best surreal horror novels

Another great one is 'The King in Yellow' by Robert W. Chambers. It contains a series of stories that are connected by the presence of a play, also called 'The King in Yellow'. Reading the play within the stories is said to drive people insane, and the overall atmosphere of the book is one of creeping dread and otherworldly horror.

I would also recommend 'The Shining' by Stephen King. While it's a well - known horror novel, it has strong elements of surreal horror. The haunted Overlook Hotel is filled with strange visions, from the elevator full of blood to the ghosts in the corridors. Jack Torrance's descent into madness as he is influenced by the hotel's malevolent forces is a harrowing journey.

Surreal horror novels often feature dream - like or illogical settings. For example, in 'House of Leaves', the constantly changing layout of the house doesn't follow normal physical laws. They also tend to have an air of the uncanny, where things seem familiar yet deeply wrong. The characters may experience a sense of disorientation and confusion, like in 'The King in Yellow' where the strange play within the book seems to seep into reality. Another characteristic is the blurring of boundaries, such as between the real world and a nightmare world as seen in 'Coraline'.

Jorge Luis Borges' works often fall into the surreal category. For instance, 'The Library of Babel' presents a mind - boggling concept of an infinite library containing all possible books. His writing is full of complex ideas, labyrinthine structures, and strange, dream - like scenarios that make his novels some of the best in the surreal genre.

One of the well - known surreal horror novels is 'House of Leaves' by Mark Z. Danielewski. It plays with the format of the book, with text going in different directions, creating a sense of disorientation that is both surreal and terrifying. Another is 'The King in Yellow' by Robert W. Chambers, which has an otherworldly and dream - like quality to its horror elements. And 'Coraline' by Neil Gaiman also has a touch of surreal horror as Coraline discovers a strange, parallel world that is both fascinating and full of danger.

Some of the top surreal graphic novels include 'Fun Home' by Alison Bechdel. This novel uses the format of a graphic memoir to explore themes of family, sexuality, and identity in a very unique and often surreal way. 'Black Hole' by Charles Burns is also highly regarded. It has a strange and disturbing yet captivating surreal narrative set in a world affected by a mysterious disease. Additionally, 'A Contract with God' by Will Eisner is considered a classic in the surreal graphic novel genre, with its exploration of urban life and human relationships in a somewhat dream - like setting.

David Lynch's 'Twin Peaks: The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer' is also a great surreal noir work. It delves deep into the dark and strange world of Twin Peaks. The diary format gives an intimate look into Laura Palmer's tortured mind and the surreal events that surround her in the town full of secrets, odd characters, and a sense of impending doom.

Another great surreal fiction book is 'The Metamorphosis' by Franz Kafka. In this story, the main character wakes up one day transformed into a giant insect. The way Kafka describes the character's reactions and the world's response to this absurd situation is very surreal. It makes you question the norms of society and the human condition.

For beginners, 'The Arrival' by Shaun Tan is a great choice. It's a wordless graphic novel that tells a beautiful and surreal story of immigration. The art is so detailed and expressive that it can easily draw in new readers to the world of surreal graphic novels.

For beginners, 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' is a great start. It's easy to read and the surreal elements are presented in a rather fun and accessible way.