Orientated towards the shocking and glamorous side of Goth culture, the title "the Goth Bible" is presumptive. Nancy Kilpatrick is a Goth writing about Goth culture and wrote several successful novels since her birth in 1946.
The resemblance to the bible is in how the beginning lists out everything similarly to Numbers. It resembles the boring genealogies no one reads at the beginning of Holy Scripture. After awhile the tone fades from the excessively authoritative and stories emerge making it easier for readers to relate to Goth Culture. Stories were gathered from online forums. Sometimes she cites novels related to the topic. Whenever a story revolves around "Victorian," it relates to her personal story or interpretation.
Kilpatrick's attempt to even out the bias by interviewing Goths on the internet was a good idea. Early influences of Siouxsie and the Banshees and Industrial Wave are known to many Goths. However, her perspective is largely consumer orientated and she may filter contributors, only acknowledging those with similar tastes.
A wide variety of people are left out of the book, including, the United States of America. Famous musicians and Ann Rice are referenced, yet when trying to find out the USA interpretation of Goth Culture, it is sadly missing.
Nihilists are an easy going people. They may cherish the overly excessive consumerism, because why not. For all the Buddhists out there in your lose fitting colorful clothes battling with the Samsara, why not join in? If you're going to be obsessed with the darker, meaningless cycle of working for material gain without happiness, go all the way!
My feelings are absent. It is a catalogue of trinkets, common beliefs and cliches from the 80s. It is a portal to the past when Emos (Young Uber Goths) did not proactively pick fights with anyone wearing Victorian outfits. Goths should be interested in the book. It has answers to several topics like finding clothes, websites, books and wine. People will also enjoy the historical viewpoint. If you're a parent concerned about your child's behavior talk to your child. Several topics will not apply to their lives. Chances are they have no idea of what is being said, unless they read the book, twisting imagination into paranoia.
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