Top Ten Tuesday – Gothic Novels

Happy Tuesday, book lovers! Today’s topic is, predictably, a Halloween freebie according to That Artsy Reader Girl. I don’t even acknowledge Halloween as a general rule. For me, 31 October is Reformation Day—the anniversary of the day (501 years ago this year) when Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-five Theses to the door of the All Saints’ Church in Wittenberg. However, I did a Reformation-themed top ten post this time last year, so it felt a bit repetitive to do another one this year. It also happens that I have been gaining a new appreciation for Gothic novels in the last year, which actually fits in perfectly with today’s theme. 
So I have a list of gothic novels for you below—some with romance, some not, and divided into two groups: those I’ve read, and those I want to read.

Price of Privilege series by Jessica Dotta

I’ve read the first in this series and keep promising myself to read the rest, but somehow I never manage to find the time. And now I think I’ll have to read the first book again so I can remember the story. What a shame. 😉

Jaime Jo Wright’s novels

These novels aren’t a series, but I’ve loved the two I’ve read so far and can’t wait for The Curse of Misty Wayfair, which releases early 2019! They’re all time-slip novels (including both a contemporary and historical story line) and they have that delicious spine-tingling effect when you’re reading them!

The Matrimonial Advertisement by Mimi Matthews

This was a recent discovery thanks to author Rachel McMillan (who gives the BEST book recommendations!) It has all the ingredients for a gothic romance—the brooding hero, the remote, crumbling home, and the heroine fleeing a wicked relative. And it’s a great romance as well.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Rochester! Does this story need any introduction? Brooding hero, rambling house, and some mysterious goings-on!
 
 

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Moving away from the romance, this is not only straight Gothic but a pillar of the genre. And such a tragic story. I always felt so sorry for the monster…
 
 

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Yes, I included this last week. So shoot me. 😉 But it is rather a classic of the Gothic genre too, and deservedly so. Oooh, the delicious shivers!
 
 
 

Want to Read

Melmoth by Sarah Perry

This is another recommendation from Rachel McMillian that I’ve added to my TBR. I get shivers just reading the description! Click on the graphic to read it for yourself and see how you fare.
 

The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole

This novel is considered to be the first Gothic novel, written in 1764, so my interest in reading it is more historical than literary. I figure it was either so good that everyone else jumped on the bandwagon, or so horrid that a whole lot of other people said, “I could do a better job than that,” and proceeded to put their pencil where their mouth was. Then again, the genre would have held strong appeal as the age of Romanticism built. Whatever the reason, I’m curious to read it.

The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe

Ann Radcliffe was born the same year The Castle of Otranto was published, and she became one of the pioneers of the Gothic romance. If you’ve ever had a novel-reading Regency heroine (gasp!), chances are she read Ann Radcliffe—perhaps even this very novel, which was her most popular one. I’ve heard it mentioned by more than one Regency heroine, so I’m curious to read it myself.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

This is another one of those classics of the Gothic genre, and I did try to read it many years ago and gave up. I’m determined to give it another go at some point, and it seems to have been cropping up a bit lately, so maybe I’ll have to take the hint!
 
 

Are you a Gothic reader? I’d love to know your recommendations!