- ISBN13: 9780061669163
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
An essential, fully illustrated guidebook to day-to-day Goth living There’s more to being a Goth than throwing on some black velvet, dyeing your hair, and calling it a day (or a night). How do you dress with morbid flair when going to a job interview? Is there such a thing as growing too old to be a Goth? How do you explain to your grandma that it’s not just a phase? Jillian Venters, a.k.a. “the Lady of the Manners,” knows how to be strange and unusual withou… More >>
Gothic Charm School: An Essential Guide for Goths and Those Who Love Them
She really didn’t say much that a person that has acquired manners wouldn’t know. there’s a few tips in there for those new to the scene, or a lot for your “mall goths”
Rating: 5 / 5
I really wanted to hate this book but it is really that good. I have read the book Three times now. Brilliant!
Rating: 5 / 5
I have held a lifelong interest in all things Gothic, be it Gothic literature, Gothic architecture, Gothic personalities, Gothic film, etc. And later, in the early 1980s, I discovered a band called Bauhaus, other bands playing Gothic music, and subsequently, became a part of the early subculture that grew up around it.
Having personally experienced the same negative responses from “norms” and “mundanes” and even from some people involved in other subcultures about my own interest in Goth that the author describes in this book, I can admit to wanting to “give tit for tat” at times. That is why it is so refreshing to hear the author explain the importance of maintaining civility, even in the face of such crassness. Furthermore, what she suggests all makes perfect sense and I salute her for this.
The author’s central theme in this book is to demonstrate that Goths simply march to the beat of a much darker drummer, and that as such, Goth fashion and taste is merely an outward expression of a gloomier, moodier, and stranger aesthetic. She also notes that it is very important for Goths to not take themselves too seriously and above all, to maintain a genuine sense of humor, because let’s face it, going about dressed all in black as if one is on the way to a Victorian funeral, though marvelous in its own right, does tend to make one stick out a bit while among the general masses!
Over the years, I’ve read and own many books about the Goth scene and historical Gothic subject matter and this one will take an important place on my bookshelf.
P.S. To the Lady of the Manners: Thank you very much for taking the time to address my own Gothic concerns in the past!
Curt Rowlett,
Author of Labyrinth13
Rating: 5 / 5
I could not put this book down! The author is very witty and entertaining. The book has a lot of practical information for both Goths and Non-Goths. As a Goth who is past teen years and college years I was very pleased to find a book written by a Goth in her 40’s. Finally,a book with advice for Goths who are part of the career world. This book is great for baby goths as well. There seem to be so many teens wanting to throw on some black clothes, white faces and call themselves goths with no real understanding of what living as a goth means. The author gears some of her book for non-goths to help them understand what a goth is and put to rest misconceptions. She also gives advice to goths about how to improve our relations with non-goths. Overall a great book!
Rating: 5 / 5
I adore this book. It is THE book on what goth is and is not. This book is clear, funny, and charming. I recommend it to the baby bats and the elder goths and everyone in between. I have read many books in this category and Gothic Charm School wins hands down. What are you waiting for? Go get it!
Rating: 5 / 5