Gothic Romance

[close] Midnight Gothic Sancturary Gothic fiction is a genre of literature that combines elements of both horror and romance. As a genre, it is generally believed to have been invented by the English author Horace Walpole, with his 1764 novel The Castle of Otranto. The effect of Gothic fiction depends on a pleasing sort of terror, an extension of essentially Romantic literary pleasures that were relatively new at the time of Walpole's novel. Prominent features of Gothic fiction include terror (both psychological and physical), mystery, vampires, the supernatural, ghosts, haunted houses and Gothic architecture, castles, darkness, death, decay, doubles, madness, secrets and hereditary curses.

[close] A group to discuss books by Maria Bernard

[close] Gothic Revival is a gathering place for readers who love the eerie elegance of Gothic fiction — from timeless classics like Jane Eyre and Rebecca to modern masterpieces like Mexican Gothic and The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. Whether you’re drawn to crumbling manors, haunted hearts, or secrets that echo through the halls, you’ll find kindred spirits here. Join us as we explore the shadows where romance meets mystery, and the past never truly stays buried.

[close] A group hosted by Harlequin Shivers author Barbara J. Hancock to discuss her books and Gothic Romance