MovieChat Forums > American Gothic (1995) Discussion > Loved it; need recommendations

Loved it; need recommendations

posted 15 years ago by Anna_Screengazer
27 replies | jump to latest

OK, so "American Gothic" and "Carnivale" made me somewhat change my mind about TV and the limits of popular culture in general. :-D

I am not from the US myself, but these two series seemed totally mesmerizing to me.

My question is: can anyone recommend me something similar--not to watch, but to READ? Like a Southern/Midwestern gothic mystery novel with supernatural elements? Or something that conveys a similar atmosphere?

Advice will be greatly appreciated.

(Crossposted on "Carnivale" board.)

[–] India_Ana 15 years ago

Does that include vampires? If so, I have learned of these sites that offer up suggestions:

Love Vampires
http://lovevampires.com/

Vampire Library
http://www.vampirelibrary.com/

Vampire Romance Books
http://www.vampireromancebooks.com/

Vampire Wire
http://vampirewire.blogspot.com/
Twitter
http://twitter.com/VampireWire

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[–] Anna_Screengazer 15 years ago

I'm not really into vampires, but maybe I'll change my mind some day, so thanks anyway.

[–] India_Ana 15 years ago

I understand. I don't like to read a lot of vampire stuff, but I did come across two series of late that I enjoy. But since your post asked for "supernatural elements" ... I thought that might include vampires. I would have listed other sites with other types of suggestions, but I haven't come across any other lists at the moment.

You can try doing an internet search. Type in:

Book+Gothic Mystery
Book+Supernatural Elements

Check out the websites of your favorite authors to see if they link to other authors who write similar books, or to see if they have suggestions for other authors to read. You can also try these sites:

Shelfari
http://www.shelfari.com/

Good Reads
http://www.goodreads.com/

Library Thing
http://www.librarything.com/

Internet Book List
http://www.iblist.com/

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List of Writer Workshops:
preview.tinyurl.com/writerworkshops

[–] Anna_Screengazer 15 years ago

Thanks, I've been doing a lot of Internet searching and browsing through Amazon lists. :-)
But I'm specifically interested in personal recommendations from people who liked the unique mood of these two shows, or at least one of them. (This somehow works better than a search based on formal criteria.)

[–] India_Ana 15 years ago

You're very welcome. I hope you find what you're looking for.

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List of Writer Workshops:
preview.tinyurl.com/writerworkshops

[–] putrescent_stench 14 years ago

I don't know that there's a lot of similarity plot-wise to AG, but have you checked out Flannery O'Connor's stories & novels? They don't necessary have overtly supernatural elements, but they're set in the South and have violence and characters with dark sides. "A Good Man Is Hard to Find" is an excellent example.

[–] Anna_Screengazer 14 years ago

Will check her out, thanks.

[–] vbel 14 years ago

You could read The Journals of Eleanor Druse and then watch the mini-series Kingdom Hospital. You could watch The 4400 (4 seasons) and then read the four novels that explain some of the things that weren't explained in the series. Or you could just watch season one (actually a five part mini-series) of The 4400 to see if you like it. It's available for the same price as a single DVD.

[–] Anna_Screengazer 14 years ago

Thanks!

[–] areabastarda 13 years ago

Try checking Tom Piccirilli's stuff. Novels like "A choir of ill children" or "November mourns". I'm pretty sure you'll love that stuff.

[–] Anna_Screengazer 13 years ago

Will try, thanks

[–] movieman-232 12 years ago

Joe R. Lansdale's "The Bottoms" made my day a few years back.

[–] Anna_Screengazer 12 years ago

Looked it up - sounds interesting, thanks.

[–] movieman-232 12 years ago

You're very welcome.

[–] winky420 12 years ago

The Hangman's Daughter series

[–] starscreeam 13 years ago

Although you may not be in to vampire novels, if you are a fan of Southern Gothic (and that is what American Gothic was), Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse novels are a good start. These are the books that True Blood is based on, but IMO the books are WAY better.

"Good...bad....I'm the guy with the gun." - Ash

[–] Anna_Screengazer 13 years ago

Thanks, will check them out.

[–] antellis 13 years ago

You MUST read Stephen King's The Stand

[–] Anna_Screengazer 13 years ago

I already have, and you're right - it's great

[–] katiex-562-354385 11 years ago

To me, this has the same feel as Twin Peaks and Gillian Flynn's books Sharp Objects and Dark Places. x

[–] Anna_Screengazer 11 years ago

I'll check her out, thanks.

[–] Fusion72 11 years ago

There is a very similar show from around 2005 about the Devils daughter washing up in a weird town.

[–] perkin2000 11 years ago

Sounds intriguing. Any chance you remember the name of the show?

[–] perkin2000 11 years ago

No worries, found it: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0435576/ Cheers :)

[–] meLazlo1953 10 years ago

try "The Witching Hour" by Anne Rice

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It's all in the reflexes!

[–] walking_bread 10 years ago

If you liked American Gothic, Cassidy also wrote and developed Invasion, a one year series that started around 2005 or so.

[–] george_aslf 9 years ago

This thread is very old and I'm not sure you're still around/look forward to receiving recommendations but in case you are: Geek Love. By Katherine Dunn.