How to tell you're reading a Gothic novel

When Horace Walpole published his 'gothic story' The Castle of Otranto, he launched a literary movement which has sired monsters, unleashed lightning and put damsels in distress for 250 years. But are some novels more gothic than others?

Designer Zhenia Vasiliev and I returned to the genre's roots in the 18th century for this definitive guide.

This graphic was shortlisted for the 2014 Information is Beautiful awards.