The 80s horror novels related to misery often had a sense of impending doom. They usually had characters who were already in a state of some sort of distress or had past traumas. For example, in 'Pet Sematary', the family was dealing with the loss of a beloved pet, which is a form of misery, and this led them into the more terrifying events of the story.
These novels also had a lot of atmosphere - building. Dark, dreary settings were common, like in 'The Keep' where the old Romanian keep added to the feeling of misery and horror. The descriptions of the settings were often detailed, making the reader feel as if they were there in the midst of the misery with the characters. Another characteristic was the use of body horror and psychological horror. In 'The Hellbound Heart', the physical and mental torture that the characters endure due to the cenobites is a prime example of this. It added to the overall sense of misery in the story.
Well, misery novels typically explore themes of pain, despair, and misfortune. The characters might be dealing with poverty, loss, or other tough circumstances. Horror novels aim to create a sense of fear. They might use things like ghosts, vampires, or serial killers to frighten the readers. They often have a dark and spooky atmosphere.
One of the well - known 80s horror novels related to misery is 'Pet Sematary' by Stephen King. It's a story filled with grief and horror as it delves into the idea of bringing the dead back to life, but with terrifying consequences. The characters in the book experience great misery as they face the unnatural events that unfold.
Paul Sheldon's Misery novels often feature intense psychological drama. The main character usually finds themselves in extremely difficult situations, which create high - tension storylines.
One common theme is struggle. In these novels, characters are often struggling against the misery they have borrowed or been thrust into. For example, in 'The Great Gatsby', Jay Gatsby is in a sense borrowing the misery of unrequited love. His struggle to win Daisy back is a central theme.
Another novel could be 'The Grapes of Wrath' by John Steinbeck. It shows the misery of the Dust Bowl era, with the Joad family's journey through hardships, poverty, and the struggle for survival in a harsh economic and environmental climate.
Many of them had a focus on psychological horror. For example, in some novels, the real horror came from the minds of the characters rather than just external monsters. It made the readers feel more involved as they could relate to the psychological states.
Since we're not sure if she has such novels, it's difficult to define characteristics. But if she did, there might be elements of the unknown and fear associated with the unfamiliar culture that the term 'foreign devil' implies.
Misery novels may make readers feel empathetic and sad. They can make us think about the hardships in life. Horror novels usually make readers feel scared or on edge.
The 1800s gothic horror novels typically had a focus on the psychological. They played with the fears and anxieties of the characters and the readers. There was often a sense of doom hanging over the story. The use of light and shadow was also important in creating a spooky atmosphere. Authors would describe dark corners and shafts of light breaking through in an otherwise gloomy place, like in Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein', which was also part of the 1800s gothic horror genre.
The best 70s horror novels often had a sense of the unknown. For example, in 'The Exorcist', the concept of demonic possession was something that was both feared and not fully understood. They also played on psychological fears. 'Carrie' was not just about a girl with powers, but about the cruelty of her classmates and the isolation she felt, which many readers could relate to on a psychological level. And they were often set in ordinary places like small towns in 'Salem's Lot' to make the horror seem more relatable.