08-24-2007, 09:46 AM
I enjoy reading Gothics, especially the older ones. Unfortunately, I have picked up too many books recently that really cannot be described as anything better than mediocre. Many of these were written in the 1950s-1970s, when there seemed to be a boom in Gothic stories (loosely termed, since some were more romantic suspense or mysteries). Perhaps in the enormous output editors were less picky about what they were publishing. It's a shame to be inundated with such mediocrity. Furthermore, it seems embarassing to read all the wonderful critical reviews or bylines some of them get. How do you sort through all that jumble and find a really good Gothic?