The horror genre is a category of literature that is intended to scare, frighten, or startle its readers by inducing feelings of horror and terror. It creates an eerie and frightening atmosphere. Horror is often divided into the psychological horror and supernatural horror sub-genres.
Originally, horror literature was a byproduct of the Gothic literature of the 18th century, which was itself based on supernatural and ghost stories, and encompassed elements of horror, death, and romance. Over time, the genre has evolved to incorporate a wide variety of themes and sub-genres, each with its own unique characteristics and trends.
Origins of Horror Literature
The origins of horror literature can be traced back to the 18th century, with the rise of Gothic literature. Gothic literature was characterized by elements of horror, death, and romance, and often included settings such as haunted castles or monasteries. The genre was popularized by authors such as Ann Radcliffe, Matthew Lewis, and Mary Shelley.
Horror literature began to evolve in the 19th century, with authors like Edgar Allan Poe and H.P. Lovecraft contributing significantly to the genre. Their works often explored themes of death, madness, and the supernatural, and are still considered classics of the genre today.
Key Figures in Early Horror Literature
Edgar Allan Poe is often considered the father of modern horror literature. His works, such as “The Tell-Tale Heart” and “The Fall of the House of Usher,” are characterized by their exploration of the macabre, the grotesque, and the psychologically terrifying.
H.P. Lovecraft, another key figure in the development of the genre, is best known for his creation of the Cthulhu Mythos, a shared universe used by other authors in a variety of media, including literature, games, and films. Lovecraft’s works often explore themes of cosmic horror, the idea that humanity is insignificant in the grand scheme of the universe.
Sub-genres of Horror Literature
Over time, the horror genre has evolved to encompass a wide variety of sub-genres, each with its own unique characteristics and trends. These sub-genres often overlap with other genres of literature, such as science fiction, fantasy, and thriller.
Some of the most popular sub-genres of horror literature include psychological horror, supernatural horror, gothic horror, and body horror. Each of these sub-genres explores different aspects of fear and terror, and they often use different techniques to evoke these emotions in the reader.
Psychological Horror
Psychological horror is a sub-genre of horror that relies on the characters’ fears, guilt, beliefs, eerie sound effects, relevant music, emotional instability and at times, the supernatural and ghosts, to build tension and scare. This sub-genre is often more concerned with the state of mind of its characters and the unsettling thoughts that arise from it.
Notable works of psychological horror include “The Shining” by Stephen King, “Psycho” by Robert Bloch, and “Rosemary’s Baby” by Ira Levin.
Supernatural Horror
Supernatural horror is a sub-genre of horror that includes supernatural and other paranormal phenomena. These stories often involve entities such as ghosts, demons, or vampires, and they may also include elements of other genres, such as fantasy or mystery.
Gothic horror is a sub-genre of horror that combines elements of horror and romance. These stories often involve haunted houses, castles, or monasteries, and they may also include elements of the supernatural or the macabre.
Body horror is a sub-genre of horror that focuses on the graphic destruction or degeneration of the body. This can include mutations, diseases, or other forms of physical trauma. This sub-genre often explores themes of violation, disease, and the fragility of the human body.
Notable works of body horror include “The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka, “The Fly” by George Langelaan, and “The Thing” by John W. Campbell Jr.
Modern Horror Literature
Modern horror literature has continued to evolve and expand, incorporating new themes and ideas. The genre has also seen a rise in popularity, with many horror novels becoming best-sellers and being adapted into films and television series.
Some of the most popular modern horror authors include Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Clive Barker. Their works often explore a wide variety of themes, from the supernatural to the psychological, and they have helped to shape the genre as it is today.
Stephen King
Stephen King is often considered one of the greatest horror authors of all time. His works, such as “Carrie,” “The Shining,” and “It,” have become classics of the genre, and many have been adapted into successful films and television series. King’s works often explore themes of fear, evil, and the supernatural, and they are known for their complex characters and gripping plots.
King has also written a number of non-horror novels, such as “The Shawshank Redemption” and “The Green Mile,” which have also been highly successful. Despite this, he is best known for his contributions to the horror genre, and he continues to be a major influence on modern horror literature.
Dean Koontz
Dean Koontz is another popular modern horror author. His works often combine elements of horror, science fiction, and thriller, and they are known for their fast-paced plots and unexpected twists. Some of his most popular works include “Watchers,” “Intensity,” and “Odd Thomas.”
Koontz’s works often explore themes of evil, fear, and the supernatural, and they are known for their complex characters and gripping plots. Like King, Koontz has also written a number of non-horror novels, but he is best known for his contributions to the horror genre.
Clive Barker
Clive Barker is a British author known for his work in the horror genre. His works often explore themes of the supernatural, the macabre, and the grotesque, and they are known for their complex characters and intricate plots. Some of his most popular works include “Hellbound Heart,” “Books of Blood,” and “Weaveworld.”
Barker’s works often push the boundaries of the horror genre, incorporating elements of fantasy, mystery, and thriller. His unique style and innovative ideas have made him a major influence on modern horror literature.
Conclusion
The horror genre is a diverse and evolving category of literature that has a long and rich history. From its origins in Gothic literature to its modern incarnations, the genre has consistently sought to explore the darker aspects of human nature and the unknown.
Whether through the psychological terror of a Stephen King novel, the supernatural horror of a H.P. Lovecraft story, or the body horror of a Clive Barker tale, the genre continues to captivate and terrify readers around the world. As long as there are fears to confront and boundaries to push, the horror genre will continue to evolve and thrive.
Kathryn Taylor was born and raised in the Midwest and has been a book lover and writer since childhood. As a queer teenager, she found solace in writing, and has written professionally ever since graduating from college. She loves a variety of fiction book genres, including romance books, thrillers, YA, sci-fi, and adventure. She's also a fan of the Oxford comma.
Kathryn has received numerous awards for her writing and now writes exclusively for RT Book Reviews. She is a passionate activist in the LGBTQ+ community, speaking at conferences and leading queer writing workshops. When not reading and writing, Kathryn enjoys visiting local libraries and bookstores across the country, exploring new cities, and spending time with her family.
