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Books matching: gothic horror classic

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  1. 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' by Robert Louis Stevenson is a classic tale exploring the duality of human nature through the characters of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Set in London, the story follows the lawyer Mr. Utterson as he uncovers the mysterious connection between the respected Dr. Jekyll and the sinister Mr. Hyde. The narrative delves into themes of morality, identity, and the consequences of suppressing one's dark side, all presented in a gothic and suspenseful writing style.

    M r. Utterson the lawyer was a man of a rugged countenance, that was never lighted by a smile; cold, scanty and embarrassed in discourse; backward in sentiment; lean, long, dusty, dreary, and yet some...

  2. #2

    Dracula by Bram Stoker
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    Dracula by Bram Stoker is a classic novel that introduces the legend of Dracula, a Transylvanian royal seeking new hunting grounds in London. The story unfolds through letters, journals, and recordings, following a group led by Dr. Abraham Van Helsing as they combat the vampire. The book, written in 1897, captures the attention of readers from the first page to the last, defining the rules of vampires and kickstarting the vampire craze of the 20th and 21st centuries. Despite its familiarity due to movies and cultural references, Dracula remains a suspenseful and engaging read, perfect for Halloween.

    Left Munich at 8.35 p.m. on 1st May, arriving at Vienna early next morning; should have arrived at 6.46, but train was an hour late. Buda-Pesth seems a wonderful place, from the glimpse which I got of...

  3. #3

    The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole
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    The Castle of Otranto is considered one of the first gothic novels, setting the stage for the genre with its elements of romance, horror, and supernatural occurrences. The story revolves around Prince Manfred of Otranto, who faces tragic events such as the death of his son, a mysterious giant helmet falling from the sky, and a series of unexpected twists and turns within the castle's walls. The narrative is set in a chivalric Middle Ages backdrop filled with cruelty, tyranny, and the struggle for power, creating an atmosphere of foreboding and intrigue. The novel introduces classic gothic themes such as secret passages, supernatural occurrences, and a sense of impending doom.

    The writing style of The Castle of Otranto is often described as melodramatic, entertaining, and humorous. Despite its flaws and dated elements, the book is praised for its historical significance in shaping the gothic fiction genre. The characters, including Prince Manfred and the brave heroine, navigate through a web of secrets, mistaken identities, and eerie events, leading to a dramatic and suspenseful conclusion. Overall, the novel offers a unique blend of gothic elements, moral dilemmas, and unexpected plot developments that continue to captivate readers interested in early gothic literature.

    Manfred, Prince of Otranto, had one son and one daughter: the latter, a most beautiful virgin, aged eighteen, was called Matilda. Conrad, the son, was three years younger, a homely youth, sickly, and ...

  4. #4

    We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
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    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. #5

    The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe
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    'The Mysteries of Udolpho' by Ann Radcliffe is a gothic romance novel set in the late 1700s, following the story of the young orphaned heroine, Emily St. Aubert, who faces various trials and tribulations under the guardianship of her unkind aunt and evil step-uncle. The plot unfolds in a creepy castle in the Italian countryside, filled with mysteries, suspense, and gothic elements. Radcliffe's writing style includes long, evocative descriptions of landscapes, frequent references to poetry and sonnets, and a focus on character emotions and psychological states.

    VOLUME 1 CHAPTER I CHAPTER II CHAPTER III CHAPTER IV CHAPTER V CHAPTER VI CHAPTER VII CHAPTER VIII CHAPTER IX CHAPTER X CHAPTER XI CHAPTER XII CHAPTER XIII VOLUME 2 CHAPTER I CHAPTER II CHAPTER III CH...

  6. #6

    Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu
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    Carmilla, written by J. Sheridan Le Fanu and published in 1872, is a classic vampire novel that follows the story of Laura, a young and lonely noblewoman living with her father in a remote castle in Styria. When Carmilla, a mysterious girl her age, arrives at the castle after a carriage accident, Laura is overjoyed but soon realizes that Carmilla's true nature is shrouded in mystery. The novella explores the eerie and suspenseful relationship between Laura and Carmilla, hinting at a love relationship that defies conventions of the time period. The writing style is described as old school, with a feminine atmosphere and sensuousness that sets it apart as the female version of Dracula.

    In Styria, we, though by no means magnificent people, inhabit a castle, or schloss. A small income, in that part of the world, goes a great way. Eight or nine hundred a year does wonders. Scantily eno...

  7. #7

    The House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne
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    The House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a gothic novel that delves into the cursed history of the Pyncheon family, haunted by sins of past generations. The story revolves around an old mansion, the main character of the book, which exudes shadows, heavy air, and two hundred years of gloom and doom. The plot slowly unfolds, revealing a family feud with the Maule family, murder mysteries, and a touch of romance, all set against a backdrop of eerie and mysterious happenings.

    The writing style of Hawthorne in this novel is described as dense, melodic, and dramatic, filled with flowery and often oppressive language that reflects mood more than action. The characters are eccentric and twisted, with detailed development that some readers found engaging while others found tedious. The narrative weaves a tale of family curses, haunted pasts, and the impact of wealth and history on the characters' lives, culminating in a gloomy yet somewhat hopeful conclusion.

    WHEN a writer calls his work a Romance, it need hardly be observed that he wishes to claim a certain latitude, both as to its fashion and material, which he would not have felt himself entitled to ass...

  8. #8

    The Monk by Matthew Gregory Lewis
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    'The Monk' by Matthew Gregory Lewis is an 18th-century gothic horror novel that delves into the dark and twisted world of a highly respected monk, Ambrosio, whose vanity and pride lead him down a path of debauchery and heinous crimes. Set in Spain, the story unfolds around a monastery and convent in Madrid, where supernatural elements, ghosts, and demons play a significant role. The plot weaves together various storylines involving Ambrosio's fall from grace, the attempts of noble characters to rescue their loved ones, and the shocking events that culminate in rape and murder.

    The writing style of 'The Monk' is described as a mix of beautifully crafted language typical of the 18th-century gothic genre, with elements of confusion due to the dated style of writing. The novel is praised for its ability to keep readers engaged with its suspenseful build-up, unexpected twists, and a sinister tone that is occasionally lightened by moments of humor and unexpected surprises.

    SCARCELY had the Abbey-Bell tolled for five minutes, and already was the Church of the Capuchins thronged with Auditors. Do not encourage the idea that the Crowd was assembled either from motives of p...

  9. #9

    Haunted Castles: The Complete Gothic Stories by Ray Russell
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    'Haunted Castles: The Complete Gothic Stories' by Ray Russell is a collection of modern Gothic horror tales set in various time periods, featuring themes of deformity, torture chambers, beautiful women, and insanity. The stories are a blend of the mysterious and grotesque, with a focus on modern Gothic castles and horror elements. The book includes novellas like 'Sardonicus', 'Sagittarius', and 'Sanguinarius', as well as shorter pieces like 'Comet Wine' and 'The Vendetta', all interconnected subtly to create a dark and atmospheric fictional universe.

    There is no god but this mirror that thou seest, for this is the Mirror of Wisdom. And it reflecteth all things that are in heaven and on earth, save only the face of him who looketh into it. This it ...

  10. #10

    Uncle Silas by J. Sheridan Le Fanu
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    Uncle Silas by J. Sheridan Le Fanu is a gothic novel set in the mid-1800s, following the story of Maud Ruthyn, a young heiress placed under the guardianship of her mysterious and possibly dangerous uncle, Silas. As Maud navigates her uncle's secluded estate, Bartram Haugh, she encounters a cast of eerie characters including her uncouth cousin Dudley, a malevolent French governess, and her enigmatic uncle Silas. The plot unfolds with dark conspiracies, suspicions of murder, and a sense of impending danger, all wrapped in a suspenseful and atmospheric narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

    Le Fanu's writing style in Uncle Silas is described as deliciously slow-building, classic gothic at its best, and filled with chilling suspense and atmospheric tension. The novel intricately weaves elements of horror, mystery, and psychological intrigue, drawing readers into a world of eerie happenings, creepy characters, and a sense of foreboding that culminates in a nail-biting conclusion.

    It was winter—that is, about the second week in November—and great gusts were rattling at the windows, and wailing and thundering among our tall trees and ivied chimneys—a very dark night, and a very ...

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