Encyclopedia Gothica
by Liisa Ladouceur
ECW Press
October 2011
$22.95
Book website
Buy the book or read an excerpt.

About this book: (from Goodreads.com)

A guidebook to the language of the most shadowy of subcultures, this work collects and defines more than 550 Gothic words and phrases. Compiled by an acclaimed Goth journalist and poet, this compendium provides insight into the unique vernacular of this fascinating community, describing in detail and with black humor the fashion, music, and lifestyle as well as sharing insider slang such as Baby Bat, Corp Goth, and the Gothic Two-Step. A Goth Band Family Tree and essential Goth listening, reading, and viewing recommendations are also included in this phantasmagorical work.

I heard that Liisa Ladouceur was coming out with a goth book a few months ago, I thought the result would be pretty cool as I grew up watching Much More Music specials in which Liisa would often be featured as one of the interviewees who would talk about the influence of a particular artist, or why a one-hit wonder still resonates with us today. I’ve always thought she represented the goth aesthetic very well, and her look is pretty cool. See for yourself below

Read an interview with Liisa here.

The book definitely delivers on the title, and is largely a dictionary of things Goths like from music (The Cure, Sisters of Mercy, etc) to authors (Anne Rice, Clive Barker, etc), to drinks such as Blue Nuns and Absinthe. It’s comprehensive in the terms it covers. If you ever always wondered what corpsepaint or a D-ring are but were too shy to ask, this book holds those answers–and more. Historical figures of interest, such as Countess Elizabeth Bathory, are also included (she’s notorious for being rumoured to have bathed in the blood of virgins, among other things).

There’s a useful introduction that explains what Goths are, and it’s called “What is Goth?” (hint: not a band of Germanic warriors–not anymore, anyway ) wherein Liisa offers up her explanation while emphasizing that Goths are who they are and don’t apologize for it, nor should they be expected to. Goths are sick of being asked to explain why they dress a certain way, or to defend their admiration of all things black. There are, however, many different subsets of Goths, such as Victorian goths, Faerie goths, and even Corporate goths (who knew?), but if you’re looking more for a book that explains this in more depth and further explores the Goth aesthetic, check out Nancy Kilpatrick’s wonderful guide, The Goth Bible by fellow Canadian Nancy Kilpatrick. As stated in the blurb, what people don’t know about Goths really could fill a book (and it does, in hers )

Encyclopedia Gothica also features extras such as “13 Goth Places to See Before You Die,” including the French Quarter in New Orleans, as well as a “Goth Band Family Tree,” which is a fun add-on that enhances the content of the encyclopedia.

For those people in your life who are Gothically inclined, this makes the perfect holiday gift, but only if they’re into that sort of thing and accept exchanges of presents If you’ve ever wanted to know more about the Goth subculture and lamented the lack of non-website references on the matter, both Encyclopedia Gothica and The Goth Bible should be on your bookshelves.