Well, 'Crime and Punishment' by Fyodor Dostoevsky is a classic dark literary fiction. It follows the psychological turmoil of a man who commits a murder and his subsequent moral struggle. 'Wuthering Heights' by Emily Bronte can also be considered. The dark and stormy relationships between the characters, filled with passion, revenge, and despair, make it a great example. Additionally, 'A Clockwork Orange' by Anthony Burgess is a disturbing yet thought - provoking book that shows a violent future society and a character's journey through it.
One great dark literary fiction book is 'American Psycho' by Bret Easton Ellis. It offers a disturbing look into the mind of a wealthy and deranged young man in 1980s New York. Another is 'The Road' by Cormac McCarthy, which presents a post - apocalyptic world filled with despair and the struggle for survival. And 'We Have Always Lived in the Castle' by Shirley Jackson is also a good choice. It tells a story full of mystery and a sense of the uncanny within a family setting.
Some dark literary fiction books worth checking out are 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde. In this book, a man's portrait ages while he remains young and beautiful as he indulges in immoral behavior. 'The Bell Jar' by Sylvia Plath is also a notable one. It delves into the main character's mental breakdown and her struggle with the society's expectations for women. Then there is 'Lolita' by Vladimir Nabokov, which is a controversial yet masterfully written exploration of a man's obsession with a young girl, but it should be read with an understanding of its complex themes.
One characteristic is that they tend to be psychologically intense. Take 'The Bell Jar' for instance, it takes you deep into the mind of a character suffering from depression. Dark literary fiction also frequently features unreliable narrators. In 'Lolita', Humbert Humbert's narration is self - justifying yet clearly immoral. Another aspect is that they can be very atmospheric. 'Wuthering Heights' has a gloomy, moor - like atmosphere that reflects the tumultuous relationships of the characters.
One great 2015 literary fiction book is 'A Little Life' by Hanya Yanagihara. It's a powerful and emotional exploration of friendship and the human experience.
One great dark horror fiction book is 'The Shining' by Stephen King. It takes place in an isolated hotel filled with dark secrets and malevolent spirits. Another is 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker, which introduced the iconic vampire figure. And 'The Exorcist' by William Peter Blatty is also a classic, with its terrifying tale of demonic possession.
One great dark matter fiction book is 'Dark Matter' by Blake Crouch. It's a mind - bending thriller that takes the concept of parallel universes and dark matter to create a really engaging story.
One great dark magic fiction book is 'The Name of the Wind' by Patrick Rothfuss. It has elements of magic that verge on the darker side in its complex world - building. Another is 'Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell' which delves deep into the world of English magic with some rather shadowy aspects. And 'American Gods' by Neil Gaiman also has a touch of dark magic as it explores the battle between old gods and new, with magic being a central and often menacing force.
One great dark occult fiction book is 'The Satanic Verses' by Salman Rushdie. It delves into complex religious and occult themes in a very thought - provoking way. Another is 'The Necronomicon' which is filled with dark and mysterious tales inspired by Lovecraftian horror and the occult. Also, 'The Exorcist' by William Peter Blatty is a classic in this genre. It combines elements of the occult with a terrifying story of possession.
A very popular 'dark gritty science fiction' book is 'Neuromancer' by William Gibson. It's considered a classic of the cyberpunk genre. The story is set in a future where technology has a huge impact on society, and it has a very dark and edgy feel. 'Snow Crash' by Neal Stephenson is also excellent. It combines elements of virtual reality, corporate power, and a post - apocalyptic world in a really engaging way. Then there's 'Hyperion' by Dan Simmons, which tells a multi - stranded story in a far - future universe filled with danger and strange beings.
One great 'dark matter' science fiction book is 'Dark Matter' by Blake Crouch. It's a mind - bending thriller that delves into the concept of parallel universes. The story follows Jason Dessen, a physicist, who gets abducted and thrown into a world that's not his own, and it all ties in with the idea of dark matter and its mysterious properties.
One 'dark places' novel is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. It's a psychological thriller full of twists and turns. The characters are complex and the story delves deep into the dark aspects of a marriage gone wrong.
One is 'American Psycho' by Bret Easton Ellis. It's a disturbing look into the mind of a wealthy, deranged serial killer in the 1980s.