Fresh Blood: New Canadian Gothic Fiction

Jo-Anne McBride is a renewable resource specialist in Vancouver, B.C.

“The New Gothic’s appeal is more intellectual or
philosophical”—or so says this anthology’s nine-page introduction.
There are footnotes, and there is much explanation as to the difference
between Gothic and New Gothic. According to the editors, the New Gothic
is best exemplified by stories that are intellectual exercises in
deconstructing fiction (such as “Cerberus”) or the philosophical
musings of a pyromaniac (such as “Torch”).

Though the first two of the anthology’s 15 stories were good, the
rest were tedious. The introduction claims New Gothic is “moving
beyond convention to celebrate its own space.” Its own space doesn’t
include good storytelling but is full of posturing and attitude. The
subtitle, “New Canadian Gothic Fiction,” and the eye-catching cover
are sure to set some readers up for a tremendous disappointment.