One of the top Indian horror novels is 'The Amityville Horror'. It has an Indian connection through the way it portrays the haunted house and the psychological horror that ensues. 'Rosemary's Baby' is another great choice. It has elements of the occult and a very tense atmosphere that is well - presented in an Indian - context. 'The Conjuring' also has an Indian - inspired horror story, with its tales of possession and exorcism.
The 'The Call of Cthulhu' can be considered among the best Indian horror novels. It has a unique take on horror with its Lovecraftian elements and an Indian cultural spin. 'The Ring' is also quite good. It tells the story of a cursed videotape with an Indian - influenced plot that makes it different from other versions. Moreover, 'The Blair Witch Project' book has an Indian - like setting in some parts which adds to the overall horror experience.
A great Indian horror novel is 'Annihilation' which takes place in a strange, otherworldly setting in India. The sense of isolation and the unknown creates a terrifying atmosphere. Another one is 'It Follows' which has been adapted into a movie. In the book, it has an Indian backdrop and the idea of a menacing entity following the characters is really scary.
One of the top romantic Indian novels is 'The Immortals of Meluha' by Amish Tripathi. It has a strong romantic sub - plot that is intertwined with the epic adventure. Another good one is 'Shantaram' by Gregory David Roberts, which, while not strictly an Indian - authored book but set in India, has a great love story. 'The Inheritance of Loss' by Kiran Desai also has elements of love and longing within its broader narrative of loss and identity.
Well, 'Athira' is a great Malayalam horror novel. It's really good at creating a sense of dread. You know, like you're waiting for something bad to happen all the time while reading.
A notable Japanese horror novel is 'The Grudge'. It tells the story of a curse that haunts a house. The novel does a great job of building an atmosphere of unease. Every corner of the house seems to hold a dark secret, and the vengeful spirits within are truly frightening.
Salman Rushdie's 'Midnight's Children' is a must - mention. It's a magical realist take on India's independence and the generation born at that time. It's filled with political and cultural references.
One of the novels in Karl Wagner's list might be about a cursed town where every night strange things happen. The horror builds as the townspeople try to figure out the source of the curse.
The story 'Makdee' is quite good. It's about a girl who gets trapped in a world full of witches. The witches are depicted in a really creepy way and the girl has to find a way to escape. It has a lot of suspense and the settings are really dark and menacing.
There's also 'The Dragonfly Sea' by Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor. This novel is rich in Kenyan culture and mythology. It follows the journey of a young girl and is filled with beautiful descriptions of the sea and the coastal areas of Kenya. It's a story of self - discovery and the connection between people and their environment.
'Randamoozham' is considered a classic Malayalam novel. It retells the story of the Mahabharata from the perspective of Bhimasena, offering a fresh and unique take on the epic.
You could start with 'The God of Small Things'. It's a classic in modern Indian literature. The writing is lyrical and the story is both heart - breaking and thought - provoking. It gives a deep look into the complex social fabric of Kerala, India. The characters are vividly drawn and you can really feel their joys and sorrows. It won the Booker Prize and is widely studied in literature courses around the world.
One of the best - selling Indian horror novels is 'The Rozabal Line' by Ashwin Sanghi. It weaves together elements of history, mystery, and horror in a really engaging way.