There are quite a few. 'Misery' by Stephen King is a great one. The relationship between the writer and his deranged fan Annie Wilkes is full of psychological tension. Annie's possessiveness and the writer's struggle for survival in that situation are fascinatingly dark. 'Lolita' by Vladimir Nabokov is also considered part of this genre. It's a controversial exploration of Humbert Humbert's obsession with the young Lolita, which is a complex and disturbing psychological relationship. And 'The Talented Mr. Ripley' shows Tom Ripley's journey of envy, deception and identity theft, all of which are dark psychological elements.
One popular example is 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett. It vividly depicts life during the Middle Ages. Another is 'Game of Thrones' which, while a fantasy, is set in a fictional world with elements reminiscent of the dark ages, like feudal power struggles and brutal warfare. And 'Uhtred of Bebbanburg' series by Bernard Cornwell also gives a great portrayal of that era in a fictional context.
One example is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's a dark and disturbing tale of a man's descent into madness over the old man's 'vulture - like' eye. Another is Shirley Jackson's 'The Lottery', which shows the dark side of a small town's tradition in a shockingly unexpected way. And there's also 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, which delves into a woman's psychological breakdown in a rather dark and oppressive setting.
One popular 'dark world novel' is 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker. It presents a dark and Gothic world filled with vampires. Another is '1984' by George Orwell which depicts a dystopian, dark world ruled by totalitarianism. 'The Lord of the Flies' also can be considered in a way, as it shows the dark side of human nature when a group of boys are stranded on an island.
One popular 'dark arts novel' is 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde. It delves into the dark side of vanity and the pursuit of pleasure at all costs. Another is 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker, which is filled with elements of the dark arts like vampirism. And 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley also has elements of the dark arts as it involves creating life through unorthodox means.
One example could be 'The Art of Fielding'. It has elements that touch on the darker side of the baseball world, like the pressures on players and the complex relationships within a team. It shows how the pursuit of perfection in baseball can lead to some rather dark places for the characters involved.
Some Sherlock Holmes - inspired dark humor fanfiction is quite well - known. In these, Holmes might use his deductive skills in a rather unorthodox and darkly comical way. He could solve a case where the criminal's motive is so ridiculously petty but the methods are extremely cruel, and Holmes' dry, dark humor while explaining the case to Watson makes for an interesting read. Also, in 'Star Wars' fanfiction, there could be dark humor in how the Sith Lords interact with each other in a more comical, yet still menacing way.
One classic example is 'The Scarlet Letter' by Nathaniel Hawthorne. It delves into the Puritan society in colonial America, exploring themes like sin, guilt, and social ostracism through the story of Hester Prynne. Another is 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker. Set in a historical context, it uses the vampire legend to create a dark and foreboding atmosphere, touching on themes of sexuality, death, and the clash between the old and new worlds. '1984' by George Orwell can also be considered in a sense. Although it's more of a dystopian future, it draws on historical totalitarian regimes for inspiration and is filled with a sense of darkness and oppression.
Some great short dark fictions include 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. It shows the descent into madness of a woman trapped in a room. Then there's 'The Cask of Amontillado' by Poe again. The story of revenge and being walled up alive is very dark. Also, 'I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream' by Harlan Ellison is a disturbing piece that explores themes of torture and hopelessness in a post - apocalyptic world.
One example is in the movie 'Blade Runner'. It shows a future where the Earth is polluted and overpopulated, and replicants, which are artificial beings, are created for slave labor. Another is '1984' by George Orwell. It presents a totalitarian future where the government controls every aspect of people's lives, suppressing freedom of thought. 'The Hunger Games' also depicts a dark future with a tyrannical Capitol ruling over the districts, forcing children to fight to the death in an annual event.
One popular example of theatre fiction is 'Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead' by Tom Stoppard. It takes minor characters from Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' and creates a whole new fictional story around them in a theatrical context.