Gothic (The New Critical Idiom) [Paperback]

Fred Botting (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415092191 | ISBN-13: 978-0415092197 | Publication Date: December 20, 1995

Tailored specifically for students new to the daunting field of literary theory, Fred Botting's Gothic is a clear and welcome introduction to the study of this compelling genre. This lucid, easy-to-follow guide:
* Explains the transformations of the genre through history
* Outlines all the major figures which define the genre, such as ghosts, monsters and vampires
* Charts key texts over two centuries
* Traces origins of the form
* Looks at the cultural and historical location of gothic images and texts
* Provides a succinct introduction to the field which is also an excellent foundation for further study.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Fred Botting lectures on romanticism and literary theory at Lancaster University. He is the author of Making Monstrous: Frankenstein, Criticism, Theory and editor of Frankenstein: A New Casebook.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Routledge (December 20, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415092191
• ISBN-13: 978-0415092197
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #411,042 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Why I like Fred Botting, December 30, 1999

By 

aleigh khaladkar (Kinderhook, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gothic (The New Critical Idiom) (Hardcover)

This book is fabulous if you are looking for a historical survey of Gothic which does not lose itself in the labyrinth of feminist theory. However, I think Botting spreads himself a bit too thin in attempting to cover works like Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper" in one sentence. I loved this book for bringing out the evolution of Gothic from early works to the present.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars its not a waste of money or time, September 22, 2010

By 

Brent G. - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Gothic (The New Critical Idiom) (Paperback)

This book is a pretty good read. It goes further in depth than the previous Gothic lit book which I reviewed. This particular book goes into better detail and begins to get more specific, while citing specific details and excerpts from classic Gothic texts. This book was required for one of my lower level English lit classes so I had to purchase it, I don't regret purchasing and will probably keep it after the class is over.

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book but one major flaw, April 3, 2011

By 

Jacqueline Klueh - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Gothic (The New Critical Idiom) (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book but has one major problem no index. There are many blank pages in the rear of the book where an index should be printed. Without the index next to impossible to find specific information. The book contains useful information. Had I realized I would have returned but now it is too late. I have the 2005 edition, I purchased about 1 month ago from Amazon.