Category

Gothic Horror

/

Revisiting a Classic: Knight of the Black Rose (Ravenloft)

I am a D&D nerd, having grown up on the game. I'm also a huge fan of the Dragonlance novels and game setting, and have collected scores of books dedicated to that world. So what does that have to do with horror? I'm getting to that! The Dragonlance series had plenty of horrific moments in it, and one character in particular that is kind of the horror icon of that world. Lord Soth is a Darth Vader-esque character that is scarier than the dragons that populate Krynn. Soth was a once proud knight that who became an adulterer and a murderer. he was cursed and n[...]

/

La Chatelaine – The Killer Utility Belt You Need

How often do you search for your keys or your cell phone in your purse, only to find all the things you really don't need? Or look for that pesky tool everywhere only to find it after you've bought a replacement already. World, meet the chatelaine, the most useful and beautiful utility belt for Victorian women. I sincerely hope this year is the year that these come back. According to MentalFloss and chatelaine historian Monica F. Cohen, the word "chatelaine" itself is derived from the medieval word for a castellan, or a keeper of the castle or chateau who wo[...]

/

In love and death: Lizzie Siddal

This story happens by lamplight, under a copse of trees and at the top of a steep hill, predictably under the cover of night when only the most nefarious deeds are done. It's October and the ground is frosted, but there are men at work with spades and shovels, digging into the soil with some ardour, awaiting that telltale sound of metal striking a coffin. If you've ever dug up a grave yourself, I'm certain you'd know it: the timber of the strike changes as the wood buckles, and then splinters. It's an extra bit of give beneath the tool -- the result of the grav[...]

/

Whispers of Poe: The Cask of Amontillado

A little while back, I wrote about ASMR–Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (or ASMR), the tingly feeling some people experience when getting close personal attention like a haircut, eye exam, scalp massage, etc. Anyway, there is a ton of ASMR content out there on YouTube now, and since a lot of ASMR content involves whispering and speaking softly, a lot of people also use the video to help them fall asleep, or cope with stress and anxiety. A while back a friend and I started a YouTube channel that features gaming videos with soft spoken and whispered com[...]

/

Greetings From the Hollywood Tower Hotel!

Hey kids, my post this week is a bit different since I've been at Disney World all week with the family. I did manage to squeeze in a bit of horror though, when we visited Disney Hollywood Studios. For it's at that park where there is a monument to my favorite television show of all time, The Twilight Zone. The Twilight Zone Tower of terror is a ride centered around a haunted elevator. Unlike a lot of other freefall rides, this one is actually pulled down at a speed of almost 40mph by cables attached to the bottom of the elevators. It also bobs back up, and shu[...]

/

Gothic Horror Month: A Summary

I can't believe it's July. I mean, almost July. I was over-the-moon when our fabulous members were voting on theme months and someone suggested Gothic Horror Month! I love how our members' brains work. They're dreamy. Anywho, I've been loving these posts so much I wanted to do a little recap on our great articles for Gothic Horror month. Check it out below! A Taste of Gothic Horror Month Mr. King Does It Again! by Amy Giuffidra Young Adult Gothic Literature Reading List by Jolene Haley The King In Yellow: A Gothic Horror Masterpiece by Brian LeTendre I wa[...]

/

Young Adult Gothic Literature Reading List

Last week I wrote Gothic Literature – A History, and discussed what the genre is and where it came from. I also recommended a few fabulous books that helped to shape the genre itself. One of the things I mentioned was that the cool thing about Gothic literature, is that it’s still around today, even after hundreds of years, still haunting and thrilling, delighting and scaring. Today I wanted to highlight a few young adult Gothic novels for your reading pleasure!   Above, from left to right, top to bottom. Click on the title to read a little more abo[...]

/

The King in Yellow: A Gothic Horror Masterpiece

Romance, mystery, dread and terror--Robert Chambers' The King in Yellow has them all in spades. It's a collection of stories that has influenced countless horror writers over the past century, including H.P. Lovecraft himself. Four of the stories in the book reference a play called The King in Yellow, a play so infamous it was banned because simply reading it causes people to go insane. We as readers of the short stories never get to see more than a snippet or two from the actual play, lending to mystery of it. The titular character in the play is a terrifying,[...]

/

I was Eleven, He was Creepy…A Love Story

It's Gothic horror month. *ahem* Let me try that again... IT'S GOTHIC HORROR MONTH!!!!!! The best type of horror. Dark and creepy and fabulous. Filled with sadness and longing, leaving disturbing images and emotions in your head. When I heard this month's theme, I knew I wanted to post about Edgar Allan Poe...of course my dear friend Amy had the same idea. Why wouldn't she? I mean EDGAR ALLAN POE! Go read her post here. I'll wait... The child of two actors, Edgar Poe was born in Boston, Massachusetts in January 1809. His father abandoned him and his mother[...]

/

Edgar Allan Poe- The Master of Gothic Horror

Hey everyone! I've been gone for quite awhile, and I have missed you all! My life has taken a few twists and turns, so I needed to take some time away. Buuutttt, now I'm back! And what a time to blog...gothic horror month! It's not a secret that I am a huge fan of Edgar Allan Poe. I mean, I do have a raven tattoo on my wrist! Every year, I'm lucky enough to have Poe as part of my curriculum. Teaching 8th graders about this fascinating and disturbed man; along with sharing his famous writings, is what I look forward to each year. And while I love all of his stori[...]