I saw this tag on Jenna @ Bookmark Your Thoughts’ blog, and I couldn’t resist. Let’s get started!
- What is your favourite genre?
I love all things gothic.
- Who is your favourite author from that genre?
The masters of the genre, as far as I’ve explored it thus far, are Daphne du Maurier and Shirley Jackson.
- What is it about the genre that keeps pulling you back?
I love books that are dark, atmospheric, lyrical, and engrossing; woven together by a damn good story, with intrigue and well-developed characters. That sounds like I’m asking for a lot, but when gothic fiction is done well, it epitomises all of these qualities. I also love its versatility, in that gothic fiction can incorporate elements of some of my other favourite genres, such as literary fiction, family sagas, and horror.
- What is the book that started your love for that genre?
The Turn of the Screw
Possibly The Turn of the Screw by Henry James. It’s an unsettling ghost story that plays brilliantly with the power of the unknown. It’s got many hallmarks of the genre, including a spooky manor setting, an unreliable narrator, an oppressive atmosphere, and a heavy dose of ambiguity – which means we’re never sure how much of what’s going on is down to the supernatural, or the possible madness of our heroine.
- If you had to recommend at least one book from your favourite genre to a non-reader/someone looking to start reading that genre, what book would you choose and why?
I guess I’d just recommend some of my personal favourites. Since they’re the ones that made me love the genre as much as I do, they’d hopefully do the same for others. They include: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier; Frankenstein by Mary Shelley; We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson; The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell; and The Book Collector by Alice Thompson.
Some of my favourite gothic reads.
- Why do you read?
For me, reading is all about escapism, the art of storytelling, and the joy of letting your imagination take over. I suppose that’s part of why I love gothic fiction so much; the best examples of the genre know exactly how much to give us, and how much to hold back, leaving the real horror to linger in our minds long after the final page.
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Since I wasn’t tagged myself, I’ll leave this open to anyone who’d like to take part. Pingback to me if you do it so I can check out your answers!
Callum McLaughlin 
Gothic literature is fantastic! If you haven’t yet, I highly recommend “The Old Nurse’s Tale”.
Ooh, it’s been on my TBR for ages; I really must get to it! 😊
It’s SO good…aaaaannnnnddd it’s a short story, so it won’t take you long. If you’re into Halloween, I suggest waiting and reading it then! It’s definitely a spooky time story@
Omg, I just wasted about 30 minutes trying to find this one Gothic novel to recommend to you, but I can’t find it 😣
🙈 I appreciate the effort. It’ll probably come to you randomly, when you aren’t even thinking about it – that’s usually the way with these things, lol.
I think the author’s name is Stephanie and the book is a Gothic read set in Louisiana with alligators….in the mean time, have you read Interview With The Vampire?
It’s not ringing any bells, but it certainly sounds intriguing.
As for Interview With The Vampire, I haven’t read that either, but have of course heard good things. So that’s one to add to the list.
Ooh I love this tag! I meant to read The Turn of the Screw last October but never got around to it, but this will definitely be the year!
I couldn’t resist the tag when I saw it; some of them invite similar answers from most readers, but I love that everyone’s interpretation will be completely different with this one.
Hope you enjoy The Turn of the Screw! I think the fact that I studied it, but still look back on it fondly, is a good sign.
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Great answers!! I love Daphne du Maurier and Shirley Jackson, they are defintitely amazing at setting the atmosphere!
Thanks! 😊 They are indeed; I can’t wait to read more by both of them!
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I love this!! I’ve been getting more and more into Gothic fiction after rediscovering my childhood/teenage love for all things macabre. Out of your list of faves I’ve only read Rebecca, but literally every single one of the other books is on my list! Frankenstein is actually the next book I’m planning to read (and I’m trying to read more Gothic classics in general – my ultimate goal is to read the Major Classics of the genre, like Udolpho, Otranto, and The Monk but they are all gigantic so I am intimidated). And I also own The Silent Companions, but I’m waiting for the weather to get ~spookier~ before I read that, haha! Also, have you read The Wicked Cometh by Laura Carlin? I haven’t either but Rachel and I were planning a buddy read in October so you should join us if you haven’t read it!
I’m also reading a non-fiction book called “In Darkest London: The Gothic Cityscape in Victorian Literature” that’s basically just a study of the Gothic tradition, with a focus on the location of London. I’m only on chapter 1 but so far it’s really intriguing!
Yes, I know what you mean about the weather. Roll on autumn/winter so I can bask in all its gothic glory!
Ooh, I have a copy of The Wicked Cometh but haven’t read it yet, so that could work out perfectly! Thanks 😊
I hope you enjoy Frankenstein, and I’ll keep an eye out for your thoughts on that non-fiction book too; it sounds very intriguing!
oooh yes The Wicked Cometh will hopefully be an excellent autumn read!
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