It’s one of the scariest books ever because of its suggestion that, no matter how “civilized” we might think ourselves, it wouldn’t take much to bring out our inner savagery. What is the scariest book you’ve ever read? In this case, it’s true. These two novellas cemented Self’s reputation as a florid, albeit intimidating, genius. Even if you think you already know the story (or if you were assigned the text in school), the tale of the mad doctor and his creation gone wrong deserves a thorough, grown-up read as one of the scariest books of all time. FICTION. As for the housekeeper, the evil Mrs Danvers… well, let’s not go there. It’s left me feeling uneasy more than once, which has caused me to feel frightened. Outlandish cults, expert killers and terrifying leprechauns abound in this bizarre and slightly sinister slice of Murakami abnormality. If you really want to not be able to put a book down, go back to the earliest books written by King. Rankings of this nature are subject. Because no one does horror quite like the King. If you thought William Friedkin’s adaptation of The Exorcist was petrifying, just wait until you read the source material. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below. UPDATE: Stephen King has revealed that his next book won't be horror but another hard-boiled slice of crime fiction. For some, it might be ghosts and haunted houses. The reason why is you were simply too young to get it. If you relish catching a dose of the heebie-jeebies while reading, then this is the book for you. It would be entertaining as fiction, but it’s even scarier knowing it’s real and came very close to actually happening. 50 best book covers of all time - stunning book covers, Best Stephen King novels, ranked: scariest King books revealed, Best coming-of-age novels: great books about growing up, Best Marvel TV shows, ranked: 11 marvels to watch right now, Best Star Wars characters, ranked: 25 to choose from, The 15 best Marvel movies, assembled: ultimate MCU films. The titular creature awakens every 27 years to feed off … We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), these scary vampire legends might just be true, scary podcasts that will keep you up at night, horror films were inspired by true stories, 15 of the world’s spookiest travel destinations, the best Halloween books for young readers, our picks for the scariest movies ever made, your biggest fears, based on your zodiac sign, the true crime books that will keep you up at night, true ghost stories from the world’s most haunted places, books you read in high school that deserve a re-read, great psychological thrillers you won’t be able to put down, 12 spookiest vampire legends from around the world, other books that everyone should read in their lifetime, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. What's more, famous modern writers including Neil Gaiman and Stephen King credit Jackson with inspiration for their horror and fantasy writing. Although Stoker wasn’t the first to pen vampire literature, his rich and powerful novel about bloodsuckers came to define modern perceptions of the folkloric undead. A silly (and actually not TOO scary!) The Haunted Mask is one of the most well-known books and episodes of the series and is regarded as one of the scariest. After an alarming number of murders occur in her city, Damali realizes that she will have to fight the most powerful vampire she has ever come across. Dystopian novels are by their very nature distressing as they view the human condition and its future as both cynical and doomed. When Coraline stumbles upon a seemingly perfect ‘Other World’ in her new flat she’s tempted to stay there. It's worth noting, as you will see in this best horror book guide, the genre isn't just about ghosts and ghouls but can take on many forms of abject terror - from the supernatural to the psychological to real-life fear. IF IT BLEEDS. It shows how a child can grow into a stranger capable of perpetrating terrifying wrongs, even when a mother does everything right. The American Dream, of course, being an unobtainable myth for most. And this novel shows you what happens when the brilliant Neil Gaiman sets out to write a children’s book. Not a light read in any sense of the word. 2,661 144 120 Books Aliteraryprincess Has Read and Seen the Film/TV Adaptation. Atwood’s acclaimed novel is no different. From classic horrors, slashers, vampires and zombies all the way through to psychological terrors, … The characters that Stoker brings to life are vivid, memorable, unsettling… not least Count Dracula and his nemesis Abraham Van Helsing. Its scariest scene may be one of the most mundane in horror film history: the moment when Duvall examines the book that Nicholson has been working on … The serial killer Buffalo Bill is no less menacing and it takes a sturdy disposition to emerge from the book unscathed. For lovers of scary nonfiction, these are the true crime books that will keep you up at night. For me, so far, Pet Sematary is the scariest I’ve ever read and I’m not even done yet (I’m about 150 pages from being done). For others, serial killers. But is that even worse? The reason The Exorcist was made into one of the scariest movies of all time is that it was one of the scariest novels of all time. Read 25 562 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. Back home he becomes an optometrist but he’s also a time-traveller, visiting events in his life at haphazard moments. If you ever thought that going to the hospital was a little bit scary, you were wrong. 6. The golden-eyed hyper-intelligent kids who communicate by telepathy rank with the greatest—and spookiest—villains of all time. This harrowing novel is set around the mid 1800s in the US where slavery is nearing its end. The rolling hills and meadows of Maine seemed a world away from the fume-choked dangers of Chicago. The best Star Wars characters in the galaxy - and without a Jar Jar Binks in sight…. 2 / 9. And here is the rabid dog in question! We don’t mean solely stories devoted to the evisceration of helpless maidens or the gouging of innards for the sadistic pleasure of unhinged sociopaths – although they do make things go bump in the night. ... Next on your list is It by Stephen King—a book he described as like a “final exam on horror.” This introduced Pennywise the clown to the public consciousness. Cujo – Cujo. Why is he doing it? Listen to these scary podcasts that will keep you up at night. Stine's series, the adaptation was praised for staying fairly faithful to the source material. And this novel shows you what happens when the brilliant Neil Gaiman sets out to write a children’s book. 52 Horror Movies Based on True Stories. But perfection is just a mirage and upon discovering that her parents have been kidnapped and that she has to free the souls of three dead children, she embarks upon a chilling quest – to celebrate normalcy. These are the Marvel TV shows you should be watching. The stories that haunt our sleep… From a rabid dog to a literal god, here are the top six scariest Stephen King monsters, ranked! ShortList is now ad free and supported by you, the users. Stephen King himself has declared this his most frightening work, and who are we to argue? The book has also since been adapted into a number of different movies. ... Next on your list is It by Stephen King—a book he described as like a “final exam on horror.” This introduced Pennywise the clown to the public consciousness. His main criterion for inclusion was that the story “should give you the creeps and disturb your thoughts.” Prepare to be spooked by these true ghost stories from the world’s most haunted places. APRIL 20, 2020. The scariest books ever written, as recommended by Xavier Aldana Reyes of the Manchester Centre for Gothic Studies, editor of Horror: A Literary History. This is a dark twist for all the Twilight lovers. Although published in the early years of the 20th Century, the Marquis de Sade’s unforgettable work was actually written in 1785. Fountain manages to achieve the rare feat of prompting even the most anti-militaristic reader to root for the soldiers at the expense of the uncaring individuals that glibly seek to extol them. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below. Search. 100 Scariest Movies of All Time. So I live in eastern Oregon, and my mom lives in western Oregon. Originally banned in America for its depraved depiction of sexuality, Henry Miller’s most famous work was finally published in 1961. Governments should actually make this required reading if they want to scare kids out of trying drugs. 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