Sections of literature that contains supernatural, horrifying and gory tales. The first horror story was published in a magazine was back in 1936 in the United States of America . Most horror stories are found to have an ancient origin and create a feeling of fear in the minds of readers.
The main elements of horror stories consist of ghosts , witches , vampires , super natural powers and essentially exploit fear psychosis of humans. English literature saw the emergence of this form of literature in the 18 th century, invented by Horace Walpole and later carried forward by the likes of M W Shelley and Edgar Allen Poe . These authors successfully intermingled reason with eeriness to produce a treasury of classic horror story books .
With haunted houses, dark environment, and an eerie feeling around, these horror stories can be classified as classic horror story books . These books are further considered as classic horror story books owing to their popularity and ability to appeal readers since ages. Classic horror story books have also given birth to characters that manage to instill fear in the minds of readers like the characters of Dracula , Frankenstein and Mr. Hyde .
Some famous classic horror story books include:
The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole Dracula by Bram Stroker Frankenstein by Mary W. Shelley The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Irving Washington
The Oval Portrait by Edgar Allen Poe
The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allen Poe
The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allen Poe
The Treasure of Abbot Thomas by M R James
Napoleon and the Spectre by Charlotte Bronte A Relation of the Apparition of Mrs. Veal by Daniel Defoe
The Tapestried Chamber by Sir Walter Scott
The Monk by Matthew Gregory Lewis
The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wild
Eminent authors who have contributed greatly and enriched the world of classic horror story books include:
- Horace Walpole
- Edgar Allen Poe
- H.P Lovecraft
- M W Shelley
- Ambrose Bierce
- Herman Melville
- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- Bram Stroker
Although
horror stories continue to be written till date and they are far more technologically advanced in approach, the magic of
classic horror story books continue.
