Books matching: eerie atmosphere
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'Ghost Stories of an Antiquary' by M.R. James is a collection of spooky stories with a Gothic feel, often involving travelers encountering supernatural manifestations during their antiquarian research. The stories are set in atmospheric locations, such as old houses and country estates, and typically revolve around the discovery of old books or artefacts that attract unearthly beings. The writing style is described as subtle, leaving much to the reader's imagination, and the stories are known for their eerie and chilling nature.
Two men in a smoking-room were talking of their private-school days. ‘At our school,’ said A., ‘we had a ghost’s footmark on the staircase. What was it like? Oh, very unconvincing. Just the shape of a... - #2
Count Jan Potocki's The Manuscript Found in Saragossa is a captivating and complex book with a humorous touch, featuring a story within a story within a story within a story. The book consists of a collection of supernatural tales linked together by a complex series of frame stories, creating a nightmarish hall of mirrors. The narrative is a blend of Arabian Nights in its structure and mythology and Don Quixote in its itinerant adventures and strict system of Honour, making it a gothic, erotic, picaresque, and pastoral tale.
The book follows the journey of Alphonse Van Worden as he navigates the mountainous Spanish countryside, encountering seductive Moorish princesses, nomad kings, monks, demoniacs, mathematicians, and the Spanish Inquisition. Each character he meets has a multi-layered tale to tell, intertwining elements of mystery, mysticism, swashbuckling adventures, and seductions. The stories are nested within one another, creating a complex web of interconnected plots that keep the reader entertained and immersed in a world of history, myths, apocrypha, religion, and philosophy.
8‘The Brothers’: Potocki gives one origin of the name in the text (Zoto’s brothers), but the Inquisition (‘la santa Hermandad’, as it is referred to at the beginning of this chapter) is also known as ... - #3
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson is a classic horror novel that tells the story of four individuals invited to investigate the paranormal occurrences at Hill House. As they delve into the mysteries of the house, strange phenomena begin to unfold, leading to a growing sense of disassociation from reality and genuine horror. The narrative is a meditation on isolation, fear, and desperation, particularly focusing on the protagonist Eleanor's psychological journey as she navigates the haunting presence of Hill House.
No live organism can continue for long to exist sanely under conditions of absolute reality; even larks and katydids are supposed, by some, to dream. Hill House, not sane, stood by itself against its ... The novel 'We Have Always Lived in the Castle' by Shirley Jackson is a haunting tale narrated by 18-year-old Mary Katherine Merricat Blackwood, depicting the lives of the Blackwood family living in isolation in a large house on expansive grounds. The story delves into themes of ostracism, mental illness, and family dynamics, with a touch of gothic elements. Through Merricat's perspective, readers are drawn into a world of eerie suspense and chilling ambiguity, where the line between reality and imagination is blurred.
Shirley Jackson's writing style in 'We Have Always Lived in the Castle' is described as captivating, eerie, and suspenseful. With meticulous craftsmanship and a knack for building tension gradually, Jackson weaves a narrative that is both unsettling and compelling. The novel unfolds in a concise and graceful manner, with scenes that are delicately suspenseful yet warm and candid, showcasing the author's ability to cover a wide range of emotions and themes in a compact space.
My name is Mary Katherine Blackwood. I am eighteen years old, and I live with my sister Constance. I have often thought that with any luck at all I could have been born a werewolf, because the two mid...- #5
'I'm Thinking of Ending Things' by Iain Reid follows a young woman on a road trip with her boyfriend to meet his parents, contemplating ending their relationship. As the journey progresses, unsettling events unfold, including mysterious phone calls from her own number and a sense of foreboding. The narrative builds tension through eerie moments and a creeping feeling that something terrible is on the horizon, reminiscent of classic horror elements.
Reid's writing style in this psychological thriller is described as atmospheric, disturbing, and mind-bending. The story keeps readers engaged with unexpected twists and a sense of unease that lingers throughout the book. The author skillfully weaves a plot that blurs the lines between reality and perception, leading to an ending that leaves readers questioning what is real and what is imagined.
The road is mostly empty. It’s quiet around here. Vacant. More so than anticipated. So much to see but not many people, not many buildings or houses. Sky. Trees. Fields. Fences. The road and its grave... - #6
'Revenge' by Yoko Ogawa is a collection of interconnected short stories that delve into themes of revenge, murder, loss, and eerie connections in an eerily normal world. The stories are macabre and unsettling, with elements like a woman with her heart outside her body, a bag maker sewing an elaborate bag to hold it, and a widow growing carrots shaped like hands in her garden where her dead husband is later found buried without his hands. The writing style is described as precise, detailed, and impassive, with a minimalist approach that inserts bizarre elements into everyday occurrences to create a sense of spookiness and horror.
It was a beautiful Sunday. The sky was a cloudless dome of sunlight. Out on the square, leaves fluttered in a gentle breeze along the pavement. Everything seemed to glimmer with a faint luminescence: ... - #7
In 'The Devil and the Dark Water' by Stuart Turton, set in the 17th century, the story follows Samuel Pipps, a renowned detective, and his loyal bodyguard Arent Hayes, as they embark on a perilous journey to Amsterdam. Strange occurrences plague their ship, including mysterious symbols, deaths, and whispers of unholy miracles. As the plot unfolds, secrets from the past resurface, creating a suspenseful and eerie atmosphere that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Turton weaves together elements of mystery, adventure, and the supernatural, delivering a complex and gripping tale filled with twists and surprises.
The narrative is rich in historical details, portraying life aboard a merchant vessel and the superstitions of the 17th century with vivid imagery. The characters, ranging from strong-willed women to clever detectives, add depth to the story, while the intricate plot keeps readers engaged till the end. Turton's writing style blends elements of locked room mystery, Sherlock Holmes homage, and swashbuckling sea adventure, creating a unique and immersive reading experience that transports readers to a world of intrigue and suspense.
Another whistled by his ear; a third striking his knee, causing him to stumble, bringing jeers from the pitiless mob, who were already searching the ground for more missiles to throw. Hundreds of them... - #8
'The Shadow over Innsmouth' by H.P. Lovecraft is a cosmic horror novella that follows a protagonist discovering unsettling truths about their lineage in the mysterious town of Innsmouth. The story builds a sense of dread and unease throughout, culminating in a bleak and eerie ending. Lovecraft's writing style is described as disturbing, with intricate sentence structures and a talent for evoking a feeling of something being fundamentally wrong.
During the winter of 1927–28 officials of the Federal government made a strange and secret investigation of certain conditions in the ancient Massachusetts seaport of Innsmouth. The public first learn... - #9
In 'The Little Stranger' by Sarah Waters, the story revolves around Doctor Faraday, who becomes entwined with the Ayres family residing in the deteriorating Hundreds Hall. As strange occurrences start happening at the mansion, a mix of psychological and supernatural elements come into play, leading to a gripping narrative that delves into the decline of the English landed gentry post-World War II. Waters masterfully crafts a tale that not only explores the haunted house but also delves deep into the characters' emotions and behaviors, creating a nuanced story set in a time of societal change and decay.
I first saw Hundreds Hall when I was ten years old. It was the summer after the war, and the Ayreses still had most of their money then, were still big people in the district. The event was an Empire ... - #10
'The Turn of the Screw' by Henry James is a psychological horror story that revolves around a governess who starts working in an old house with two children and encounters ghosts of the previous caretakers. The narrative delves into the governess's increasing paranoia and ambiguity surrounding the ghosts and the children's behavior, blurring the lines between reality and supernatural elements. The writing style is described as dense and antiquated, with long sentences and an overuse of commas, which some readers found challenging but others found rewarding in unraveling the psychological and sexual themes of the story.
My counselor couldn't read! I winced at my mistake, which I attenuated as I could, and opened my letter again to repeat it to her; then, faltering in the act and folding it up once more, I put it back...