The Goth Bible: A Compendium for the Darkly Inclined
Nancy Kilpatrick
St. Martin's Press (304 p) $19.95
ISBN: 0312306962
(October 2004)
This book has been out since October 2004. (Hint: If you want to be noticed by
us humble dark reviewers, October is possibly the worst month of the year in
which to publish anything.) If I hadn't received a copy (which I probably would
not have if the author had not been a friend of mine), I would never have known
it existed. Nor have I seen any evidence of it being out there. I hope I'm just
being oblivious, because it does deserve attention. Veteran author Kilpatrick
tackled a next-to-impossible task and accomplished it with acumen and a sense of
humor. On the other hand, just having the audacity to write the "first complete
guide to the goth movement" means that, no matter what she wrote or how she
researched it, she's probably been condemned by at least some people who
consider themselves goth. (The fact that goth godfather Mick Mercer and
photographer Fred H. Berger, of Propaganda Magazine were both involved might
deflect some subcultural sniping, but I doubt it.) Books like this are, of
course, written for those outside a subculture not those within it. Kilpatrick
offers respect and understands that "within shades of black, there's an awful
lot of variation," something insiders and outsiders both tend not to comprehend.
Although I've not asked the author, I also can guess, knowing publishing, that
whatever this project started out to be may not be reflected in the ultimate
product. Whatever the circumstances, it is a credible, readable reference sure
to displease a great many people. Brava. (from Cemetery Dance #53)