I think the only gothic literature I've read is Bram Stoker's Dracula and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, but it's been so long since I've read them that I don't remember which I like more. Which of those two do you like more?
I think Frankenstein is what I prefer, I like the complexity of it's characters, the fact that the monster is not just an evil zombie as he is often portrayed in the media, and the fact that Dr Frankenstein is a flawed anti hero. Dracula is more just a story of good vs evil, and a great one at that, but I like the ambiguity in Frankenstein more.
Brilliant review! Gothic literature is really a thing in and of itself. It tackles themes explored in other works but it’s the introspection and sense of isolation that make the genre so interesting.
I’m about to watch “Wuthering Heights” (a recent version) but now I’m not sure I want to. I saw the old one (1939?) as a child and always thought they were so romantic and in love, running around the moors, and that it was so tragic but still showed they really loved ea other at the end when she died in his arms. I don’t recall if I’d actually read the book…. Anyway, it’ll be interesting to see how this portrayal treats the story and now I’m prepared for some nasty business in the end, thanks to your other reviews. I’m also curious whether clergy condemned the gothic genre if good doesn’t always prevail. I’m enjoying your channel BTW.
I'm a friend of John McCrae's, an academic into Gothic lit, who has been cajoling me into reading the genre for years. I am now in complete lockdown in Nepal and have taken advantage of my enforced isolation to read 'The Castle of Otranto', 'The Old English Baron', 'A Sicilian Romance' and 'The Monk' in a week. With the single exception of the Radcliffe, which I found tedious and prissy, I have enjoyed them all. I was able to suspend disbelief with the Walpole and was happy to go along for the improbable ride. Ditto with the Clara Reeve. 'The Monk' is literally sensational - God knows what people thought in the 1790s, but it's shocking in parts even today. But Ann Radcliffe - laboured, verbose and unexciting. 'Vathek' is next, then Maturin and Shelley.
Thank you for this very perceptive description of Gothic literature. I truly enjoy stories that delve into the complexities of humanity, the darker side of our natures, not fairy tale happily ever after renditions of life, sugar coating what is melancholic or dismal. I’m very intrigued by Ann Radcliffe, whose passages I’ve chanced upon. This lady draws me right into her world. I also enjoy all the Bronte sisters, the moors with the sense of dark mystery they evoke in conjunction with some of the Byronic as well as possessed, vicious characters that bring out this mood. Wilkie Collins is another author I love. I don’t know if he is in this genre but his Woman in White certainly evokes a sense of eerie, with this strange possessed but heart rending character appearing like a ghost and the brutal people who do her in.
Good video. Gothic literature or any Gothic art form is more like a theatrical version of reality. It is reflective at times rather than just being dark. It captures a mood and time, particularly that is either intensely intimate or melancholic. I think it appeals more deeply to the introverted characters because even the dark personalities depicted in such stories are more of a thinking man's villain, a philosophical anti-hero, a victim at heart (even Dracula arguably turned out to a dreaded villain due to certain misfortunes in his life), etc. It is like showing light through darkness..It is not about someone who is invincible and all-powerful, typical hero or heroine. Here there are flaws and defects in the protagonist. As you say, it brings out two opposite elements that are incredibly intertwined just like life in itself. Gothic literature explores that with style and substance.
I've read some of them. I also quite liked the TV Series Penny Dreadful, although it was not completely faithful to the Gothic novels, it sort of mixed many of the works and characters you mentioned in an interesting way.
Hey thanks for the recommendation, I'll take a look at that series. With all this social distancing going on, I need something to fill the downtime! :P
I just read, "And Then There Were None", by Agatha Christie. It's a detective novel, but the detective genre arose out of the Gothic genre. There's a large house that's the only structure on a tiny island (so a structure like Dracula's castle); the island is cut off from the rest of civilization, so the ten people staying in the house are completely isolated; there's a terrible storm at night, which adds to the terror of the novel (nature as a threat); and there's psychological torture. Very Gothic. And i loved it.
Hi Joshua, thank you for the video. You mentioned the amorality or art in Dorian Gray. That really intrigued me. Can you mention more about that or why Wilde felt that way?
Glad you enjoyed it! It's been a while, but I think from what I remember I would say two things to your question. First, Wilde has a theory that art should be amoral, which means that you shouldn't create art with the intention of teaching moral lessons to the audience. He's an "art for art's sake" kind of person. Second, Wilde also has a theory that beauty allows people to get away with terrible things, and we see that through the character of Dorian, who gets away with evil for a long time because he is beautiful and young. I hope that answers your question :)
@@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall Thank you so much! I really enjoy your videos. It makes sense that Wilde would not want any moral lessons in art- or anywhere else for that matter. If you ever make it out to San Francisco, I owe you a coffee. Right now, a good portion of Europe has found there way here.
What are your favourite books in gothic literature?
I think the only gothic literature I've read is Bram Stoker's Dracula and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, but it's been so long since I've read them that I don't remember which I like more. Which of those two do you like more?
I think Frankenstein is what I prefer, I like the complexity of it's characters, the fact that the monster is not just an evil zombie as he is often portrayed in the media, and the fact that Dr Frankenstein is a flawed anti hero. Dracula is more just a story of good vs evil, and a great one at that, but I like the ambiguity in Frankenstein more.
The Monk by Matthew Lewis, Vathek by William Beckford, Melmoth the Wanderer by Charles Maturin
@@patricklynch7105 The Monk is a classic! One of my favourites too!
From what I’ve read, it sounds like the real Dracula (Vlad the Impaler) was much worse and even scarier than the made-up Dracula.
a guy that enjoys gothic fiction... not gonna lie, that's hot.
My favorite modern Gothic is "Let the Right One In", The Scandinavian film of the novel ( with subtitles) is stunning.
I am currently reading Frankenstein and next on my list are Moby Dick, Dracula and To Kill a Mocking Bird.
Brilliant review! Gothic literature is really a thing in and of itself. It tackles themes explored in other works but it’s the introspection and sense of isolation that make the genre so interesting.
I lobe Gothic literature, becasue the vibes tend to be immaculate
I’m about to watch “Wuthering Heights” (a recent version) but now I’m not sure I want to. I saw the old one (1939?) as a child and always thought they were so romantic and in love, running around the moors, and that it was so tragic but still showed they really loved ea other at the end when she died in his arms. I don’t recall if I’d actually read the book…. Anyway, it’ll be interesting to see how this portrayal treats the story and now I’m prepared for some nasty business in the end, thanks to your other reviews. I’m also curious whether clergy condemned the gothic genre if good doesn’t always prevail. I’m enjoying your channel BTW.
I'm a friend of John McCrae's, an academic into Gothic lit, who has been cajoling me into reading the genre for years. I am now in complete lockdown in Nepal and have taken advantage of my enforced isolation to read 'The Castle of Otranto', 'The Old English Baron', 'A Sicilian Romance' and 'The Monk' in a week. With the single exception of the Radcliffe, which I found tedious and prissy, I have enjoyed them all. I was able to suspend disbelief with the Walpole and was happy to go along for the improbable ride. Ditto with the Clara Reeve. 'The Monk' is literally sensational - God knows what people thought in the 1790s, but it's shocking in parts even today. But Ann Radcliffe - laboured, verbose and unexciting.
'Vathek' is next, then Maturin and Shelley.
I should have added that I really liked your chat about the genre.
Thank you for this very perceptive description of Gothic literature. I truly enjoy stories that delve into the complexities of humanity, the darker side of our natures, not fairy tale happily ever after renditions of life, sugar coating what is melancholic or dismal. I’m very intrigued by Ann Radcliffe, whose passages I’ve chanced upon. This lady draws me right into her world. I also enjoy all the Bronte sisters, the moors with the sense of dark mystery they evoke in conjunction with some of the Byronic as well as possessed, vicious characters that bring out this mood. Wilkie Collins is another author I love. I don’t know if he is in this genre but his Woman in White certainly evokes a sense of eerie, with this strange possessed but heart rending character appearing like a ghost and the brutal people who do her in.
I've read many gothic novels and M.R. James stories are still the scariest to me. Wish he had written a novel.
Good video. Gothic literature or any Gothic art form is more like a theatrical version of reality. It is reflective at times rather than just being dark. It captures a mood and time, particularly that is either intensely intimate or melancholic. I think it appeals more deeply to the introverted characters because even the dark personalities depicted in such stories are more of a thinking man's villain, a philosophical anti-hero, a victim at heart (even Dracula arguably turned out to a dreaded villain due to certain misfortunes in his life), etc. It is like showing light through darkness..It is not about someone who is invincible and all-powerful, typical hero or heroine. Here there are flaws and defects in the protagonist. As you say, it brings out two opposite elements that are incredibly intertwined just like life in itself. Gothic literature explores that with style and substance.
I've read some of them. I also quite liked the TV Series Penny Dreadful, although it was not completely faithful to the Gothic novels, it sort of mixed many of the works and characters you mentioned in an interesting way.
Hey thanks for the recommendation, I'll take a look at that series. With all this social distancing going on, I need something to fill the downtime! :P
Brilliant series. Remarkably good acting.
I just read, "And Then There Were None", by Agatha Christie. It's a detective novel, but the detective genre arose out of the Gothic genre. There's a large house that's the only structure on a tiny island (so a structure like Dracula's castle); the island is cut off from the rest of civilization, so the ten people staying in the house are completely isolated; there's a terrible storm at night, which adds to the terror of the novel (nature as a threat); and there's psychological torture. Very Gothic. And i loved it.
That sounds really interesting! I'll have to read it myself some day.
Nice to get more perspective on the genre
Thank you :)
Hi Joshua, thank you for the video. You mentioned the amorality or art in Dorian Gray. That really intrigued me. Can you mention more about that or why Wilde felt that way?
Glad you enjoyed it! It's been a while, but I think from what I remember I would say two things to your question. First, Wilde has a theory that art should be amoral, which means that you shouldn't create art with the intention of teaching moral lessons to the audience. He's an "art for art's sake" kind of person. Second, Wilde also has a theory that beauty allows people to get away with terrible things, and we see that through the character of Dorian, who gets away with evil for a long time because he is beautiful and young.
I hope that answers your question :)
@@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall
Thank you so much! I really enjoy your videos.
It makes sense that Wilde would not want any moral lessons in art- or anywhere else for that matter.
If you ever make it out to San Francisco, I owe you a coffee. Right now, a good portion of Europe has found there way here.
Please do Sensation novels...
I am almost sure he is a vampire.
Lovely video! If you haven’t read Donna Tartt’s _The Secret History_, give it a look.
I have read it, it's a great book!
yeah