There was a discussion about the Gothic genre a couple of years ago - the central piece was always a mansion/castle/church and in some ways the persona of this structure was bigger than the main protagonist. It was also noted that the victims were young, in a nightie with a candle and with the highest pitched scream ever. Oh and as wet as December confetti.

Re VW - I have read excerpts from 'The Waves' which is a hard-going but an extraordinary book. Definitely one to read, but one that requires quite a bit of concentration. I may read 'Orlando' at some point - my book list is teetering at the moment.

My favourite book of that era is Oscar Wilde's 'The Picture of Dorian Gray.' Read it twice and would like to read it again when I get the chance :-)