Gothicked (Gothic Novel Lovers) discussion
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Welcome and introductions
Merlin's Keep was very good. The thing that I like so much about Madeleine Brent is that each book is so different. They may all have the same theme but different locations and adventures. Tregaron's Daughter was another favorite of mine.
Julie wrote: "Merlin's Keep was very good. The thing that I like so much about Madeleine Brent is that each book is so different. They may all have the same theme but different locations and adventures. Treg..."Sounds excellent! Can't wait to find and read these.
Yep, Marlin's Keep is definitely my favourite, though all are very good - haven't read A Heritage of Shadows in so long, lent my copy to someone in the 90s and never got it back, have never seen a copy since then either.Keep looking out for it - will get it again one day.
Hannah,I see that you enjoyed The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. My MIL loaned me that book and I have not read it yet. She also loaned me the Distant Hours. I got to page 70 and stopped on that one. Was The Forgotten Garden difficult for you to get interested in?
Julie wrote: "Hannah,I see that you enjoyed The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. My MIL loaned me that book and I have not read it yet. She also loaned me the Distant Hours. I got to page 70 and stopped on t..."
Hi Julie,
I really enjoyed The Forgotten Garden and didn't find it difficult to immerse myself in. However, like you, I didn't care for The Distant Hours. I finished it, but thought it was too wordy and "tried too hard" (if that makes any sense).
The House at Riverton was a Morton book that I couldn't finish. Didn't like it at all. So I've really only liked 1 out of 3 Morton books. That being said, I'll still try the next one she comes out with, because I do like her style of writing.
Since The Forgotten Garden is a loaner, I would recommend you give it a try. Can't hurt, right?
Hannah,Thanks for the info. Yes, I will give The Forgotten Garden a try.
Hannah wrote: "Pamela(AllHoney) wrote: "I read a bunch of Phyllis A Whitney and Victoria Holt but never read Mary Stewart for some reason..."
I think Mary Stewart is the Queen of gothic/romantic suspense. Che..."
Oh, I agree! I was just thinking about reading one of her books again.
I think Mary Stewart is the Queen of gothic/romantic suspense. Che..."
Oh, I agree! I was just thinking about reading one of her books again.
Alice wrote: Oh, I agree! I was just thinking about reading one of her books again...."Do you have a favorite Stewart book Alice?
It would be her Merlin trilogy and I like the first one best which is The Hollow Hills. Hope you can find a copy.
Do you have a favorite Stewart book Alice?"
The Hollow HillsThe Crystal CaveThe Last Enchantment
Do you have a favorite Stewart book Alice?"
The Hollow HillsThe Crystal CaveThe Last Enchantment
Alice wrote: "It would be her Merlin trilogy and I like the first one best which is The Hollow Hills. Hope you can find a copy.Do you have a favorite Stewart book Alice?"
The Hollow Hills..."</i>
I've got all three, and they have been dearly loved and read over the past 30 years :)
It is time for a re-read, though, I think.
When I get in an "Authurian mood", I try to cover the following:
1. Mary Stewart's Merlin trilogy
2. [book:The Mists of Avalon - I like the female perspective.
3. Idylls of the King - I'm generally not big on poetry, but this is one of my favorite Authurian stories.
Hi Everyone. I'm happy to find this group. My all-time favorite author is Barbara Michaels/Elizabeth Peters. I've also enjoyed Mary Stewart, Phyllis Whitney, Victoria Holt, Daphne du Maurier and several other gothic authors over the years but haven't read any of them in quite a while. I've been planning on re-reading Mary Stewart's books and am looking forward to the discussion here about other gothic authors.
Jackie wrote: "Hi Everyone. I'm happy to find this group. My all-time favorite author is Barbara Michaels/Elizabeth Peters. I've also enjoyed Mary Stewart, Phyllis Whitney, Victoria Holt, Daphne du Maurier and se..."Glad you found us Jackie! Sounds like the majority of us cut our gothic "teeth" on Victoria Holt, Mary Stewart, etc. Do you have a particular favorite book?
Thanks, Hannah! It's hard to pick a favorite but I think it would be Ammie, Come Home by Barbara Michaels. I also loved Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca.
Jackie wrote: "Thanks, Hannah! It's hard to pick a favorite but I think it would be Ammie, Come Home by Barbara Michaels. I also loved Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca."Ammie, Come Home is probably my favorite Michaels, too. After countless readings, I still get creeped out by it.
You can't go wrong with Rebecca either, which is one of the best books there is IMO. I'm slowly working my way through all of duMaurier's works, and Rebecca is still my favorite.
Have you tried any by Barbara Erskine? She can be hit or miss, but of you enjoy creepy, there's nothing better then her book: House of Echoes.
I haven't read any by Barbara Erskine. Thanks for the recommendation. I will add her to my TBR list. I don't believe I've read The House on the Strand either so I've added it also. Thanks, Hannah and Alice!
I'm a gothic novel fan because I love the whole genre!
I also wrote a gothic romance novel, The House on Blackstone Moor.
Writing the sequel now.
I actually found this group because a reader asked me to recommend more books like mine!
i'm going to tell her to join this group!
I'm a transplanted American who resides in England by marriage. I don't think there is a more interesting genre than gothic romance!
I also wrote a gothic romance novel, The House on Blackstone Moor.
Writing the sequel now.
I actually found this group because a reader asked me to recommend more books like mine!
i'm going to tell her to join this group!
I'm a transplanted American who resides in England by marriage. I don't think there is a more interesting genre than gothic romance!
It's so nice to hear that gothic romance is alive and well.
Thanks Dianna!
Thanks Dianna!
Hi, I'm Marta Acosta, and I'm an author with a YA Gothic coming out next year. I read Victoria Holt when I was a kid -- don't know where I found the books. More recently I discovered Barbara Michaels' books in the library. I'm easily frightened and they're just spooky enough for me. My favorite contemporary gothic writer is Sarah Waters, who's amazing. Fingersmith is my favorite. Jane Eyre was the first gothic novel I read and holds a special place for me.
I'm always looking for more contemporary gothics, and I'm glad to see that some are being published. Leanna Renee Hieber's written lovely romantic gothics.
Lisa wrote: "Hi, Stacie. Glad you're here! Barbara Michaels is probably my favorite author of all of my favorites. ;)"I love that Michaels always has a cat in her stories, as well as information about how people lived (like her novel about the wedding quilt).
Hello, I'm Ariel. I loved gothic novels in my teens. I love how atmospheric they are. I loved Victoria Holt and Mary Stewart. I remember the Phyllis Whitney's Window on the Square to this day. I am checking out that blog too! I am glad to be here!
A.F. wrote: "Hello, I'm Ariel. I loved gothic novels in my teens. I love how atmospheric they are. I loved Victoria Holt and Mary Stewart. I remember the Phyllis Whitney's Window on the Square to this day. ..."Welcome A.F.! Glad you found us. Isn't it funny how most of us came to the gothic genre in our teen years.
Marta wrote: "Hi, I'm Marta Acosta, and I'm an author with a YA Gothic coming out next year. I read Victoria Holt when I was a kid -- don't know where I found the books. More recently I discovered Barbara Michae..."Hi Marta! Sorry it took so long to welcome you.
Barbara Michaels is great, isn't she? Have you read Ammie, Come Home ? That books gives me the serious willies :) And yes, her love of felines is one of the things I like about her books, also.
Is your YA gothic listed on Goodreads yet? what's it called?
Hannah wrote: "Marta wrote: "Hi, I'm Marta Acosta, and I'm an author with a YA Gothic coming out next year. I read Victoria Holt when I was a kid -- don't know where I found the books. More recently I discovered ..."Hi, Hannah! Ammie, Come Home is one of my favorites. Michaels doesn't hit you over the head with terror, but she builds it up just enough to increase the tension and send shivers. I love the ominipresent cats!
Oh, and my gothic is here! It's called Dark Companion.Back to Barbara Michaels, I found two of her novels at a garage sale (yeah!) and am looking forward to reading them. I'm not only entertained by her work, but I usually learn something about cultural anthropology. (I love all the textile history she tells.)
Yes, her felines range from lovable snugglers to hissing minions of evil. The entire spectrum of cat-hood you will find in the books of Barbara Michaels.I read Stitches in Time at the beach this summer. Not one of her best, IMO, but it was interesting to learn more about the history of textiles sprinkled throughout.
She would be an interesting person to spend a few hours with discussing her inspiration for her novels.
Your book has a beautiful cover and an intriguing blurb. Sounds like the kind of thing my daughter would enjoy. I'll get her to look into this.
Hi. It's so neat to find a group of people who love these books. I read a lot of them when I was younger and would love to revisit/read them again. I'm not sure how this group works, do you read the same book and then discuss it? Or just talk about the books in general?Thanks very much.
Jeri wrote: "Hi. It's so neat to find a group of people who love these books. I read a lot of them when I was younger and would love to revisit/read them again. I'm not sure how this group works, do you read ..."Hi Jeri, and welcome aboard :)
We haven't really tried to do a group read before with this group, but I'd certainly be open to it personally. Usually, we just post whenever we feel like injecting something about a particular gothic book or writer. What are some of your personal favorites?
***
Since Jeri has raised the question, would anyone else like to try and do a group read sometime in 2012? We could pick a fairly popular gothic writer like Mary Stewart or Victoria Holt and see how it goes. Just reply to this thread if anyone is interested and we'll see what kind of response we get.
I would be up for a group read. It would be interesting to hear other people's opinions as we read. One of Mary Stewart's would get my vote:)
I'm willing to do a group read. Mary Stewart would be good as well as Barbara Michaels or Victoria Holt.
I would love to do a group read. My vote would be Mary Stewart.
OK, let me figure out how to put up a poll that everyone can vote on and we'll go from there. I'll try to have it up by December 1st.
I'd love to read any of those authors. I was looking at a site called retrobookshop.com, under gothic romance authors and it brought back a lot of memories. Seeing authors like Mary Stewart, Victoria Holt, Mary Roberts Rinehart, etc. I have no connection to that site, just searching the web. It's fun to look through because they're old paperbacks and they show the covers. I wonder if you can still get those books at the library.
Hi all!I've added a poll for books to consider for a group read in 2012. Just scroll down to the bottom of the home page on the Gothicked board. I've listed 2 by Mary Stewart and 2 by Victoria Holt and also provided a space for write in votes.
Cast your vote between now and December 31st. The book with the largest vote count we will read in early 2012.
Thanks!
Hello everyone, I spotted this group in one of Carol's posts and had to pop over and take a look.Like a lot of others, I discovered Gothics, in my teens, in the 70s, initially Victoria Holt but going on to read a lot of others including Madeleine Brent, Jane Aiken Hodge, and Mary Stewart.
I got tired of Holt back then, thinking her books very samey - but perhaps that was unfair as I read them pretty close together.
Nobody could accuse the Madeleine Brent books of being samey and they are still my favourites - I couldn't possibly pick a favourite.
Many of Jane Aiken Hodge's books were Regencies as well as Gothic; several of my othe favourite Regency authors wrote gothic crossover books including Paula Allardyce and Alice Chetwynd Ley. Not forgetting Georgette Heyer's Cousin Kate. I tend to prefer a historical setting.
Over the years I've also read and loved Daphne duMaurier Elizabeth Peters, Susanna Kearsley among others. I'm looking forward to checking out all your recommendations.
A couple of recommendations from me:
Joan Aiken - Castle Barebane
Jane Aiken Hodge - Maulever HallMaulever HallCastle Barebane
Catie wrote: "Hello everyone, I spotted this group in one of Carol's posts and had to pop over and take a look.Like a lot of others, I discovered Gothics, in my teens, in the 70s, initially Victoria Holt but go..."
Welcome to the group Catie! I read my first 2 Madelaine Brent books this year and enjoyed them. Thanks for the recommendations on Aiken and Aiken Hodge.
Hi everyone! I'm Sheila, and gothics are my secret vice. Well, not so secret, really!I especially adore "modern" gothics. I have a shelf full of the pulp paperbacks published in the 60s and 70s, but my heart is with more modern writers.
On that note, I was wondering if anyone had any book or author suggestions for me? I'm looking for writers such as Barbara Michaels (of course), Susanna Kearsley, Kate Morton, and Caroline Llewellyn?
Thanks much!
Sheila wrote: "Hi everyone! I'm Sheila, and gothics are my secret vice. Well, not so secret, really!..."Hi Sheila, and welcome!
Check out the group bookshelf for some recommendations - you're sure to find some modern gothic writers there. The only one that springs immediately to my mind that you didn't mention is Barbara Erskine
Hi everyone! Voting has ended on the group read for early 2012:Mistress of Mellyn
won.If eveyone is agreeable, we can start the read in February.
Hi, I'm Jenny and saw Hannah's post about Mistress of Mellyn being the group read and thought I would wander over here and join in as it's on my TBR pile to read this year.Over the last couple of years I've started to read more Gothics as I discover and rediscover authors. I love Susanna Kearsley, Mary Stewart & Du Maurier and have Sarah Waters' The Little Stranger here to read. I've also read some Barbara Erskine. I read heaps of Jean Plaidy as a teen but for some reason never read any of her Victoria Holt titles, so I thought it was about time I did :-).
Hi. Happy New Year to all. I'm looking forward to reading Mistress of Mellyn. :o)
Jemidar wrote: "Hi, I'm Jenny and saw Hannah's post about Mistress of Mellyn being the group read and thought I would wander over here and join in as it's on my TBR pile to read this year..."You found us, Jenny! Glad you will be joining in the group read.
Jeri wrote: "Hi. Happy New Year to all. I'm looking forward to reading Mistress of Mellyn. :o)"Happy New Year to you, too, Jeri! So happy you'll be in the group read as well.
Hannah wrote: "You found us, Jenny! Glad you will be joining in the group read. "I'm following you Hannah. LOL.
Hello everyone! I found this group thanks to a recommend at the Gothic Romance Forum. I remember the old TV show "Dark Shadows" from when I was young enough to take it seriously. When I was old enough to read well enough, I discovered my aunt's collection of Victoria Holt/Phillippa Carr, Mary Stewart, Norah Lofts and Daphne duMaurier, and became totally devoted to the "golden age" Gothics. I'm looking forward to your thoughts and recommendations here now.
Meme23 wrote: "Hello everyone! I found this group thanks to a recommend at the Gothic Romance Forum. I remember the old TV show "Dark Shadows" from when I was young enough to take it seriously. When I was old ..."Welcome Meme23! Glad you joined.
Take a look at our bookshelves for some good gothic reads. Also, in February, we will be doing a group read of Mistress of Mellyn by Victoria Holt. We'd love to have you join in if you're interested.
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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Wow - you did alot of reading to get through all the Brent's. My GR friend Carol said that Merlin's Keep was a good one, and I want to get my hands on a non-abridged version of Tregaron's Daughter. What did you think of those 2 (if you remember)?