Gothic Literature Book Reviews

  Near the Bone by Christina Henry first paperwork edition published in 2022. At first glance this horror story may not seem particularly Gothic, but it ticks many of the boxes. The isolated location is not a castle or monastery, but in the American Gothic tradition of using the wilderness, this novel is set on a snowy mountain. Imagine Frankenstein's creation escaping in the Arctic and you have something of the picture. An unnatural, possibly supernatural beast is living on the mountain, one which hangs its victims by their entrails before eviscerating them and separating out organs and bones. Readers should be warned there are some truly gruesome scenes. For Mattie, who lives in a cabin on the mountain, there is another beast much nearer home - her husband William. William is a cruel man who keeps Mattie under his thumb by physical brutality and psychological manipulation. He is a religious fanatic, or gives the impression of being such, but his beliefs verge on madness. He belie...

The Castle by Franz Kafka, first English publication in 1930 translated by Edwin and Willa Muir. The title alone gives credit to the novel's Gothic credentials, although neither the reader, nor the protagonist, K, ever gain entry to the castle. Although unfinished, the novel is a masterpiece of petty bureaucracy, frustrations, a ludicrous class system, secrets, jealousies, futility and, of course, doomed love. K, a land surveyor arrives in the village beneath the castle, seemingly having been offered work by castle officials. He quickly discovers that the appointment was a mistake and there is no work for him. He is neither needed nor wanted. Having come so far, K is unwilling to accept the situation and decides to stay and attempt to speak with the official in charge, believing he can resolve the problem. Most of the petitioning of officials takes place in the Herrenhof inn, often at night. K is informed that he cannot stay at the inn, the rooms are only for castle officials, and ...