The Gothic Vision: Three Centuries of Horror, Terror and Fear

Description

The Gothic Vision examines a broad range of tales of horror, terror, the uncanny and the supernatural, spanning the late-eighteenth century to the present, and of related theoretical approaches to the realm of dark writing. It argues that such narratives are objects for historical analysis, due to their implication in specific ideologies, whilst also focusing on the recurrence over time of themes of physical and psychological disintegration, spectrality and monstrosity. Central to the book's argument is the proposition that fear is a ubiquitous phenomenon, capable of awakening consciousness even as it appears to paralyze it.

Dani Cavallaro is a freelance writer specializing in literary studies, critical and cultural theory and the visual arts. Her publications include The Gothic Vision, Critical and Cultural Theory and Cyberpunk and Cyberculture.

Mentioned, Todays Books 'Book Register', June 2006 -- Today's Books 'Book Register' 'If you are into horror, death and destruction, this is a must...this volume will tell you all you need to know about the rhetoric of horror. An invaluable and fascinating book for students' The Lecturer * Blurb from reviewer * 'A thorough, well-written overview of Gothic literature from the publication of Horace Walpole's The Castle of Otranto (1764) to the present (Stephen King, Anne Rice, Patrick McGrath). I would use it as a compulsory text for undergraduates.' Anne Williams, Professor of English, University of Georgia * Blurb from reviewer *