best obscure horror novels

One of the best obscure horror novels is 'House of Leaves' by Mark Z. Danielewski. It's a complex and mind - bending horror story that plays with the format of the book itself. The story within the story, about a house that is larger on the inside than it appears on the outside, is both terrifying and thought - provoking.

Then there's 'The Wasp Factory' by Iain Banks. It's a disturbing and often overlooked horror novel. The story is about a young man with some very strange and violent tendencies, and it will keep you on the edge of your seat.

'Blankets' by Craig Thompson is also a top pick. It's a semi - autobiographical work that explores themes of love, faith, and growing up. The art is detailed and beautiful, with the large - scale panels really drawing the reader into the story. Thompson's use of line and shading creates a very emotional and immersive reading experience.

Well, 'Farewell, My Lovely' by Raymond Chandler is often overlooked compared to some of his more famous works, but it's still a great detective novel. It has all the elements of a classic Chandler story, with a tough - as - nails detective and a seedy underworld. 'The Quincunx of Time' by James Hogan is also an interesting pick. It has a rather unique time - travel - like element incorporated into the detective story. And 'The Killer Inside Me' by Jim Thompson. It gives a very different perspective on the detective figure, as the narrator is not your typical heroic detective.

One great obscure science fiction novel is 'Hyperion' by Dan Simmons. It has a complex and richly detailed universe with a unique blend of science and mythology. Another is 'Altered Carbon' by Richard K. Morgan, which presents an interesting take on consciousness transfer and a gritty, future society. And 'The Stars My Destination' by Alfred Bester is also a gem, with its fast - paced and mind - bending exploration of teleportation and revenge in a far - flung future.

Some of the best obscure private eye novels include 'A Rage in Harlem' by Chester Himes. His Coffin Ed Johnson and Grave Digger Jones are tough and interesting detectives. Also, 'Strangers on a Train' by Patricia Highsmith can be considered in this category. The psychological thriller aspect combined with the sort of cat - and - mouse game is quite engaging. And then there's 'The Long Goodbye' by Chandler, which is a bit different from his more famous 'The Big Sleep' in terms of character development and the overall tone of the story.

One of the best obscure novels is 'The Master and Margarita' by Mikhail Bulgakov. It weaves together different storylines, including the devil's visit to Moscow, in a very unique and thought - provoking way. It was not widely known initially due to the political climate at the time of its creation, but has since gained international acclaim.

Often, a best obscure novel has a unique or niche theme. For example, a novel that delves deeply into a very specific historical event or a particular sub - culture that isn't mainstream. These novels might not have a huge marketing push behind them, so they don't reach a wide audience immediately.

There is also the theme of the breakdown of society. In some obscure medieval horror stories, a town might be plagued by a series of strange events that cause chaos and make the social order crumble. This could be due to the presence of a powerful evil being. The people in the town start to turn on each other out of fear, and the normal rules and values that hold society together start to disappear. It reflects the medieval fear of the world falling into chaos and the importance of maintaining order.

A really good one is 'A Canticle for Leibowitz' by Walter M. Miller Jr. It's set in a post - apocalyptic world where the Catholic Church plays a major role in preserving knowledge. It's a thought - provoking book that explores themes of religion, knowledge, and the cyclical nature of history. Another is 'The City & the City' by China Miéville. It has a really unique concept of two cities that exist in the same physical space but are culturally and socially separate. It's a mystery - filled story that keeps you guessing. Finally, there's 'Solaris' by Stanislaw Lem. It's about a planet that seems to have a consciousness of its own and the psychological effects it has on the humans who study it.