Books matching: southern gothic horror
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Save:'The Elementals' by Michael McDowell is a Southern Gothic horror novel set on an isolated spit of land on the Gulf of Mexico, where two families vacation in the stifling Alabama summers. The story revolves around the mysterious Third House, being slowly engulfed by a sand dune, harboring something sinister. The author masterfully creates a suspenseful and disturbing atmosphere during the sweltering Southern summer, with a blend of eerie occurrences and dysfunctional family dynamics. Characters like Luker, India, and Odessa bring depth to the story, while the unsettling buildup leads to a chilling climax that leaves readers on edge.
The narrative of 'The Elementals' gradually introduces readers to the characters and their relationships, drawing them into a world where supernatural elements slowly creep up on them. McDowell's writing style is described as atmospheric, creepy, and unsettling, with a focus on creating a unique blend of Southern Gothic horror. The novel explores themes of family ties, mysterious occurrences, and the haunting presence of the Third House, making it a gripping and immersive read that keeps readers engaged till the end.
The house in which Dauphin and Leigh Savage lived had been built in 1906; it was a large, comfortable place with generous rooms and careful and pleasing detail in such things as hearths, moldings, fra... - #2
Save:Following a devastating flood that devastated a small Alabama town, a mysterious woman emerges from the swollen river water with the ability to transform into an amphibian creature. She marries into the wealthy Caskey family, becoming the matriarch of the eccentric family, and sets off a haunting saga that spans fifty years. The book is a southern gothic horror serial that intricately weaves together family dynamics, supernatural elements, and suspenseful storytelling, drawing readers into a captivating tale of intrigue and mystery.
Michael McDowell's writing style in "The Flood" is described as precise, elegant, and evocative, with a touch of southern gothic flair that adds a Lovecraftian flavor to the narrative. The characters are deep, engaging, and multi-dimensional, avoiding typical one-dimensional stereotypes often found in popular fiction, while the setting of Alabama serves as a compelling backdrop that enhances the eerie atmosphere of the story.
The Zion Grace Baptist Church was situated on the Old Federal Road about a mile and a half outside Perdido. Its congregation was Hard-Shell, so the church was about the most uncomfortable sort of stru... - #3
Save:'Neverland' by Douglas Clegg is a Southern Gothic horror tale that follows the Jackson family's annual summer vacation to Gull Island, Georgia. The story is narrated by Beau, a 10-year-old boy, who along with his family, encounters his troubled cousin Sumter and his sinister games in an abandoned shack named Neverland. As the children get drawn into Sumter's twisted world of evil games and hallucinations, the story escalates into a horrifying sequence of events involving sacrifices, supernatural occurrences, and a dark family secret. The narrative skillfully blurs the line between reality and imagination, creating a creepy and chilling atmosphere that keeps readers on edge.
The writing style in 'Neverland' is described as quick-paced, imaginative, and gripping, with vivid imagery that evokes a sense of unease and terror. The plot unfolds with a mix of childhood fears and adult perspectives, exploring themes of family dynamics, growing up, and the thin line between innocence and malevolence. The story builds towards a shocking and horrifying conclusion, leaving readers captivated by the eerie setting, authentic characters, and the blend of supernatural elements with real-world complexities.
I have always known about my dreams. It's like blue eyes in the family, it's like the way Grammy could predict the weather. The dreams used to take me out of my body, just like I was flying, and somet... The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix is a horror novel set in the late 1980s to early 1990s that follows a group of Southern housewives who form a book club focusing on true crime stories. When a new neighbor arrives in town, suspicions arise about his true nature, leading to a chilling discovery that he might be a vampire preying on the town's children. The book delves into themes of class divisions, gender bias, racial prejudice, and the strength of female friendships, all while building suspense and terror through well-crafted writing and vivid narration.
In 1988, George H. W. Bush had just won the presidential election by inviting everyone to read his lips while Michael Dukakis lost it by riding in a tank. Dr. Huxtable was America’s dad, Kate & Allie ...- #5
Save:In the book "Those Across the River" by Christopher Buehlman, a Northern couple moves to a small Southern town in the 1930s and encounters eerie and mysterious occurrences related to the woods across the river. As they uncover the dark secrets of the town and its inhabitants, they become entangled in a terrifying supernatural force, leading to a gripping and suspenseful narrative. The writing style is described as atmospheric, with a slow-burn horror introduction that builds tension and establishes a sense of community before delving into the unsettling events that unfold.
THE MOVERS CAME not at the hottest part of the day, but about an hour after that, when the heat had built up so that it stood under the eaves and porches and made the moisture in the ground steam unde... - #6
Save:The Boatman's Daughter by Andy Davidson is a dark and eerie tale set in the bayou along the Prosper river. The story follows Miranda, the boatman's daughter, who inherits her father's job of running drugs in the bayou. As she navigates the treacherous waters, she encounters crooked law enforcement, witches teaching black arts, and a cast of eccentric and flawed characters. The book blends elements of Slavic folklore with Southern Gothic, creating a heady mix of black magic, crazed preachers, and nightmarish visions. The writing style is described as immersive, atmospheric, and vivid, painting a rich tapestry of the bayous and woodlands.
Cook hunkered at the bottom of the ramp, let his fingers play in the slow-moving Texas water. Downstream, just beyond where the river became Arkansas, a train traversed a trestle bridge, tearing throu... - #7
Save:Revelator by Daryl Gregory is a Southern Gothic horror novel set in the backwoods of Tennessee during the 1930s and 40s. The story follows Stella, a female bootlegger, who returns to her family's secluded mountain home after a tragic incident. There, she encounters a mysterious god named Ghostdaddy who communicates through chosen daughters known as Revelators. As Stella navigates family secrets, religious fanaticism, and the looming threat of losing their land to a national park, she must protect a young girl named Sunny from the same fate she endured. The dual timelines and intricate family relationships gradually reveal the dark and unsettling truths hidden in the cave where the god resides.
Stella wallace met her family’s god when she was nine years old. Later, she couldn’t figure out why she didn’t run when she saw it. It wasn’t fear that pinned her to the spot, staring up at it, or eve... - #8
Save:In a rural Tennessee town in the 1950s, 'Twilight' by William Gay tells the story of a teen brother and sister seeking revenge on an undertaker who desecrates the dead. The siblings discover the undertaker's dark secret and attempt to blackmail him, leading to a twisted chain of events involving hired killers and a chase through the Harrikin, a heavily wooded area. The prose in the book is described as having a Southern Gothic style, with a lack of punctuation for dialogue adding to the stark and dark atmosphere of the narrative.
They came up through the stand of cypress that shrouded the graveyard, the pickup hidden off the road in a chertpit clottedwith inkblot bowers of honeysuckle. There were two of them, a young woman and... - #9
Save:Set in the small community of Babylon in the Florida panhandle near the Styx River, 'Cold Moon Over Babylon' by Michael McDowell is a chilling Gothic horror novel that unfolds a tale of supernatural revenge after a young girl named Margaret is murdered. The story delves into the lives of the Larkin family, particularly Grandma Evelyn, Jerry, and Margaret, who are trying to make ends meet by selling blueberries at the local market. As the mysterious murders unfold, an evil presence makes itself known, seeking justice and retribution, leading to a thrilling combination of crime and horror genres. McDowell's writing style intricately weaves together the elements of small-town life, sudden deaths, shocking violence, and supernatural occurrences, creating a vivid and textured narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
Three roads lead out of Babylon. The first takes you to Pensacola, forty miles to the southeast. In Pensacola are the Escambia County Courthouse, the discount liquor stores, the dog tracks, and the d... - #10
Save:Fevre Dream by George R.R. Martin is a unique vampire novel set in the 19th-century Mississippi, focusing on the life of steamboat captain Abner Marsh and his partnership with an eccentric, vampire-like rich man. The book blends historical fiction with a fresh take on vampire mythology, showcasing detailed descriptions of riverboat life and a complex relationship between characters Joshua York and Damon Julian. Martin's writing style vividly captures the setting and atmosphere of the Mississippi river, while introducing twists to the traditional vampire lore.
Abner Marsh rapped the head of his hickory walking stick smartly on the hotel desk to get the clerk’s attention. “I’m here to see a man named York,” he said. “Josh York, I believe he calls hisself. Yo...
