A follow-up tome to his previous book, Goth Chic: A Connoisseur’s Guide To Dark Culture, this sequel of sorts charts the evolution of gothic culture from the 20s to the present day, paying particular attention to the goth aesthetic and all its various permutations (and counterpart lifestyles). Examining the influence of popular culture on the gothic image (from The Munsters to The Monster Mash, The Cure to Marilyn Manson, Tim Burton to Twilight), Baddeley also explores the effect that history has had on gothic (sub)culture. Unsurprisingly, the book is heavily visual, with photos demonstrating the evolution of the culture.
As a guide, Baddeley is entertaining, compelling and knowledgeable, and the fact he was personally invited to join the Church Of Satan in 1995 by the late Anton LaVey certainly qualifies him as an expert. He writes with precision, clarity and an intellectual grace that makes this a fascinating read. It ends with a sombre reflection on the murder of Sophie Lancaster, which serves as a reminder that the goth lifestyle, though more widespread and populist than ever, can still fall victim to prejudice, often with tragic results.
