Gothic Romance Elements in Books and Film

 By Sherri Boomershine

As I prepare to write my next book, I’m drawn to the old classics I read in high school as well as the books I read for fun. Many of the Gothic romances—Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and Rebecca come to mind from school. Remember the book covers of Victoria Holt, Phyllis A. Whitney, and Mary Stewart? A castle dominates the background and a young woman—always pretty—runs away from it, her long gown flowing behind her.

Gothic romances began in the eighteenth century during the Romantic period with the novel, The Castle of Otranto, (1764) by Horace Walpole. The quintessential novel was Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. While some of the characteristic books and movies have supernatural overtones, not all do, especially the more modern gothic romances of the mid-twentieth century. However, certain characteristics ring true in all of them. My favorite novel, Rebecca, illustrates the genre as does its movie, directed by Alfred Hitchcock.

The setting is usually in an old castle or mansion. The goal of the dark and mysterious setting is to create a sense of unease and foreboding. The first words of Rebecca set the tone: “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again. It seemed to me I stood by the iron gate leading to the drive, and for a while I could not enter, for the way was barred to me.” Hitchcock’s opening scene shows the mansion enveloped in mist and clouds, foreshadowing the fire that left it barren. Within the dwelling are candle-lit halls, secret passageways, and imposing portraits of long-gone residents who frown down on the people who live there. There is a locked room into which the main character, a young, unnamed woman is denied entry. Of course, as the movie unfolds, she must find out what lies behind the locked door.

The antihero of gothic romances is a brooding man who brings the main character to live in the mansion. Some qualities of the antihero include a violent temper, a cynical outlook, a sinister secret or desire, and moodiness. On the flip side, the antihero is often capable of deep, strong affection, has a tortured soul crying out for compassion, and is viewed as solitary and suffering. https://www.toledolibrary.org/blog/a-glimpse-of-genre-the-gothic-romance/  In Rebecca, Lawrence Olivier plays Max de Winter, the man who marries the main character and brings her to live in Manderley after a brief courtship in Monte Carlo. Although he loves her, he is so overwhelmed by his past that he can’t help her adjust to the large staff and become the lady of the house, due to diabolical Mrs. Danvers, the woman who runs the household.

Gothic romances are usually associated with a mystery to be solved. In Rebecca, the young bride moves into the mansion to find physical reminders of Max’s late wife, Rebecca, at every turn. A large portrait of the woman dominates the main room. The letter R appears on every piece of stationery and every hand towel. Rebecca’s room is kept as a shrine to her by Mrs. Danvers. The young bride assumes her brooding husband misses Rebecca, but the question is—how did she die? Twist after twist leads her to the truth with surprising results.

Finally, hyperbole best describes every page and movie scene. The woman swoons and faints, the wind hisses through the windows, the lights flicker, the wolves bay. In the end, however, the main character discovers the truth, and the bad guys are exposed, and the couple live happily ever after, just not in the scary mansion.

Sherri Boomershine is a woman of faith who loves all things foreign whether it’s food, culture, or language. A former French teacher and flight attendant, her passion is traveling to the settings of her books, sampling the food, and visiting the sites. She visited a Netherlands concentration camp for A Song for Her Enemies, and Paris art museums for What Hides beyond the Walls. Sherri lives with her husband Mike, her high school sweetheart, whom she married fifty-five years later. As an author and editor, she hopes her books will entertain and challenge readers to live large and connect with their Savior. Join, chat, and share with her on social media. Newsletter Facebook Twitter Instagram Website

A Song for Her Enemies

Tamar Kaplan is a budding soprano with the Harlaam Opera company. Her future looks bright, despite the presence of the German soldiers guarding Haarlem. But when Nazi soldiers close down the opera company, families start disappearing in the middle of the night, and Jews are stripped of their freedoms, Tamar realizes her brother Seth was right about her naiveté. She joins the resistance, her blond hair and light features making it easy for her come and go under the watchful eyes of the German guards. Tamar becomes Dr. Daniel Feldman’s assistant, as they visit families hiding out in forests and hovels, tending to their health needs. But when she returns home to find her parents gone and the family store looted, she and Daniel must go into hiding. As they cling to the walls of an alley, Tamar recognizes a familiar face—that of Neelie Visser, the neighbor, who beckons to them to follow her. Can she trust this Gentile woman who talks about God as if he’s standing next to her? https://bit.ly/40Yucjv

A Castle Rising from Ruins

Boldt Castle is one of the most romantic and famous landmarks in New York State. Located on Heart Island in the Thousand Islands, the castle was once an extravagant and heartfelt gesture of love from hotel magnate George C. Boldt to his wife Louise. When tragedy turned that dream into a haunting ruin, it sat empty and in decay for decades until a remarkable restoration brought it back to life. The Boldt Castle renovation is more than just a story of architecture—it’s a rebirth of history, passion, and purpose.

When Louise Boldt died unexpectedly in 1904, George Boldt was devastated, and construction on the castle immediately ceased. Workers were told to leave the island, and George never returned. The castle, exposed to the harsh Northern New York winters, vandals, and the slow decay of time, was left to the elements for more than seven decades.

Windows shattered, floors rotted, mold crept in, and ivy climbed over what was meant to be a castle of love. For decades, it stood as a haunting reminder of what might have been—a romantic corpse that captured imaginations but seemed destined to crumble.

In 1977, the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority (TIBA) acquired Heart Island and the unfinished castle for just one dollar on the condition that all proceeds from admission and tourism had to go directly back into restoring and preserving the property.

Now, the decades-long labor of love is not unlike George Boldt’s original vision. The restoration of Boldt Castle has been one of New York’s most ambitious historic preservation projects to date. The TIBA and hundreds of craftsmen, historians, and artisans have carefully worked to preserve the castle’s original design, all the while making it accessible and safe for visitors.

What makes the Boldt Castle renovation so special is that it’s meant to both preserve history and continue a love story. The entire island a tribute to the vision George Boldt had for his wife Louise—a vision that, though interrupted, has finally been honored.

The restoration continues to this day, so every year I visit the castle and Heart Island to experience its new and exciting developments. As new rooms are opened and old ones are improved, the goal is not to complete the castle in the traditional sense, but to tell its story—to let visitors walk through love, loss, and legacy.

Today, Boldt Castle welcomes nearly a quarter million visitors annually. Couples wed. Family frolic, history lovers learn. And romantics come to Heart Island to not only admire a castle, but to feel the love through a story that never truly ended. Boldt Castle is a living monument—a place where craftsmanship, dedication, and memory meet on the shores of the St. Lawrence River.

ABOUT MADISON’S MISSION:

Step into the captivating world of Boldt Castle in 1903, where dreams are forged in the fires of adversity and love. Madison Murray, maid to Louise Boldt, harbors a singular mission—to care for her ailing mistress while hiding her own painful past. She meets Emmett O’Connor, but just as their relationship grows, tragedy shatters their world, and Madison is ensnared in a dangerous coverup. When Mrs. Boldt passes away, Madison is left reeling, can she move forward? Will Emmett forge a future alongside the woman who has captured his heart?

ABOUT SUSAN:

Susan G Mathis is an international award-winning, multi-published author of stories set in the beautiful Thousand Islands in upstate NY. Susan has been published more than thirty times in full-length novels, novellas, and non-fiction books. She has fourteen in her fiction line. Susan is also a published author of two premarital books, stories in a dozen compilations, and hundreds of published articles. Susan lives in Colorado Springs and enjoys traveling the world. Visit www.SusanGMathis.com/fiction for more.

The Loveliest Castle in the World and Giveaway!

Hi, this is Janalyn. Today I'm announcing a giveaway, so be sure to read to the bottom of the post.

While writing DawnSinger, book one in my epic fantasy trilogy, Tales of Faeraven, I dreamed up a castle that would feature in my book. Imagine my surprise when I came across pictures of Leeds Castle that resembled the stronghold of my imaginings. After learning that Leeds was described by historian, Lord Conway, as the loveliest castle in the world, it all makes sense. Being an admitted nut about the middle ages, I am obviously in tune with castle amenities. Leeds must have been really something back in the day, if such a noteworthy castle expert took, well, note. It's aged well, as the following image will attest.

Leeds Castle, Kent, England image by Adusha (Own work) [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

History of Leeds Castle

Leeds Castle was first built as a stone structure after the Norman Conquest in 1119. It transferred to the British Crown in 1278. In 1552 a succession of wealthy families took ownership until the castle was donated in 1974 to the Leeds Castle Foundation, a charitable trust set up to maintain it as a 'living castle,' which it remains today.

Leeds Castle and its idyllic 500-acre setting are open to the public. Leeds is located in the heart of the Kent countryside in a picturesque valley of the River Len. Visitors enjoy a variety of activities, from falconry to hot air balloon rides.

I'm ready to pack my bags! How about you? But wait, it gets better.

Things to Do at Leeds Castle

In addition to enjoying the castle proper, visitors to Leeds can also explore its other features:

The Maze

The Maze at Leeds Castle image by Nick Smith [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons}

The visitor who persists to the center of this maze, built with 2,400 yew trees about twenty-four years ago, is rewarded with a panoramic view. Staff members positioned above the maze help guide the lost. I can imagine they have a few stories to tell. Part of the maze represents a queen's crown. The pattern is actually square, but appears circular when seen from the center or the air. The diligent are rewarded when they reach the central mound because they can then exit through a secret underground grotto.

The Grotto

Gateway within the grotto at Leeds Castle image by Basher Eyre [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

The grotto features mythical creatures, benches, and other forms crafted from shells, minerals, and wood. Erm, I'm not sure I want to go through that gate.

The Dog Collar Museum & Gift Shop 

The dog collar museum at Leeds Castle image by Basher Eyre [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Those who enjoy historical trivia will find the Dog Collar Museum, with its large collection from five centuries of pooches, fascinating.The museum contains over 130 rare collars, with the earliest dating to late in the 15th century. That one is a Spanish iron herd mastiff's collar, meant to provide protection from bears and wolves. The collection includes a 16th-century spiked German collar made of iron and also some elaborate gilded ones from the Baroque era. There are also collars made of silver from the 19th century and some more modern ones made from tires. The museum started when, in 1977, Mrs. Gertrude Hunt donated her collection of more than 60 collars from all over Europe, dating between the 16th through the 19th century. She made this contribution to the Leeds Castle Foundation in memory of her husband, John Hunt, who had been a historian.

Three Gardens

Formal garden at Leeds Castle image by David Anstiss [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Box hedges bordering lovely, scented flower beds in a gorgeous English garden that offers opportunities for holding hands with your sweetheart. Leeds has three main gardens: the wood garden alongside the River Len, the Culpepper garden, a cottage garden named for the family who owned the castle in the 17th century. and the Lady Baille Mediterranean Garden Terrace. 

Punting on the Moat 

Moat at Leeds Castle image by By Tobiasvonderhaar (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons

A punt is a flat-bottomed wooden boat that is propelled by your guide by means of a pole that reaches to the bottom of the moat. Punting on the moat allows visitors close-up views of parts of the castle not visible any other way.

The Aviary

 

Crane in the aviary section of Leeds Castle image by Nick Smith [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Over 100 species of rare and beautiful birds inhabit the outdoor aviary.What's not to love about that?

Falconry Displays

Falcon wearing a protective hood at Leeds Castle image by Karen Roe from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK (Leeds Castle 22-04-2012) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

The Bird of Prey Center houses a variety of predatory birds. Flying demonstrations take place daily.

Leeds Castle, Not Just a Pretty Face

The nearly 1,000-year-old building is a treasure trove of antiques and a place redolent of history. Leeds Castle, as home to queens and kings of England for nearly three centuries, garnered its share of romantic and political intrigue.

Not dissimilarly, Shae, the heroine of DawnSinger, enters a confusing world when she journeys to Torindan, where all is not as it seems.

Enter the Giveaway!

For the chance to win one of three Kindle or PDF copies of DawnSinger, enter before midnight tonight using the secure link, below.

Enter the giveaway!

About the Author 

Janalyn Voigt's unique blend of adventure, romance, suspense, and whimsy creates breathtaking fictional worlds for readers. Look for her upcoming western historical fiction. She also writes fantasy. Beginning with DawnSinger, Janalyn's epic fantasy series, Tales of Faeraven, carries readers into a land only imagined in dreams.

Janalyn is represented by Wordserve Literary Agency. Her memberships include ACFW and NCWA. When she's not writing, she loves to discover worlds of adventure in the great outdoors with her family.

 

References and Further Reading

• http://www.leeds-castle.com/home
• http://www.leeds-castle.com/Attractions/Maze+%26+Underground+Grotto

My Hidden Writing Office (And What Inspired It)

In Medieval times, secret passages served as hidden supply routes for use during sieges, gave access to underground water supplies, or enabled hasty escapes in a crisis. Of course a secret passage might prove a weakness, as when in 1330 an armed group of attackers entered Nottingham castle through a secret tunnel to arrest Roger Mortimer, 1^st Earl of March, and free his captive, King Edward III.

I confess to a childish love of secret passages and hidden chambers. I included tunnels beneath the high hold of Faeraven in DawnSinger and Wayfarer, the first two books of my Tales of Faeraven medieval fantasy trilogy.  

My Hidden Writing Office in a Closet

But writing about such things wasn’t enough for me, apparently. I also moved my office into a three-by-seven closet under the stairs in my home. If that sounds claustrophic, let me assure you, it’s not. My closet office must have been used as a children’s playroom by a previous owner because the walls are wallpapered in vintage scenes of children playing, and there’s a door with a colored-glass window beside my chair. There’s also a huge keyhole beneath the antique doorknob and gaps at the top and bottom of the door that ensure adequate ventilation.  

When I posted about my office-in-a closet hits to my website spiked, and it wound up being featured in the Seattle Times. Apparently, a lot of other people share my yearning for a hidden retreat in which to work, either that or they want a glimpse of the eccentric writer who would inhabit such a work space.

What I find amusing is that I’ve had to move over a little and share my hideaway once in a while with other family members, who think it’s pretty cool. I don't mind. It's awfully quiet when they're in the closet, and when it’s my turn, my family interrupts me a lot less.  

Read more about my closet writing office and see the picture the Seattle Times featured.

Wayfarer, Tales of Faeraven 2 

When an untried youth ascends to the high throne of Faeraven, his mistakes tear kingdoms apart and allow just one chance at redemption. He must humble himself before the one person he banished.

Purchase Wayfarer

DawnSinger, Tales of Faeraven 1

A headstrong young princess and the guardian sworn to protect her fly on winged horses to the Gate of Life above the Well of Light in a desperate bid to release the DawnKing, and the salvation he offers, into a divided land. Will they each learn in time that sometimes victory comes only through surrender?
Purchase DawnSinger

About Janalyn Voigt. 

When Janalyn was a child, her father read classic literature to her at bedtime, instilling in her a love of story. With a teacher's encouragement, she decided to become a writer at the tender age of twelve.

Beginning with DawnSinger, Janalyn's medieval epic fantasy series, Tales of Faeraven, carries the reader into a land only imagined in dreams. Janalyn is also working on a romantic suspense novel set in a castle. She is represented by Sarah Joy Freese of Wordserve Literary.
When Janalyn is not writing, she loves to find adventures in the great outdoors.

Janalyn posts interesting details from her research, travel journals, author journals, and updates about her books at her Creative Worlds website.

SERVANTS IN A SCOTTISH CASTLE

Anne Greene here. On July 14th I blogged about nobles living inside a Scottish Castle. If you missed my blog and are interested, go to the archives.

 

The nobles living in the castle had a luxurious and responsible lifestyle. Life for the servants was drastically different. As nobility had a hierarchy level, so did the servants.

The Steward held complete charge of the entire household. He gave orders to the cooks, the musicians and storytellers, as well as to the servants of the lord and the ladies in waiting. Under the Steward, these upper level servants were then in charge of other servants, like bakers, gardeners, tailors, washerwomen, carpenters and undercooks. If the lord were away, then the Steward took charge of the castle. He also recorded the rent that people living on castle land paid. The Steward was often a member of the noble family. Can you imagine how much the Laird of the Castle trusted him?

The Marshal organized the groomsman who looked after the horses, the blacksmiths and the farriers who shoed the horses. The Marshal also ordered the carters who made and drove the carts, the boatmen and the stable boys. The Marshal organized sending messages to other people, maybe even to the King. If the lord wanted to go hunting, the Marshal organized the hunt.

 

 

The Constable, also known as the Keeper, controlled castle security, weapons and the gunners, the archers and the men-at-arms who defended the castle. He organized the porters who guarded every door and the bodyguards, who guarded important members of the family. Most castles had a prison and the Constable oversaw the jailers.

 

The Chaplain was a priest who conducted services in the castle chapel and advised the lord about religious matters. The Chaplain oversaw choirboys and other people involved in church services. Churchmen were among the few people who could read and write at this time, so the Chaplain wrote any letters that the lord needed. The church had great power in those days.r

k Helpers

The Steward, the Keeper, the Chaplain and the Marshal had their own rooms in the castle. All the other servants found space where they could, many sleeping on the floor of the hall or in the kitchen for warmth. There might be a separate dining area for the servants; otherwise they ate where they worked. 

 

Most of the servants in the castle were men. The lady of the castle had her personal servants, high-born women who were known as her ladies-in-waiting. Women also worked as washerwomen, alewives who brewed beer, and nurses who looked after any of the lord’s young children.

 

Children also worked in a castle. In the kitchen the cook always needed water carrying from the well. A small boy, known as the turnbrochie, sat by the fire to turn the metal spits of roasting meat. Children carried messages from one noble to another.

 

The Laird of the Castle spent much time travelling, meeting with other members of the nobility, attending parliament, and meeting with the king or queen. When he travelled, many of his servants went with him. Only a few remained in the castle with the lady to attend to any local business.

 

Read about the children in Castle Drummond in my book Marriage By Arrangement to be available December 6, 2013. Would you have liked to have grown up living in or near a Scottish castle? Would you have liked for your children to be subject to the whims of a noble? 

 

Leave your answer and your email for a chance to win an autographed copy of one of my Scottish Trilogy Books.

 

Visit Anne’s new blog Plotters And Pantsers Write To Publish Workshop at www.annegreenewritingteacher.wordpress.com.

ANNE GREENE delights in writing about wounded heroes and gutsy heroines. Her second novel, a Scottish historical, Masquerade Marriage, won the New England Reader Choice award, the Laurel Wreath Award, and the Heart of Excellence Award. The sequel Marriage By Arrangement releases in December, 2013.  A Texas Christmas Mystery also won several awards. She makes her home in McKinney, Texas. Tim LaHaye led her to the Lord when she was twenty-one and Chuck Swindoll is her Pastor. View Anne’s travel pictures and art work at http://www.AnneGreeneAuthor.com. Anne’s highest hope is that her stories transport the reader to an awesome new world and touch hearts to seek a deeper spiritual relationship with the Lord Jesus. Buy Anne’s books at http://www.PelicanBookGroup.com. Or at http://www.Amazon.com.

Visit here with Anne the 14^th day of every month.