Some underrated horror novels could be 'The House Next Door' by Anne Rivers Siddons. It creates a sense of unease with a spooky house. Another might be 'The Elementals' by Michael McDowell, which has a unique take on horror with its setting and characters. And 'Lost Souls' by Poppy Z. Brite is also often overlooked. It has a dark and edgy take on vampires and the gothic subculture.
The 50 underrated novels often have deep and complex characters. These characters are not the typical one - dimensional ones you find in more mainstream books. They can be morally ambiguous, with complex motives and desires. Their settings are also diverse. They can be set in remote places or in specific sub - cultures that are not well - known. Moreover, these novels tend to break the norms in terms of narrative structure. Instead of the traditional linear story - telling, they might jump around in time or use multiple narrators to tell the story, which can make them more challenging but also more rewarding for the patient reader.
One underrated fantasy novel is 'The Golem and the Jinni' by Helene Wecker. It combines elements of Middle Eastern and Jewish mythology in a unique way. The story follows the lives of a golem and a jinni in 19th - century New York City. Another is 'Uprooted' by Naomi Novik. It has a beautiful, fairytale - like quality with a strong female lead and an interesting magic system. And 'The Name of the Wind' by Patrick Rothfuss is also underrated. It tells the story of Kvothe, a gifted young man with a mysterious past and great magical abilities.
One underrated horror novel is 'The Fisherman' by John Langan. It weaves a complex and terrifying tale around a fishing trip gone horribly wrong. Another is 'House of Leaves' by Mark Z. Danielewski. Its unique formatting and mind - bending story about a haunted house make it a great but often overlooked horror read. Also, 'The Lesser Dead' by Christopher Buehlman, which offers a fresh take on vampires in a gritty urban setting.
One underrated classic novel is 'The House of Mirth' by Edith Wharton. It offers a sharp critique of New York society in the early 20th century. Another is 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde, which explores themes of beauty, morality, and the corrupting influence of hedonism. Also, 'Wuthering Heights' by Emily Bronte is sometimes underrated. It has a complex and passionate love story set against the wild Yorkshire moors.
One characteristic is that they often deal with complex themes in a concise way. For example, they might explore deep psychological states or social issues within a relatively short number of pages. Another is that they may not have received as much mainstream attention as they deserve, perhaps because their style is more experimental or their subject matter is a bit niche. Underrated short novels also tend to have unique voices that might not conform to popular literary trends at the time of their publication.
Well, 'Ella Minnow Pea' by Mark Dunn has an interesting love story within its unique concept. It's set in a fictional island where letters are banned one by one, and the relationship between the characters develops in this strange setting. 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society' is also underrated in the romance genre. It's a story told through letters that reveals a love story among the characters as they share their lives during and after the war. And 'The Night Circus' by Erin Morgenstern has a subtle and beautiful romance woven into its magical circus setting.
The Hall - Mills murder case is another underrated one. In 1922, the bodies of an Episcopal priest, Edward Wheeler Hall, and his choir singer mistress, Eleanor Mills, were found in a field in New Jersey. The case was full of scandal as it involved adultery and a church cover - up. There were many suspects, including the priest's wife. The trial that followed was a media circus, but over time, the case has faded from the public consciousness compared to more well - known true crime stories.