best literary horror novels

One of the best is 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker. It introduced the iconic vampire Count Dracula. The novel builds a sense of creeping dread through its epistolary format, as the characters' letters and journal entries reveal the horror that unfolds. Another great one is 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley. It's not just a horror story but also a profound exploration of human nature, science, and morality. The creation of the monster and the consequences that follow are truly terrifying.

One of the great new literary horror novels is 'Mexican Gothic' by Silvia Moreno - Garcia. It combines elements of Gothic horror with Mexican folklore in a really engaging way. The setting of the old, decaying mansion adds to the spooky atmosphere.

Sure. 'The Only Good Indians' by Stephen Graham Jones is a must - read. It delves deep into Native American culture and horror. It tells the story of four friends who are haunted by a past incident related to elk hunting. The way it weaves in cultural elements with horror makes it a standout.

Well, 'Carmilla' by Sheridan Le Fanu is a great literary horror story. It was one of the early vampire tales and has a very eerie and sensual quality to it. 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman can also be considered in this category. It shows the psychological breakdown of a woman trapped in a room, and the horror is more internalized. And 'Rosemary's Baby' by Ira Levin is quite good too. The idea of a satanic cult plotting against an unsuspecting woman and her unborn child is really spine - chilling.

I think 'Frankenstein' is one of the best. It has deep themes and a creepy atmosphere that really gets under your skin.

Sure. 'The Exorcist' by William Peter Blatty is a classic. It's based on a true story of demonic possession, and the way it delves into the psychological and spiritual turmoil of the possessed girl and those trying to save her is hair - raising. 'Rosemary's Baby' by Ira Levin is also great. It creates a sense of paranoia as Rosemary slowly realizes that there are sinister forces at work around her pregnancy.

Another is 'The Shining' by Stephen King. King is a master of horror, and this book is a prime example. The haunted Overlook Hotel, with its dark secrets and the slow descent of the main character into madness, makes for a truly terrifying read.

This question was difficult to answer because everyone who wrote the best literary novels had their own preferences and opinions. Different people might think that it was different because of the type and style of work they wrote. However, there are some literary novels that are widely regarded as classics. These works not only have profound ideas, but also have excellent narrative skills and language arts. These works included One Hundred Years of Solitude, War and Peace, the Harry Potter series, Pride and Predict, and so on. These works were widely welcomed and praised in different eras, becoming classics in the history of literature. Therefore, they could be considered to be the best written in literary novels.

You could start with the classics. As I mentioned before, 'Dracula' is a great starting point. It's widely available and has been adapted many times, so you might already be familiar with the basic story.

I'd recommend 'The Little Stranger' by Sarah Waters for beginners. It's a more modern take on the haunted house story. The characters are well - developed and the sense of unease builds slowly. And 'The Woman in Black' by Susan Hill is also good. It has a classic ghost story feel, with a creepy setting and a menacing apparition that haunts the main character.