Post-Millennial Gothic: Comedy, Romance and the Rise of Happy Gothic

by Catherine Spooner

Surveying the widespread appropriations of the Gothic in contemporary literature and culture, Post-Millennial Gothic shows contemporary Gothic is often romantic, funny and celebratory. Reading a wide range of popular texts, from Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series through Tim Burton's Gothic film adaptations of Sweeney Todd , Alice in Wonderland and Dark Shadows , to the appearance of Gothic in fashion, advertising and television, Catherine Spooner argues that conventional academic and media accounts of Gothic culture have overlooked this celebratory strain of 'Happy Gothic'.

Identifying a shift in subcultural sensibilities following media coverage of the Columbine shootings, Spooner suggests that changing perceptions of Goth subculture have shaped the development of 21st-century Gothic. Reading these contemporary trends back into their sources, Spooner also explores how they serve to highlight previously neglected strands of comedy and romance in earlier Gothic literature.

Genres: Nonfiction, Gothic

232 pages, Paperback

First published March 26, 2015

Reviews

[Sophy H]

I don't think I was in the right frame of mind for this book to be fair. Whilst I really loved Contemporary Gothic (Focus on Contemporary Issues I seemed to labour through this one at a snail's pace and take frequent breaks.

I'm not sure what it was about the writing that I couldn't get into as the subject matters were as diverse as the Twilight series to The Mighty Boosh to Tim Burton films. I should by all accounts have loved it.

So what I'm doing is giving this a 4 star as I think it's a case of me not you and I'll return to it at some point when I'm feeling more "in the mood"!

[Steve Wiggins]

Although the idea of "happy gothic" may be jarring, as Spooner shows, it's strangely appropriate. For those of us who grew up reading gothic literature, there's perhaps a bit of poignancy to seeing this noble, dark tradition moving into the light. Still, it leads to a great deal of creativity.

Spooner considers both Goth culture and Gothic as a genre. She looks at a number of examples where gothic has been given a light touch, and she rightfully (in my opinion) finds the majority of the influence in the work of Tim Burton. Burton's stature has made the funny gothic the only gothic that many young people know. For some of us this works sometimes, but can be sadly disappointing in others.

There are serious elements here too, to be sure. The Columbine murders and the sad case of Sophie Lancaster are mixed in with the Twilight series of vampire lite and the disappointing debasement of Dark Shadows. This is part trip down memory lane and part shock to the senses for those of us who grew up watching Jonathan Frid play the quintessential tormented vampire. The spooky old house and implied violence were all that were necessary to set the imagination wandering on a rainy afternoon.

Still, Buffy is compelling in her own way, and some of Tim Burton's aesthetic is compelling. This book manages to discuss all of this in an academic context without being technical. It is a great exploration of how literary genres aren't as stable as they might appear, but continue to hold fascination for those in new generations.

For further thoughts, please visit Sects and Violence in the Ancient World, if you're so inclined.

[Catherine Siemann]

Enjoyable academic book on 21st century gothic. And as an extra added bonus, I discovered myself cited in its pages . . . .

[Jessica]

I loved this book. Ms. Spooner covers the subculture with reverence and understanding without holding back. It is a really lovely addition to the Elder Goth's Library or a good intro/edification piece for the fledgling Goth.

[Matthew Gurteen]

I love studies like this. Catherine Spooner contributes something new to literary studies by analysing contemporary events and phenomena. 'Post-Millennial Gothic: Comedy, Romance and the Rise of 'Happy Gothic'' was well-written, well-researched, and incredibly readable. This book is the kind of thing I would love to write in the future. I would recommend it to anyone studying the titled topics.