{"product_id":"the-theological-turn-in-contemporary-gothic-fiction-holy-ghosts","title":"The Theological Turn in Contemporary Gothic Fiction: Holy Ghosts","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review the reviewer finds The Theological Turn in Contemporary Gothic Fiction: Holy Ghosts to be a focused and thoughtful study for readers interested in intersections of religion and modern Gothic literature. It is best for literary scholars, graduate students, and serious readers who want a clear argument that contemporary Gothic fiction remains engaged with Christian theology; the single biggest reason to buy is its sustained close readings showing how the genre explores \u003cstrong\u003esin and evil\u003c\/strong\u003e, Christology and eschatology rather than simply secularising those themes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTheological focus:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book maps recurring theological concepts in post-1970 Gothic fiction, giving readers a framework to spot religious resonances across texts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClose readings:\u003c\/strong\u003e Detailed readings of novels and stories show how authors use Gothic devices to probe \u003cstrong\u003eresurrection and the messianic\u003c\/strong\u003e themes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor range:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chapters draw on work by writers such as Stephen King, Joyce Carol Oates and Peter Straub, offering comparative insight into different approaches to the sacred and uncanny.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eModern scope:\u003c\/strong\u003e Concentrating on post-1970 texts situates the study in contemporary literary debates rather than purely historical Gothic traditions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCritical argument:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book argues persuasively that the Gothic imagination remains open to the \u003cstrong\u003enuminous and non-rational\u003c\/strong\u003e, which creates space for theological reflection in fiction.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis volume will appeal to literary scholars, graduate students, and informed readers who study religion in literature or Gothic and horror fiction; it is most useful as a focused critical resource for courses on contemporary Gothic, theology and literature, or genre studies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking a general history of the Gothic, a comprehensive author encyclopedia, or a light popular overview should look elsewhere, since the book privileges theological reading over sweeping historical narrative and assumes some prior familiarity with the primary texts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConcentrated argument showing how Christianity and theological motifs continue to influence modern Gothic fiction.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClose textual analysis of major contemporary writers provides concrete examples readers can apply to other works.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFocus on themes such as \u003cstrong\u003eapocalypse and eschatology\u003c\/strong\u003e gives the study a clear critical lens rather than a scattershot survey.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe specialised theological emphasis may feel dense to readers seeking a general introduction to Gothic literature.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe Theological Turn in Contemporary Gothic Fiction: Holy Ghosts\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor \/ Brand\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSimon Marsden\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScope\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePost-1970 Gothic fiction\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMain themes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSin, evil, Christology, resurrection, eschatology\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthors discussed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStephen King, Joyce Carol Oates, Peter Straub, William Peter Blatty and others\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCritical approach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTheological readings and close textual analysis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor scholars and serious readers the book is a compelling, well-argued contribution that reclaims contemporary Gothic as a site of theological inquiry; it is good value for those who want focused, text-based analysis rather than broad-brush history, and it clarifies how the genre remains attuned to the \u003cstrong\u003emysterious and numinous\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book focus on older Gothic works?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. The study concentrates on post-1970 Gothic fiction rather than classical eighteenth- or nineteenth-century Gothic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich authors receive the most sustained attention?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWriters such as Stephen King, Joyce Carol Oates, Peter Straub and William Peter Blatty are among those discussed in detail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs prior theological knowledge required?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSome familiarity with basic theological concepts helps, but the book primarily models how to read theological themes within literary texts.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Simon Marsden","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48260943839451,"sku":"3030072150","price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/71nbdrpicOL._SL1360.jpg?v=1776600134","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/the-theological-turn-in-contemporary-gothic-fiction-holy-ghosts","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}