Category Archives: Critical thoughts

Be my Valentine (even while you’re rotting in your grave)

Posted on 14th February 2026 by William the Bloody

‘Is he a ghoul or a vampire?’ I mused. I had read of such hideous incarnate demons’ (Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights, Ch. 34) Like many others, I suspect, I’ve just started rereading Wuthering Heights. And I’m frequently seeing the admonition … Continue reading →

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A message of thanks from the Buffyverse

Posted on 1st February 2026 by Sam George

I just wanted to share this video as it’s not everyday that you receive a personal message from James Marsters, or Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer!! Huge thanks to Daisy Butcher for arranging this. Between joy and surprise, I … Continue reading →

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New Frankenstein poem by Souhardya Roy

Posted on 30th November 2025 by Sam George

I am teaching my undergraduate module Romantic Origins and Gothic Afterlives this semester and Frankenstein week is coming up next. One of the things we are going to be focussing on is the monster’s reading, his self education, what he … Continue reading →

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Literature Research Seminar Wed 13th 1.30

Posted on 8th November 2024 by Sam George

I am chairing the Literature Research Seminar at the University of Hertfordshire this year and our next session is continuing our theme of animal studies, following my presentation rat narratives and Pied Piper re-tellings in October. We meet once a … Continue reading →

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Goblin mode: the trend’s mythical origins, and why we should all go ‘vampire mode’ instead

Posted on 1st April 2022 by Sam George

Goblin mode Sam George, University of Hertfordshire “Goblin mode” is taking the current pandemic-ridden world by storm. This state of being is defined by behaviours that feel reminiscent of deep lockdown days – never getting out of bed, never changing … Continue reading →

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Sam George, ‘Black Roses: The representation of Sophie Lancaster’

Posted on 25th November 2020 by Sam George

It is over ten years since Sophie Lancaster and Robert Maltby were attacked in Stubbylee Park, in Lancashire, reputedly for being ‘goths’. Rob, who was punched unconscious and put in a coma by his assailants, eventually recovered (though he suffered … Continue reading →

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Fairy News: Jeanette Ng, Holly Black, Carnival Row, Queen Mab, and Irish sidhe

Posted on 17th May 2020 by William the Bloody

the fae are the mythical creatures of the hour. Sometimes they’re portrayed as monstrous, sometimes as tricksters, sometimes as sensuous love interests So says Samantha Shannon, who is herself a superb fantasy novelist. So the next OGOM event, our conference … Continue reading →

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Hans Andersen’ s Dark Musings From A Discarded Christmas Tree

Posted on 27th December 2019 by Sam George

I have been reading Hans Andersen’s unsettling account of a Christmas fir tree that feels pain. I was reminded of this story last year when I came across Lars Ostenfeld’s beautifully sad and poignant adaptation of  The Fir Tree (Danish: Grantræet) on the … Continue reading →

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How Scooby Doo Influenced A Whole Generation of Gothic Scholars

Posted on 29th November 2019 by Sam George

If you were one of those kids who rushed home from school in the 70s to watch Scooby Doo it might just have influenced you in your Gothic thinking and in your understanding of the way Gothic stories are told. … Continue reading →

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What Happens to a Werewolf in the Harvest Moon?

Posted on 13th September 2019 by Sam George

The condition of  shapeshifting into a wolf in the full moon is, of course, known as lycanthropy. September brings us the full moon closest to the Autumn equinox.  The Harvest Moon will appear bigger and brighter tonight and will inspire … Continue reading →

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