Book Review Summary: American Gothic

Introduction

"American Gothic" by Robert Bloch is a gothic mystery novel set during the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. The story follows G. Gordon Gregg, a handsome physician who rents rooms in his newly constructed castle to young, beautiful, and wealthy women who mysteriously vanish. This book summary will provide an overview of the book, introduce the author, analyze common opinions and feelings, and summarize the reasons for recommendation and not recommendation.

About Robert Bloch

Robert Bloch was a prolific American writer known for his horror fiction, science fiction, and crime fiction. He was born in 1917 and was one of the youngest members of the Lovecraft Circle, a group of writers influenced by H.P. Lovecraft. Bloch wrote hundreds of short stories and over twenty novels, including the iconic "Psycho," which was later adapted into a successful movie by Alfred Hitchcock. He was a contributor to pulp magazines such as "Weird Tales" and a prolific screenwriter. Bloch's writing style was known for its efficiency and ability to create suspenseful stories.

Analysis of Views

1. Fictionalized Account: Many readers found "American Gothic" to be a fictionalized account of the story of H.H. Holmes, which is more completely told in "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson. While Bloch's interpretation adds a plucky, inquisitive female journalist and a more Blackbeard-ish character, it is seen as less adventurous than the truth. The true story is considered creepier than the fictionalized account.

2. Engaging Read: The book received positive reviews for being a fast, fun read. Readers appreciated Bloch's writing style, which made the pages fly by. Although some found it predictable, others enjoyed the Gothic mystery loosely based on the H.H. Holmes murders and the Colombian Expedition Fair. The use of archaic words and the refreshing lack of gruesome details were also praised.

3. Strong Heroine: A few readers highlighted the inclusion of a strong-willed heroine as a positive aspect of the book. This was considered rare for Bloch's time of writing, although he was known for creating memorable female characters in his other works.

4. Pulp Noir Style: Some readers noted that "American Gothic" has a pulp noir style, which adds to its entertainment value. The fast-paced narrative and old-school B-movie feel were appreciated by those who enjoy this genre.

5. Disappointing Conventions: A few readers expressed disappointment with certain conventions in the book, such as the addition of a female reporter and the lack of originality in some plot points. These elements were seen as conventional and not as engaging as they could have been.

Reasons for Recommendation

1. Engaging Storytelling: The majority of readers found "American Gothic" to be an engaging and entertaining read, with a captivating story that kept them interested throughout. The fast-paced narrative and suspenseful elements were praised for their ability to hold readers' attention.

2. Historical Context: Readers appreciated the historical context provided by the book, which allowed them to revisit the Chicago World's Fair and learn about the events surrounding H.H. Holmes' infamous murders. This added depth to the story and provided a unique perspective on this historical event.

3. Strong Heroine: Some readers specifically recommended the book due to the inclusion of a strong-willed heroine who adds depth to the narrative. This character's determination and resourcefulness were seen as refreshing and empowering for female readers.

Reasons for Not Recommendation

1. Predictability: A few readers found the book to be predictable, with certain plot points and character developments seen as overly conventional or cliché. This lack of originality detracted from their overall enjoyment of the story.

2. Limited Details: Some readers felt that "American Gothic" lacked sufficient details, particularly in comparison to non-fiction works like "The Devil in the White City." They felt that the book relied too heavily on imagination and left some aspects of the story unexplored, which detracted from their reading experience.

Conclusion

"American Gothic" by Robert Bloch is a gothic mystery novel set during the 1893 Chicago World's Fair that tells the story of G. Gordon Gregg, a physician who rents rooms in his castle to young women who mysteriously vanish. While some readers found it to be a fictionalized account of H.H. Holmes' murders and less engaging than non-fiction works like "The Devil in the White City," others enjoyed its fast-paced narrative, strong heroine, and historical context. While some readers found it predictable and lacking in details, others appreciated its pulp noir style and refreshing approach to storytelling. Overall, "American Gothic" offers an entertaining read for those interested in gothic mystery fiction set in historical contexts.