's all kind of downhill from there. The resolutions at the ends of the books are just so far-fetched and melodramatic, you know? She's got smart beginnings, but silly endings.
I also don't like her flash back and forward device. Although I just finished The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley and that worked really well in her book.
Mod
The Winter Sea was really good. I'm trying to hunt down some of her older books. They're hard to find!
ToniS wrote: "The Winter Sea was really good. I'm trying to hunt down some of her older books. They're hard to find!"Kearsley is probably my favorite "new" writer since I can no longer read anything new from Mary Stewart or M.M. Kaye. I love her writing style. Mariana and The Shadowy Horses are easier to find then The Splendour Falls (that one took me FOREVER to track down!).
Totally agree with you about Morton. :)
Hi. My name is Tara. I have been reading Victoria Holt since highschool. I am looking forward to reading some books from other authors.
Tara wrote: "Hi. My name is Tara. I have been reading Victoria Holt since highschool. I am looking forward to reading some books from other authors."Hi and welcome, Tara! I enjoyed VH in high school as well, and need to do some re-reading of her (it's looooong over due). Do you have some other favorite gothic authors or books?
Hannah wrote: "Tara wrote: "Hi. My name is Tara. I have been reading Victoria Holt since highschool. I am looking forward to reading some books from other authors."Hi and welcome, Tara! I enjoyed VH in hig..."
Well, only some books under her other pen names. Who do you. like?
I'm partial to Monica Heath and Florence Hurd for straight up gothics. For romantic suspense I adore Mary Stewart, Daphne duMaurier and M.M. Kaye. Barbara Michaels and Barbara Erskine both write some really good spooky/supernatural suspense. And my favorite new writer is Susanna Kearsley, who comes the closest to Mary Stewart-style of romantic suspense.
Hi, I'm Veronica. The first gothic novel I ever read was Victoria Holt's "King of the Castle". I love her. After I read her books, I moved on to Madeline Brent. Who I also love. I've read tons more since then tho.Can't wait to find new authors. Or rediscover old ones.
Veronica wrote: "Hi, I'm Veronica. The first gothic novel I ever read was Victoria Holt's "King of the Castle". I love her. After I read her books, I moved on to Madeline Brent. Who I also love. I've read tons mor..."Welcome Veronica! I read my first Brent this year (Moonraker's Bride) and loved it! Don't know how I missed this author back in the day, but plan on finding and reading more. Holt is definitely a writer who many of us started our gothic journey from :)
Glad you found us.
Hi I'm Sarah. I haven't read many Gothic novels yet, (only Wuthering Heights and Frankenstein if they count) but I loved them and wanted to join a group who could give me some great recommendations! I can't wait to start reading from the bookshelf.
Sarah wrote: "Hi I'm Sarah. I haven't read many Gothic novels yet, (only Wuthering Heights and Frankenstein if they count) but I loved them and wanted to join a group who could give me some great recommendati..."
Hi Sarah, and welcome! Our bookshelf is stuffed with some good reads. All kinds of gothic/githic-style literature. Come back and tell us what you liked!
Mare wrote: "I need some recommendations too =)"Glad you found us, Mare! Go to the group bookshelves (we've got plenty of goodreads there). Hope you find some books that interest you. Let us know your thoughts!
Hello! My name is Lesley and I love to read many different genres of books, but Gothic romance novels are my favorite. Victoria Holt is the best, in my opinion, and I am currently re-reading as many of her books as possible. I read them all back in high school in the 80's, and they are just as wonderful the second time around. I am so happy that there are others out there who love Gothic romance.
Lesley wrote: "Hello! My name is Lesley and I love to read many different genres of books, but Gothic romance novels are my favorite. Victoria Holt is the best, in my opinion, and I am currently re-reading as man..."Welcome Lesley! I'll bet Victoria Holt would be happy to know her books are still loved by gothic fans. She was certainly one of the more prolific pioneers of the genre.
I've loved these books for years. Happy to have found a group to find more recommendations. I just finished "House of the Pines" by Jan Tempest. Great read.
Neal wrote: "I've loved these books for years. Happy to have found a group to find more recommendations. I just finished "House of the Pines" by Jan Tempest. Great read."Welcome Neal! Glad you found us. I've never heard of Jan Tempest. I'm going to have to look her up.
:)
EDIT:
Ooohhh, the blurb sounds very, very gothic-y- LOL!
Hi! I'm Christine, also known as Fiddlette...my designer handle...I discovered the Gothicked blog and then ended up over here...I am obsessed by the gothics my grandma and mother read when i was a kid...you know the ones in the 60's and 70's with the beautiful lady running away from the castle? yep...those...and still love them
My first gothics read as a kid were The House of a Thousand Lanterns by Victoria Holt and Jane Eyre...I was sold!
I'm as much obsessed by covers of old gothics as I am by reading them...they just enchant me! :)
So happy to have discovered this group!
Veronica wrote: "Hi, I'm Veronica. The first gothic novel I ever read was Victoria Holt's "King of the Castle". I love her. After I read her books, I moved on to Madeline Brent. Who I also love. I've read tons mor..."Veronica...thanks for the suggestion...i'm also a VH fan, and if you love Brent that much, then I think I may like her too! Will look for something right away! :)
Christine wrote: "Hi! I'm Christine, also known as Fiddlette...my designer handle...I discovered the Gothicked blog and then ended up over here...I am obsessed by the gothics my grandma and mother read when i was ..."
Welcome Christine! I also love all those old "woman-fleeing-from-dark-castle-except-for-one-lit-window" gothics :D
Victoria Hold was an early favorite of many of us. What other gothic authors and/or books are favorites of yours?
Hannah, I've been reading all the Mary Stewart's and some of the Phyllis Whitney's, who were along with VH, both favorites of my grandma's and my great grandaunt's I also read Anya Seton's Dragonwyck recently when I read about it on Lisa's blog...fabulous read! and now I'm plowing through all her books, although they are not all gothic, she is a good writer.
I think my #1 favorite gothic of all time is Jane Eyre...and I recently saw Wide Sargasso Sea the recently filmed version and thought it was fab...i might read that as a counterpoint to Jane Eyre...
I have several authors on my list to read in future...like Joan Aiken, and I'm thinking of trying Virgina Coffman...really, whatever I pick up for cheap that catches my fancy, lol!
Christine wrote: "Hannah, I've been reading all the Mary Stewart's and some of the Phyllis Whitney's, who were along with VH, both favorites of my grandma's and my great grandaunt's I also read Anya Seton's Dragon..."
Yep, you're a true gothic fan alright! Stewart is a particular favorite of mine, and I'm with you on loving Jane Eyre. Wasn't a fan of Wide Sargasso Sea, however - too weird for me :)
I've never read any Joan Aiken to my knowledge, but have sampled Coffman loooong ago. Which Aiken is your favorite? I'll try to find at my library to sample her.
oh which is your favorite Stewart? She is amazing...I adored 9 coaches, was blown away by The Ivy Tree...but my personal favorite, and I'm not sure why I loved it so much, actually, but I just did...was Madam Will you Talk...The only ones I have left to read now are:
Touch Not The Cat
The Gabriel Hounds
Thunder on the Right
Airs Above the Ground
And then I will have read all her suspense novels...woot!
My favorite Whitney was Sea Jade, but I admit to reading Black Amber twice....:)
Joan Aiken is new to me...I have yet to dig into her books...but will let you know when I do!! :)
Christine wrote: "oh which is your favorite Stewart? She is amazing...."As to Stewart, my favorites of her suspense novels is
Wildfire at Midnight and This Rough Magic, but they are all darn good, and it's hard to pick favorites, isn't it?
But my very favorite Stewart book of all (and one of my favorite books of all time) is one of her "cottage" books: Thornyhold.
If ever a book spoke to my heart, that one does :)
I will remember that...I was hesitant to try her cottage books...thanks for the recommendation! :)
Christine wrote: "I will remember that...I was hesitant to try her cottage books...thanks for the recommendation! :)"You're welcome. I hope you'll enjoy them :D
I just joined Goodreads this summer & have really enjoyed reading all the reviews, etc. I was so pleased to find this group of one of my favorite genres in fiction!I added Bellwood by Elisabeth Ogilvie as I didn't see any of hers on the list. I really enjoyed it a few years ago.
I was first introduced to gothic suspense in a cozy little used bookshop in Cocoa Beach, Fla as a young teen. Every summer my mom, cousins, and I came out of that shop with a huge stack of gothic paperbacks....my daddy just shook his head and smiled! He knew it wasn't a good idea to mess with book lovers!Unfortunately, years later I got rid of many of those books...I now regret it so much as I've been drawn back into reading this genre for the last couple of years. I am however enjoying scouring Goodwills, etc. with much success to replenish my library with these gothic gems.
A few of my favorites....
Phyllis Whitney
Anne Maybury
Velda Johnston
and of course...
Rebecca
Wuthering Heights
Jane Eyre
Lora wrote: "I just joined Goodreads this summer & have really enjoyed reading all the reviews, etc. I was so pleased to find this group of one of my favorite genres in fiction!..."Welcome to the group, Lora! We're glad you found us. It appears the gothic community is larger then previously thought :)
Hmmm, Elizabeth Ogilvie. The name sounds familiar - I'll have to check. Anne Maybury I just discovered this year - she's got a good descriptive sense of place.
Thanks Hannah! I discovered Elisabeth Ogilvie at my local library, but I've only read Bellwood. I just discovered Anne Maybury this summer...I read Whisper in the Dark on the beach & really enjoyed it.I'm pretty conservative and love that these older gothics have minimal bad language, etc.
Lora wrote: "Thanks Hannah! I discovered Elisabeth Ogilvie at my local library, but I've only read Bellwood. I just discovered Anne Maybury this summer...I read Whisper in the Dark on the beach..."I'm with you on the language, sex, etc. Ugly words or in-your-face graphic sex don't make a good read, although sometimes I think I'm in the minority with the craze that erotica lit. generates.
Give me a well written, descriptive and well characterized book any day. My own imagination will take care of the sex scenes...
:D
The 2 Maybury's I've read are:
- Very enjoyable
- decent, but lacked characterization
I am thrilled that I found this group. I love gothics. My favorite authors are Madeleine Brent, Mary Stewart, Phyllis Whitney, and Victoria Holt. I like the old fashioned feel of the gothic books. Hannah/Lora, I agree with you about the sex, language, etc.
Julie wrote: "I am thrilled that I found this group. I love gothics. My favorite authors are Madeleine Brent, Mary Stewart, Phyllis Whitney, and Victoria Holt. I like the old fashioned feel of the gothic book..."Hi Julie, and welcome! Nice to *see* another face in this group :)
I discovered Madeleine Brent this year with Moonraker's Bride and I LOVED it to bits. I can't believe he (yes, Madeleine was actually a man) escaped my attention for over 30 years!
The old-fashioned quality (not just in time period, morals, etc.) but in writing style is what I like as well.
I just discovered Madeleine Brent this year and have read all of his books. Moonraker's Bride was my favorite, but they were all good!
Glad I'm not the only one who wants to read "clean" books! Moonraker's Bride sounds good...just added it to my to-read shelf. I don't think I've heard of this author either. Thanks Hannah & Julie! Also, Hannah, I will add Dark Star to my to-read shelf :)
Lora wrote: "Glad I'm not the only one who wants to read "clean" books! Moonraker's Bride sounds good...just added it to my to-read shelf. I don't think I've heard of this author either...."I think you'll love Moonraker's Bride. It really surprised me how good a gothic a man could write - lol! Let us know what you think of it (and Dark Star) once you read them.
Gothicked (Gothic Novel Lovers)
Books mentioned in this topic
Bride of Pendorric (other topics)Always in August (other topics)
Augusta, the First (other topics)
Nightmare in July (other topics)
Murmurs of Evil (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Barbara Erskine (other topics)Victoria Holt (other topics)
Mary Stewart (other topics)
Barbara Erskine (other topics)
Anne Maybury (other topics)
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Hi Deidre, and welcome. Do you have any favorite gothic novels you'd recommend to the group? I'm partial to Mary Stewart, Monica Heath and Florence Hurd.