Such a pleasant, polished reading voice. You may very well be the most eloquent, articulate presence on BookTube. Your perspective & knowledge educates us. We need it. Thank you.
Wow, thank you David! I am at a loss for what to say in response. I hope that you receive a generous inheritance from a long lost billionaire relative.😀 Your knowledge and perspective are probably greater than mine but thank you for the compliment. Do you have any favourite author's, genres etc?
As someone who is currently writing a gothic romance novel, I'm super excited to see videos like this. It's hard to find many videos breaking down the gothic genre so thoroughly.
And that is why we love gothic literature so much.... It's not disgusting, but wonderfully disturbing at times... Even adults can scare themselves silly and enjoy it. Love the thorough walk thru.
Just had to say, your story example at the end was phenomenal, both in how it was written and how it was read. You may not have known where the story was going when you wrote it, but I could easily see where an entire novel would grow out of that.
This might be the best video I've watched about gothic lit. It's helped me to realize that my novel is actually gothic (as opposed to urban/dark fiction) and that's why I've been having trouble writing the sequel. Thank you!
What a great reading voice! Your well written piece definitely falls in line with all the Gothic aspects! Thank you for providing this well put together video on Gothic literature!
Thank you so much Chris! You are lovely. Sorry for not replying sooner. Life is so busy. I am super appreciative of you taking the time to watch and comment though.😀👍
Your explanation of gothic books/novels have definitely peaked my interest. And your surprise was fabulous! That story-opening definitely drew me in. I feel like I want to know more!
You have a good reading voice. Have you considered narrating audio books? You'd be good at reading the classics! One appealing aspect of the piece you wrote (at the end of the video) is the hubris of the main character and his disdain of the "rustics". We just KNOW he's gonna get his comeuppance. Also the giggling sounds as the mysterious boat arrives were nicely foreshadowed by the housekeeper saying that children had been abducted to that castle. I want to read more of that story! Thanks for your videos.
I finished Bitter Orange by Claire Fuller yesterday and can't stop thinking about the ways it made me feel. It reminded my of Rebecca (my very first gothic novel)(Bitter Orange being my second) which I also absolutely devoured. I can't wait to endulge myself in gothic lit and discover plenty of new stories that I never payed attention to before. I love love love finding new genres to immerse into; it's almost like entering a utter new universe with so many things to explore. This video was highly informative for me as a newbie! Those 27 minutes went by too fast (I apologise in advance for language mistakes 💀 English isn't my first)
I seriously wish this could have gone on and on for hours! When you read that story, you brought the characters to life. Having a British person read with such great accents made the story so much more interesting! As an American I can’t really imagine too many British accents and their subtleties, but you made it so amazing :) definitely subscribing!
Wow! This channel is growing by leaps and bounds. So encouraging. People still read after all. ❤ I just finished The Woman in White and Frankenstein because of your recommendations. It was absolutely wonderful. I wish this had been around when I was majoring in literature as an undergrad. Excellent teaching --elegant, concise, fun.
I never knew my favorite books I had read as a teen were gothic literature. I've just recently returned to searching and learning about gothic subculture, and the literature is one of the aspects I enjoy the most. Thank you for this well put out video, it's one of the most informative I've seen when about the topic.
I loved this particular video so much, because like so many others I adore Gothic novels or stories. I have read "The Castle of Otranto", but wasn't remotely as scared by it as I was when I first tried to read "Wuthering Heights". I was still at school and the mere idea of the tapping at the window - I don't think I've ever read a more terrifying opening to a novel. I was never as scared when reading "Jane Eyre" because she's such a strong character that I thought she'd survive no matter what. And I adored "Dracula" from first reading, because I think it's so sexy, in contrast to "Frankenstein" which is heart breaking. I was so interested and glad that you agree Daphne du Maurier is a Gothic writer, because whilst that's easier to see in "Rebecca", I find it fascinating that "Don't Look Now" was originally one of her short stories, and my God you can hardly get more Gothic than that. Your videos are so accessible they're an absolute joy; thank you so much.
Your story at the end was fun. 😊 I admit that my favorite books, growing up in the 70s, were gothic novels. Today is October 1st, the month for Gothic. 👻
Great video. I’ve only just started to write gothic/cosmic horror shorts/novellas and this really helps and was surprised to find that I had all 8 (nine if you included the twins), so I must be doing something right 🙂 Thanks so much, and if you ever finish The Castle Classic, I’ll buy a copy (must watch The Lighthouse by the brothers Eggers on repeat until then!)
Wow I just wrote a novella that hit almost every point to make it gothic and I was struggling to find out what genre.. thank you it is DEFINITELY gothic…excellent opening keep writing that
How timely. Just yesterday I picked up a copy of The Castle of Otranto. I had to write a paper on it years ago in college, so I thought I should finally get around to actually reading it.
oh my, I can't believe how underrated you are when all of these videos are such good-quality and fun to watch. keep up with the good work please, I hope you grow so much more!
How about the brooding anti-hero? The Turn of the Screw by Henry James fits the supernatural aspect. I looked up and read about Edward Bulwer-Lytton's Paul Clifford, but it was classed as a crime novel, but it seems similar to Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde, "It was a dark and stormy night." Thanks for the treat, a very enjoyable video. I love your delight in your subject, it is a joy to watch. You are a fine teacher.
Thank you SuS. I love hearing from you. You are so upbeat and generous. Broadly speaking, all crime novels involving any suspense mystery are offspring of the Gothic genre. The elements are essentially the same. Basements, alleyways between apartment buildings, cities at night, are very gothic in essence. Dead bodies tend to turn up in swamps, rivers, garbage tips etc (all very wild.) Today, the split from crime and gothic is, from my own observation, the supernatural, whether that be actual paranormal or the hideous outworkings of science.
Thank you Tristan for this excellent video. Your explenations are a great help in creating a scenario for special roleplaying event, planned to be set during he Regency. Something like Bridgerton meets de Sade and Mary Shelley. 😄
New subscriber here! I have always loved the gothic, ever since I read The Monkey's Paw by EAP as a kid and scared myself silly, also watching this video on a cold, windy and rainy day here in Australia...perfect gothic weather ⛈
Fascinating video! I’ve watched and rewatched several times over. I’ve been wanting to try my hand at writing a gothic novel, but before I start, I want to read every classic gothic novel I can find so I can familiarize myself with all the themes, plots, and characters that make up the gothic genre. Of the ones I’ve read so far, I think my favourites would be Jekyll and Hyde, Dracula, a Christmas Carol (I know it’s not usually classed as a gothic story, but some critics see gothic themes in it), Frankenstein, The Monk, and Dorian Gray. I’m wondering what you would list as your top favourite Gothic works?
Hi Jared. I'm so sorry that i haven't responded sooner. For some reason I've only just had your comment appear in my youtube panel. Love that you are wanting to write a gothic novel. I've recently made a video featuring a selection of gothic novels. However, two classic writers I would highly recommend are Daphne du Maurier and Wilkie Collins. A particular book of interest would be du Maurier's The Scapegoat. Jamaica Inn and Rebecca are more famous, but the Scapegoat has different nuances. It's also important to check out modern gothic too,. Harlen Coben is a great developer of tense plots.
Awesome video, thank you! Your writing is great! I loved your story, and on top of that, it illustrated the characteristics of gothic fiction perfectly :)
This was fascinating! Your voice is so smooth and pleasant to listen to. I learned a lot from this, so thank you for putting together this amazingly educational video and for doing it so eloquently.
I'm catching up on older videos. Thank you for the background and history. I've always been curious. I think of Gothic and I do think of cold and darkness and storms and old castles and windswept hills. Love it!
Oh my goodness, Tristan, that story you shared at the end was indeed a very special treat! I know you said it was just a little something you whipped up by way of example, but I would love to read more. Perhaps you'll be inspired to continue the story? If not a full novelization, then perhaps you could share it in installments (like Dickens' stories in the newspaper), where you read a bit more at the end of each video?
This is really great. I had to write so many papers on the sublime during university. First in Gothic lit, and a few in philosophy courses. Oh! That story at the end! Nailed it. It actually made me miss the Gothic lit classes haha. You should keep it going! Haha
Thanks so much. You should do a video on the sublime, I bet it would be amazing. I'm not sure I could stomach writing essays on the topic.😀 The story was a fun exercise. No idea where it was headed though.
I Loooooved the last bit. Mr. Tristan, you sir, have a flair for drama. Very enjoyable, I would have loved to hear more of the story you made. Thank you for sharing that with us. Also I am currently reading Jane Eyre, so this video came at the right time. Your knowledge regarding the gothic genre has enlightened me further. Please continue to share your insights with us, thanks you and have a Great day!
Aw thanks Jade. I would love to have given you more of the story but I had no idea where it was going myself.😀 Let me know your thoughts on Jane Eyre. I will be covering it too in a video soon, I hope.
@@tristanandtheclassics6538 , I finished Jane Eyre yesterday. It was quite a ride. I enjoyed it and I had no scruples about the ending. I have so much thoughts and feelings about this book, especially about actions and the chain of reactions that ensues. I enjoyed reading about the characters and their struggles on how to go about life (and its ever changing tides and consequences) . I can't wait for your in depth review of Jane Eyre!
Tristan, thank you so much for making this video! I've watched some other videos on the aspects of gothic literature, but yours was by far the most helpful, especially with the story you included at the end containing the eight aspects you discussed (which was absolutely lovely by way; you're an excellent writer). I'm curious about your thoughts on different POVs in gothic literature. I've noticed that a large chunk of them are in first person, which would make sense in the effort to elevate the feeling terror for the reader, but do you think that can also be achieved to the same degree in third person limited and/or third person omniscient? Do you have any recommendations for gothic novels that do so?
Great question! Third person narrators work well also. Wuthering Heights uses an interesting device of a first person hearing the tale from a third person. This invokes the element of the past and a semblance of reality. As gor the third person I would recommend Agatha Christie and Daphne du Mauriers works. And Then There Were None is a masterpiece in my opinion.
I've just stumbled across your channel because I'm doing a bit of cursory research for my thesis, and this video is lovely ! You are concise and eloquent; it feels like i'm in a proper English lecture
Thank you so much for this lecture. It was the first, I have watched, that did a great job explaining Gothic literature by breaking it down to understandable pieces. Thanks.
What a great story. I’d sure love a full book. Gothic literature is my favorite. I also think you’d be fantastic at audio book narration. Happy holidays!
Another really interesting video on classic literature. The elements which identify the classic Gothic genre are well portrayed here. I personally love to read Gothic literature - particularly the classics - and enjoy analysing the psyche of the Byronic heros such as Heathcliffe from Wuthering Heights; his nature and relationship with the people around him is so complex. There are some great contemporary works which envelope the Gothic identity, but give me the classics anyday! Your videos are so well thought out. Thank you.
Thank you Audrey. Gothic literature in the Classics has a different feel to more modern elements, I agree. I think the genre benefits from the more descriptive prose of the 19th century than the more streamlined narration of today.😀
Thanks loads for this video. The examples were very very helpful. I could've listended to your own story for ages! I had to pause for a moment though to appreciate your comparison of disappearing fog and someone coughing in a pan. Brilliant. Can't get over it :)
Thank you so much Marina! I'm so sorry that I didn't respond to your kind comment sooner. As I've been letting others know, I have just found a whole bunch of unanswered comments in my youtube panel. Please forgive me.
Glad you like them, that really encourages me. Thanks so much for your support. Sorry if I cannot reply sooner. Just know that I appreciate your support Tim.
not me studying over the summer by grabbing a notebook giving myself a course in Gothic lit because its my favorite genre of literature and my college doesn't have one :')
In German, Gothic is calles Black Romanticism and it is truly wild and weird, it really dives into insanity and genetic theories and upbringing. of course, Gothic literature does dive into insanity too, but I haven't come across stories that go into causes of it
Hey Joe! Pleased to make class a little more tolerable for you😃👍 May I ask, when you said you had to watch this for class, did you mean that you were specifically told to watch this video, or just watch anything on gothic literature? Just curious😃
@@tristanandtheclassics6538 my teacher picked this video on Gothic literature after she looked at a couple other on her own. She liked yours and we watched it.
@@joefranks557 Oh I say, that is jolly decent of her! Please be sure to give her my thanks. And thank you, Joe, for taking the time to comment and reply. I truly appreciate it.😃👍
This is my first time seeing your video, and I’ve learn so much and my interest into gothic literature has grown more. Thank you so much and I’m definitely subscribing 😃
thank you so much that helped me a lot , btw you have one of the best reading voices i have ever heard . if you ever did an audiobook please let me know .i will be your first supporter . thank you again