They appeal because they blur the line between the real and the fictional. In a realistic horror novel, the horror doesn't come from some far - fetched supernatural being but from things that could potentially happen. It might be a psychological breakdown, a serial killer on the loose in a small town, or a hidden conspiracy. We can relate to the characters more easily as they are not super - powered heroes but ordinary people facing extraordinary horror. This relatability draws us in and keeps us hooked from start to finish.
Well, 'Rosemary's Baby' by Ira Levin is a classic. The sense of unease and the slow realization of the horror that surrounds Rosemary is very well - done in a realistic manner. And 'The Exorcist' by William Peter Blatty is also a must - read. The way it portrays demonic possession is both terrifying and feels very real.
πI recommend two horror novels that are close to reality to you. They are "I saved the world in the doomsday word game" and "I was a sleep tester in the haunted house." The former described a word game called "Book of Salvation." The protagonist, Lin Xun, discovered that the game props and characters could actually be materialized in reality, but the difficulty of the game was very sinister and terrifying. The latter told the story of a real estate employee who was transferred to another department and encountered a terrifying incident. It was very close to reality. I hope you like my recommendation, Muah~
Realistic horror stories can hit closer to home and feel more terrifying because they could potentially happen in our everyday lives. They make the fear more relatable and intense.
According to the plot information you provided, I would like to recommend the sci-fi novel "Reborn Zombie Taoist Priest" to you. Although it doesn't completely match the plot you described, the main character is also a Taoist priest. It mainly tells the story of the fusion of worlds. You can find the shadow of the movie Mr. Zombie, as well as the TV series Zombie Taoist Priest and I Have a Date with Zombies in the book. I hope you like this fairy's recommendation. Muah ~π
Realistic time-travel novels were novels that described the life experiences and growth stories of time-travelers in modern times from a modern perspective, showing the social reality and human characteristics in the historical background. This type of novel often involved history, politics, culture, society, and many other aspects. At the same time, it often focused on reflection and exploration of reality.
Realistic novels had a wider audience, including readers who liked historical novels and readers who liked modern life experiences. The main characteristics of realist novels were the realistic and objective description of historical backgrounds and characters, as well as the deep exploration of human nature and social problems.
His representative works included Return to the Ming Dynasty to Be an Emperor, Startling Step by Step, Song of Everlasting Regret, and so on.
They often deal with real - world fears. For example, in many such books, the fear of the unknown in a familiar setting, like a small town where strange things start to happen.
The key elements often include a believable setting, like a normal town or a common household. Realistic characters with relatable fears and flaws are also important. And there's usually a sense of impending doom or danger that builds gradually, for example, a strange presence that starts to affect the characters' daily lives in a subtly menacing way.
Here are some sad but realistic novels to recommend:
1. " The Desire to Reborn ": This light novel is full of sadness and despair. The protagonist is troubled by the grief of loss, and the people around him have to accept the cruel reality of loss.
2. A Farewell to Arms: This novel by Ernest Hemmingway tells the story of a young man and woman falling in love during wartime, but their beauty can only be reduced to tragedy. Although the male protagonist tried his best to escape from the war, the female protagonist eventually died due to childbirth, and the ending of the two became the "difficult to reconcile" in people's hearts.
3. " The Seventh Day ": This novel uses the perspective of the dead to describe the passing reality and the present death. By depicting the scene of the dead returning to the real world seven days after their death, it explored the difficulties and challenges that humans encountered in life, as well as the meaning and value of life.
4. " Alive ": This is one of Yu Hua's representative works. The protagonist, Fu Gui, is an ordinary person. He has experienced many ups and downs in the great era, but he still lives tenaciously. This novel revealed the hardships of life and the complexity of human nature, making people feel touched and awed by life.
Please note that the above recommendations are only based on the search results provided. There may be other sad novels that have not been mentioned.