History of the Gothic: Twentieth-Century Gothic

History of the Gothic: Twentieth-Century Gothic by Lucie Armitt offers a thoughtful journey into the evolution of Gothic literature throughout a century marked by change and uncertainty. The book explores why, even in an age of rationality, the haunting allure of ghosts, demons, and uncanny figures persists in literature and film. Armitt navigates the transformation of traditional tropes into reflections of modern anxieties, examining how the eerie atmosphere of old haunted houses and the ambiguous menace of familiar domestic spaces reemerge in contemporary settings. Building on a rich legacy of Gothic exploration, this work traces influences from early classics like The Turn of the Screw through to later reinterpretations in modern narratives such as those by Sarah Waters. Armitt dissects themes of forbidden desire, bodily terror, and the interplay between the human and the monstrous, shedding light on Gothic literature’s capacity to mirror socio-cultural tensions. Published by University Of Wales Press in 2009, History of the Gothic: Twentieth-Century Gothic is a compelling study that enriches our understanding of why the Gothic continues to captivate audiences today.