Preview

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Goth

By: Lol Tolhurst
Narrated by: Lol Tolhurst, Budgie
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $19.49

Buy for $19.49

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

The co-founder of The Cure and author of Cured delivers a fascinating deep dive into the dark romanticism of Goth music, a misunderstood genre and culture.

GOTH is an entertaining and engaging historical memoir, and a journey through Goth music and culture, exploring creative giants like The Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Bauhaus, Joy Division, and many more great bands that offered a place of refuge for the misfits of the ‘80s and ever since. Written by Lol Tolhurst, co-founder of The Cure, this book offers a riveting retrospective of the genre’s iconic movers and shakers, infused with stories from Tolhurst’s personal trove of memories, as well as anecdotes about the musicians, magicians, and artists who made it all happen—the people, places, and things that made Goth an inevitable and enduring movement.

Starting with the Origins of Goth, Tolhurst explores early art and literature that inspired the genre and looks into the work of T.S Eliot, Edgar Allan Poe, Sylvia Plath, and Albert Camus, among others. He also outlines the path of Gothic Forebears and shows how many musicians played in punk bands before transitioning into Goth endeavors. Next, he introduces readers to the “Architects of Darkness”—Bauhaus, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division, and The Cure—the Godfathers of Goth who established the genre's roots. Following these early bands, Tolhurst discusses a group he calls the “Spiritual Alchemists,” consisting of bands like Depeche Mode, Cocteau Twins, and more, who helped the darkness expand into the culture. He also tracks the expansion of the genre overseas, from England to New York, Los Angeles, and beyond. Gothic fashion was an important part of the movement as well, and Tolhurst discusses the clothing that accompanied and complemented the music. Finally, Tolhurst examines the legacy of Goth music, and shows how its influence can still be seen to this day across music, film, TV, visual arts, social media, and more.

As thoughtful and thorough as it is utterly bewitching, GOTH is a timeless testament to why Goth matters—and why it always will.

©2023 Lol Tolhurst (P)2023 Hachette Books
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about Goth

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    42
  • 4 Stars
    9
  • 3 Stars
    5
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    42
  • 4 Stars
    8
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    37
  • 4 Stars
    10
  • 3 Stars
    5
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Trip Through Time

Lol is very good at taking us to the place he speaks of. He has a nack for narration and a lovely voice. Thoroughly enjoyed this trip.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Music history and much much more!!!

Lol writes and iterates articulately and intelligently - insightful, fun, and refreshing prose from one of The Cure’s founding members .

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Laurence Tolhurst’s perspective of Goth as a Subculture & Community, from one of the earliest artists of the genre

This really feels like a fire side chat vs a strict academic study. With his history of being a founding member of The Cure, Lol’s account of the history, present & future is an authentic look at the genre.

He mentions other bands, the nightclubs & interactions with the “normal world”. The genre was the weird kids table. Harassment & confrontations by outsiders were a real part of the experience of being part of the subculture.

It’s unusual to see nowadays, Kardashians using goth culture as a temporary costume to get attention. After the popularity of Tim Burton’s Wednesday, more people have started to dabble in the dark arts of Goth fashion but ignore the soundtrack.

However, the author mentions the genre will continue, as it should. He also closes the book discussing that elder Goths exist & encourages the elder goths to continue to let the freak flag fly. That Goth perhaps, is an anti aging secret. The elder Goths I know are fairly active in creating & living a connected & fun life.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

ElderGoth Approved!

Absolutely wonderful tale of the essence of Goth. A must read for those that love The Cure, expertly told by Lol Tolhurst.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Love Lol

Love Lol’s voice and stories. Very informative and relaxing. Love the stories behind the music.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

What more could an OG goth want?

Told by a gothfather who lived it and breathed it. I really appreciated the rundown he gives of songs on the selection of records by bands like Joy Division, the Banshees and Bauhaus.
💀💀💀

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Goth: A Glorious Perspective from LOl

Goth is a glorious perspective on life as reflected and presented by Lol. I adored Cured, reading the hardcover after meeting Lol at a book signing in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and later listening to the audiobook. Having seen the Cure play live many times throughout my life since age 12, I’ve grown and changed along with this fantastic and varied tribe. Read or listen to this book - it’s a filled with stories from the past brought to the present of sorrow, love and joy.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Kudos

A lovely memoir and history. Mr. Tolhurst has a wonderful voice as a narrator. Recommended to any fan of the genre or those just discovering what it’s all about.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A deep dive into a genre I really didn’t know

I grew up listening to the ‘60’s & ‘70’s music my older brothers played, by the later seventies music started to change, I resisted listening because this new type seemed weird and unorganized. By the early eighties I grew to like Goth and it’s spin-offs, The Cure was one of many I liked and followed. Then decades have gone by and getting a look through the rear view mirror of Lol’s stories is fascinating to me. He’s so damn good at describing it all not only because he lived it and contributed but because he’s a natural born writer with solidly honest introspection. His contributions to the music I bought and loved (still love) and his recall of it all is something I thought I’d never experience - now we all get to through his eyes and thoughts. Both his books are excellent.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Such an awesome book

I bought the book but decided to do the audible as well and so glad I did because it was definitely worth it !

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!