best contemporary gothic fiction

Guillermo del Toro is quite notable. His works often blend gothic elements with horror and the fantastical. For instance, his movie 'Crimson Peak' has a strong gothic undercurrent with its spooky mansion and family secrets.

One of the best contemporary gothic fiction works is 'Mexican Gothic' by Silvia Moreno - Garcia. It combines elements of the gothic genre with Mexican folklore, creating a unique and haunting atmosphere.

Well, contemporary gothic fiction is a blend of old-school spookiness and modern-day issues. It can have elements like ghosts, but also deal with contemporary fears and social problems. The writing style is often atmospheric and tense.

One of the best is 'Mexican Gothic' by Silvia Moreno - Garcia. It combines elements of Mexican folklore with a spooky, decaying mansion setting and a sense of mystery and dread that is characteristic of gothic horror.

One of the best contemporary gothic novels is 'The Thirteenth Tale' by Diane Setterfield. It has a mysterious atmosphere with secrets and doubles. Another great one is 'Mexican Gothic' by Silvia Moreno - Garcia. It combines elements of Mexican culture with gothic horror. And 'Coraline' by Neil Gaiman is also excellent. It's a dark and spooky story about a girl finding a parallel world.

The themes of death and the power of the past are also typical. Death is often not just a physical end but is intertwined with the story's mood and the characters' fates. The past has a powerful influence in contemporary gothic fiction. It can be a past event, like a long - ago murder in a small town, that still haunts the present, shaping the characters' actions and the overall plot.

Some of the best contemporary southern gothic novels include 'True Grit' by Charles Portis. It has a strong sense of place in the American South and features a feisty young girl seeking justice. Then there's 'The Secret History' by Donna Tartt. Although not strictly set in the South, it has elements of southern gothic such as the sense of a closed - off community, secrets, and a sense of impending doom among the characters. Also, 'The Color Purple' by Alice Walker, which portrays the lives of African - American women in the South, dealing with abuse, love, and finding one's voice, and it has a touch of the otherworldly in its storytelling.

For beginners, 'Coraline' by Neil Gaiman is a great choice. It's not too complex and has a really engaging and spooky story that can introduce the elements of gothic literature like the otherworldly and the slightly menacing. Another good one is 'Mexican Gothic' by Silvia Moreno - Garcia. It has a clear gothic plot with a young woman going to a strange old house and uncovering secrets.

Anne Rice is a well - known author in this genre. She's famous for her Vampire Chronicles series which blend elements of gothic horror with richly detailed characters and settings. Another one is Stephen King. While he writes in various genres, many of his works, such as 'Salem's Lot, have strong gothic elements, like the spooky small - town setting and the presence of the undead.

Look for elements like a strong sense of place in the South. If the novel vividly describes the landscapes, the small towns, the swamps, or the big plantations, it's a good start. Also, complex and often flawed characters are typical. They might be dealing with family secrets, past traumas, or social outcasts. The use of the supernatural or the grotesque is another sign. For example, if there are ghosts, strange happenings, or characters with abnormal physical or mental features. If the story delves into themes such as race, class, and the decay of the old South, it's likely a southern gothic novel.