The Gothic Romance Wave ― A Critical History of the Mass Market Novels, 1960-1993

The late 1960s and early 1970s saw the birth of modern feminism, the sexual revolution, and strong growth in the mass-market publishing industry. Women made up a large part of the book market, and Gothic fiction became a popular staple. Victoria Holt, Mary Stewart and Phyllis Whitney emerged as prominent authors, while the standardized paperback Gothic sold in the millions. Pitched at middle-class women of all ages, Gothics paved the way for contemporary fiction categories such as urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and vampire erotica. Though not as popular today as they once were, Gothic paperbacks retain a cult following—the books themselves have become collectors’ items. They were also the first popular novels to present strong heroines who served as agents of liberation and transformation. This book seeks to restore the missing chapters of the Gothic story, from the imaginative creations of Ann Radcliffe and the Brontë sisters to the controversial bestseller 50 Shades of Grey.

Lori Paige is an associate professor at American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts, where she serves as Chair of the English Department and teaches courses in British and vampire literature.