JOURNAL ARTICLE

The California Gothic in Fiction and Film, Bernice Murphy (2022).

  • Published In: European Journal of American Culture, 2023, v. 42, n. 1. P. 89 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Edelman, Diana Pérez 3 of 3

Abstract

The article reviews Bernice Murphy's *The California Gothic in Fiction and Film* (2022), which explores how the California Gothic genre reflects anxieties rooted in the state's historical, cultural, and geographical contexts. Murphy traces this Gothic tradition through three main phases: the violent and racist legacy of California's past, the disillusionment of post-World War II Hollywood's fame-driven culture, and the state's susceptibility to dangerous cult movements. The work analyzes various films and fiction that embody themes of progress's costs, psychological decay, and cultural trauma, while also addressing how recent works challenge predominantly white, middle-class narratives by highlighting California's racial diversity. Murphy's study situates the California Gothic as a significant academic subject linked closely to the state's unique history and social dynamics.

Additional Information

  • Source:European Journal of American Culture. 2023/03, Vol. 42, Issue 1, p89
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Film
  • Publication Date:2023
  • ISSN:1466-0407
  • DOI:10.1386/ejac_00091_5
  • Accession Number:163246760
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