Classic Fiction
The Castle Of Otranto by Horace Walpole - The first of the Gothic novels, and the one which first established many standard motifs of the genre. This may not be the best choice for beach-reading (it was written in the eighteenth century, and has the language and stylistic mannerisms thereof) but it is a must read for the serious student of Gothic literature. What real Goth ever goes to the beach anyway?
The Monk by Matthew Lewis - Incest, rape, rioting, murder, and the corruption of the clergy. Fun fun fun in the original Gothic style (i.e., difficult, obscure, and occassionally pendantic.)
Dracula by Bram Stoker - This is the book in which Stoker fathered the modern vampire legend (see the aesthetic page.) Despite being written over a hundred years ago, this book is still suitable for pleasure reading as well as a good long scholarly look.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley - though it does go on moralistically at times, this book is still a good read. This has spawned at least as many knock-off 'mad scientists' as Dracula has inspired sexy vampires.
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde - In this tale of a young man who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty, Wilde accomplishes the greatest of literary miracles -- he manages to be both fearsome and funny in the same work, without turning the book into a parody of itself. Wilde's philisophical views on the relationship between aesthetic and morals are also quite interesting. This is a must read.
Against Nature by J.K. Huysmans - The prototype for the book that corrupted Dorian Gray, this book chronicles the escapades of a young Frenchman who is completely bored with everything and is rich enough to try to do something about it. Everyone who reads this book seems to think it is either brilliant or extremely silly.
Down There by J.K. Huysmans - Huysmans' last book before he had a breakdown and became a Catholic. La-Bas (the title in the original French) is a story of sex, diabolism, sex, hating modernity, more sex, more diabolism. It also contains an interesting recap of the events of the life of Gilles de Rais, the legendary child-killer. The tone throughout is laced with the hysteria and religious mania that was about to break out in the author's life. Read this to complete your education, or because you really dig that old-time (Satan-worshipping) religion, but don't give it to your aunt Maude for Christmas.
The Complete Stories by Edgar Allan Poe - Pure entertainment, and not at all difficult reading. Appropriate for even the youngest Goths (the elders have probably already read many of these stories.)
The Case of Charles Dexter Ward by H. P. Lovecraft - Necromancy and a sinister plot of world domination are family matters for the title character. When Charles ends up in an insane asylum, speaking archaic English and curiously ignorant about the facts of modern life, it's up to his doctor to figure out what's going on.... like all Lovecraft, this story is not only a great frightner, but also a great vocabulary builder.
The Lurking Fear and Other Stories by H. P. Lovecraft - SEE a reporter with his face eaten off in "The Lurking Fear"! FEEL the exsitential despair of "The White Ship"! THRILL to the shocking fate of an insular small town (much like the one you hated growing up in) in "The Shadow Over Innsmouth"! A dozen fine short stories by that master of the word "eldritch", Lovecraft, in a delectable pocket-sized paperback for when the club gets boring. And be sure to read "The Hound" before your next cemetary walk.
The Complete Short Stories of Ambrose Bierce by Ambrose Beirce - America's great dark humorist collected for your enjoyment. The tall tales and humor are great, and while some of the horror and ghost stories have a familiar feel to them, that is because Bierce's work became the prototype for so many others. If you're wondering who the heck Bierce is, he's the author of "Occurance at Owl Creek Bridge", one of the few stories regularly taught in high schools that are actually any good.
The Devil's Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce - At just eighty cents (last time I checked) from Amazon.com, you can't afford not to buy this book. A never-failing source of witty and bitter quotations for every occasion.
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