I'd like to put together a "Best Gothic Novels of the Twentieth Century."

The first few titles are easy to come up with--but then it gets harder. The criteria should be enduring popularity, significance to the genre, literary quality and/or ones that re-invented the genre.

1. "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier--really started the entire 20th century trend
2. "Mistress of Mellyn" by Victoria Holt--inspired by "Rebecca's" enduring success, "Mistress" set off the publishing phenomenon of the Gothic genre of the 60's.
3. "Nine Coaches Waiting" by Mary Stewart--Stewart proved that high literary quality and the modern Gothic can go hand in hand. Virtually any of her "Golden Period" Gothics could be listed here.
4. Something by Phyllis Whitney--any suggestions? Should it be her first Gothic? I think she deserves a place on the list for so consistently keeping solid, decently crafted Gothics on the bestseller lists.
5. "Flowers in the Attic" by V. C. Andrews--Re-invented the Gothic genre by liberally mixing it with horror. Though not particularly well written, Andrews' novel taps into some major primal Gothic fears.
6. "The Haunting of Hill House" by Shirley Jackson. Jackson takes the central idea of a woman looking for love in a spooky house, and strips it to its bones in this searing pyschological portrait of an unhinged woman.


Okay, I need help! I think we should be able to come up with 50 must-read titles. Are there any here you don't agree with? I don't want to get too far out of the Gothic Romance subgenre--so I'm trying to avoid overt horror novels with Gothic overtones. But I do think the last two on the list belong here since they really deal with the "women's Gothic" as set forth in "Jane Eyre" and "Rebecca."

But I need help! What other books do you think deserve to be on this list for their importance or sheer good quality?

Okay, I'm going to add to my own list since nobody else has yet.

7. "The Ivy Tree" by Mary Stewart--I know Stewart is already on this list with "Nine Coaches Waiting," but she deserves more than one place on this list. "The Ivy Tree" breaks some of the Gothic conventions and is so literate, surprising and atmospheric, it deserves a place here.

8. "Winterwood" by Dorothy Eden--Superior Gothic from this prolific author. It's a traditional entry in the genre but well written and effectively told. Eden deserves some representation on this list, and--unless anyone thinks differently--"Winterwood" would be my pick.

9. "Green Darkness" by Anya Seton. I debated putting this or "Dragonwyck" on the list, both which represent Seton's effective fictionalizing of historical research. In the end, though "Green Darkness" may be more innovative with its reincarnation theme, I prefer "Dragonwyck." But apparently, I'm in the minority, so "Green Darkness" it is.

10. "The Watcher in the Woods" by Florence Engel Randall. Randall wrote Gothics for adults, but "Watcher" was marketed to a juvenile/teen crowd. I suspect that's because the publisher wasn't quite sure what to do with it. It's an effective, spooky traditional Gothic up to a point, and then it introduces science fiction elements that are surprisingly effective. Forget the poor film version made by Disney--the novel is the real thing, and it gets my vote for most underrated Gothic.

11. Something by Virginia Coffman? Any ideas? I'm not very familiar with her work but she was quite prolific in the genre and seemed to have an interesting perspective as she used elements of late 60's/early 70's counterculture to pepper her supernatural Gothics. Heck, she had real supernatural elements in her novels, which sets her apart from the crowd!

12. "Houses of Stone" by Barbara Michaels. Here's another Master of the genre. Most any of her books are worthy examples of the genre done well, but "Houses" is a step above. Michaels effectively incorporates the history of the genre itself into the story, and for lovers of classic Gothics, it's a great read. Add a literate, unconventional heroine (who is neither young or exceptionally beautiful) and you have a mature, sophisticated Gothic.

13. Something by Willo Davis Roberts? Again, any suggestions for a superior title from her? Her Gothics were all nicely crafted, intelligent, and well written.

14. Something by Susan Howatch? I've only read "April's Grave" and it wasn't particularly distinguished--but I've read some of her others are very skillfully done.

15.  "Jamaica Inn" by Daphne du Maurier--Like Mary Stewart, du Maurier's sheer literary skill earns her a second place on this list.  "Jamaica Inn" is a skillful, traditional historical Gothic, that takes a well-earned twist into a study of insanity and hatred the likes of which we rarely see so chillingly portrayed in a Gothic.  Add an uneasy conclusion where the reader doubts the heroine has a happy ending ahead of her, and you have a unique, genre-influencing Gothic.

16. "Rosemary's Baby" by Ira Levin--Supernatural Gothic that has all the trappings of a traditional one: spooky apartment building, bride who doesn't know her husband as well as she should, creepy neighbors. Always modern and brisk, "Rosemary's Baby" packs a wallop at the end. It may not seem like a traditional Gothic romance, but if you think about it, you'll realize Levin follows the format brilliantly--until the end.

I'd like to add to this list. You can probably see some of the others' reviews under Book Reviews.

17. "Sons of the Wolf" by Barbara Michaels. I know you already listed Barbara Michaels but she is one of my favorites and I'd recommend almost any one of them.

18. I did not like "Winterwood" by Dorothy Eden but I did like "Voices of the Dolls".

19. "The Voice of Murder" by Margaret Erskine. This is a Gothic suspense/police detective story.

Great tamtam. Erskine is a great addition--and I agree about Michaels deserving more than one place on the list. I think "Sons of the Wolf" may be the one Michaels I haven't read yet!

Nice to see another new member. I'll add something:

20. I believe it was Nora Lofts who wrote "Gad's Hall" and "The Haunting of Gad's Hall". There was an element of the occult that I found particularly eerie.

21. Perhaps someone can suggest something from Anne Maybury. I only read one and it was OK except for the inconsistencies within the story. I know she gets very good critical reviews generally.

22. Some consider Mary Roberts Rinehart as Gothic. I think they are more romantic suspense but "The Wall" has a feel of the Gothic.

22. "Girl on a High Wire" by Rae Foley. Several of her works could be considered Gothic, even the ones featuring amateur sleuth Hiram Potter. I really enjoy reading her works.

For #11, how about "Devil Vicar"?

I enjoy Mary Stewart as well and I'd put "My Brother Michael" or "This Rough Magic" on the list.

Thanks paigenumber for the additions!

I haven't read the Nora Lofts novel, but I'll look into it.

Mary Roberts Rinehart is best known for "The Circular Staircase," which definitely has some Gothic elements. Her novels were written before "Rebecca," however, so they are a lacking that romatic influence and come across more as straight mysteries with some slight Gothic trappings. But you're right, she deserves inclusion on the list. I'd put "The Circular Staircase" on there as it was hugely popular, spawned a popular play called "The Bat" (which was then novelized as "The Bat" and attributed to Rinehart--but it was written by someone else!) "The Bat" then spawned several movie versions.

Thanks for the Virginia Coffman suggestion. I'll look it up and then add it to our list under #11. When I get a minute, I'll redo the opening post so it has an updated list.

I think you feel about Mary Stewart the way I do. Her "Golden Age of Gothic" (in my opinion) began with her first novel and ended with "Touch Not the Cat." Any one of those books could probably be included on this list.

Believe it or not, nobody has ever (publically anyway) done a list like this. I've been looking for awhile. So, if we get enough people's input, this may actually be a very helpful internet resource. We could even get a link from wikipedia. For someone just starting out in the genre, it could be very useful.

#23. Something from Jill Tattersall. Perhaps "Midsummer Masque".

Hi maisonvivante, and well done on starting this thread!

Your heading didn't stipulate best Gothic romances, but best Gothic novels so I would offer:

#24. Gormenghast by Mervyn Peake. Although many consider this a fantasy masterpiece, it is also inarguably one of the great Gothic novels of the 20th century (and part of possibly the best of all Gothic trilogies.)

#25: Bride of Newgate by John Dickson Carr. Carr may be considered one of the great Golden Age mystery writers but he had several works that would be considered Gothic. This one reads like a historical romantic mystery.

#26: The Ninth Guest (The Invisible Host) by Gwen Bristow and Bruce Manning. Gwen Bristow traditionally wrote romances and this is the only mystery she wrote that I am aware of. This may or may not be considered a Gothic by others but I really enjoyed it. There is definite terror and suspense with a subtle romance. It reminded me of Christie's Ten Little Indians, although this book was copyrighted years prior to Christie's.