The Gothic Novel Book Club <Hiatus> discussion

I chose the books last month. Now I would like to hear what you would choose.

One nom per person.

Feel free to post duplicates. This lets me know that more than one person is interested in said novel.

Thanks!

Gonna throw mine out there. The Vanishing

How about The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón?

That works in the A-Z author challenge, too!

I'll nominate The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole

I'm not sure how good it is, it's meant to be weird as hell. But it's (arguably) the novel that first popularised gothic fiction. That and I already happened to own a copy I picked up at the British Library's exhibition of gothic literature, so I won't have to go out and buy it.

But I'll also second the recommendation for The Shadow of the Wind, though I've already read it so probably won't join in.

I am excited and a little iffy about The Shadow of the Wind. Its plot seems to be almost identical to Inkheart. But with two votes for it will make it onto the poll.

Huh...interesting comparison. I guess the blurbs do kind of make them sound similar. I can promise you the plots are not the same though! Inkheart's pure fantasy (and aimed at kids) while The Shadow of the Wind is more of an adult mystery with gothic elements. When I read it as a teenager the thing that stuck with me most was the atmosphere of constant fear and unease that came from the setting of the story in Francoist Spain.

I'll nominate The Road To Paradise Island by Victoria Holt

I have not.

Interesting bio of Dennis Wheatley - he was quite a prolific author. The summary made it sound like a recently written book, but I see it was published posthumously.

Nancy, is it easy enough to jump in at book 3 of the series?

I reread your post, Nancy, now I see - I thought you did read it. I hadn't even heard of the author. That's what I like best about GR, so many new ideas.

Interesting to me is that it was written in 1948. I read the blurb, saw 'injured fighter pilot', and envisioned one of the numerous conflicts of the last decade or so.

Nancy wrote: "actually, DW. is mentioned in a book i'm re-reading. The House of Lost Souls by Cottom. He is described as a Satanist and part of a group of men involved in very questionable activites.. thought..."

Cottam is very good - I've read House of Lost Souls as well as another one or two of his. The Waiting Room is absolutely chilling. Not sure if it's because of the 100th anniversary, but a lot of authors seem to be recognizing the Gothic elements of WWI these days.

Bentley Little has been in my TBR stack for over a year. Someone recommended him and I have yet to actually do so. I have two of his books and always seem to get distracted by some thing else. ;)

Okay... I am closing nominations. Time to put the poll up!

Nancy wrote: "The Haunting of Toby Jugg by Dennis Wheatley. the same man wrote The Devil Rides Out. has anyone read it?"

I am sorry Nancy. I am going to have to say no to this nomination, only because it is the third book in a series. However if you would like to change your nomination to the first book in the series, I will gladly add it to the poll.

Hi Trinity, it's really hard to make out the books in the poll for July. Could you add text? Thanks!

Ignore last comment, found text!

Ignore last comment, found text!

I'm open to any of the selections - I'll compile a list for August and September.

Im new to the group and not 100% sure where to find the poll if its still up

Charity, there's a new thread for August BOTM nominations. If you have any ideas, you could throw them out there. Enjoy. :)