I am always talking about how much I love Gothic fiction, but what makes a book Gothic? I am not sure that I even have a full understanding of the genre, despite how much I love it.
It has evolved over the years, but I found this list of the top ten elements of Gothic Literature to be very helpful. The reason I gravitate towards the genre is that it is largely focused on setting and atmosphere. There is nothing I love more than an atmospheric novel set in a spooky house or that has a layer of tension where the mystery slowly builds.
Today, I am going to share some of my favourite Gothic novels (or what I believe to be Gothic novels), as well as a few that are on my TBR.
Though I had read some Gothic novels before picking up The Essex Serpent, it is the book that really made me fall in love with the genre. Sarah Perry’s writing is so lush and, as is typical of the genre, both The Essex Serpent and Melmoth have a strong sense of place. They also have a mystery woven in and you never quite know what is true and what is fiction.
This is probably an obvious choice, as the word Gothic is right there in the title. Mexican Gothic takes place in one of the weirdest houses I have ever read about, to the point where it almost feels alive. You are constantly questioning whether or not there is a supernatural element to the story or if something completely different was going on in this house and with these characters.
I have not read a great deal of classic Gothic literature, but I hope to change that this month! I have plans to read both Jane Eyre and Rebecca. One classic Gothic novel I have read is We Have Always Lived in the Castle, which is a book I think about often. It such a strange book with a focus on sisterhood. Shirley Jackson is a master at the genre, and I also have The Haunting of Hill House on my TBR.
Diane Setterfield is such a talented author and The Thirteenth Tale is a book that has stayed with me years after reading it. This is a book about books that also has ghosts and is extremely atmospheric- what more could you ask for!?
Bitter Orange might be my favourite book on this list. It takes place in the dead of summer and you can physically feel the heat as you are reading. The tension slowly builds and there are many reveals throughout the novel. I would describe this book as suffocating, but in the best way possible!
TBR
I have seen a few reviewers say that Horrid is Gothic, and that is what really sold me on it! I know that a spooky house is involved, and that is all I need to know!
The Foundling is about a woman who has not left her home in a decade and she has a mysterious past. Sounds like my kind of read!
I have heard amazing things about Jess Kidd’s novels, and I believe they all have Gothic themes. I really could have put any of them on this list because I want to read them all, but the following line from the synopsis is why I want to read Things in Jars first:
Luckily, her search is aided by an enchanting cast of characters, including a seven-foot tall housemaid; a melancholic, tattoo-covered ghost; and an avuncular apothecary.
Kate Morton is another author whose books I have been meaning to read for years- I even own a few! She has quite an extensive backlist, but I believe quite a few have Gothic themes. The Forgotten Garden is one I own and one I have heard amazing things about and is highly rated on Goodreads.
Have you read any Gothic fiction? I would love recommendations!
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Mexican Gothic is on my list but I’m also terrified to read it 😂😂😂
It’s more creepy than scary I would say. Sometimes it’s downright gross too!
Lmao!! I’ll just watch Disney movies after 😂
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova is a good gothic tale.
I will have to check that one out. Thank you!
We Have Always Lived in the Castle is one of my absolute favorite books! You’ve also got me interested in trying Jess Kidd’s book. I almost bought it when it was a Book of the Month pick but ended up going with something else, but I may have to make it an add on for another month. I’m also super interested in Mexican Gothic and have it as a goal to read it this month finally. Great list!!
So glad you enjoyed it! How good does that Jess Kidd book sound?
Amazing list! I love some of these and most of the others I’m really excited to try, especially Mexican Gothic and Sarah Perry’s novels 📚👻
So good. I just adore Sarah Perry!!
Some great books on that list. I love Kate Morton and would highly recommend all of her books. Hope you enjoy it 🙂
That’s so great to hear. All her books seems intimidating because they are so long, but I’m excited about them!
Gothic literature is something I have a huge interest in! I even took an entire class last year about ghost stories, so I’m always on the hunt for new books to add to my TBR! I just read Mexican Gothic a couple of days ago & LOVED it. I definitely need to check out some of the others on this list. Great post 🤩
I love that you took a class on ghost stories!
Oh I loved Mexican Gothic! I want to read Horrid as well!
(www.evelynreads.com)
So excited for Horrid!
I love this post so much – you have definitely added to my TBR and I can recommend Things in Jars from your TBR. It is good and very quirky! Love gothic fiction so much 💕
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I’m even more excited about Things in a Jar. Quirky sounds good to me!
I love Forgotten Garden! Enjoy!
Very excited about it!
I am currently reading Once upon a River by Diane Setterfield, it is stunning and so atmospheric, although not sure if it can be classed as Gothic. I’d 100% recommend Rebecca for your list!
I have Once Upon a River. I need to read it! So excited to finally read Rebecca!
Kate Morton is one of my favorite authors – I hope you get to her books soon!
I’m excited to finally give her books a try!
Things in Jars and Horrid look great!
They really do!
I’m also not sure I understand the genre but immediately thought of one of my favorite novels that might fall in this category, The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco.
I just looked it up! Sounds so interesting!
I really hope to read We Have Always Lived in the Castle this month!
Ohhh I hope you get to it and love it!!
Literally taking notes while I read your list… 🙂 I’ve read (and loved) Mexican Gothic and We Have Always Lived in the Castle, and I see at least 3 other books here that I’ve been wanting to read. Great list — thanks for sharing!
That makes me so happy! Glad I could help!
Great picks! I loved We Have Always Lived In The Castle and I’m really looking forward to reading Mexican Gothic. I listened to The Foundling audiobook not too long ago but, to be honest, there wasn’t as much Gothic stuff as I’d hoped. Definitely not as much as The Familiars.
That is good to know about The Foundling. I haven’t read The Familiars yet either!
You should definitely read the Familiars. I absolutely loved it!
Mexican Gothic is just the best 😍 So many books on this list I haven’t actually heard of, thank you for this list!! I’m particularly intrigued by Bitter Orange, that sounds like such an atmospheric read!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Bitter Orange is one of my favourite books ever. As well as one of the most atmospheric.
Thank you, I love the list! I haven’t read most of these and I am quite excited to check them out. Also, I’ve been reading the works of Simone St James and she’s become one of my favourite gothic writers. Would highly recommend! 🦋
I just finished The Sun Down Motel!! I loved it!!
Oh wow. That’s what I’ll read next then. I just finished Silence for the Dead. 😄