'Life Starts All Over Again When it Gets Crisp in the Fall': Celebrating the return of Autumn!
“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” - F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby.
Autumn has officially recommenced in the northern hemisphere, and I am very pleased. As much as I have grown to love summer, and this one was a great one, there is nothing quite like autumn. It has always been my favourite of the four seasons as it brings bright leaves of yellow, orange and copper, scented candles, pumpkins, coffee, and Gilmore Girls. I love the aesthetic of autumn: the fashion, my little pumpkin decorations, my autumn playlist, and spooky Gothic literature! In today’s post, I thought I’d discuss some autumnal books, (both ones that I have read and ones that I would like to read this season) films, and music!
“Season of mist and mellow fruitfulness” - John Keats, ‘To Autumn’.
AUTUMNAL / SPOOKY BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:
I am an avid reader all year round, but autumn is perhaps my favourite time for reading as it is the perfect time for Gothic literature! It’s time to light some candles and settle down with a Gothic classic, here are some of my favourites:
The Mysteries of Udolpho (1794) by Ann Radcliffe. Published when she was just 30, Udolpho was an instant success, and has remained so ever since, thus earning her the title of ‘the mother of Gothic literature.’ Gothic literature emerged in the latter half of the eighteenth century with the publication of Horace Walpole’s The Castle of Otranto (1764), and it is characterised by the threat of the supernatural, a preoccupation with the natural world, derelict castles and houses, and is often accompanied by an erotic/sexual subtext. Udolpho is the first example of the female Gothic, a sub category of Gothic literature where women’s desires and experiences are at the forefront. The novel follows the young Emily St Aubert who is taken to the Castle of Udolpho, Italy against her will by her aunt’s tyrannical husband Count Montoni. The castle has mysterious doorways, staircases and black veils that hold sinister secrets of the past…
The Monk (1796) by Matthew Gregory Lewis. This is by far one of the most unhinged books I have ever read. It follows Ambrosio, a young priest, and it explores his rapid descend into madness and irredeemable corruption. (trigger warnings for sexual violence, incest, infant death, and gore.)
3. Zofloya (1806) by Charlotte Dacre. Succeeding The Monk by a decade, Dacre explores many of the same themes and concepts as Lewis, only women are at the centre of the story, making it another example of the female Gothic. If you are into unabashedly unhinged and depraved women who are beyond the possibility of redemption, then this book is a must read. It follows the young Victoria di Loredani who starts off a victim, but soon falls prey to madness and her murderous desires, largely driven by her insatiable lust for Henriquez is who betrothed to somebody else… (trigger warning for graphic depictions of physical violence)
Frankenstein (1818) by Mary Shelley. This novel speaks for itself as it has become a fundamental part of contemporary Halloween iconography. Written by the teenaged Mary Shelley, Frankenstein is must read for autumn. I reread it every October!
Dracula (1897) by Bram Stoker. Much like Shelley’s Frankenstein, Stoker’s Dracula has been cemented in contemporary pop culture, and is one of the those stories that are recognisable to almost everybody, regardless of whether or not they have read it.
The Complete Stories and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe. Known for his poetry and short Gothic horror stories, Poe pioneered Gothic Literature in the United States. His spooky tales with gruesome deaths and ominous atmospheres are a must read for this season! My personal favourites are ‘The Black Cat’, ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’, ‘The Oval Portrait’ and his famous poem ‘The Raven’.
The Poetry of Emily Brontë. ‘Passionate and powerful’, Brontë’s poetry perfectly displays her lifelong adoration of the natural world and fascination with human nature. One of my favourite things about her poetry is how excellently she captures the beauty of nature and the changing of the seasons. Brontë wrote many poems about autumn, but my favourite is ‘Fall leaves fall’:
Fall leaves fall die flowers away
Lengthen the night and shorten the day
Every leaf speaks bliss to me
Fluttering from the autumn tree
I shall smile when wreaths of snow
Blossom where the rose should grow
I shall sing when night’s decay
Ushers in a dreary day
The Picture of Dorian Gray (1892) by Oscar Wilde. One of my favourite novels of all time, Wilde’s Dorian Gray is a deeply introspective and philosophical Gothic novel that follows a young man, Dorian Gray, who becomes entranced by the hedonism of the older Lord Henry. Bewitched by Lord Henry’s philosophy, Dorian (who is only around 20 years old) sells his soul to the devil for eternal youth and beauty… Full of lyrical prose, Dorian Gray is a study of human nature, morality, beauty, corruption, and the English upper class of the late Victorian era.
Rebecca (1938) and Jamaica Inn (1936) by Daphne du Maurier. Another essential writer for this time of year is Daphne du Maurier, whose novels are known for their dark and gloomy atmospheres. Rebecca, her magnum opus, has one of the most famous opening lines in English literature: ‘last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.’ It is also loosely inspired by Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, as seen in the young plain heroine who marries a man twice her age. Jamaica Inn, which opens on ‘a cold grey day in November’, is a historical novel set during the early nineteenth century at the real Jamaica Inn in Cornwall, England which used to be a place were smugglers would stay! At the centre of the novel is 23 year old Mary Yellan who moves to the Jamaica Inn to stay with her Aunt Patience and her belligerent husband Joss. Mary quickly realises her life is danger from the threat of the smugglers that her uncle is involved with…
We Have Always Lived in the Castle (1962) by Shirley Jackson. Although set during the spring, We Have Always Lived in the Castle is wonderful for this time of year. It is a mystery novel told from the perspective of 18 year old Mary Elizabeth “Merricat” Blackwood who lives with Constance, her agoraphobic sister, and their Uncle Julian in a large formidable house. Years prior to the novel, Merricat and Constance’s parents died from arsenic poisoning, and the mystery at the heart of this novel is how they came to be poisoned…
The Secret History (1992) by Donna Tartt. One of my favourite books of all time - I am currently reading it for the 4th time! From the academic setting, to the palpable descriptions of cold weather, this book is an essential read for the autumn and winter seasons. Tartt’s prose is dazzling, her style reminiscent of Charles Dickens and George Eliot. The Secret History is one of those novels that makes you want to become disgustingly educated and well read.
Jane Eyre (1847) by Charlotte Brontë. I have described a few of the books on this list as being ‘one of my all time favourite books of all time’, but Jane Eyre truly is my all time favourite. I doubt that anything will ever take its place. Although this book can be enjoyed at any time of year as each of the season are beautifully captured throughout, it opens on an icy day in November, and the Gothic atmosphere of Thornfield Hall with the ‘mad’ woman in the attic makes it perfect for the colder months!
Other great books for this season: Carmilla (1872) by Sheridan Le Fanu, Lady Audley’s Secret (1862) by Mary Elizabeth Braddon, The Woman in White (1860) by Wilkie Collins, Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (I also think that Wuthering Heights can be a summer read because there are some beautiful passages in it describing summer days.)
SOME AUTUMNAL /SPOOKY BOOKS THAT I WANT TO READ SOON:
At the Mountains of Madness (1936) by H.P. Lovecraft.
The Canterville Ghost (1887) by Oscar Wilde.
To be Read at Dusk (1852) by Charles Dickens.
The Haunting of Hill House (1959) by Shirley Jackson.
Matilda (written circa 1820, published 1959) by Mary Shelley.
Frankenstein (reread)
The Picture of Dorian Gray (reread)
The Secret History (reread)
“Every leaf speaks bliss to me fluttering from the autumn tree.” - Emily Brontë.
AUTUMNAL / SPOOKY FILM & TV RECOMMENDATIONS:
I have never had a predilection for watching films and TV, but there are a few things that I enjoy watching this time of year, so here they are:
Gilmore Girls (2000-2007) created by Amy Sherman-Palladino.
Clue (1985) dir. Jonathan Lynn (my favourite film of all time)
Lost Boys (1987) dir. Joel Schumacher.
Jane Eyre (2011) dir. Cary Joji Fukanaga.
The Woman in Black (2012) dir. James Watkins.
“The Autumn day its course has run - the Autumn evening falls; already risen, the Autumn moon gleams quiet on these walls and twilight to my lonely house a silent guest is come -” - Charlotte Brontë, ‘The Autumn Day its Course has Run’.
MY AUTUMN PLAYLIST:
One thing about me is that I love creating playlists, especially for different times of year. My summer playlist is actually my favourite, but I still love my autumn one. Here are some of the songs on it:
California Dreamin’ by The Mamas & The Papas
Wicked Game by Chris Isaak.
Dark Red by Steve Lacy.
Season of the Witch by Lana Del Rey.
Wildflower Wildfire by Lana Del Rey.
Paris, Texas by Lana Del Rey.
Yosemite by Lana Del Rey.
My Love Mine All Mine by Mitski.
‘Tis Autumn by Nat King Cole.
The ‘Evermore’ album by Taylor. This album is my favourite of Taylor Swift’s, and it is perfect for this time of year. My favourite songs on it are cowboy like me, champagne problems, ivy, long story short & evermore.
Fade Into You by Mazzy Star.
“Must be the season of the witch” - Lana Del Rey.
MY AUTUMN AESTHETIC:
Jumpers, scarves, the colour red, Gothic literature, pumpkin spice lattes, re-watching Gilmore Girls, rereading The Secret History, Frankenstein, and The Picture of Dorian Gray, listening to Evermore, lots and lots of candles!
“Autumn leaves falling down like pieces into place” - Taylor Swift, All Too Well.
Happy Autumn Everybody <3
****
REFERENCES:
Brontë, Charlotte, ‘The Autumn Day its Course Has Run’ in Brontës Selected Poems ed. Pamela Norris (London, W&N: 2022)
Brontë, Emily, ‘Fall Leaves Fall’ in Complete Poems (London, Penguin Classics: 1992)
Du Maurier, Daphne, Jamaica Inn (London: Arrow Books Limited, 1992)
Du Maurier, Daphne, Rebecca (London: Virago Press, 2003)
Fitzgerland, F. Scott, The Great Gatsby.
Keats, John, ‘To Autumn’.
Rey, Del Lana ‘Season of the Witch’.
Swift, Taylor, ‘All too Well’ (10 minute Version, Taylor’s Version, From The Vault) (Republic Records, 2021)
I was so happy to see your name pop up again :') what a gorgeous list!! seeing that you're reading TSH for the 4th time made me scream I'm already pumped for my third read haha. also noting down some of these recs, thank you!🫶🏾