Don’t forget about the #1 Southern gothic short story, A Rose for Emily, by Faulkner. His short stories are a good place to start to read his complex works.
Born and raised in Georgia, with deep deep familial roots in the state. Growing up I felt the tension between the dark, grotesque themes from the Bible, from our history, and from the poverty just outside of my immediate circle and the high importance of manners, of keeping up a certain happy image. Discovering Southern Gothic literature in high school was life-changing for me because it spoke to the darkness around me that I always felt but that no one ever admitted to in the open.
@@Murisa-pl1mz you can’t go wrong with any Flannery O’Connor short stories, but I especially love “Good Country People.” I also have to second his recommendation of “Beloved” by Toni Morrison. I have never read anything that so poignantly captured the horrors of slavery in the South.
I am nearly 70 years old, an inveterate reader who grew up in Georgia, but have since lived more than 30 years in the Pacific Northwest. Let me just say as a native: you nailed it! Thanks.
Hello, Austin. Thank you so much for your comment and for offering your perspective. I’m happy that my videos have reached you, and that you enjoyed this particular one! I really value and appreciate knowing the variety and scope of the people who watch my videos, all with such interesting and unique viewpoints. I hope you continue to enjoy my content, and once again thanks for being here!
I think you'd enjoy those across the river mr Pratt. Takes place in Georgia in I believe 1933 or 34. It's a horror novel of course but a very very good read. 👍
Thank you so much! I actually can’t believe I have so many! Lol. It’s always so encouraging and joyous to hear that people really enjoy the quality and content of my videos. Thank you!!! 🙌🏽
I almost scrolled on until i heard my fave southern author mentioned! What a loss that would have been. You're a good communicator. I live in SC and taught southern authors for years. Your caring treatment of them and their subject matter was lovely. If anyone wants to read Flannery O'Connor manuscripts, go to her college, Georgia College and State University, Milledgeville, GA. They even let riff-raff like me enter. Fill out a form, reason for study, (personal enrichment) and go wild! Her home, grave, and church is there to explore, too. From one southern lit lover to another, thanks a million!
@@PlaguedbyVisions I teach literature to preparatory classes to the grandes écoles in France and I will definitely tackle the subject. Is there a specific novel you could advise ? I've already worked on To Kill a Mockingbird and I'm looking for another classic.
Absalom, Absalom has to take the cake for me as far as Faulkner Southern Gothic goes. It has everything; a demon, a haunted house, cursed lineage etc etc.
I stumbled across your channel the other night and was amazed at what I heard. I’m a devotee of southern lit in general and the gothic sub genre, specifically. You described accurately and articulately the characteristics of Southern Gothic lit and put it precisely into historical context. What’s even more amazing, you’re not from the south. You’re a Mexican immigrant living in LA with no personal experience of Tennessee Williams’ Dragon Country. Then you went on to identify the Olympic Team of southern writers, Faulkner, O’Connor, McCullers, among others, and summarized their individual strengths thoroughly. You even threw in a couple of obscure writers, Chestnut (who?) and Erskine Caldwell (sadly, unknown to most readers today). Your addition of Toni Morrison to the gothic genre is a bit of a jolt, but I’ll defer to your judgment. Thank you. If I can just offer one bit of advice? You might want to scrap the straw gardener hat and pick up a white suit, a bow string tie, and a gold handled walking cane. A moustache with soul patch to the point of your chin would seal the deal. Think Colonel Harlan Sanders.
I was born and raised in the south, and I’m happy to say you’ve earned a new subscriber. I can’t explain how much it means to me to see you handle the plight of southerners and southern literature with the care and consideration that you have.
I'm sure others have said so but I'll sya it regardless; don't be mindful of video length. I'm sure youre trying to keep this video short to make it seem less intimidating and more accessible but I can PROMISE you that people clicking on this video would revel in more information and recommendations. You're clearly passionate about this subject matter and it's really contagious, I wanna know more too, and I'd love to learn more from you specifically, and I'm going to go check out the rest fo your channel. I hope you keep sharing your passion regardless of video length
What a terrific explanation of this genre. I’m in Georgia and also Catholic. Flannery O’Conner was originally from Savannah which is a very Catholic town with the Cathedral and Bishop for most of the state (except around Atlanta). It is rare, but more common than you (or I) would have thought. I love this genre and appreciate your hard work. Thank you and I will check out your newer content.
😭🙌🏽 thank you so much for watching and for your kind words! I don’t know what to say. All this positive reception always leaves me speechless. Greetings from California 🤙🏽
I found your video by accident, and it was a most fortunate accident. This video opened my mind to Southern literature/ gothic, and I will check out your suggested list of literary works. Thanks for sharing the knowledge, and I will check out more of your videos.
I will need to rewatch the video several times to grasp all the concepts and nuances that readily roll off your tongue. Awesome lecture. Sad to say that growing up 1000 miles north of the Southern Gothic region, I was not exposed to it’s Literature growing up. Thanks to Book-tubers like yourself, I have been slowly filling in the voids. Thanks!
Thank you so much for your support! You have no idea how much I always appreciate and cherish comments like this. They’re what keep me going! I’m so happy you enjoyed this. Hope to keep making videos of this kind!
Good video. I love that you dont just try to show the best novels and use them to describe. You explain what it is before telling us what fits the definition
I just found your channel and really enjoyed this brilliant account of Southern Gothic. As an Aussie, I am more familiar with English Gothic but you have sparked my interest in the Southern version of this genre. You have a new subscriber.
Okay, so I'm only half an hour in, and I'm loving your explanation so far. I've lived in a 'progressive' area of North Carolina for most of my life, packed with yankees around the academic centers of our universities, and the lack of understanding, the oversimplification, of the history of the south by so many people who move to and live here, is a huge problem. They're scared to drive even 20 minutes out of this area, because they'll start hearing southern accents, seeing poverty, being exposed to the anger and sorrow and visible ghost stories around them. I think a lot of them should listen to this video. Also, if you haven't already seen 'Dirty South', a documentary about media/entertainment portrayals of the south (by BBC, weirdly enough) you absolutely should. Again, as a southerner, can vouch for the fact that Rich Hall (the american that narrates it, who is also from North Carolina) really gets it. ruclips.net/video/x_G2VOBKXxM/видео.html
This feedback really means a lot. A million thank yous for such a wonderful comment! I always strive to be holistic and thorough when it comes to defining certain movements and genres, and I thought it was especially important for a genre as misunderstood and misconstrued as the southern gothic. I will definitely have to check out this documentary. Thank you so much for sharing it! I’m glad you found my video worthwhile.
Amazing dive into the history and roots of this genre 😍 Also great “tutorial” on how to read it. I’ve read “to kill a mockingbird” and “as I lay dying” (both were translations in Russian) and was so amazed by the style! It felt as if the South itself was a character, that it lived and breathed and shaped everyone else there. Thank you for the video, there not so many valuable discourses on this topic
Omgosh how do you not have more subs?! I found this video because I was looking for a decent overview of Southern Gothic literature. Yours is by far the best I could find on here, and definitely the most thorough. Subscribing!
So happy you found this video! I, myself, set out to make it precisely because I failed to find any comprehensive material on the subject. This genre is one of my biggest passions, so I’m glad to hear someone also interested in the genre found it useful! Thank you so much for the support! It is truly, truly appreciated!
Another great video and a great introduction to Southern Gothic! I have recently been fascinated with Southern Gothic, but more in context of music, visual art and movies. You got me hooked into the literature side as well. Thank you and keep doing your thing! Greetings from Helsinki, Finland 😊
Hey, I would LOVE to hear some recommendations for southern gothic music! I have actually been looking for some myself. I’m glad you enjoyed the video! Sending my regards and gratitude all the way to Finland. 🇫🇮Would love to visit one day!
just stumbled across u and loved your review of things have gotten worse & i have been searching for good gothic recommendations for so long!!!! goodreads lists can’t be trusted. i love gothic literature too & for my thesis class for my BA in english was on gothics!!! specifically it was on Emerson & sensational gothic literature from the mid 1800s. it is such a amazing genre!!! i wish there were more modern gothic literature!
I was forced to read "The sound and the fury" in college and it was pretty interesting, though it did help to have commentary to understand what he is trying to do. Nice vid, bro!
Love love love! I so enjoyed this video and I am adding it to my collection of favorite videos on RUclips! I will be passing this video along to my friends!!
Hey thanks for the video. I'm 3 years late haha but none the less glad to see how much you've progressed from 300 followers to 18,000. I'm personally a southerner so southern lit interest me. I have beloved sitting on my shelf and am not feeling compelled to read it.
Alabama born and raised... 49 years old and have lived here all my life. i know i'm late to this video but just wanted to say that your points are neither offensive nor uninformed. Good job, you. You've just earned a new subscriber,
Great video, thank you. Have you read Shirley Ann Grau? one of the most overlooked writers of SG, in my opinion. She won the Pulitzer for The Keepers of House, which is brilliant... hm, just mentioning it makes me want to read it again. The Hard Blue Sky is also brilliant. Currently I'm sinking into The Condor Passes. As an Autistic, I typically take things very literally, but since you pointed out the language of passing, mixed, etc, this story takes on a whole new depth for me. Also, Donna Tartt.... from Mississippi... though she seems to set her stories in New England, they truly seem to belong--as you phrased it--to the true SG body. Have you read The Secret History?
I do love Shirley Ann Grau! I don’t believe her work is fully considered part of the “southern gothic” genre, but there’s definitely very compelling and unsettling explorations of gender and race in her work where you could build a case for it being SG! I also almost included Kate Chopin and Jean Toomer, but decided not to, for the same reason. At least Charles Chesnutt made the chop! Now, Donna Tartt I have NOT read, but definitely heard the name. I’m not opposed to reading her work! I’m so happy you enjoyed and got something out of the video! Thank you for watching and for such a nice, thorough comment!
Geez Bro truly you should be lecturing; thanks for your efforts man you treat your listeners with intellectual respect, all strength to you I have never managed Faulkner I know so few of these writers except Flannery O' my God Conner, what a writer Anyway you have inspired me I'm gonna finish a Faulkner this time and check out Chesnutt Crews and Caldwell Thanks again bro such good work.
Haha thanks! I’m a doctorate student dropout, so that’s close enough lol. Flannery O’Connor is a master. Her stories made me feel - it’s unbelievable how actually rare that is when it comes to “classic” literature. Deep human portraits in all her works. I say Faulkner is easy once you just read and stop worrying about understanding. Something is sure to come of it. Thanks for your wonderful compliments! They made my day!
Brilliant stuff. Love Fall of the House of Usher and, years ago, I committed Roderick's dirge to memory (The Haunted Palace). What a perfect lament of the decay and disorder of a once great and charismatic mind. I just last year went on a Michael McDowell tear, reading "The Elementals," "The Amulet" and the "Blackwater" series. As a fan of horror, I stumbled on "The Elementals," which led me through the other books. Some strong gothic themes throughout his work, particularly with its obsession of the past, dark secrets and the decay of family lines. Great videos!
Thank you for watching and for your kind words! Michael McDowell is definitely a great example of gothic fiction set in the south (his works bleed more into straight up gothic horror than southern gothic, but there’s obviously a lot of common ground). I really enjoyed The Elementals as well! And I agree, “The Fall of the House of Usher” is incredible. So many people relegate Poe’s writings to the realm of “schoolwork” literature and tend to ignore him when it comes to leisurely reading, and they really lose sight of the fact that his tales are so enjoyable and impactful.
your video helped my final essay greatly, being a exchange student try to understand American literature is rather difficult. this is surprisingly useful and enjoyable.
I just discovered your channel and am impressed. Not just because your videos continue to improve in quality but your taste in writing is excellent I mean I almost never see anybody mention Harry Crews or ballad of the sad caffe. And your explanation and analysis is spot on and help me see more insight into some of these books that I have already read you've turned me on to some books that I didn't know existed and let me just say all and all you deserve more subscribers
Hey, this comment means so much to me. Thank you for your very kind and thoughtful words. My main mission is always to impart knowledge and offer insights, so I am overjoyed knowing that the purpose is coming through. Thank you so much for watching and for your support! It truly means the world to me.
As a native of Georgia, I appreciate your discussion of southern gothic literature and the importance of southern writers in literature in general. Though an inveterate reader myself, I have never been a reader of southern literature as perhaps I feel as if I have lived and am familiar with the tenets of southern gothic. The still existent racism sadly underlies much of southern life. I've never read Faulkner, O'Connor, Welty, Morrison, etc. I need to correct this literary shortcoming in light of your video essay.
No way could I miss this one. It’s one of my favorite genres too. Faulkner is a little over my head but O’Connor and McCarthy and William Gay are three of my favorite authors and ‘Suttree’ is one of the best novels I ever read. And if you aren’t a teacher you really should be.
Would you put Boys Life by Robert McCammon in the Southern Gothic genre ? It was certainly dense and filled with racial concerns as well as freaks and depravity though in the clear accessible voice of popular literature.
Thank you so much! I am not a teacher, but I’m happy to impart knowledge on RUclips! I would say McCammon and McDowell have written “southern horror” that definitely borrows from the southern gothic tradition, but I do think there’s distinct differences, mostly dealing with themes and stylization, that separate them from what actual “southern gothic” refers to. However, genre definitions can certainly be expanded!
This was very good from an outsider prospective tracing a single thread through the unfathomably complex history of the the American south. I have lived in or near Georgia, closest to Atlanta all my life except for some years I spent in Seattle. If you look just off the main roads, you can still the railroad tracks that are twisted and over grown by pine tries from almost 200 years ago laying rusted in their slumber after The Great Conflagration. The one thing to really understand about the south is that beyond the geography is that culture and philosophy has always been at odds here. From the Protestants and Anglicans to when the Catholics and the Quakers came, the man who owns the south has always been at contest. As someone who has been called "gringo" and the accompanying other otherizings more times than I can count, the clash of race in the south is just a more obvious and outward expression of the same conflict that has been raging forever. The deep south has been a 300 year edition of the Bosnian conflict. Yes, lesser minds simplify it to what they can see and emulate, but it has always been and it always will be, I assume. We fight the heat, the hills, and least of which, each other for the bountiful prize of southern clay. That aside, This is the only non-music video on YT for Southern Gothic, and im glad it is. I hope many more enjoy it.
Just added The Violent Bear It Away on my TBR... Interested in the religious aspects of the book as I grew up and still am a Christian... Also added Beloved.. as always your videos are so educational and informative...
Yes! I would say if you wanted religious horror, O’Connor is much closer than The Master and Margarita. She is such an enigmatic writer. She confronted so many transgressive issues (sexuality, violence, even body horror) and yet always with poise and never losing sight of her Christian faith. I think you will really enjoy her writing! Thanks for watching, Gio, and again, thanks for the shoutout!
Good show. Interesting. You've become my favorite booktuber. I was wondering if James Dickey's "Deliverance" would be considered Southern Gothic, then you answered the question by showing the banjo kid at the end.
Thanks for coming back, Kevin! I can’t believe I have the honor of being someone’s favorite booktuber. 😭 I don’t know what to say! I’m happy to be putting out content that you enjoy. It’s these reasons why I’m still going. Thank you so much. 🙌🏽 Deliverance is as southern gothic as they come! Deformities, violence, ravaging poverty, the city vs. the country. It even takes place in Georgia, along with most of the works I talked about here. Both the novel and the film are southern gothic classics. Another celebrated horror film I’d include as part of the southern gothic is the Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
I've been doing a little bit of personal research on the southern gothic genre and that's how I found your channel! 02:54 You say here that "A true, in-depth definition [of Gothic Literature] would require hours of explanation" "I planned to do an entire video on defining Gothic Literature but eventually gave up in frustration upon realizing that the script I was writing would probably end up being a 3-4 hour long video" Well, I'd watch that-- or at least be very interested to see what your notes looked like that would have resulted in something so huge.
This is a terrific examination of an important - and intriguing - subgenre of American literature. What isn't generally appreciated is how isolated most of the South was. There were no cities over a million people until the late 1960s. When Atlanta was burned in the Civil War, it had a population of not more than 15,000. It was a railroad cross roads. This isolation bred the eccentricity, religious deviation, bigotry, incest, and decay that you reference. Thank you!
Yesssss southern gothic! My absolute favorite subgenre of horror and one I'm trying to make a comic on (I'm mainly an illustrator so it's more of a labor of love and hobby than anything), can't wait to hear your recommendations on it! Love the hat btw
Thank you so much! I think southern gothic can definitely be considered a subgenre of horror, as it derives from the gothic imagination. I’d love to hear more about your comic!
Great video!! I love Southern Gothic lit and this was a really interesting and informative video. Also, you are so good at this!! You're doing an amazing job ☺️☺️
You're absolutely astonishing! You have taught me in this single video more than a bunch of academics trying to justify their preferences. You are a complete master! Please don't stop making videos, your channel was a true discovery for me. PS. Toni Morrison is my favourite author of all time, along with Nabokov and Pynchon. You'll be awesome in giving a whole video-review of 'Blood Meridian'. Merely a suggestion ^^ greetings, my friend!
Thank you so much for this amazing comment! I'm so happy to hear you got something out of this video. That's always my goal. Toni Morrison is an incredible author. Even if I have read very little by her, I still constantly think back to her work as some of the most masterful. I reviewed Blood Meridian in my first ever video, on the "top 9 most disturbing books I have read," but the review was not too in depth--simply my views on its most disturbing aspects. People have asked me to talk about McCarthy and Pynchon in-depth many times. Perhaps I really should!
@@PlaguedbyVisions Yes! I loved your videos of disturbing books, we have a lot in common in this aspect. I prefer the disturbing ones rather than plain scary. I highly recommend PENPAL by Dathan Auerbach, it started as a creepypasta and concluded as a full-length novel of incredibly scary proportions. I think you can also love APPLE & KNIFE by Intan Paramaditha (very gruesome short stories) and WHITE IS FOR WITCHING by Helen Oyeyemi (more fantastic tune), another favourite author of mine. I'm sure many of us will be delighted with your in-depth view of Pynchon and McCarthy, or even a single video on Mrs. Dalloway or Pedro Páramo, your passion for that magnificent book was contagious, it will indeed be very interesting. If you ever return to Toni Morrison, 'SONG OF SOLOMON' is my absolute favourite novel of all time ^^ Thanks for reading and answering, mate! Greetings!
Wow this analysis of the southern gothic genre was so helpful! I was actually looking for some good starters to this genre, thanks for adding to my ever-growing tbr list 😂
I absolutely love the gothic genre, though I am not super familiar with the southern side I am aware of it. I am familiar with the classic canon and must say that your brief history was well done for as brief as it was.
Thank you from Holland! I Am Dutch from mixed, colonial, descent and a long time fan of southern gothic literature. It feels familiair, somehow. You have helped me to understand A bit beter why that is.
excellent!! from N.C., loving O'Connor, William Gay and the GREAT William Faulkner. Flannery and Carson McCullers!!! You have done an honorable job here.
Finally Harry Crews is getting represented on booktube! I think you'd like Crapalachia : A Biography of Place by Scott McClanahan (obvs the title is an homage to Crews). Also, have you seen the documentary Searching for the Wrong Eyed Jesus? I think you'd love it! God, I love southern gothic. Need to read some Toni Morrison this year for sure. Have you read any rural noir? Also loving that hat haha.
I have read Crapalachia! I enjoyed it to an extent, but I felt like some of it was verging on the sensationalized and fantasized (certainly not as rugged and disquieting as Crews, but I definitely see the homage and the genuine appreciation for those marginalized wastelands of culture). I have not heard of this documentary! I’ll definitely look further into it. I love southern gothic, too! I mean, obviously lol. I’m familiar with southern noir (Capote, of course, Bonnie Jo, Benjamin Whitmer) but definitely not well read in it by any means. It reminds me a lot of narco-detective fiction from Northern Mexico (which is very hit or miss for me, and a lot of it reads as... downright offensive?), and I’d be very interested in reading more if you have any recommendations!
I left a long comment on this video yesterday, giving my perspective as a life-long Georgian, and now it has disappeared. I gave some statistics about sharecroppers and talked about coming of age in the 70s and how some aspects of Southern Gothic are frustrating to me. I said I would probably have to write my own brand of the genre myself, even if just for a keepsake for my own family and future generations. Not sure what happened, if it's just a YT glitch or whatnot, but wanted to say again I enjoyed the video.
I’m so sorry your commend disappeared! RUclips very often auto-deletes comments for no rhyme or reason. There’s definitely so much of the southern gothic to question, alter, and challenge! It’s a bountiful genre for that very reason.
Terrific discussion!! I'm from FL and the South has a difficult history. I LOVE many of the authors you mentioned. Faulkner is my favorite, but I love O'Connor, McCullers and Morrison. Beloved might be one of the top 5 American books ever written.
Thank you so much, Patrick! And sorry the scope of this video didn’t allow time to explore literature from Florida! Zora Neale Hurston is, of course, legendary.
Thank you so much for watching! And I own Sharp Objects but haven’t read it, but I also had no idea it had southern gothic inclinations. My ears are perked now! 😂
Thank you for this wonderful video. The recommendations are very appreciated. I love Flannery O'Connor and I look forward to reading some of these other authors.
As soon as I saw, "As I lay dying" I knew I could trust you😂❤ One of my favorite reads as a Louisiana girl❤ I always felt so sad, especially for the oldest sister, and for the mom, ugh and for everyone😭
@@heehoopeanut420 Faulkner was a lot of things-and empathic was one of his most tragically beautiful qualities, especially against the racial & sexist brutality of the South. The Sound and the Fury broke me in college in ways I’m still trying to understand hahaha. 💖
Thank you so much! 🥺 As I said, I specialized in this in college, so this is the one thing I can speak on with a modicum of “authority.” 😆 Glad you enjoyed!
That would be a fascinating endeavor! I think especially with so much of Canada’s deeply injurious history having come to light recently, the subject is ripe to explore the more gothic corners of this marred history.
When you talked about southern community's being decent and not caring if it sounds controversial. Its important to remember to take people on a case by case bases. I have faith that there's good people and people who suck in the south just like anywhere ells. They just have a history of racism and all kinds of negativity and some people keep negative values alive. So thanks for brining this topic up
Absolutely, I’ve always felt views of the South from the rest of America are always reductive, specifically because we don’t like thinking about poverty and the ugly history of racism as a thing that requires nuance and careful consideration. I’m happy to at least try to open up such an important discussion!
I know I’m super late to this video but I’m from middle Georgia (an hour from Andalusia farm) and let me say *clears throat* you described and explained everything about the Southern Gothic PERFECTLY! I also studied gothic and southern literature at university and you were right on the money my friend.
ALSO, my favorite film of the southern gothic is MUD. Written and directed by the brother of the lead singer from Lucero, a Texas “dirt band” that narrates in a southern gothic style.
I truly appreciate your kind words, and I’m happy to know I did the subject matter justice! It’s a very difficult genre to tease out, but to me, an easy one to enjoy given the vibrancy of its philosophy and locality. I’ve never watched MUD! I totally need to!
Great list, but... no Eudora Welty? Go read "Clytie" and see what you think. I think you'll like it. I'm not as crazy about Faulkner but "A Rose For Emily" is also as goth as it gets!
Hi Juan....Another great video. I have to digest it in small bits; you have a lot of great information here. Still reading “Hogg”...wow. I just got Jack Ketchum’s “Offspring”...have you read it ?
Hello again! Thank you for watching! Yes, take your time. I am aware that my videos are a bit long and dense. I HAVE read The Offspring. Not my favorite work of his, but he co-wrote a sequel to it with Lucky McKee called “The Woman” which was simultaneously adapted into a film, and that one I really like a lot.
Southern Gothic is rather difficult to define, or at least I find it to be, but you did it very nicely. A Hood Man is Hard to Find is a great one as well as The Sound and the Fury.
I'm learning alot from this video. And I get pissed how teachers and classmates in my uni do not understand any concepts of gothic literature at all. I wish I had a class mate like u man:((((
I've been watching a lot of your videos lately and I came here expecting a top 10 but I got a lot more of what I bargain for. I found the introduction particularly fascinating. I don't know if you're familiar with the term "Gótico tropical". It's a long story but basically a group of people in Cali, Colombia in the 70s/80s wanted to tell gothic stories set in Latin America (en el trópico). It was a short lived movement but even Salvador Dali was (kind of) involved. There are a couple of short stories and movies made in that period that I think you would appreciate. The beginning of the rabbit hole would be the short story "La mansión de Araucaíma" by colombian autor Álvaro Mutis.
I was indeed NOT familiar with this mode of gothic or its examples! Thank you so much for such valuable information. I’ll see if there’s anything I can get my hands on.
Great video. Very educational. If you had to choose between one of Flannery O'Connor's novels and the complete collection of short stories, which one would you choose? Would it be a tough choice?
Let me say. As a native born and life long southerner. A conservative and a Christian. I believe your presentation is on point. Thank you for being attention to this historically rich and moving genre. Many shy away from it. It’s hard to tackle. Once again, it’s clear that you truly understand the subject at hand. So many people try to talk about southern gothic literature with no context or understanding. Not knowing at all what they’re talking about. This video was a breath of fresh air.
This comment really means so much to me. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, and for your kind words towards my video! Southern Gothic and southern literature in general has always fascinated me, and I’m so happy to hear you thought I did it justice. I truly value your support, friend.
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Don’t forget about the #1 Southern gothic short story, A Rose for Emily, by Faulkner. His short stories are a good place to start to read his complex works.
I believe it is impossible for me to ever forget “A Rose for Emily”! 😂
Born and raised in Georgia, with deep deep familial roots in the state. Growing up I felt the tension between the dark, grotesque themes from the Bible, from our history, and from the poverty just outside of my immediate circle and the high importance of manners, of keeping up a certain happy image. Discovering Southern Gothic literature in high school was life-changing for me because it spoke to the darkness around me that I always felt but that no one ever admitted to in the open.
Can you recommend one of your favorites?
@@Murisa-pl1mz you can’t go wrong with any Flannery O’Connor short stories, but I especially love “Good Country People.” I also have to second his recommendation of “Beloved” by Toni Morrison. I have never read anything that so poignantly captured the horrors of slavery in the South.
@@madelynbeacham4032Southern Gothic writing is nothing but tabloid garbage.
I am nearly 70 years old, an inveterate reader who grew up in Georgia, but have since lived more than 30 years in the Pacific Northwest. Let me just say as a native: you nailed it! Thanks.
Hello, Austin. Thank you so much for your comment and for offering your perspective. I’m happy that my videos have reached you, and that you enjoyed this particular one! I really value and appreciate knowing the variety and scope of the people who watch my videos, all with such interesting and unique viewpoints. I hope you continue to enjoy my content, and once again thanks for being here!
I think you'd enjoy those across the river mr Pratt. Takes place in Georgia in I believe 1933 or 34. It's a horror novel of course but a very very good read. 👍
I can’t believe you don’t have more subscribers. Your videos are so high quality and you can tell the amount of effort put into these.
Thank you so much! I actually can’t believe I have so many! Lol. It’s always so encouraging and joyous to hear that people really enjoy the quality and content of my videos. Thank you!!! 🙌🏽
Agreed, but it's hard to get new subs these days. Keep going. New sub here...
I almost scrolled on until i heard my fave southern author mentioned! What a loss that would have been. You're a good communicator. I live in SC and taught southern authors for years. Your caring treatment of them and their subject matter was lovely. If anyone wants to read Flannery O'Connor manuscripts, go to her college, Georgia College and State University, Milledgeville, GA. They even let riff-raff like me enter. Fill out a form, reason for study, (personal enrichment) and go wild! Her home, grave, and church is there to explore, too. From one southern lit lover to another, thanks a million!
I am flabbergasted at the amount of work and passion you put into that video and I am grateful I learnt so much about Southern Gothic in one sitting!
Wow, thank you so much! I’m just happy that you got so much out of it. Southern Gothic is a big passion of mine, so I’m happy that came across!
@@PlaguedbyVisions I teach literature to preparatory classes to the grandes écoles in France and I will definitely tackle the subject. Is there a specific novel you could advise ? I've already worked on To Kill a Mockingbird and I'm looking for another classic.
@@anneamorphose6158 As far as classics go, Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying and O’Connor’s Wise Blood are as essential as it gets!
Absalom, Absalom has to take the cake for me as far as Faulkner Southern Gothic goes. It has everything; a demon, a haunted house, cursed lineage etc etc.
Suttree is an extremely underrated novel and one of my favorite pieces of southern gothic literature
Not even finished watching. Amazing script, man!
Personal Recommendation - "A Confederacy of Dunces' by John Kennedy Toole
I stumbled across your channel the other night and was amazed at what I heard. I’m a devotee of southern lit in general and the gothic sub genre, specifically. You described accurately and articulately the characteristics of Southern Gothic lit and put it precisely into historical context. What’s even more amazing, you’re not from the south. You’re a Mexican immigrant living in LA with no personal experience of Tennessee Williams’ Dragon Country.
Then you went on to identify the Olympic Team of southern writers, Faulkner, O’Connor, McCullers, among others, and summarized their individual strengths thoroughly. You even threw in a couple of obscure writers, Chestnut (who?) and Erskine Caldwell (sadly, unknown to most readers today). Your addition of Toni Morrison to the gothic genre is a bit of a jolt, but I’ll defer to your judgment. Thank you.
If I can just offer one bit of advice? You might want to scrap the straw gardener hat and pick up a white suit, a bow string tie, and a gold handled walking cane. A moustache with soul patch to the point of your chin would seal the deal. Think Colonel Harlan Sanders.
I was born and raised in the south, and I’m happy to say you’ve earned a new subscriber. I can’t explain how much it means to me to see you handle the plight of southerners and southern literature with the care and consideration that you have.
I'm sure others have said so but I'll sya it regardless; don't be mindful of video length. I'm sure youre trying to keep this video short to make it seem less intimidating and more accessible but I can PROMISE you that people clicking on this video would revel in more information and recommendations. You're clearly passionate about this subject matter and it's really contagious, I wanna know more too, and I'd love to learn more from you specifically, and I'm going to go check out the rest fo your channel. I hope you keep sharing your passion regardless of video length
What a terrific explanation of this genre. I’m in Georgia and also Catholic. Flannery O’Conner was originally from Savannah which is a very Catholic town with the Cathedral and Bishop for most of the state (except around Atlanta). It is rare, but more common than you (or I) would have thought. I love this genre and appreciate your hard work. Thank you and I will check out your newer content.
been researching gothic lit recently, by far the best video on southern american gothic! thank you!
Probably the best videos on books we can find on RUclips. Greetings from Brazil
😭🙌🏽 thank you so much for watching and for your kind words! I don’t know what to say. All this positive reception always leaves me speechless. Greetings from California 🤙🏽
I love Flannery O'Connor too, and love Southern Gothic almost as much as you. If you haven't read him yet, I recommend Cormac McCarthy.
I found your video by accident, and it was a most fortunate accident. This video opened my mind to Southern literature/ gothic, and I will check out your suggested list of literary works. Thanks for sharing the knowledge, and I will check out more of your videos.
I will need to rewatch the video several times to grasp all the concepts and nuances that readily roll off your tongue. Awesome lecture. Sad to say that growing up 1000 miles north of the Southern Gothic region, I was not exposed to it’s Literature growing up. Thanks to Book-tubers like yourself, I have been slowly filling in the voids. Thanks!
Thank you for your care and honesty in describing the South. Well done. Refreshing.
You are truly one of the most interesting and thoughtful creators on book tube. I really enjoyed this video.
Thank you so much for your support! You have no idea how much I always appreciate and cherish comments like this. They’re what keep me going! I’m so happy you enjoyed this. Hope to keep making videos of this kind!
Good video. I love that you dont just try to show the best novels and use them to describe. You explain what it is before telling us what fits the definition
Thank you for watching! I’m happy to hear you enjoy the content and format. :)
I just found your channel and really enjoyed this brilliant account of Southern Gothic. As an Aussie, I am more familiar with English Gothic but you have sparked my interest in the Southern version of this genre. You have a new subscriber.
Okay, so I'm only half an hour in, and I'm loving your explanation so far. I've lived in a 'progressive' area of North Carolina for most of my life, packed with yankees around the academic centers of our universities, and the lack of understanding, the oversimplification, of the history of the south by so many people who move to and live here, is a huge problem. They're scared to drive even 20 minutes out of this area, because they'll start hearing southern accents, seeing poverty, being exposed to the anger and sorrow and visible ghost stories around them. I think a lot of them should listen to this video.
Also, if you haven't already seen 'Dirty South', a documentary about media/entertainment portrayals of the south (by BBC, weirdly enough) you absolutely should. Again, as a southerner, can vouch for the fact that Rich Hall (the american that narrates it, who is also from North Carolina) really gets it. ruclips.net/video/x_G2VOBKXxM/видео.html
This feedback really means a lot. A million thank yous for such a wonderful comment! I always strive to be holistic and thorough when it comes to defining certain movements and genres, and I thought it was especially important for a genre as misunderstood and misconstrued as the southern gothic.
I will definitely have to check out this documentary. Thank you so much for sharing it! I’m glad you found my video worthwhile.
Amazing dive into the history and roots of this genre 😍 Also great “tutorial” on how to read it. I’ve read “to kill a mockingbird” and “as I lay dying” (both were translations in Russian) and was so amazed by the style! It felt as if the South itself was a character, that it lived and breathed and shaped everyone else there.
Thank you for the video, there not so many valuable discourses on this topic
Thank YOU so much for your engaged viewing! As I Lay Dying is truly one of the most vibrant novels I have ever read.
Omgosh how do you not have more subs?! I found this video because I was looking for a decent overview of Southern Gothic literature. Yours is by far the best I could find on here, and definitely the most thorough. Subscribing!
So happy you found this video! I, myself, set out to make it precisely because I failed to find any comprehensive material on the subject. This genre is one of my biggest passions, so I’m glad to hear someone also interested in the genre found it useful! Thank you so much for the support! It is truly, truly appreciated!
Another great video and a great introduction to Southern Gothic! I have recently been fascinated with Southern Gothic, but more in context of music, visual art and movies. You got me hooked into the literature side as well. Thank you and keep doing your thing! Greetings from Helsinki, Finland 😊
Hey, I would LOVE to hear some recommendations for southern gothic music! I have actually been looking for some myself.
I’m glad you enjoyed the video! Sending my regards and gratitude all the way to Finland. 🇫🇮Would love to visit one day!
just stumbled across u and loved your review of things have gotten worse & i have been searching for good gothic recommendations for so long!!!! goodreads lists can’t be trusted. i love gothic literature too & for my thesis class for my BA in english was on gothics!!! specifically it was on Emerson & sensational gothic literature from the mid 1800s. it is such a amazing genre!!! i wish there were more modern gothic literature!
So glad this video was recommended to me and I discovered your channel! Loved listening to this 📚
I'm interested in the Southern Gothic genre and find this to be a wonderful introduction to it, very well done! I very much appreciate this video!
So happy that you found this useful and informative!
I love Faulkner's 'Dry September'. A masterful short story!
I was forced to read "The sound and the fury" in college and it was pretty interesting, though it did help to have commentary to understand what he is trying to do. Nice vid, bro!
Deep gratitude for your work. I look forward to more, please. Smiles and sunshine.
Love love love! I so enjoyed this video and I am adding it to my collection of favorite videos on RUclips! I will be passing this video along to my friends!!
Hey thanks for the video. I'm 3 years late haha but none the less glad to see how much you've progressed from 300 followers to 18,000. I'm personally a southerner so southern lit interest me. I have beloved sitting on my shelf and am not feeling compelled to read it.
Alabama born and raised... 49 years old and have lived here all my life. i know i'm late to this video but just wanted to say that your points are neither offensive nor uninformed. Good job, you. You've just earned a new subscriber,
Great video, thank you. Have you read Shirley Ann Grau? one of the most overlooked writers of SG, in my opinion. She won the Pulitzer for The Keepers of House, which is brilliant... hm, just mentioning it makes me want to read it again. The Hard Blue Sky is also brilliant. Currently I'm sinking into The Condor Passes. As an Autistic, I typically take things very literally, but since you pointed out the language of passing, mixed, etc, this story takes on a whole new depth for me.
Also, Donna Tartt.... from Mississippi... though she seems to set her stories in New England, they truly seem to belong--as you phrased it--to the true SG body. Have you read The Secret History?
I do love Shirley Ann Grau! I don’t believe her work is fully considered part of the “southern gothic” genre, but there’s definitely very compelling and unsettling explorations of gender and race in her work where you could build a case for it being SG! I also almost included Kate Chopin and Jean Toomer, but decided not to, for the same reason. At least Charles Chesnutt made the chop!
Now, Donna Tartt I have NOT read, but definitely heard the name. I’m not opposed to reading her work!
I’m so happy you enjoyed and got something out of the video! Thank you for watching and for such a nice, thorough comment!
Geez Bro truly you should be lecturing; thanks for your efforts man you treat your listeners with intellectual respect, all strength to you I have never managed Faulkner I know so few of these writers except Flannery O' my God Conner, what a writer Anyway you have inspired me I'm gonna finish a Faulkner this time and check out Chesnutt Crews and Caldwell Thanks again bro such good work.
Haha thanks! I’m a doctorate student dropout, so that’s close enough lol.
Flannery O’Connor is a master. Her stories made me feel - it’s unbelievable how actually rare that is when it comes to “classic” literature. Deep human portraits in all her works.
I say Faulkner is easy once you just read and stop worrying about understanding. Something is sure to come of it.
Thanks for your wonderful compliments! They made my day!
Wow, this video is everything I needed. Thank you sir!
Thank YOU so much for watching!
Brilliant stuff. Love Fall of the House of Usher and, years ago, I committed Roderick's dirge to memory (The Haunted Palace). What a perfect lament of the decay and disorder of a once great and charismatic mind.
I just last year went on a Michael McDowell tear, reading "The Elementals," "The Amulet" and the "Blackwater" series. As a fan of horror, I stumbled on "The Elementals," which led me through the other books. Some strong gothic themes throughout his work, particularly with its obsession of the past, dark secrets and the decay of family lines.
Great videos!
Thank you for watching and for your kind words! Michael McDowell is definitely a great example of gothic fiction set in the south (his works bleed more into straight up gothic horror than southern gothic, but there’s obviously a lot of common ground). I really enjoyed The Elementals as well!
And I agree, “The Fall of the House of Usher” is incredible. So many people relegate Poe’s writings to the realm of “schoolwork” literature and tend to ignore him when it comes to leisurely reading, and they really lose sight of the fact that his tales are so enjoyable and impactful.
I love Michael McDowell! Do you have any recommendations for books similar to his? And what did you think of The Amulet?
your video helped my final essay greatly, being a exchange student try to understand American literature is rather difficult. this is surprisingly useful and enjoyable.
Ahh, this comment brings me great joy! I’m so happy that you found my video helpful! That is the goal here.
I just discovered your channel and am impressed. Not just because your videos continue to improve in quality but your taste in writing is excellent I mean I almost never see anybody mention Harry Crews or ballad of the sad caffe. And your explanation and analysis is spot on and help me see more insight into some of these books that I have already read you've turned me on to some books that I didn't know existed and let me just say all and all you deserve more subscribers
Hey, this comment means so much to me. Thank you for your very kind and thoughtful words. My main mission is always to impart knowledge and offer insights, so I am overjoyed knowing that the purpose is coming through. Thank you so much for watching and for your support! It truly means the world to me.
I miss this kind of content soooo much.
I hate it when my audience guilt trips me.
As a native of Georgia, I appreciate your discussion of southern gothic literature and the importance of southern writers in literature in general. Though an inveterate reader myself, I have never been a reader of southern literature as perhaps I feel as if I have lived and am familiar with the tenets of southern gothic. The still existent racism sadly underlies much of southern life. I've never read Faulkner, O'Connor, Welty, Morrison, etc. I need to correct this literary shortcoming in light of your video essay.
Holy Moly, what an insightful video. I am a lover of Southern Gothic and I learnt so much watching this video ~ thank you for this!!
Thank YOU so much for watching! I’m happy to hear this video was worth your while!
No way could I miss this one. It’s one of my favorite genres too. Faulkner is a little over my head but O’Connor and McCarthy and William Gay are three of my favorite authors and ‘Suttree’ is one of the best novels I ever read. And if you aren’t a teacher you really should be.
Would you put Boys Life by Robert McCammon in the Southern Gothic genre ? It was certainly dense and filled with racial concerns as well as freaks and depravity though in the clear accessible voice of popular literature.
Thank you so much! I am not a teacher, but I’m happy to impart knowledge on RUclips! I would say McCammon and McDowell have written “southern horror” that definitely borrows from the southern gothic tradition, but I do think there’s distinct differences, mostly dealing with themes and stylization, that separate them from what actual “southern gothic” refers to. However, genre definitions can certainly be expanded!
This was very good from an outsider prospective tracing a single thread through the unfathomably complex history of the the American south. I have lived in or near Georgia, closest to Atlanta all my life except for some years I spent in Seattle. If you look just off the main roads, you can still the railroad tracks that are twisted and over grown by pine tries from almost 200 years ago laying rusted in their slumber after The Great Conflagration.
The one thing to really understand about the south is that beyond the geography is that culture and philosophy has always been at odds here. From the Protestants and Anglicans to when the Catholics and the Quakers came, the man who owns the south has always been at contest. As someone who has been called "gringo" and the accompanying other otherizings more times than I can count, the clash of race in the south is just a more obvious and outward expression of the same conflict that has been raging forever. The deep south has been a 300 year edition of the Bosnian conflict. Yes, lesser minds simplify it to what they can see and emulate, but it has always been and it always will be, I assume. We fight the heat, the hills, and least of which, each other for the bountiful prize of southern clay.
That aside, This is the only non-music video on YT for Southern Gothic, and im glad it is. I hope many more enjoy it.
Just added The Violent Bear It Away on my TBR... Interested in the religious aspects of the book as I grew up and still am a Christian... Also added Beloved.. as always your videos are so educational and informative...
Yes! I would say if you wanted religious horror, O’Connor is much closer than The Master and Margarita. She is such an enigmatic writer. She confronted so many transgressive issues (sexuality, violence, even body horror) and yet always with poise and never losing sight of her Christian faith. I think you will really enjoy her writing!
Thanks for watching, Gio, and again, thanks for the shoutout!
Thank you for this masterclass!
Thank YOU so much for watching! I’m so happy you found value in it.
Good show. Interesting. You've become my favorite booktuber. I was wondering if James Dickey's "Deliverance" would be considered Southern Gothic, then you answered the question by showing the banjo kid at the end.
Thanks for coming back, Kevin! I can’t believe I have the honor of being someone’s favorite booktuber. 😭 I don’t know what to say! I’m happy to be putting out content that you enjoy. It’s these reasons why I’m still going. Thank you so much. 🙌🏽
Deliverance is as southern gothic as they come! Deformities, violence, ravaging poverty, the city vs. the country. It even takes place in Georgia, along with most of the works I talked about here. Both the novel and the film are southern gothic classics. Another celebrated horror film I’d include as part of the southern gothic is the Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
Some of Truman Capote's early stories qualify as Southern Gothic. If you haven't read them, try "A Tree of Night" and "Children on Their Birthdays."
I love Capote’s stories! Other Voices, Other Rooms would also be technically southern gothic, I believe.
@@PlaguedbyVisions I love Other Voices, Other Rooms, so beautiful. Also, A Christmas Memory by Capote is Southern Gothic.
I've been doing a little bit of personal research on the southern gothic genre and that's how I found your channel!
02:54 You say here that "A true, in-depth definition [of Gothic Literature] would require hours of explanation" "I planned to do an entire video on defining Gothic Literature but eventually gave up in frustration upon realizing that the script I was writing would probably end up being a 3-4 hour long video"
Well, I'd watch that-- or at least be very interested to see what your notes looked like that would have resulted in something so huge.
This is a terrific examination of an important - and intriguing - subgenre of American literature. What isn't generally appreciated is how isolated most of the South was. There were no cities over a million people until the late 1960s. When Atlanta was burned in the Civil War, it had a population of not more than 15,000. It was a railroad cross roads. This isolation bred the eccentricity, religious deviation, bigotry, incest, and decay that you reference. Thank you!
Thank you so much for watching! And wonderful insights!
Thank you so much. That was one of the most beautiful pieces I was lucky to come across on RUclips.
And this one of the kindest and most encouraging comments I’ve received. Thank you.
Pleeeeeeaaaase make videos about the definition of the word gothic!!! You are GREAT!!! Cheers from Brazil
Yesssss southern gothic! My absolute favorite subgenre of horror and one I'm trying to make a comic on (I'm mainly an illustrator so it's more of a labor of love and hobby than anything), can't wait to hear your recommendations on it!
Love the hat btw
Southern Gothic isn't a subgenre of horror. It's lit.
Thank you so much! I think southern gothic can definitely be considered a subgenre of horror, as it derives from the gothic imagination. I’d love to hear more about your comic!
Incredible video. Working my way through your recommendations. Thank you.
My goodness, I loved this talk. Thank you for your work on this, and for your book recommendations. New subscriber!
Thank you so much, Ken! Glad you got something out of it. :)
Wow! Thanks Dr. Juan for this amazing literature class!
Great video!! I love Southern Gothic lit and this was a really interesting and informative video. Also, you are so good at this!! You're doing an amazing job ☺️☺️
Thank you so much! I’m happy you enjoyed the video and got something out of it. I really appreciate the kind words!
there's a very virginia-centric subgenre called appalachian gothic as well, if you don't wanna go quite so far south
Oooo, any recs?
Thank you for an enlightening lecture. Your thoughtfulness and preparation are noteworthy.
Thank YOU so much for your time and interest. ❤️
You're absolutely astonishing! You have taught me in this single video more than a bunch of academics trying to justify their preferences. You are a complete master! Please don't stop making videos, your channel was a true discovery for me. PS. Toni Morrison is my favourite author of all time, along with Nabokov and Pynchon. You'll be awesome in giving a whole video-review of 'Blood Meridian'. Merely a suggestion ^^ greetings, my friend!
Thank you so much for this amazing comment! I'm so happy to hear you got something out of this video. That's always my goal. Toni Morrison is an incredible author. Even if I have read very little by her, I still constantly think back to her work as some of the most masterful.
I reviewed Blood Meridian in my first ever video, on the "top 9 most disturbing books I have read," but the review was not too in depth--simply my views on its most disturbing aspects. People have asked me to talk about McCarthy and Pynchon in-depth many times. Perhaps I really should!
@@PlaguedbyVisions Yes! I loved your videos of disturbing books, we have a lot in common in this aspect. I prefer the disturbing ones rather than plain scary. I highly recommend PENPAL by Dathan Auerbach, it started as a creepypasta and concluded as a full-length novel of incredibly scary proportions. I think you can also love APPLE & KNIFE by Intan Paramaditha (very gruesome short stories) and WHITE IS FOR WITCHING by Helen Oyeyemi (more fantastic tune), another favourite author of mine. I'm sure many of us will be delighted with your in-depth view of Pynchon and McCarthy, or even a single video on Mrs. Dalloway or Pedro Páramo, your passion for that magnificent book was contagious, it will indeed be very interesting. If you ever return to Toni Morrison, 'SONG OF SOLOMON' is my absolute favourite novel of all time ^^ Thanks for reading and answering, mate! Greetings!
Thanks and hails from as far down south as Uzbekistan 🇺🇿 Mil gracias 🙏
Ah, always such an amazing delight to hear of where people are watching from! Thank you so much! Sending my gratitude from California!
Wow this analysis of the southern gothic genre was so helpful! I was actually looking for some good starters to this genre, thanks for adding to my ever-growing tbr list 😂
Always happy to help. ❤️❤️❤️
¡Gran video, gran explicación!
¡Muchas gracias!
I absolutely love the gothic genre, though I am not super familiar with the southern side I am aware of it. I am familiar with the classic canon and must say that your brief history was well done for as brief as it was.
Glad to hear I didn’t butcher this! Haha.
Thank you from Holland! I Am Dutch from mixed, colonial, descent and a long time fan of southern gothic literature. It feels familiair, somehow. You have helped me to understand A bit beter why that is.
I am so happy to read this comment! Thank you so much. I am so happy that this video was able to provide that for you.
I like your show just found. I have read all the Larry brown I could find. I hope you like him to and talk about him.
Thank you so much for watching! I will note this author’s name. :)
excellent!! from N.C., loving O'Connor, William Gay and the GREAT William Faulkner. Flannery and Carson McCullers!!! You have done an honorable job here.
Finally Harry Crews is getting represented on booktube! I think you'd like Crapalachia : A Biography of Place by Scott McClanahan (obvs the title is an homage to Crews). Also, have you seen the documentary Searching for the Wrong Eyed Jesus? I think you'd love it!
God, I love southern gothic. Need to read some Toni Morrison this year for sure. Have you read any rural noir? Also loving that hat haha.
I have read Crapalachia! I enjoyed it to an extent, but I felt like some of it was verging on the sensationalized and fantasized (certainly not as rugged and disquieting as Crews, but I definitely see the homage and the genuine appreciation for those marginalized wastelands of culture). I have not heard of this documentary! I’ll definitely look further into it.
I love southern gothic, too! I mean, obviously lol. I’m familiar with southern noir (Capote, of course, Bonnie Jo, Benjamin Whitmer) but definitely not well read in it by any means. It reminds me a lot of narco-detective fiction from Northern Mexico (which is very hit or miss for me, and a lot of it reads as... downright offensive?), and I’d be very interested in reading more if you have any recommendations!
@@PlaguedbyVisions I just finished reading Blacktop Wasteland by SA Cosby which is a modern rural noir. I absolutely loved it, couldn't rate it more!
I left a long comment on this video yesterday, giving my perspective as a life-long Georgian, and now it has disappeared. I gave some statistics about sharecroppers and talked about coming of age in the 70s and how some aspects of Southern Gothic are frustrating to me. I said I would probably have to write my own brand of the genre myself, even if just for a keepsake for my own family and future generations. Not sure what happened, if it's just a YT glitch or whatnot, but wanted to say again I enjoyed the video.
I’m so sorry your commend disappeared! RUclips very often auto-deletes comments for no rhyme or reason. There’s definitely so much of the southern gothic to question, alter, and challenge! It’s a bountiful genre for that very reason.
Terrific discussion!! I'm from FL and the South has a difficult history. I LOVE many of the authors you mentioned. Faulkner is my favorite, but I love O'Connor, McCullers and Morrison. Beloved might be one of the top 5 American books ever written.
Thank you so much, Patrick! And sorry the scope of this video didn’t allow time to explore literature from Florida! Zora Neale Hurston is, of course, legendary.
thank you so much for this man, great stuff.
incredible video mate
Appreciate it! ❤️
this video was so necessary! thank you! also, have you heard about Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn? do you think it can be considered southern gothic?
Thank you so much for watching! And I own Sharp Objects but haven’t read it, but I also had no idea it had southern gothic inclinations. My ears are perked now! 😂
Thank you for this wonderful video. The recommendations are very appreciated. I love Flannery O'Connor and I look forward to reading some of these other authors.
O’Connor was legendary. I think you will really like Harry Crews if you like her!
Spectacular research and care taken to controversial subjects!!! Excellent job!
Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it. 🥲
Wow, this is exactly the video I was looking for. I am just getting into this genre. Thank you for your work!:)
So happy to be of help! Thank you for your comment. ❤️
As soon as I saw, "As I lay dying" I knew I could trust you😂❤ One of my favorite reads as a Louisiana girl❤ I always felt so sad, especially for the oldest sister, and for the mom, ugh and for everyone😭
@@heehoopeanut420 Faulkner was a lot of things-and empathic was one of his most tragically beautiful qualities, especially against the racial & sexist brutality of the South. The Sound and the Fury broke me in college in ways I’m still trying to understand hahaha. 💖
Enjoyed this. Learned a lot. Thank you.
Thank you so much! Glad to hear this long-winded video was worth your while. That’s the goal! Thank you for watching and commenting!
This is so well done!
Thank you so much! 🥺 As I said, I specialized in this in college, so this is the one thing I can speak on with a modicum of “authority.” 😆 Glad you enjoyed!
Thank you so much for this video! I'm trying to write something with this genre feel but with a Canadian twist, You've given me plenty to work with
That would be a fascinating endeavor! I think especially with so much of Canada’s deeply injurious history having come to light recently, the subject is ripe to explore the more gothic corners of this marred history.
I’m so fascinated with this genre. Iv read some Flannery O’Connor and Eudora Welty but I’m excited to dive into these.
It’s a spellbinding genre that one can get lost in, isn’t it? It’s America unlike anyone else has ever seen it.
When you talked about southern community's being decent and not caring if it sounds controversial. Its important to remember to take people on a case by case bases. I have faith that there's good people and people who suck in the south just like anywhere ells. They just have a history of racism and all kinds of negativity and some people keep negative values alive. So thanks for brining this topic up
Absolutely, I’ve always felt views of the South from the rest of America are always reductive, specifically because we don’t like thinking about poverty and the ugly history of racism as a thing that requires nuance and careful consideration. I’m happy to at least try to open up such an important discussion!
I know I’m super late to this video but I’m from middle Georgia (an hour from Andalusia farm) and let me say *clears throat* you described and explained everything about the Southern Gothic PERFECTLY! I also studied gothic and southern literature at university and you were right on the money my friend.
ALSO, my favorite film of the southern gothic is MUD. Written and directed by the brother of the lead singer from Lucero, a Texas “dirt band” that narrates in a southern gothic style.
I truly appreciate your kind words, and I’m happy to know I did the subject matter justice! It’s a very difficult genre to tease out, but to me, an easy one to enjoy given the vibrancy of its philosophy and locality. I’ve never watched MUD! I totally need to!
Do the long one it will be helping people understanding forever
Helping people understand forever would be a dream come true!
This is a really insightful video. Good job! 🙂
Thank you for watching! ❤️
Great list, but... no Eudora Welty? Go read "Clytie" and see what you think. I think you'll like it. I'm not as crazy about Faulkner but "A Rose For Emily" is also as goth as it gets!
I did recommend Welty’s short stories at the very end. 47:23 :)
Thank you for watching the entire video!
@@PlaguedbyVisions Sorry, i looked at the playlist and replied before I got all the way to the end. :) Anyway, great vid!
One of my favorite genres. William Faulkner is one of my idols (love me or hate me 😂)
William Faulkner’s writing is awe inspiring!
Crews' Feast of Snakes and Body are great. OConnor's Wise Blood is a classic and should be read. James Dicky's poems, too.
All wonderful literature indeed!
Great Video, keep the great content up!
Thank you, my friend! ❤️
Great explanation about southern gothic, very helpful. Did you studied literature in college? Saludos desde México :)
¡Saludos! Siempre un gusto saber que hay raza que mira mi canal jajaja.
Yes, I studied American Literature in college. How could you tell? 😂
Your videos are very informative and articulate!! New sub-and liked as well!!!!
Thank you so much!
Hi Juan....Another great video. I have to digest it in small bits; you have a lot of great information here. Still reading “Hogg”...wow. I just got Jack Ketchum’s “Offspring”...have you read it ?
Hello again! Thank you for watching! Yes, take your time. I am aware that my videos are a bit long and dense.
I HAVE read The Offspring. Not my favorite work of his, but he co-wrote a sequel to it with Lucky McKee called “The Woman” which was simultaneously adapted into a film, and that one I really like a lot.
Southern Gothic is rather difficult to define, or at least I find it to be, but you did it very nicely. A Hood Man is Hard to Find is a great one as well as The Sound and the Fury.
Thank you for watching! For me it’s not really hard to define per se, just really exhausting. 😂
Wow, thank you so much this is brilliant. 😍
I'm learning alot from this video. And I get pissed how teachers and classmates in my uni do not understand any concepts of gothic literature at all. I wish I had a class mate like u man:((((
I've been watching a lot of your videos lately and I came here expecting a top 10 but I got a lot more of what I bargain for. I found the introduction particularly fascinating.
I don't know if you're familiar with the term "Gótico tropical".
It's a long story but basically a group of people in Cali, Colombia in the 70s/80s wanted to tell gothic stories set in Latin America (en el trópico). It was a short lived movement but even Salvador Dali was (kind of) involved. There are a couple of short stories and movies made in that period that I think you would appreciate.
The beginning of the rabbit hole would be the short story "La mansión de Araucaíma" by colombian autor Álvaro Mutis.
I was indeed NOT familiar with this mode of gothic or its examples! Thank you so much for such valuable information. I’ll see if there’s anything I can get my hands on.
@@PlaguedbyVisions The short story I mentioned can be easily found online and I know at least one of the movies is here on RUclips "Pura sangre" 1982.
Great video. Very educational.
If you had to choose between one of Flannery O'Connor's novels and the complete collection of short stories, which one would you choose? Would it be a tough choice?
I would definitely go for her short stories!
Let me say. As a native born and life long southerner. A conservative and a Christian. I believe your presentation is on point. Thank you for being attention to this historically rich and moving genre. Many shy away from it. It’s hard to tackle. Once again, it’s clear that you truly understand the subject at hand. So many people try to talk about southern gothic literature with no context or understanding. Not knowing at all what they’re talking about. This video was a breath of fresh air.
This comment really means so much to me. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, and for your kind words towards my video! Southern Gothic and southern literature in general has always fascinated me, and I’m so happy to hear you thought I did it justice. I truly value your support, friend.
ditto! 📚