34 Comments
Aug 14Liked by caitlyn

i did a research project on early georgian gothic lit- very fascinating. if u want some crazy weird and gross georgian novels- the monk by matthew lewis is genuinely the strangest thing i’ve ever read, and very interesting ties to the french revolution. great article!

Expand full comment
author

oh, i haven't read that one thanks for the rec! I can't wait to check it out

Expand full comment

One of the reasons I love Substack, and particularly yours...

This month my book club is doing 'secondhand September' - each member gives three words about themselves and is then 'paired' with another member. One of my person's words is gothic, so I immediately knew to go to you and find some gooooood books I can pick up secondhand.

Thank you for doing/being you. I love it here 🫶

Expand full comment
author

This totally made my day! I hope you found some books you love. Thank you for being here 🤎

Expand full comment

Wonderful recs! As a gothic lit researcher, I'm so excited to see your fall posts 🖤

Expand full comment
author

you’re in for a treat. also… dream job!?

Expand full comment

Thank you for this list!! As someone who has been getting into more gothic horror and fantasy I very much appreciate this post, can't wait to sink my teeth into these terrible beauties 🦇🐈‍⬛️👻

Expand full comment
author

Yes! I hope you enjoy them 🤎🤎

Expand full comment

Gothic book recs: Armadale by Wilkie Collins &!Matilda by Mary Shelley!

Expand full comment
author

Oh yes 🤎🤎

Expand full comment

I love so many of these books. The atmosphere of gothic literature is on another level that I adore. This list makes me think you would enjoy the graphic novel Through the Woods by Emily Carroll if you haven’t read it already.

Expand full comment
author

I have not read that one yet thanks for the recommendation!

Expand full comment
Aug 15Liked by caitlyn

I can imagine reading one of these books with a good cup of coffee, maybe some apple or pumpkin pie, and watching the leaves change in NY. NY is beautiful in the fall. You’re so lucky! I’ve been holding off reading Jane Eyre and Frankenstein because I want the mood to be just right haha

Expand full comment
author

Those are the vibes 🤎

Expand full comment
Aug 15Liked by caitlyn

I’ve read all those books and loved them!

Expand full comment
author

🤎🤎

Expand full comment

Great recs! You might want to check out Maupassant’s The Horla & other short stories - it’s in the same vein as a lot of the books you mentioned. (Best to read in French if you happen to speak it, otherwise just find a good translation!)

Expand full comment
author

Thanks for the recs! 🤎

Expand full comment

I’m recently learning I love these types of books!

Also I find that “the invisible man” by H.G. Wells scratches the same itch

Expand full comment

Oh, saved this list to return to in the Fall!! I'm currently reading Garden Spells, and it has been the perfect magical yet summertime-fueled read. :)

Expand full comment
author

Oh that sounds lovely! I haven’t read that one

Expand full comment

I am loving it! It’s giving Practical Magic in the summer vibes.

Expand full comment

As a fall/Halloween girly this is right up my alley!! The Haunting of Hill House is one of my favorite books of all time. There's something so comfy about reading a scary story when it's warm and bright cozy out. The best is during a summer storm.

Expand full comment
author

Summer storms are perfect <3

Expand full comment

Thank you so much for this list! I’ve always wanted to read Frankenstein and never have. I will see if my library has it 📚😊

Expand full comment
author

oh, you're in for a real treat!

Expand full comment
Aug 14Liked by caitlyn

this is exactly what I needed, I reread Rebecca every fall and have been wanting to find similar books 😭 also your newsletter is the highlight of my day every day, thank you so much for sharing with us ❤️

Expand full comment
author

thank you for your kind words. it means the world to me <3

rebecca is such a perfect fall read!

Expand full comment
Aug 14Liked by caitlyn

ah thank you for this list! i cannot wait for autumn either. have you read any of mariana enriquez's short stories? you might like them as they're very gothic, dark "ghost" stories.

Expand full comment
author

i have! i have our share of night sitting right next to me as we speak :)

Expand full comment
Aug 14Liked by caitlyn

i would also add "her body and other parties" by carmen maria machado to this list, for me the discomfort and disgust that it caused is very autumn coded if that makes sense?? thanks for the article!

Expand full comment
author

ah, yes! that's a great one

Expand full comment