Welcome and introductions

[debbicat *made of stardust*]

Welcome mary!

[Tweety]

Hello Mary! I hope you can find Madeline Brent, I love his books!

[debbicat *made of stardust*]

It looks like I never introduced myself on here either. I've been somewhat active in the group. Glad to see more interest. I too am here bc I loved gothic novels as a teen, and am re-reading some of them and discovering new ones. Like many, my mom supplied them bc she had one of those double day book club memberships and would get them each month. I'd devour them after she was finished. Read a lot of VH then, as well as Mary Stewart, and Phyllis A. Whitney. I quit reading them for a very long time and just recently picked them back up, well, last year. I enjoy talking about the books and authors with others on here. Great group to be a part of.

[Mary Beth]

I am new to the group and I love it! Thanks so much for your feedback.

[Kat]

Mary wrote: "Hi my name is Mary Beth, I love Gothic Suspense. My favorites are Phyllis A Whitney, Victoria Holt also known as Phillipa Carr, Barbara Michael's, Mary Stewart, and I have. been trying to find book..."

I'm seeing lots of Madeline Brent on Amazon, with some very good prices on used hardcovers (we're talking pennies!)Looks like some reissues coming in September as well.

[Dorcas]

just a note on the reissues ...I bought one (paperback moonrakers bride) and the print is very bold and borderline blurred in places. If you have the choice buy an old one.

[Eve]

Hi all,

I just found this group. I'm a gothic fan...among my faves are Daphne Du Maurier & Anne Rice (I know she's often categorized as a horror writer, and she is, but I feel there are strong gothic threads in her work, e.g. Blackwood Farm). More recent gothics I've loved include Mistress of Trevelyan by Jennifer St. Giles and The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James.

I've written five gothic novels and a novella.

Always nice to meet fellow fans.

Eve

[debbicat *made of stardust*]

Welcome Eve! You will like this group.

[Mary Beth]

Welcome Eve! I am looking forward to reading Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier.

[Tweety]

Welcome Eve, one day I must read Maurier's tales. :)

[Dorcas]

Hi Eve! Hi Debbie!

[debbicat *made of stardust*]

Just saw Moura series on another group's bookshelf and man does it look good. Kinda itching to read it. It's by Virginia Coffman and can be gotten on kindle. Anyone familiar with her? Just now heard of her, tho I thought I had read a lot of gothics in my time.

[Dorcas]

I downloaded a bunch of samples of her books about a year ago but never got around to reading them..:/

[debbicat *made of stardust*]

Dorcas wrote: "I downloaded a bunch of samples of her books about a year ago but never got around to reading them..:/"

I downloaded the sample of Moura. I suspect I am gonna wanna buy it once I read it. It looks perfectly gothic. Anyone else interested?

[debbicat *made of stardust*]

Once I finish Thornyhold in the next few days I would really love to do a group or buddy read. It's been awhile.

[Dorcas]

I just finished Fathers and Sons by Turgenov for a group read and am SUPPOSED to be reading "This Rough Magic " by Mary Stewart for the Mary Stewart group read (are you in that group? you might like it) for September, but I haven't started it yet because I'm distracted by two other books. Story of my life :/

[debbicat *made of stardust*]

No. I did not know there was a mary Stewart group. Would love to be in it.

[Dorcas]

Its called "Madam, want to talk about author Mary Stewart?" if you look it up and there's plenty of time to join the month's group read. A few of us who are members here are also members there.

[Hannah]

Here's the link to the Mary Stewart group for Debbie and anyone else who's interested:

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

[debbicat *made of stardust*]

Thanks so much. I will join. :)

[debbicat *made of stardust*]

Thanks Hannah! Just joined. :-) Can't wait to get in on the group read.

[Paul]

Such a lively and academic group! I have always considered gothic literature (no, more specifically, the gothic novel)symptomatic of the grander decline of literature in the period we call "romanticism," with gothic writing an excessive example of preference for fantasy over realism, subjectivity over objectivity. These preferences seem to be historical and shift from age to age. But, when I gave a talk at the Gothic Institute Conference in San Diego a few years ago, I discovered that "Gothic" as a genre had ambitiously extended itself back in time to include works in the renaissance and middle ages. This is all complicated by considerations of "popular culture" and pulp fiction that operate on an industrial scale.

As a consequence of my rash thinking, you can imagine my unease when my novel, OULANEM, recently came out. It is the completion of a fragment left by the very young Karl Marx (19) before he became the one we all know. Very gothic--full of bombastic speeches, villains and bumblers, distressed damsels. In my hands, it is a novel of revenge, laudanum addiction, and sexual intrigue--extending Marx's intentions and style, I believe. You might take a look at it and give me some feedback.

[Paul]

I have always considered gothic literature (no, more specifically, the gothic novel)symptomatic of the grander decline of literature in the period we call "romanticism," with gothic writing an excessive example of preference for fantasy over realism, subjectivity over objectivity. These preferences seem to be historical and shift from age to age. But, when I gave a talk at the Gothic Institute Conference in San Diego a few years ago, I discovered that "Gothic" as a genre had ambitiously extended itself back in time to include works in the renaissance and middle ages. This is all complicated by considerations of "popular culture" and pulp fiction that operate on an industrial scale.

As a consequence of my rash thinking, you can imagine my unease when my novel, OULANEM, recently came out. It is the completion of a fragment left by the very young Karl Marx (19) before he became the one we all know. Very gothic--full of bombastic speeches, villains and bumblers, distressed damsels. In my hands, it is a novel of revenge, laudanum addiction, and sexual intrigue--extending Marx's intentions and style, I believe. You might take a look at it and give me some feedback.

[Sandy]

I have a huge collection of over 200 gothic romance including Dorothy Daniels, Dorothy Eden, and many others and have read most of them, I have been reading them for about 30 years. Nice to find a group that also like gothics, they are getting hard to find.

[Dorcas]

Welcome Sandy! Your collection sounds DELICIOUS :)

[Tweety]

Sandy wrote: "I have a huge collection of over 200 gothic romance including Dorothy Daniels, Dorothy Eden, and many others and have read most of them, I have been reading them for about 30 years. Nice to find a ..."

Welcome! I wish I could go in your library when I'm looking for a gothic! I wouldn't know which to pick.

[Sandy]

Dorcas wrote: "Welcome Sandy! Your collection sounds DELICIOUS :)"

Thank you

[Amy]

I just realized I never introduced myself, either. I found a Phyllis Whitney book at my grandmother's house one day when I was home sick, and I've now got her entire collection and I read them over and over. I also love Daphne du Maurier's books, and those by Victoria Holt and Mary Stewart, too. I would love to join discussions of gothic books. I'm not always quick to read things because my TBR list is sooo long, but I'm really looking forward to being in this group!

Full disclosure: I am also an author of romantic suspense.

[Dorcas]

Hi Amy! Ive collected quite a few Holts and PW at fol and secondhand stores but haven't read many of the Phyllis Whitneys yet. So many books so little time... :)

[Mary]

Hi Amy. Is your book a gothic? I read the description and it sounds like it to me. I, too, am a writer (mostly nonfiction) with 2 mysteries published. My agent is currently shopping my historical gothic, so I hope that will be #3.

[Amy]

Mary wrote: "Hi Amy. Is your book a gothic? I read the description and it sounds like it to me. I, too, am a writer (mostly nonfiction) with 2 mysteries published. My agent is currently shopping my historical g..."
Hi, Mary,

My book has been compared to those by Phyllis Whitney and Daphne du Maurier (note: I am not in their stratosphere!!), so I guess it can be considered a gothic. I don't have an agent, but I'm thinking about starting to look for one. I'll have to have a look at your books, too. Keep me posted on book #3!

[Hazel]

Hi, I'm Hazel. My mother and aunts had tons of paperback Gothic romances, and I loved them - the beautiful heroines on the covers, the menacing house on the hill, and the suspense, oh, the creepy, spooky, wonderful suspense!

As my life has become more stressful, I have found that returning to this genre is a delightful respite and a nostalgic return to a simpler time. It was difficult for me to find the genre on Amazon, until I chanced on this and a few other groups and was able to find covers I recognized, and thus getting authors and titles. I am having a great time finding books I actually remember from my mom's collection, and seeing if the stories are still as engaging to me in my 40's as they were in my tweens.

[Dorcas]

Hi Hazel, welcome to the group!!

[Amy]

Hi Hazel,

I totally agree! The Gothic books provide a wonderful escape from stress. And the covers are almost always gorgeous!

[Hazel]

Thanks, Dorcas! And nice to meet you and Amy, too!

I'm ready to start Hand of the Imposter by Paula Minton tonight. I remember it from mom's collection by the cover, so we'll see if its story is as good.

[Linda]

I'm thrilled to have found this group. My first memory of Gothic novels was sitting on our living room floor surrounded by dozens of paperbacks. My mom was sorting them out by author. I was introduced to the authors' names before being allowed to read their books. Mom finally let me read "The Turquoise Mask" by Phyllis Whitney. I stayed up all night, got scared and was hooked. I love the books and I'm looking forward to this group.

[Sandy]

I just finished reading The Lost Island by Phyllis Whitney, that makes 9 of her books I have read so far, I have read nearly 200 gothic in the last 30 years, I have them all lined up on my shelves, I keep them all.

[Sue]

Linda,

One of my all time favorite Phyllis Whitney books is "The Turquoise Mask" - the book itself is terrific, but I was raised in New Mexico and have been on countless picnics in Bandelier National Park, part of the book's setting.

There are so many times I find myself going back to my beloved Gothics and Agatha Christies, especially when I'm feeling stressed or blue. It's like going home or visiting an old friend.

[Tiffany]

Hi everyone. I am a huge fan of Gothic literature from all eras. To me, they provide the escapism that a lot of straight-up horror does not (though I do love straight up horror as well). But on the same note, they delve into topics often considered taboo in a lot of typical romance stories. :)

[Linda]

Hannah wrote: "Welcome to the Gothicked discussion board.

Introduce yourself here and tell us why you're a gothic novel fan."

Hello fellow readers. I read a lot of gothic romance/mystery novels when I was younger. Victoria Holt, Mary Stewart, Daphne du Maurier, Phyllis A. Whitney and more. It's been awhile and I thought it would be fun to read some new gothics. I'm looking forward to recommendations.

[Matthew]

Hi, My name is Matthew. I've only recently started reading Gothic Romances, but I'm kinda hooked. I've read The Shivering Sands by Victoria Holt, and am a little more then half way thought The Black Candle by Christine Randell. I own a third, the waiting sands by Susan Howatch, that I havn't started.

I don't know if it's just me, but I find it very difficult to find vintage Gothics. The one used bookstore that has a section marked "Gothic romance" is filled with modern supernatural suspense, not quite the 'sad woman running from scary houses' genre I'm looking for.

I'm attempting to finish as a NaNoWriMo project a H.P. Lovecraft-inspired queer Gothic Romance.

[Stacy]

Hello I am Stacy and like many of you, I got hooked on Gothics as a teenager. After viewing these lists, I am finding a lot of books that I think I read back then. I remember reading mostly Victoria Holt. It seems as if I always had my head in a book.

[Diana]

hello,
I have been a fan of gothic(the bronte sisters) but never read any of the ones written in the 60s,70s. just recently i picked up thunder heights...and love it!!!! i can't wait to read more so please suggest other books

[Roxanne]

Hi, I am Roxanne Shires. I have been fascinated by the Gothic since I was a little girl. Am familiar with Alice Brennan, Victoria Holt, Barbara Michaels and Barbara Cartland. Even though I like suspense I like Gothic supernatural even more.

[Roxanne]

"Dragonwyck" by Anya Seton is supposed to be a classic. There is a film adaptation of it with Vincent Price and Gene Tierney which is fun and dark. It is about a simple girl who falls in love with her brooding cousin.


Christina wrote: "Hello.

I'm thrilled to have found this group! I'm new to Goodreads, too, and am still figuring out how it works.

I look forward to getting to know you all, and to sharing ideas and recommendation..."

[Clark]

I read "Dragonwyck" and just loved it. I had to watch the movie when I found out that Vincent Price was the leading man. I enjoyed the movie but I think most of the enjoyment was watching Vincent Price. The book is better in my humble opinion. I wouldn't have just picked "Dragonwyck" to read because it didn't have the classic woman running from a house/mansion/castle dust jacket, but a friend gave me the book to read. I'm sure glad she did! I'm glad you guys (Christina & Roxanne) found this group. I know I sure was glad. I love those old gothic suspense from the 50's, 60's,& 70's.

[Toni]

drum roll please

[Bonnie]

Hello. My name is Bonnie. I'm 29 and I started reading Gothic Romance when I was in high school and found my mom's copy of Dorothy Fletcher's The Last Contessa. When I was a kid, I was always more drawn to children's horror novels that took place in old dark houses and had more mystery and suspense. I probably collect more than I read, but that's because Gothics are not easy to find and I live near the Book Thing of Baltimore, which is entirely free. I used to find them in thrift stores and at library sales, but that was years ago. I met a really great guy about 8 months ago and haven't been reading as much lately. I have actually not read many of Whitney or Holt's books, though I have a lot of them. I may have about 400 or 500 "Gothics" so they will take some time. Right now my favourite authors are probably Dorothy Eden, Dan Ross, Dorothy Daniels, and Claudette Nicole. I used to have a much bigger collection, but I sold it all when my son was born and I needed money. Most of the books I have read are by various authors as I rarely find more than one or two books by an author. With the exception of Holt, Stewart, Whitney, Eden, and Ross. I loved Barbara Kevern's Dark Eden, Iris Barry's The Unprotected, and Virginia Coffman's Black Heather. I am a huge fan of Gothic movies as well and have a copy of the movie adaptation of Dorothy Eden's Crow Hollow.

[MKF]

Hello I'm Melissa. I grew up on ghost and scary stories and started reading horror novels by middle school. In my later high school years I started reading more romances and after discovering paranormal romances I stumbled upon Gothics. It was a phase though it has been years since I read one but I still collect them.

[Donna]

Hi, I'm Donna. I'm a second generation Gothic novel fan. My mom got me hooked when I was in 7th grade. She filled a Christmas stocking with Phyllis Whitney paperbacks for me. My senior paper was on Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. I love Gothic novels from the 1950's and 1960's (such as Victoria Holt and Mary Stewart), and I also love 19th century romance (Bronte and Austen). I'm here to find some more authors to try.