McKayla Coyle’s Goblin Mode, is a bit of an odd choice for me to review, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Personally, I don’t really have a well formed aesthetic. I like what I like and none of it really matches or fits a philosophy or lifestyle. However, I appreciate goblincore’s rejection of Capitalism and conformity. I’m not so much into the nature aspects of goblincore (I have allergies), but I appreciate the weirdness, the clutter, the comfort, and the not fitting in to a mainstream look.
I approach all of my advance reader copies in good faith and with the intention of enjoying them. With this one I was side-eying myself a bit for having requested it. but every time I thought I was going to get to a section that irritated me, I was instead charmed. Coyle writes about the whys and wherefores of adopting goblincore in a way that ties the aesthetic to its ethical underpinnings.
I appreciate that Coyle consistently emphasizes that there is no need to go buy a huge amount of stuff to become a goblin. Instead they focus on thinking about what you have and what you can make. There’s a big emphasis on crafting, thrifting, recycling, upcycling, and thoughtful foraging, and how you can make the world around you “cozier, weirder, grimier, and more caring.”
For example, when talking about clothing, I was prepared to be disappointed when Coyle talked about clothes that can be very expensive, but they then went on to talk about inexpensive ways to acquire a goblin wardrobe, and how to think about dressing for comfort.
“It’s literally recycling, but make it fashion”
I particularly appreciated that when they were encouraging clothing swaps, they reminded readers to think inclusively.
As with all things created by humans, goblincore can be exclusionary and bigoted. I appreciate that Coyle addresses the use of goblins as an anti-Semitic tool. They differentiate between goblins in folklore and goblins as a stand-in for Jewish people, faith and culture. They also identify the red flags a goblincore aspirant should watch out for.
Overall, I found Goblin Mode to be thoughtful and ethical rather than cutesy.
I received this as an advance reader copy from Quirk Books and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.
