August / Gothic Novel Poll

[Scheherazade]

In August we will be reading a gothic novel.

Please post your nominations in this thread by June 31st

[Jozanny]

For once I will be an annoying traditionist, and nominate Wilkie Collins, The Woman in White. Assuming my edition survived my relocation, I have my university copy around here somewhere and have wanted to reread it. Neither Virgil nor Quasi were pleaded with to assist me with my damn closet space, as I did not want to engage them with too much tyranny, but I should be able to find it, if indeed Collins counts as gothic, but me thinks the case could be made for it.

[JBI]

La Belle Bete (Mad Shadows in English translation) by Marie-Claire Blais

It is a short, spare novel, without an identifiable setting or nationality. Its characters are few, and most are driven by pure carnivorous vanity. The beautiful beast of the original title is Patrice, a mindless Adonis worshipped by his widowed mother, Louise, and loathed by his ugly but intelligent sister, Isabelle-Marie. Louise's devotion to her son wanes when she takes a new husband, a dandy with a golden cane. The characters prey upon one another in a nightmarish cycle of physical and psychological violence, broken only by Isabelle-Marie's doomed marriage to a beautiful, blind--but recovering--young man. Blais's later works, like Dürer's Angel or These Festive Nights, are more sophisticated, but the lurid energy of Mad Shadows makes for an unforgettable morality tale. Despite the depravity of Blais's characters, their motives and worries are all too familiar. The most disturbing feature of Mad Shadows is its relevance. --Jack Illingworth

from:
http://www.amazon.ca/Mad-Shadows-Mar.../dp/0771098677

The gothic elements conflict with a pastoral setting, as the almost fairytale like rendition of rural Quebec is overthrown with a violence that equips this vane obsession with beauty, and all that is left out. As beauty is to wane, so is the pastoral, and within it, a haunting is born - not beautiful, in a sexual sense, yet at the same time, fascinating.

[Nightshade]

I dont think the woman in white is gothic, its the first umm mystery novel isnt it? Or was that moonstones?

anyway Belinda by Maria edgeworth.
Because I need people to read it, also I get my vote in eraly this month

[Jozanny]

Just because it is a mystery doesn't mean it doesn't have gothic elements Night, and I think it does, but never fear, I won't open my dueling pistols case.

[Nightshade]

Meh, Im not arguing. I am usuing that as justification for Belinda

[Dark Muse]

The House of the Seven Gables ~ Hawthorne

[papayahed]

Bellefleur by Joyce Carol Oates

[Jozanny]

Bellefleur by Joyce Carol Oates

Papa, this certainly brings back memories! I read it my freshman year, and it is one of only two Oates novels I actually like. I did a cursory search for my Wilkie and can't find him (I must roll with the souls of the damned, although I am sure the book was packed and must be around)--but I will definitely join in for Bellefleur!

Great pick

[Quark]

I will be an annoying traditionist, and nominate Wilkie Collins, The Woman in White

Could I double-nominate that? I know it might get disqualified for not being gothic enough, but in the past we've chosen some books that have even less to do with the theme than this one. I remember reading To the Lighthouse for the Summer '07 bookclub when the theme was "the beach." I'm sure we all remember that great beach scene from To the Lighthouse. I think we did A Tale of Two Cities for Valentine's Day a while back ago, too. If those pass, what can't? I'd love to the Woman in White. It's been some times since I read a page-turner like that.

[wessexgirl]

I would say the WIW is gothic, and I wouldn't mind reading it, as it's been on my TBR pile since one of those fun questionnaires selected it as my perfect book. Or what about The Woman in Black by Susan Hill? That's another one I'd like to read. I've also been intrigued by Belinda since I've read some good reviews on it recently, (as well as your ringing endorsement Night ), and was listening to a programme about Jane Austen last night, where it was mentioned that she liked Edgworth, no doubt as it influenced her for NA. I've been reading a biography on Poe too, and some of his stories, so there would be some good contenders there. Ooh, I'll have to think about it, as I would like to join in with this one, as I'm giving Rob Roy a miss, so will hopefully be able to start this as it will be in the school holidays when I have more time.

[Jozanny]

Quark, I don't mind paying my housekeeper. For what I pay him he does a much better job than the female attendants I used to get through the state, and he was the only one, out of every support system I have, who unpacked me and got me...mmm, 77% back to normal, but he cannot read my mind to get my library and my writing system back the way I want it as it used to be, and I balk at scheduling him just to nickpick to get my texts and documents back into place, but nearly all my books that were in my hall closet are unpacked, and if Collins wasn't knocked on the floor by the cats, or isn't in one of the piles on one of my lamp tables, then I am going to be a very unwise woman and go on a mini-book buying spree at Amazon, and possibly Alibris. I am fighting with myself and losing the argument.

I heart the library, but book ownership is possibly the last vestige of my love life as Irving might have written it. (In Garp there was a very funny section about disabled people engaging in mildly lewd behavior.)

The one thing holding me in check is that I should get my library in order before I whip out my Mastercard like a pint of Ben & Jerrys. Can you tell I am desperately trying to quit smoking ?

[Scheherazade]

Nominations so far:

1. The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

2. Mad Shadows by Marie-Claire Blais

3. Belinda by Maria Edgeworth

4. The House of the Seven Gables by Hawthorne

5. Bellefleur by Joyce Carol Oates

6. The Woman in Black by Susan Hill


Already there is such a good selection that I don't think I will nominate anything for this.

[Jozanny]

I'll bite for 1 or 5, and am going to take a mini-break til near August. I have been neglecting my new world war over my power chair and stuff, and I actually found a paying deadline which I might be able to do--but, if I opened my mouth on Litnet coz I like discussing books, maybe I should focus on that more and shut up otherwise.

I'll peek in for the votes and all, and I can take the time to find Wilkie. I know I have TWIW, and I have no reason to believe it got lost between floors. I am hoping I can sniff him out.

[Niamh]

oooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A woman in Black is spine chilling! that already have my vote!