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Reviewed by Delene Vrey for Readers' Favorite
The Reader's Companion to the Gothic Genre by Joe Giampaolo is a non-fiction study of the 'Evolution of the Gothic Genre in British Literature from 1750 to 1900 with Illustrations.' It is the third part of the Hampshire Stories series. This academic work is divided into seven chapters. It discusses the origin of the novel as it developed from epic poems through Shakespeare and the part that fairy tales played in the development of the Gothic novel. The author further discusses the emergence of the Gothic genre and, in detail, the main features that make up the Gothic novel. Chapter 4 is dedicated to the 18th-century Gothic genre with both a synopsis and an analysis of the most influential novels and their authors. The essay has chapters devoted to the influence of the Gothic novel on 19th-century literature and popular horror and ghost stories of the 19th century, looking at writers such as Mary Shelley and Edgar Allan Poe. The essay ends with an in-depth analysis of The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde.
Joe Giampaolo has written the most helpful and informative guide to the Gothic genre. The Reader's Companion to the Gothic Genre is written in clear and understandable language, providing the student of literature and the faithful reader of Gothic novels with a guide to understanding the genre's origin and the elements that place a novel in this genre. Adding a bibliography at the end of each chapter is priceless for students studying literature. For the avid reader of horror and gothic novels, the essay will bring a deeper insight into the development of the genre and insight into the literary devices used to create the atmosphere associated with the genre. Giampaolo has provided a necessary addition to any gothic and horror story reader and enthusiast's library. Understanding the origin and development of the genre will significantly enhance the reader's experience. I wish I'd had this when I was studying literature at university. Systemically written and thoroughly researched, this is an excellent asset to literature study.
