They break the norms. Unlike traditional horror which might rely on typical monsters like vampires or zombies, weird horror can combine various elements in unexpected ways. For example, a story might have a mix of psychological horror, Lovecraftian cosmic horror and some elements of science fiction. It's this blend that creates a unique reading experience. Weird horror novels also often have a dream - like or surreal quality. This can make the reader feel as if they are in a trance while reading, and it adds to the overall atmosphere of unease and horror. It's like being in a nightmare where the rules are constantly changing.
The sense of the unknown. In weird mystery novels, there are often elements that are completely out of the ordinary. This keeps readers on their toes as they try to figure out things that are not based on common knowledge or experience. For example, in a novel with a supernatural mystery, like a haunted house mystery where the rules of the normal world don't apply.
The unexpected elements in a weird story are appealing. For example, if a normal day in a small town suddenly turns into a day where everyone starts floating. It's not something we see every day. It grabs our attention and makes us wonder what will happen next.
One reason is the element of surprise. In weird fantasy stories, you can expect the unexpected. For example, in Neil Gaiman's works, there are often strange creatures and events that defy normal logic. This keeps readers on their toes.
The mystery. In scary weird short stories, there are often elements that are not fully explained. It's like a puzzle that our minds can't help but try to solve. For example, in 'The Yellow Wallpaper', the woman's hallucinations of a woman trapped in the wallpaper are so strange that it makes us wonder what is really going on. It draws us in.
They allow us to experience fear in a safe way. We can read about the scariest situations, like in 'The Pit and the Pendulum' where the protagonist is facing a slow and torturous death, but we know we are not actually in danger. It's a form of thrill - seeking from the comfort of our own space.
The best weird short stories are appealing because they break the norms. They take the readers to places they've never expected. For example, in Kafka's works, the absurd situations like a man turning into an insect make us question our own existence and the world we live in. It's like a jolt to our normal thinking patterns.
Tech horror novels can be appealing because they blend the familiar with the terrifying. We all use technology daily, like our phones or computers. But these novels take those normal things and twist them into something that can kill or drive us mad. They also usually have fast - paced plots as the characters try to outwit the tech - related threats, which keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
Scifi horror novels often play with our fears of the unknown and the 'what if' scenarios. They can take scientific concepts and twist them into something horrifying. Like in 'The Andromeda Strain', a scientific experiment gone wrong in space leads to a deadly virus. It makes us think about the potential dangers of our own scientific progress. Also, the sense of isolation in many scifi horror stories, like in 'Event Horizon', where the characters are alone in space with a malevolent force, adds to the appeal.
The sense of danger. In horror survival novels, characters are constantly in peril, which keeps readers on the edge of their seats. For example, in 'The Hunger Games', Katniss has to fight to survive in a deadly arena.
The mystery in intercepts horror novels is appealing. For example, in many such novels, characters' normal lives are suddenly intercepted by something unknown. It creates suspense and makes readers want to know what's going on.