Gothic (The New Critical Idiom) (Paperback)

by Fred Botting (Author) "Gothic signifies a writing of excess..." (more)
Key Phrases: uncanny effects, romance forms, romance tradition, Van Helsing, The Castle of Otranto, French Revolution (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
A welcome addition to new historicist theory. - Essays in Criticism

An accessible and affordable book that will undoubtedly prove and indispensable addition to both Romantic and Victorian reading lists. - TLS

Elegant and streamlined, a miracle of compression. - Gothic Studies

The returns on reading this book are enormous. - In-between: Essays and Studies in Literary Criticism

Product Description
Like all of the NCI series, this title is an introduction designed not only to define modern terms of lit crit but also to stimulate discussion and encourage a deeper knowledge of the subject. Traces the history of the gothic and cultural significance of the form, from its beginnings in the 18th cent. to modern times. Takse the student from basic material towards the more subtle in an accessible way.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Routledge (December 18, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415092191
• ISBN-13: 978-0415092197
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #457,871 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #2 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > Authors, A-Z > ( B ) > Botting, Fred
  #9 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > History & Criticism > Movements & Periods > Gothic Revival
  #23 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Horror > Reference

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

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

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

This review is from: Gothic (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.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gives you a good understanding of Gothic Literature, May 14, 2004

By	W. Koenigsmann "Wendy Koenigsmann" (Northern Hemisphere) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This is an excellent starting point for those interested in getting a very broad but thorough understanding of Gothic literature. After reading this, you will feel confident in knowing the backbone of Gothic and what it entails.

(I might also add that this is a very well-written book; the author is easy to read and very knowledgeable.)

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Perfect Introduction, August 17, 2003

By	scott preston (Toronto) - See all my reviews

This is the perfect introduction to a study of both Gothic Literature and, by extension, 20th Century horror literature and cinema. The author walks a fine line between academic and accessible and keeps things moving along at a nice pace, covering 250 years in under 200 pages. The book is part of the Routledge "New Critical Idiom" series that sums up concepts from literary and critical theory in nice digestible servings. If you are an undergrad looking for a place to start your research or a non-academic who isn't afraid to get a little theoretical, I'd recommend this book highly.