Encyclopedia Gothica

by Liisa Ladouceur, Gary Pullin (Illustrator)

“Wickedly funny . . . Ideal for babybats and elder goths who’ll appreciate the wealth of reminders of the experiences that make up goth life” (NOW Magazine).   A guidebook to the language of the most shadowy of subcultures, this work collects and defines more than 550 Gothic words and phrases. Compiled by an acclaimed Goth journalist and poet, this compendium provides insight into the unique vernacular of this fascinating community, describing in detail and with black humor the fashion, music, and lifestyle as well as sharing insider slang such as Babybat, Corp Goth, and the Gothic Two-Step. A Goth Band Family Tree and essential Goth listening, reading, and viewing recommendations are also included in this phantasmagorical work.   “Including illustrations from the talented Gary Pullin, Encyclopedia Gothica is the essential Goth reference whether you’re wondering who Sisters of Mercy are or what absinthe is (and why Marilyn Manson has his own brand of the green stuff).” —Geeks of Doom   “Ladouceur is a rare gem of a commenter that has the ability not only to laugh at herself, but to be able to get you to laugh at yourself, too.” —HoustonPress   “Ladouceur has compiled a thorough and amusing encyclopedia about all-things-Goth . . . Whether you want to read about Nosferatu, Goth Juice or mall Goths you’ll find brief and truly informative segments in Encyclopedia Gothica.” —antiMusic   “Ladouceur’s humor is a welcome rarity in an oft-misunderstood subculture.” —Maclean’s   “For those who continue to fear Goths, this book is a powerful antidote. Despite their spiky, menacing exterior, Encyclopedia Gothica details a culture as harmless and geeky as your average Star Wars fanboy or Kiss Army foot soldier.” —National Post

Genres: Nonfiction, Goth, Music, Gothic, Reference, Horror, Ebooks

249 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2011

About the author

I am a reader and a writer intrigued and passionate about the dark side of culture.

As a professional journalist I've written about vampires and horror, music and the arts for newspapers, websites and magazines, and worked in film, radio and TV. My first book, Encyclopedia Gothica, got nominated for a World Goth Day Author award alongside Stephen King and Neil Gaiman, who tweeted at me that I should have won. That was pretty great. My second book, How to Kill a Vampire: Fangs in Folklore, Film and Fiction, traces the evolution of vampire death rituals.

I like arcane words, dead things, asking and answering questions.

Reviews

[Saskia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit selectively elitist at times (HIM is a-okay but babybats into Evanescence should find better music to listen to), but I honestly can't blame her for slipping some subjectivity into a topic that is so deeply personal. Overall very instructive, well written, and with a sense of humour that is characteristically goth. An intensely enjoyable read.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall this book was very fun and comprehensive from the perspective of a life long goth who missed the goth peak. My only beef is she says goths don't listen to type o negative and Gothic metal in general which is not true of my goth practice but yknow, to each their own! This book added many books to my tbr and reminded me of many bands I haven't listened to in a while, as well.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great addition to any darkling's library. It has a very solid background on the the Goth subculture and elements that influenced it. Liisa does a wonderful job of covering a wide and continually growing subculture and the book itself is a feast for the eyes.

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who's pretty much an outsider to "gothdom" despite liking a lot of the bands, authors, movies etc mentioned, I learnt quite a lot.

[Ashley Osborn - Book Of Salem · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much appreciate a book about the goth subculture written by an actual goth. This was very fun to read. From A to Z!

[Aurumora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leseeindruck.
Sehr retroperspektiv, wenig Bezug zur Aktualität. Folgende Themenbereiche wurden aufgegriffen: Bands, Produktionsstudios, Magazine, Shops, Literatur, Bücher und allgemeine Begrifflichkeiten.
Ich habe das Buch orientierend von hinten nach vorn gelesen. Es ist schade, dass meine Interessengebiete Film und Literatur so wenig behandelt wurden. Teilweise hat die Autorin ein bisschen Humor bewiesen. Leider hat das nicht vollständig zu meiner Motivationserhaltung bei getragen. Am Ende war ich dann doch sehr unbegeistert über die Einträge.
An sich ist das Buch gut verarbeitet und besonders wertig auch mit der Gestaltung des Buchschnittes.

[Liz Sánchez Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente libro para conocer más sobre la cultura gótica, adquirir nuevos gustos musicales, así como algunos personajes, escritores y artistas que han influido. Me gustaron mucho las ilustraciones y que viniera al final un diagrama con algunas bandas góticas.
También aprecié mucho el papel usado para el libro.

[Imogen Trohman-Hargrove · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a punk but I'm very interested in the goth community. This book hooked me straight away and I loved giggling at some of the little comments that Liisa Ladouceur made. Overall great book. I really recommend. :)

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this, I thought it was informative, and also really witty.

[Janine McCaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the most part, Liisa Ladouceur delivered what she promised,a reference book for Gothaholics and their minions. The Kobo version had a few glitches, and I wished that techno pops had got to it and I could flip back and forth to other references or external links, but that's wishful thinking on my part.

It's heavy on reference, not so much on linguistics, and I enjoyed the last few "list" pages the most. You'll probably spend hours searching for her references online...like SNL's Goth Talk or any of the recommended shopping sites.

Great book for your commute.

[Annari Du plessis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would've liked the book to be more objective, because not all goths share the same morality, for instance. Something I picked up was that the author mixed up gauntlets (protective gloves) and bracers (arm-guard in the form of a sheath). Under the entry for gauntlets, she describes bracers. There were also some entries I missed, that were not included, but overall it was informative and the humour made me chuckle more than a few times.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I was bored when it came to the explanations of bands and Goth people, this encyclopedia was really informing to those of us who have only a slight definition of the Goth world. I am happy to say that I too enjoy many of the things Goths do ei: Tim Burton.
What was nice was an inclusion of a Goth Band Tree and 13 places to see/visit before you die.

[Jen Healey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I haven't read every single entry in this awesome book, I have skimmed and re-skimmed it many, many times and I will contuinue to do so for a long time. So it is going to be classed as read, even though it will remain on my bedside table for a while yet.
A treasure trove of uber-goth coolness!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all I love the cover. Next, everything you want or need to know about Goth and living the style is in this book. Even travel locations. At Urban Decay you can find all your makeup,Pulling the Taffy,(that is not food) and Gothic Match. Creative,well thought out and researched.

[Jeannie · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's nothing here that anyone who loves the more macabre side of life does not already know. In fact, if you have to read this collection to learn any of these terms, then you are what the author has termed a "Doom Cookie" (or Mall Goth).

[Baroness · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is very informative for someone who is curious about the darker side of life/Goth scene.
I laughed a few times but the dark humor wasn’t enough to keep me engaged.
I found myself bored reading what I already knew.

[Danielle Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

As funny as it is informative. A fun read for the black at heart (perhaps while sipping a nice vodka cran, from a long-stemmed wine glass, of course).

[Belen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book real interesting facts ike the cover art and the pages looked like it was a old book. I liked reading it whenever just looking up random words or bands.

[Mira · Rating 3 out of 5]

The rating would have been higher if not for the weird emphasis on paleness "regardless of ethnicity". The goth community has enough trouble as it is with that kind of thinking.

[Raija · Rating 5 out of 5]

You should at least leaf this one through. I read it all, but then again I like encyclopedias. This is a fun book.

[Mills College Library]

306.103 L156 2011