Horror Novel

Horror Novels: key features

The horror novel is a type of speculative fiction, so it has specific features that are recognisable in the genre.

Main categories

According to the literary critic, Tzvetan Todorov, there are three main categories that horror novels can be divided into:

1. The uncanny

While the plot of the uncanny can include elements of the supernatural, the explanation for the events of the novel tends to be more grounded. The events that occur in these horror novels will appear irrational or impossible, however, they will follow rational laws (despite the action being horrifying). The ending of this category of horror novel will be left open, with the reader being able to draw their own conclusions from the novel.

Key Works: Misery (1987) - Stephen King, The Explorer (2012) - James Smythe.

2. The marvellous

The marvellous is arguably the opposite of the uncanny. In this category, the reader accepts the supernatural aspect of the novel's world as the explanation for the action of the story. Here, the incomprehensible events of the novel may be explained by creatures such as ghosts, vampires, or werewolves.

Key Works: Dracula (1897) - Bram Stoker, Haunting of Hill House (1959) - Shirley Jackson

3. The fantastic

The final category, the fantastic, is a mix of the two previous types of horror novels. Here, there is no one clear answer to the events of the novel, but instead the reader is allowed to draw their own ideas from what has been presented in the story. The reader can decide if the protagonist is imagining the events of the novel or if the supernatural truly exists within the book.

Key Works: Gerald's Game (1992) - Stephen King, Shining (1980) - Stephen King.

Plot

The plot of a horror novel centres around the idea of discovery. In all horror novels, there is a contrast between what is known and what is unknown and from this, the main action of the novel emerges. Literary critic Noel Caroll used this idea to divide all horror novel plots into two categories.

1. The complex discovery plot

The complex discovery plot involves four key points. These must be presented from 1 to 4, however, sometimes the first point (the event) can be omitted and the plot can begin in medias res.

Plot

1. Event - The horrific event occurs.

2. Discovery - The event is discovered (possibly by the protagonist).

3. Confirmation - The cause of the event is confirmed.

4. Confrontation - The protagonist confronts the cause of the event, leading to either victory or defeat.

Within this, there are two subcategories of complex discovery plots. The first is the discovery plot, where the confirmation is omitted. The second type of complex discovery plot is the confirmation plot, which does not include a confrontation.

Key Works: Dracula (1897) - Bram Stoker, Let the Right One In (2004) - John Ajvide Lindqvist.

2. The over-reacher plot

The over-reacher plot specifically follows the work of a scientist or another academic who is looking to discover forbidden knowledge. This knowledge will have a detrimental impact on the life of the scientist and others. This is most famously seen in the plot of Frankenstein (1818), where the protagonist (Victor Frankenstein) tries to create life.

Plot

1. Preparation for the experiment - The protagonist will make practical preparations (gathering equipment and supplies) and philosophical preparations (an explanation of the moral reasons for the experiment).

2. Experiment is conducted - The experiment will initially fail. However, when it succeeds, it will unleash a dangerous force that will cause horror to unfold. Here, the scientist will either commit to destroying the experiment or embrace its consequences.

3. Confrontation - The protagonist will confront the experiment, leading to a battle between the two.

Key Works: Frankenstein (1818) - Mary Shelley, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (1886) - Robert Louis Stevenson.

Setting

Typical images of a horror novel's setting include haunted houses, graveyards, medieval castles, or forests. However, the setting of a horror novel can be wherever the author chooses. For example, an author may set their horror novel in the woods to discuss the isolation of nature, or it could be set in a supermarket to parallel themes about consumerism and capitalism. Can you think of why a horror novel may be set in outer space?

The protagonist

The protagonist of the horror novel is the main character that the narrative follows. This figure is active in the story, with goals that are identifiable to the reader. The protagonist must be trapped in an inescapable situation of either their own making or beyond their control. This is done to create a claustrophobic feeling in the novel. There must also be a clear division in power between the monster and the protagonist.

Horror Novels: literary devices

Certain literary devices can be found throughout horror novels. These devices are used to build tension and suspense throughout the novel.

Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing is frequently used in horror novels to create a sense of impending doom throughout the story. By using this device, the author creates tension in the novel, as the reader slowly becomes aware of the fate of the story's characters.

Metaphor

Metaphors are used in horror novels to help build the world the story is set in. Metaphors such as 'a wave of terror washed over him' can be used to create sensory images for the reader. This is done to enhance the visual and sensory depiction of the plot of the novel. Metaphors are used to create mood in the horror novel.

Pathetic fallacy

Perhaps one of the most iconic literary devices found in horror novels, pathetic fallacy is used to develop the setting and mood of the piece. The pathetic fallacy can use thunderstorms, rain, or snow to represent the fear, isolation, or anger of the protagonist, while the sun could be employed at the end to signify hope following the defeat of the monster. Pathetic fallacy is used to create an atmosphere throughout horror novels.

Establishing mood

These literary devices are used to create mood in the horror novel. The mood adds to the atmosphere in these novels. The atmosphere is important to consider when writing a horror novel, as it separates the story from any other type of tale. In a sense, the atmosphere is what makes the horror novel scary.

Horror novels: key themes

While horror novels can centre around anything, there are certain themes that are prevalent among these types of novels.

Fear

The theme of fear is at the centre of every horror novel. The purpose of the horror is primarily to provoke fear in the reader. This may be fear of death or something the reader perceives as being worse than death. This theme is at the core of every horror novel and can be seen in two different forms: prescriptive tales and cautionary tales.

Prescriptive tales

In prescriptive tales, the protagonist overcomes the monster of the story and survives the novel. These tales are usually used to convey a positive message about overcoming fear.

Cautionary tales

Cautionary tales are more negative. In these stories, the protagonist fails to beat the monster and suffers death (or worse) because of it.

The unknown

Alongside fear, the unknown is another core theme in horror novels. The horror novelist H.P Lovecraft stated, 'The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown.' The fear of the unknown is the central idea of many horror novels, as it is the discovery of this unknown being or force that creates the main plot of the story.

Horror novels: sub-genres

The umbrella genre of horror is divided into many subgenres, some of which are discussed below. It is important to note that this is not an exhaustive list of horror novel subgenres, as there are other types such as cosmic horror, rural horror, and occult horror novels, for example.

Gothic horror novels

The gothic is perhaps one of the most recognisable subgenres of horror novels. The gothic emerged as a literary movement in the 19th century and was popularised by Romantic authors such as Mary Shelley. The gothic genre developed throughout the 19th century, with notable works being produced in both the poetic form as well as novels. Many of the famous settings and features of a horror novel can be traced back to this subgenre including, haunted castles, the supernatural, pathetic fallacy, and an atmosphere of suspense.

Key Works: Flowers in the Attic (1979) - Virginia C. Andrews, The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890) - Oscar Wilde.

Supernatural horror novels

Supernatural horror novels are stories that involve the presence of otherworldly creatures such as vampires, werewolves, zombies, or ghosts. This is sometimes also referred to as a paranormal horror novel. Its plot includes things that cannot rationally be explained. These novels tend to fall into the category of the marvellous as their monsters are typically other-worldly rather than human.

There are many different categories that exist here including the vampire horror novel and the ghost horror novel. There is also overlap between the supernatural horror novel and others, such as the gothic horror novel or the cosmic horror novel.

Key Works: Carmilla (1872) - Sheridan Le Fanu, The Haunting of Hill House (1959) - Shirley Jackson, IT (1986) - Stephen King

Comedy horror novels

Comedy horror novels are a fairly recent subgenre of the horror novel. This type of horror novel blends terror with humour through its use of self-referential humour. Many successful comedy-horror novels will parody other aspects of the horror novel. This is seen in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2009) by Seth Graeme-Smith (and Jane Austen), which is a novel that parodies the supernatural horror novel.

Key Works: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2009) - Seth Graeme-Smith, My Best Friend's Exorcism (2016) - Grady Hendrix.

Mystery horror novels

Sometimes called a thriller, a mystery horror novel will spend the majority of its story focusing on unravelling the unknown horror at the centre of the story. Mystery horror novels are written as complex discovery plots as much of the story occurs between the discovery and the confirmation. These stories tend to fall into the uncanny or fantastic category, with many of them having open endings that allow the reader to draw their own conclusions.

Key Works: Sharp Objects (2006) - Gillian Flynn, Mexican Gothic (2020) - Silvia Moreno-Garcia, The Silence of the Lambs (1988) - Thomas Harris

Graphic horror novels

Also known as horror comic books, these are visual novels that use artwork and images to tell a story. Graphic horror novels became popular in the 1990s, following the release of Neil Gaiman's Sandman series (1990). Horror that is written as graphic novels can be part of any other subgenre of horror. For example, Locke and Key (2008) by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez centre around Lovecraftian or cosmic horrors.

Key Works: Locke and Key (2008) - Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez, Sandman (1990) Neil Gaiman