Basically, new weird fiction is a sort of literary genre that blurs the lines between different speculative fiction genres. It's known for its creativity and willingness to break the usual conventions. For example, it might have strange creatures, alternate realities, and unexpected plot twists.
New weird fiction often features a blend of the strange and the familiar. It combines elements of horror, science fiction, and fantasy in unique ways. It may include surreal landscapes, grotesque creatures, and mind - bending concepts that challenge the reader's perception of reality.
Many stories describe them as having an intimidating presence. Their behavior and the way they talk can be quite off - putting. They seem to have a lot of knowledge about the strange events they are investigating, which adds to their mysterious nature. For example, they might know details about a UFO sighting that the witness hadn't even mentioned yet.
'Annihilation' by Jeff VanderMeer is also among the top new weird fantasy novels. The area known as Area X is filled with strange and otherworldly creatures and phenomena. The main character's journey into this unknown and dangerous place is full of mystery and horror. The writing style is vivid and really draws you into this very different and disturbing world.
A new weird story I've heard involves a person who wakes up one day to find that their reflection in the mirror has a life of its own. The reflection starts to make different choices, like wearing different clothes and having different hairstyles. It's a really strange concept that makes you think about identity and self - perception.
One characteristic is the blending of different genres. New weird fiction can mix horror, science fiction, and fantasy elements. For instance, a story might have a scientific concept that leads to a horror - like situation, or a fantasy world that has elements of a scientific mystery. They also tend to play with the concept of reality and perception. Characters may experience things that make them question what is real and what is not, which adds to the overall sense of unease and mystery in the story. Another aspect is the often complex and convoluted plots. There are multiple threads and layers that the reader has to peel back to fully understand the story.
One 'weird new story' could be about a town where all the cats suddenly started to act like dogs. Another might be a story of a tree that started to grow fluorescent leaves for no apparent reason. There could also be a story about a person who woke up one day with the ability to understand the language of birds.
One of the weird stories could be the miracle of the Gadarene swine. Jesus cast out demons from a man and sent them into a herd of pigs, which then rushed into the sea. It's quite strange as it involves the transfer of demons and the mass death of pigs.
New weird novels often blend elements of horror, science fiction, and the uncanny. They typically feature strange and otherworldly settings, like alien landscapes or distorted versions of our own world. Characters may be abnormal or have powers that defy normal understanding.
They often have a sense of the uncanny. For example, they might have strange settings like an otherworldly city or a forest that defies the laws of nature.