The Goth Bible: A Compendium for the Darkly Inclined

by Nancy Kilpatrick

Book Overview

What you don't know about goths could fill a book An artistic culture that revels in the Victorian romantic movement, The goth Bible brings to light the traditions and history of all that is goth. The goth culture has been one of the most controversial and maligned in media history. Presented as homicidal, suicidal and socio-pathic, in the national consciousness goths are coupled with everyone from Marilyn Mason to the murderers of Columbine. But...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312306962
• ISBN13: 9780312306960
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: St. Martins Press-3PL
• Length: 281 Pages
• Weight: 1.42 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 7.5" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Best gothic subculture book ever.

I love this book so much! It’s super informative, hilarious, and such an amazing read! I feel like people who wants to know about the gothic subculture should buy it!

Goth Bible

I bought this book for my sister, who is a fan of the dark and macabre. We both found the book to be interesting, and informative. It was very enjoyable to read.

Spectacular!

This book is a comprehensive and touching look at the Goth world. It covers a broad spectrum, and treats the subject with respect and not the usual sarcasm one expects and sees in books about Goths. The only thing I find disturbing are the 3 childish individuals who have commented here, none of which are reviews, and at least one of which hasn't read the book. I think it must be sad for the author to have to come here and read such drivel. If you've read the book, and her webpages that go with it, you will see it took her over two years and some hardship to produce this work. How shabby that anybody would trash it just because they're having a bad hair day. I've been goth for two decades, and proud of it. This book nicely reflects my lifestyle and that of other long term goths. All I can say is kindergoths, grow up!

Excellent

I borrowed this book from a friend's mother and had it finished in less than an hour. It was so interesting I couldn't put it down. The book didn't even have to leave their house. Such a great read. I only wish that those people who believe all goths are suicidal Satanists would read it. Even though I don't go for the whole labling people thing, I must say that this was enlightening and not at all what I thought it would be when it was insisted I read it.

Amazing

When I read this book I was really amazed by how they talked about older goths. Now a days most of the people in this world are people trying to be goth by wearing black and makeup but this book showed what real gothic was about..It talked about the gothic bands that were made back in the day Play Dead, and Dead Can Dance, I was amazed if you think your gothic and follow manson think again...Read this book.

Great Book!!

As a Goth myself, I expected to know most of the Gothic scene. But I didn't. This book is great, filled with valuable and interesting information, no Goth should be without.

A book which by a Goth FOR Goths but hoping to reach others!

This is actually the very first charming Goth book. We have had a few Goth epics in recent years, from my Net-based tome, to Paul Hodkinson's academic study, Gavin Baddeley coming from a Metal perspective, and Dave Thompson rummaging through the eighties. What is unusual here is that Nancy Kilpatrick hasn't any ego-driven agenda, and has actively sought out Goth opinions to decorate each chapter with. 95 Goths answered 125 questions each to form an alternative spine to this work and it makes it a very different book to the rest. Nancy is best known as a Horror writer but she is a Goth, and clearly delighted to be writing the book, as she also wants this book to help others understand Goth. You get serious contributions on sex/relationships/Fetish/marriage/Goth children/Corporate Goth/Goth homes, Art and Literature (Old and New), and it ends with a chapter on the Future, even if that felt a little skimpy. Basically, she goes through things that effect Goth life, from clothes to accoutrements, to relationships, religion, cemeteries, architecture, music and all the expected areas, with quotes and photos from her Goths interviews draping pages like curtains, as their comments go down the outer columns to most spreads. Those interviewed within the chapter text tend to be business-related individuals pertinent to the topic in question. So, in the Fashion or Lifestyle sections you have many a Goth contribution, but also meet Morpheus of Siren, R. Hunter Gough of `Gother Than Thou', Fred H. Berger of Propaganda, Terri of Ipso Facto, Natasha of Meltdown, Steven Of Gothic Beauty, Trish & Snooky of Manic Panic, Sonia (Hair Police), AntiSally (Goth Rosary), the Alchemy boys, Batty (Azrael's Accomplice), Mirabai (Tenebrae) Doktor Joy (Pennangalan Dreams), piercer Pierre Black and those lovely X-tra-X people. You can find a proper analyses of Absinthe, then on a similar vein find the weird story of how Michael Marchet finally got Vampire wine onto the market. Out of one area another little bubble will pop, making it a very pleasant read with unexpected dalliances emerging. The only disappointing part of me was a curious lack of musical coverage but Nancy has admitted the music side of thing isn't her strong point. She looked for willing musical contributors and some of what they say is unusual. Oh Hell, you get Clubs, and zines, net.goth, net habits, comics, gardening, Goth sub-species, and so on. It's a big book, commendably detailed in its travels to the heart of Goth and it is, without doubt, the most naturally jubilant, Goth-friendly, book which has so far been printed.