“All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.”
Gothic fiction emerged as an aesthetic in eighteenth-century Europe and is the ultimate blend of the spooky supernatural and eerie settings. Also known as Gothic horror, this genre took its inspiration from the art and architecture of the Middle Ages, utilising dark imagery in locales such as castles, churches, graveyards, abandoned estates and other ruins to convey suspense and tension. But Gothic fiction is also a genre that embraces romanticism, compelling character arcs and exploring themes and questions that many of us wrestle with in our daily lives. So, join us today at What We Reading as we delve into the world of dark stormy nights with everything you need to know about gothic fiction! This guide will help you understand what we mean by the term ‘gothic fiction’, what makes a book gothic and some of the best reading recommendations for diving into the genre.
What Is Gothic Fiction
Gothic fiction is a literary genre known for its elements of horror, mystery and the supernatural. Authors use decaying and age-old settings such as castles, churches or grand estates as the settings for their stories where dark imagery and tension can be utilised to ramp up the suspense.
Romance also plays a significant role in Gothic literature. Death is usually woven into a romantic relationship to capture a reader’s attention and set the stakes for what is to come. Gothic fiction can trace its roots back to the eighteenth century, however, its popularity boomed during the Victorian era. As the genre became more popular, new writers helped create new subgenres such as Gothic romance, Gothic ghost stories, Southern Gothic and modern Gothic.
Gothic fiction continues to inspire many styles in the thriller and horror genres. Popular gothic authors include the likes of Neil Gaiman, Shirley Jackson, Stephen King, Toni Morrison and Susan Hill.
Gothic Fiction Features
So, what’s included with Gothic fiction? Here are some of the most distinctive features that make a story Gothic:
- Anti-heroes: Opposed to a morally righteous superhero, gothic stories usually convey a protagonist as an anti-hero with a layered personality that features both good and evil traits such as being a killer. The anti-hero has become a Gothic motif that has helped drive the genre.
- Damsels in distress: Typically an innocent young woman, a damsel in distress is a popular Gothic trope used by writers. Often, a supernatural malevolent being has taken the damsel hostage, keeping them hidden away. The damsel then becomes a romantic interest for the anti-hero, who is normally seductive but also has a dark side.
- Creepy settings: A spooky backdrop is arguably the most crucial component in a Gothic book. Medieval ruins, abandoned buildings, and overgrown graveyards are all types of Gothic settings that inject suspense into the narrative. These settings will usually house secrets that invite more curiosity from the reader such as trapdoors, secret hallways and mysterious rooms.
- Supernatural elements: From vampires, ghosts, and demons to monsters, the supernatural is a core feature of Gothic fiction. These supernatural elements are used to explore the paranormal and scare the reader.
- Existential themes: Gothic literature is also dramas that use morality, religion, reality and philosophy to explore some of the biggest questions we all grapple with. These existential themes should also match the setting.
- Extreme emotions: Characters in Gothic literature experience internal torment that further dramatises the narrative. The death of a loved one or a local mystery evokes a tragic feel that can send characters spiralling.
5 Examples Of Gothic Fiction Authors
The most famous Gothic fiction authors were active during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and their works have continued to influence and inspire writers even today.
Horace Walpole
Widely regarded as the father of the Gothic genre, Horace Walpole’s The Castle of Otranto uses the setting of a Medieval castle for its tale of prophecy, love and death. Walpole’s work was significant as it was one of the first instances of realism and fantasy being blended together in a horror story.
Edgar Allen Poe
Perhaps the most iconic Gothic author and poet in the world, Edgar Allen Poe used his writing to explore the macabre. His most famous works include The Tell-Tale Heart, The Raven and The Fall of the House of Usher. He is also one of the most defining writers in the detective and science fiction genres.
Mary Shelley
The result of a bet between herself, her husband Percy Shelley, Jon Polidori and Lord Byron, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein infused elements of Gothic horror and the Romantic movements. Following Frankenstein, Shelley continued to write new works in the Gothic genre including the short story Mathilda and The Last Man.
The Bronte Sisters
Ann, Charlotte and Emily Bronte all became well-known poets and authors, but initially published their works under pseudonyms to avoid the backlash of being women writers. However, in the years since, the likes of Jane Eyre (Emily Bronte), Wuthering Heights (Charlotte Bronte) and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (Ann Bronte) are all regarded as some of the most notable works in romantic Gothic literature.
Ann Radcliffe
A famous eighteenth and nineteenth-century writer, Ann Radcliff influenced the Gothic genre thanks to her ability to distil realistic explanations for supernatural events. Her most famous stories include The Mysteries of Udolpho, The Castles of Athlin and Dunbayne and The Italian. Her work would later influence Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey and Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca.
Check Out Our Guide To Reading Classic Literature
5 Gothic Fiction Books To Read
Now that you have an idea of what gothic fiction is, let’s take a look at some of the best books in the genre to dive into.
The Castle Of Otranto – Horace Walpole (1764): Considered the first Gothic novel, The Castle of Otranto follows Manfred, a father dealing with the sudden death of his son. Taking place in a haunted castle, Manfred soon becomes fixated on marrying a young woman to produce more heirs and keep his lineage alive.
Dracula – Bram Stoker (1897): Bram Stoker’s Dracula combines Gothic fiction with folklore legends to tell the tragic story of Count Dracula, a reclusive vampire living in a Transylvanian castle. Spooky, supernatural and filled with romantic elements, it remains one of the most influential Gothic works of all time.
The Strange Case Of Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde – Robert Louis Stevenson (1886): Another one of the best Gothic books that explores the duality of man, Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a sci-fi story of an overly-ambitious scientist and his connections to a strange, murderous man named Edward Hyde.
The Beholders – Hester Musson (2023): Hester Musson’s The Beholders is a historical Gothic novel set in the nineteenth century. Readers follow Harriet, a new maid at the ominous Finton Hall. Dread and tension are used by Musson as Harriet delves deeper into the dark past of the hall and the unsettling secrets about the household.
Wake The Bones – Elizabeth Kilcoyne (2022): Wake the Bones follows Laurel Early, who returns to her small hometown in Kentucky and must confront malevolent forces on her family’s farm. Blending family secrets with magic, fantasy and witchcraft, it is one of the best new Gothic books for showcasing how the genre can weave real-world themes with the supernatural.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
