Gothicked (Gothic Novel Lovers) discussion

I just received a used copy of The India Fan by Victoria Holt. I'm off the a great start with it.

Let us know how you like it! :)

I started it already and it's really good so far. Holt has a really loose style which isn't in fashion anymore, but I love it.

you're right about her style. She includes a lot of back story, but that's not necessarily a bad thing, just different in this day and age of fast paced everything. I'm glad you like the book! :)

I agree! She really does go into depth, but it's a pleasure reading her.

I just finished The India Fan by Victoria Holt. My sister loved her writing. She was a real fan. She passed away last August. And I just started reading Victoria Holt's books. Wish I could talk with my sister about them.

This one was romantic,exotic, and very readable.

I loved all of them and still own a few.

I just bought another Victoria Holt called the Landower Legacy. Also, she wrote under the name Jean Plaidy for her historical novels. I have one of those to read, too.
Where she found the time to be so prolific is beyond me.

She also wrote as Philippa Carr, a series of connected novels about the women in a family, starting in Henry VIII's time and ending during WWII, I think. (I'm not entirely sure on the time period for the last book in the series.) I think there are 19 or 20 books in the series.

On the Night of the Seventh Moon is my all-time favorite Victoria Holt novel.

Jaimey wrote: "On the Night of the Seventh Moon is my all-time favorite Victoria Holt novel...."

I think so too, Jaimey.

I bought the book but haven't had a chance to start it. I'm definitely looking forward to reading it.

Jill wrote: "I bought the book but haven't had a chance to start it. I'm definitely looking forward to reading it."

I hope you'll like it, Jill.
:)

All of Victoria Holt's novels are great!

I'm reading The Italian and enjoying it very much. The Italian. I am not sure if I've ever read anything by contemporary gothic writers, but it sure is nice there's a forum available.

I just finished This Rough Magic by Mary Stewart. Thoroughly enjoyed it! I read most of her books many years ago but have decided to re-read them.

I loved Mary Stewart books and just read The Ivy Tree again a few weeks ago. If you like Mary Stewart you will also like Norah Lofts. I think Mary Stewart's very best books are her Merlin trilogy. For me Norah Lofts best book is probably Jassy or Afternoon of an Autocrat.

Her Christmas story is also wonderful.


The Ivy Tree
Jassy
Norah Lofts

I have a question for members. Is Heather Graham considered a modern gothic author? I did a search on Amazon for gothic books and it brought up her.

I am right at the very end of Victoria Holt's The India Fan...2nd Holt book for me..I have truly enjoyed the whole book; what a story this author can weave!

May read Seven For a Secret next....

My Favorite Victoria Holts are her earlier books. The King of the Castle, Bride of Pendorric, Menfreya in the Morning. Don't get me wrong, I like them all, but the earlier ones are my favorites.

Just finished

Did you enjoy it, Julie? :) I really liked that one.

I loooove The Black Swan by Phillippa Carr very haunting, also On the night of the seventh moon and The India Fan. They are my favorites by Victoria Holt.

I have always considered gothic literature (no, more specifically, the gothic novel)symptomatic of the grander decline of literature in the period we call "romanticism," with gothic writing an excessive example of preference for fantasy over realism, subjectivity over objectivity. These preferences seem to be historical and shift from age to age. But, when I gave a talk at the Gothic Institute Conference in San Diego a few years ago, I discovered that "Gothic" as a genre had ambitiously extended itself back in time to include works in the renaissance and middle ages. This is all complicated by considerations of "popular culture" and pulp fiction that operate on an industrial scale.

As a consequence of my rash thinking, you can imagine my unease when my novel, OULANEM, recently came out. It is the completion of a fragment left by the very young Karl Marx (19) before he became the one we all know. Very gothic--full of bombastic speeches, villains and bumblers, distressed damsels. In my hands, it is a novel of revenge, laudanum addiction, and sexual intrigue--extending Marx's intentions and style, I believe. You might take a look at it and give me some feedback.

Mary wrote: "I loooove The Black Swan by Phillippa Carr very haunting, also On the night of the seventh moon and The India Fan. They are my favorites by Victoria Holt."

Oh my gosh, I adore VH's Phillippa Carr books! A few years ago I made it a mission to find all of them, and I now own the whole Daughters of England series. The first one I read was Return of the Gypsy, and I was hooked right away!

My personal favorites under the Victoria Holt name are Seven for a Secret and Mask of the Enchantress. What an amazing writer! Okay, now I'm all excited about her books, so I'm leaving work and going home to read, lol.

I want to read more of Victoria Holt and Phillippa Carr's books!

I enjoy Dorothy Eden very much! I haven't read Waiting for Willa yet but I did read Afternoon Walk a few months ago. I am currently reading Thunder Heights by Phyllis Whitney. :)

Has anyone here tried this newer book? It says in the description that it is reminiscent of 1970's Gothic novels so that caught my attention!

Marilyn wrote: "Has anyone here tried this newer book? It says in the description that it is reminiscent of 1970's Gothic novels so that caught my attention! "
This author's genre is listed as Historical Fiction Crime Thriller. It does seem to have a gothic vibe when you read the description. I'd like to give it a try, but it's quite expensive on Amazon.

I have never read the author before so wasn't aware what her other books were like. This review on Amazon is what caught my eye.

“Reminiscent of the Gothics of the 1970s, THE HOUSE BETWEEN TIDES by Sarah Maine takes the reader on a stimulating stroll through two time periods, igniting the senses with a classic mysterious aura. The moodiness of the location easily placed my mind on holiday in the past while unraveling the mystery in the present.” (Romance Junkies)

I might give it a try too. You can pick up a used paperback copy of it for as little as $1 on Amazon. :-)

Marilyn wrote: "I have never read the author before so wasn't aware what her other books were like. This review on Amazon is what caught my eye.

“Reminiscent of the Gothics of the 1970s, THE HOUSE BETWEEN TIDES ..."
Good idea! I think I'll do that. Thanks Marilyn.

Kaya wrote: "Just finished Dorothy Eden's . This was a re-read - the first time was maybe the early 1980s and I quite enjoyed it as much this time as the first.

I'm about t..."
I loved Waiting for Willa, and I must have read the other; I gave it 4/5 stars.

Marilyn wrote: "I enjoy Dorothy Eden very much! I haven't read Waiting for Willa yet but I did read Afternoon Walk a few months ago. I am currently reading Thunder Heights by Phyllis Whitney. :)"

I loved that, Marilyn~

Marilyn wrote: "I have never read the author before so wasn't aware what her other books were like. This review on Amazon is what caught my eye.

“Reminiscent of the Gothics of the 1970s, THE HOUSE BETWEEN TIDES ..."
It's on my TBR list; I'll see if B and N market place has a copy.

Renee wrote: "Marilyn wrote: "Has anyone here tried this newer book? It says in the description that it is reminiscent of 1970's Gothic novels so that caught my attention! [bookcover:The House Between Tides|2581..."

Renee, check out Barnes and Noble's market place; Usually, I don't buy my books, but when I do, I get slightly used books for 1.99 there.

Marilyn wrote: "I have never read the author before so wasn't aware what her other books were like. This review on Amazon is what caught my eye.

“Reminiscent of the Gothics of the 1970s, THE HOUSE BETWEEN TIDES ..."

:)

Skye wrote: "Renee wrote: "Marilyn wrote: "Has anyone here tried this newer book? It says in the description that it is reminiscent of 1970's Gothic novels so that caught my attention! [bookcover:The House Betw..."
Thanks, Skye. That's a good suggestion.

Renee; even the used paper back is pricey. I did try.

Skye wrote: I loved that, Marilyn"

..."
I read it years ago but thought I'd revisit it since I remembered nothing about the story. It is very good, one of my favorites by Phyllis Whitney!

Skye wrote: "Renee; even the used paper back is pricey. I did try."

There are a handful of sellers on Amazon's marketplace that have the book for .99 plus shipping. Cost works out to around $5. :-)

Thanks, Marilyn; I will take A quick look; that's what I pay for my books ( the shipping and handling costs more than the book).

Just got this one in the mail today! Another one to add to my already large pile of 'to be read'. Looks great! :-D

Skye wrote: "Thanks, Marilyn; I will take A quick look; that's what I pay for my books ( the shipping and handling costs more than the book)."
I will grab a copy too! If you read it before me you will have to let me know what it's like! :-)

:) your book came quickly!!!