Are You A Horror Fiend? Check Out These Gothic Horror Books

Published in 1764, The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole is regarded as the first gothic horror novel and a staple in classic literature. Follow Prince Manfred in securing his family legacy, down eerie hallways to ominous prophecies.

Despite its brevity, The Castle of Otranto packs in a myriad of themes, including the struggle between fate and free will, the dangers of unchecked ambition, and the haunting presence of the past.

With supernatural elements, family secrets, and a beautiful medieval castle, this novel is a must read to begin your journey into gothic fiction.

Enter the dark and twisted world of Constance Shawcross, one of the most iconic and underrated gothic horror novels that will have you entangled in a web of family secrets and complex characters.

The story begins with Constance's idyllic upbringing in a secluded English manor, but her life takes a dramatic turn when she becomes entangled in tensions and constraints of society, craving independence.

Set in the early 20^th century, Dark Angel by Sally Beauman weaves together romance, mystery, and historical drama .

A timeless classic that absolutely cannot be left out of this list. From the admirable and creative mind of a mere seventeen-year-old Mary Shelley, Frankenstein is one of the earliest examples of science fiction, while also delving into gothic horror and philosophical questions.

The novel tackles themes of the dangers of playing God , the consequences of isolation, and the ethical dilemmas posed by scientific advancement. The Monster in this story explores loneliness, rejection, and a desire to love and understand. This novel questions what it means to be human, defying the limits of life and death, which makes it so good.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë is one that might surprisingly fall into gothic literature, yet following madness, repression, and the supernatural, it is a staple horror read.

An orphaned and mistreated woman, Jane Eyre feels intense emotions as she’s surrounded by eerie settings and dark secrets.

Jane's inner conflicts, her moral dilemmas, and her encounters with the spectral and the unknown add layers of complexity to the narrative, making it as much a psychological study as it is a Gothic romance.

For fans of psychological horror as well as gothic fiction, The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson is a beautifully written novel regarded as one of the finest ghost stories ever written.

Set in an ominous and eerie mansion with a mysterious past, the story follows four main characters: Dr. John Montague, a paranormal investigator; Eleanor Vance, a lonely and fragile woman; Theodora, a bohemian artist; and Luke Sanderson, the future heir of Hill House, as they gather together.

The novel explores themes of isolation, mental illness, and the human psyche, making it as much a psychological thriller as a ghost story.