
Gothic London
Description
Gothic London: Occult Societies and Ghostly Whispers is the first in depth study of the capital and its gothic and occult organizations and individuals. It is also a book filled with the uncertainties and otherworldliness of the London landscape. It contains whispers and rituals, strange apparitions, apocalyptic visions, alien voices, dark shadows, vampiric dreamscapes, and uncanny vanishings; this is a London where the material hides the immaterial and where both exist at the same time on different etheric plains. This is, indeed, the London of the occult, not merely the London of astral projections into outer planes of consciousness or even to outer-space planets, but also underground travel in the labyrinths of the Tube network and time-warped visions of apocalyptic endings. This is also the London of the occulted or hidden, which waits to be revealed behind the facades of concrete or glass.
Reviews / Votes
"
Gothic London
weaves together stories that have been crying out to be related. For those interested in the occult, it will be difficult to put down; for aficionados of London's histories, it will be essential reading. Everyone opening its pages will wonder what surprise Bloom will reveal round the next street corner." (Paul Cobley, Emeritus Professor in Language and Media, Middlesex University)
"Every Underworld needs its Virgil to guide the visitor into the unknown depths. With wit, learning and an undaunted appetite for the uncanny, Clive Bloom is the ideal companion on a journey through the secret, the arcane and the occult in a city that never fails to fascinate, to surprise, and to unsettle. Grahame Davies, Novello-nominated poet and psycho-geographer. A distinctive exploration of London's gothic and occult landscapes - full of eccentric characters and dark stories - revealing why historical truth is often stranger-and funnier-than fiction." (Professor Lorraine Gamman, Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London)
"Every Underworld needs its Virgil to guide the visitor into the unknown depths. With wit, learning and an undaunted appetite for the uncanny, Clive Bloom is the ideal companion on a journey through the secret, the arcane and the occult in a city that never fails to fascinate, to surprise, and to unsettle." (Grahame Davies, Novello-nominated poet and psycho-geographer)
"Clive never fails to surprise and entertain . bringing to life weird and wacky associations when you are least expecting them." (Rachel Kolsky, Travel Guide of the Year Judge)
"Combining analytical depth with clarity of exposition, the book addresses both specialists in London studies and the occult, as well as readers newly engaging with these fields. It deepens the understanding of those familiar with London, while encouraging curiosity among those encountering the city for the first time." (Professor Marius-Mircea Cri?an, West University of Timi?oara, Romania)
"
Gothic London
is an exciting, impeccably researched contribution to Gothic studies and to our understanding of the role of London as a place in history, its spiritual and mystical endeavours, and popular cultural productions." (Professor Gina Wisker, University of Bath)
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Person
Clive Bloom is currently Visiting Professor in Residence at the Larkin Centre for Poetry and Creative Writing, University of Hull, and a Research Fellow at the Western University of Timisoara (Romania).
Content
Chapter 01: Edward Bulwer Lytton scores a Goal.- Chapter 02: 'Fumsup' reads the Kabbalah and Edvard Lybeck writes to The Daily Mail.- Chapter 03: Package Holidays in Atlantis; Rabbi Falk goes to Epping Forest.- Chapter 04: Red Curtains and a Sightless Horse at the Royal Academy.- Chapter 05: Police Officers Lillian Wyles and Violet Ritchie meet White Rabbit; Rudi Shneider has a date with Olga.- Chapter 06: Alfred Wallace and the 'Psychopathic' Healer. Chapter 07: Mrs Guppy goes Shopping and the Reverend Davies has fun with the Devil.- Chapter 08: Mary Queen of Scots has a Hissy Fit.- Chapter 09: Alien Reptiles at Buckingham Palace; Madame Arcati has a Vision.- Chapter 10: Mr Tod Slaughter murders Thousands.- Chapter 11: A Pyramid on Primrose Hill.- Chapter 12: Aleister Crowley cuts a Caper in Hammersmith; Bram Stoker plays a Gig on Eel Pie Island.- Chapter 13: Robin Hood meets the Witches.- Chapter 14: Countess Clodagh has a very bad Day.- Chapter 15: William Morris sweats on the Tube.- Chapter 16: Chinese Crackers and a Bullet.- Chapter 17: Tea and Yoga with Rollo.- Chapter 18: Dr Phibes goes to Biba; Jesus finds a House in Mayfair.- Chapter 19: Ithel Colquhoun and Iain Sinclair search for a severed Head.- Chapter 20: Old Mother Riley and Peter Ackroyd dress it up in Queer London.- Chapter 21: Nothing but a Ghost Town.- Chapter 22: Epilogue: Dracula reads a Baedeker and Jack takes The East End Advertiser: Gothic Holidays in the Metropolis.