Books matching: psychological terror
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- #1
Save:'The House Next Door' by Anne Rivers Siddons is a haunting tale of a malevolent house that brings out the worst in its inhabitants. Set in a suburban Atlanta neighborhood, the story follows the Kennedy family and their neighbors as they witness mysterious and horrifying events unfold in the modern house next door. As families come and go, tragedy strikes each one, leading Colquitt and Walter Kennedy to uncover the evil force dwelling within the walls of the house. Written in a suspenseful and eerie style, the book explores themes of fear, unease, and the consequences of living near a house that seems to feed on the people around it.
The narrative is filled with tension and a sense of escalating eerieness, drawing readers in with its atmospheric horror elements. Through the eyes of the characters, readers experience the chilling effects of the haunted house, where deepest desires manifest and nightmares come true. Siddons' skillful writing captures the psychological terror of the situation, keeping readers on edge and anxious as they navigate the malevolent forces at play in 'The House Next Door.'
CLAIRE SWANSON from two doors up was the first one to tell me about the Harralson house. She and Roger have lived in the yellow Dutch colonial for years, far longer than we’ve been in ours. Claire is ... - #2
Save:'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... - #3
Save:Maggie Holt returns to Baneberry Hall, a house her family fled in terror when she was five years old. Her father wrote a bestselling memoir about their haunting experience, but Maggie has no memories of it and believes it to be lies. After inheriting the house upon her father's death, she decides to uncover the truth behind the horrors of the house, alternating between present-day experiences and excerpts from her father's book. The book weaves a thrilling horror story filled with suspense, false clues, and red herrings, keeping readers engaged from beginning to end.
From the moment I enter the office, I know how things are going to go. It’s happened before. Too many times to count. And although each incident has its slight variations, the outcome is always the sa... - #4
Save:Angela Carter's 'The Magic Toyshop' is a dark and disturbingly brilliant coming-of-age tale following Melanie, a 15-year-old girl who is thrown into an unknown world and family after the tragic death of her parents. Set in a foggy, fairy tale-like atmosphere, the novel explores themes of fantasy, reality, feminism, and sexuality as Melanie navigates through her adolescence, living out her fantasies and nightmares in a magical toyshop.
The summer she was fifteen, Melanie discovered she was made of flesh and blood. O, my America, my new found land. She embarked on a tranced voyage, exploring the whole of herself, clambering her own m... - #5
Save:White is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi is a haunting and complex tale that follows Miranda Silver, a young woman with pica, living in a house in Dover that seems to be filled with evil. The story is narrated through multiple perspectives, including Miranda's twin brother, her university friend, and even the Silver House itself. The book weaves together elements of gothic fiction with modern themes, exploring relationships, self-discovery, and the blurred lines between reality and the supernatural.
is not tall. He is pale and the sun fails on his skin. He used to write restaurant reviews, plying a thesaurus for other facets to the words “juicy” and “rich.” He met Lily at a magazine Christmas par... - #6
Save:Beloved by Toni Morrison is a haunting and complex story that delves into the horrors of slavery and its lingering impact on individuals. The book weaves together themes of love, motherhood, guilt, identity, and the supernatural, creating a dense and poetic narrative that explores the lives of freed slaves post-slavery era. Morrison's writing style is described as rich, poetic, and masterful, blending magical realism into the storytelling to create a touching tale of a woman grappling with her past and the return of her deceased daughter.
124 WAS SPITEFUL. Full of a baby’s venom. The women in the house knew it and so did the children. For years each put up with the spite in his own way, but by 1873 Sethe and her daughter Denver were it... - #7
Save:Set in a creepy Victorian-era estate, "The Silent Companions" follows Elsie Bainbridge, a young widow who discovers eerie wooden figures that seem to have a life of their own. As Elsie delves into the secrets of the house, she uncovers a history of supernatural occurrences and dark mysteries spanning centuries. The narrative shifts between different time periods, weaving a tale of suspense, horror, and family secrets that keep the reader on edge. Laura Purcell's writing style is described as atmospheric, vivid, and slow-burning, creating a sense of unease and tension throughout the book.
The new doctor took her by surprise. Not that there was anything unusual in his arrival – doctors came and went often enough. But this one was young. New to the profession, as well as the place. There... - #8
Save:Kill Creek by Scott Thomas is a haunted house story that follows four horror writers invited for an interview at the infamous Finch House on Halloween night. The novel delves into themes of writing, grief, and buried trauma while exploring the maintenance and circulation of horror. The characters, especially the four main authors, are well-developed and represent various facets of the horror genre. The house itself becomes a malevolent entity, adding an extra layer of suspense to the plot.
Their eyes were focused on a man in his late thirties, his brown hair buzzed to the scalp. He was handsome, just over six feet tall, dressed in old black Levi’s and a henley that showed off a thin, sl... - #9
Save:'The Pit and the Pendulum' by Edgar Allan Poe is a collection of horror tales that delve into the depths of human suffering and psychological suspense. The stories are filled with dark and macabre elements, where characters face torment and terror in various forms. The writing style of Poe is described as vivid and immersive, allowing readers to feel the angst and fear of the characters as if watching a movie unfold in their minds.
Impia tortorum longas hic turba furores Sanguinis innocui, non satiata, aluit. Sospite nunc patria, fracto nunc funeris antro, Mors ubi dira fuit, vita salusque patent. [Here the wicked mob, unappease...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Edgar Allan Poe Tales ) - #10
Save: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 ...
