The essays in this book explore some of the most significant current issues concerning the terrain of the Gothic and the Gothic perspective, offering a variety of possible answers to the crucial question: what is Gothic? The collection begins by addressing general issues about the location and structure of Gothic; this is followed by various considerations of Gothic as a specific historical phenomenon, linked with specific aspects of British, American, and European society; and, finally, by an exploration of Gothic writing during recent decades.

These essays explore some of the most significant current issues concerning the terrain of the Gothic perspective, offering a variety of possible answers to the crucial question: What is Gothic? The collection begins by addressing general issues about the locations and structure of Gothic; this is followed by various considerations of Gothic as a specific historical phenomenon, linked with specific aspects of British, American, and European society; and, finally, by an exploration of Gothic writing during recent decades.

This is a wide-ranging book about aspects of the Gothic, from classic texts such as Frankenstein and Wuthering Heights to contemporary fiction by Iain Banks, William Gibson and many others. It approaches the texts through looking at the opposition between the Gothic and the law, suggesting ways in which Gothic at all points produces transgression. It looks at horror fiction by, for example, Stephen King and Robert Bloch, as well as stories from China and Hong Kong, and suggests new ways in which contemporary literary and psychological theory might relate to and address the Gothic.

This guide provides an overview of the most significant issues and debates in Gothic studies.
Provides an overview of the most significant issues and debates in Gothic studies.
Explains the origins and development of the term Gothic.
Explores the evolution of the Gothic in both literary and non-literary forms, including art, architecture and film.
Features authoritative readings of key works, ranging from Horace Walpole's "The Castle of Otranto" to Bret Easton Ellis's "American Psycho."
Considers recurrent concerns of the Gothic such as persecution and paranoia, key motifs such as the haunted castle, and figures such as the vampire and the monster.
Includes a chronology of key Gothic texts, including fiction and film from the 1760s to the present day, and a comprehensive bibliography.

This is a wide-ranging book about aspects of the Gothic, from classic texts such as Frankenstein and Wuthering Heights to contemporary fiction by Iain Banks, William Gibson and many others. It approaches the texts through looking at the opposition between the Gothic and the law, suggesting ways in which Gothic at all points produces transgression. It looks at horror fiction by, for example, Stephen King and Robert Bloch, as well as stories from China and Hong Kong, and suggests new ways in which contemporary literary and psychological theory might relate to and address the Gothic.

The Gothic has become in recent years an enormously popular and respected field of study. Courses dealing wholly or partly with Gothic writing are now standard in English and cultural studies departments across the world. In response to this extraordinary growth and expansion, David Punter has compiled a "Companion" designed to become the standard reference work for scholars and students. As well as providing a series of stimulating insights into Gothic writing, its history and genealogy, the volume also offers comprehensive coverage of criticism of the Gothic and of the various theoretical approaches it has inspired and spawned.

The "Companion" consists of 25 substantial essays, arranged in five sections: Gothic Backgrounds; The "Original" Gothic; Nineteenth- and Twentieth-century Transmutations; Ideas about the Gothic; and the Continuing Debate. These are accompanied by a substantial introduction and a bibliography of primary and secondary materials.

Each essay is written by a leading scholar in the field. In addition to providing accounts of major authors and texts, the essays explore European and American dimensions of Gothic; Gothic painting; the British ghost story; horror fiction; psychoanalytic, historicist and feminist approaches to the Gothic; Gothic cinema; and issues of counterfeit, madness and magic realism in relation to Gothic materials.

This guide provides an overview of the most significant issues and debates in Gothic studies.
Provides an overview of the most significant issues and debates in Gothic studies.
Explains the origins and development of the term Gothic.
Explores the evolution of the Gothic in both literary and non-literary forms, including art, architecture and film.
Features authoritative readings of key works, ranging from Horace Walpole's "The Castle of Otranto" to Bret Easton Ellis's "American Psycho."
Considers recurrent concerns of the Gothic such as persecution and paranoia, key motifs such as the haunted castle, and figures such as the vampire and the monster.
Includes a chronology of key Gothic texts, including fiction and film from the 1760s to the present day, and a comprehensive bibliography.

The Gothic has become in recent years an enormously popular and respected field of study. Courses dealing wholly or partly with Gothic writing are now standard in English and cultural studies departments across the world. In response to this extraordinary growth and expansion, David Punter has compiled a "Companion" designed to become the standard reference work for scholars and students. As well as providing a series of stimulating insights into Gothic writing, its history and genealogy, the volume also offers comprehensive coverage of criticism of the Gothic and of the various theoretical approaches it has inspired and spawned.

The "Companion" consists of 25 substantial essays, arranged in five sections: Gothic Backgrounds; The "Original" Gothic; Nineteenth- and Twentieth-century Transmutations; Ideas about the Gothic; and the Continuing Debate. These are accompanied by a substantial introduction and a bibliography of primary and secondary materials.

Each essay is written by a leading scholar in the field. In addition to providing accounts of major authors and texts, the essays explore European and American dimensions of Gothic; Gothic painting; the British ghost story; horror fiction; psychoanalytic, historicist and feminist approaches to the Gothic; Gothic cinema; and issues of counterfeit, madness and magic realism in relation to Gothic materials.

The thoroughly expanded and updated New Companion to the Gothic, provides a series of stimulating insights into Gothic writing, its history and genealogy. The addition of 12 new essays and a section on Global Gothic reflects the direction Gothic criticism has taken over the last decade. * Many of the original essays have been revised to reflect current debates * Offers comprehensive coverage of criticism of the Gothic and of the various theoretical approaches it has inspired and spawned * Features important and original essays by leading scholars in the field * The editor is widely recognized as the founder of modern criticism of the Gothic