What is it about horror stories that’s so captivating? More than any other literary genre, horror has the power to leap off the page, sending shivers down our spines and turning shadows into lurking dangers. It brings us to the darkest corners of our minds, where our deepest fears live.
Journey with us beyond the sparkling vampires, scarred wizards, and eternal faeries of modern horror fiction and dive into the chilling narratives that birthed an entire genre. This is your guide to the history of horror literature.
What Is Horror Fiction?
The horror genre is best defined by the emotions it seeks to evoke: shock, disgust, and above all else, fear. While it often shares supernatural and fantastical elements with other genres—such as ghosts, witches, vampires, or werewolves—horror wields these elements with the singular purpose of eliciting feelings of dread and suspense.
If you’re reading a passage that makes you feel as if the terrifying events depicted on the page could happen to you, chances are you’re reading a piece of finely crafted horror fiction.
The Origins of Horror Literature
Horror stories have always captivated the imagination. Take, for instance, the “Epic of Gilgamesh,” a Mesopotamian odyssey that dates to 2100 B.C. and weaves supernatural elements into its narrative. But the horror genre as we know it began to take shape with the publication of Horace Walpole’s 1764 novel, “The Castle of Otranto.”
A work of gothic fiction, “The Castle of Otranto” follows the royal family of Sicily as they attempt (and fail) to divert an ancient prophecy, mixing supernatural elements and realistic characters to create a fantasy grounded in reality.
Just as a werewolf is transformed by the light of a full moon, the horror genre has undergone its own metamorphosis over the centuries. Early works featured many of the dark tropes we’re familiar with today: villainous men and supernatural beings set against grim, oppressive backdrops. However, the 1818 publication of “Frankenstein” marked a pivotal shift in the genre.
Horror Refined
With “Frankenstein,” Mary Shelley introduced a new element to horror: the terror of pseudoscience. Her novel features a grotesque creature—intelligent yet monstrous, brought to life by science—who seeks revenge against its creator. (Can you believe Shelley was only 19 when she penned the novel?)
This chilling narrative captivated readers and inspired a generation of writers, including Edgar Allan Poe. Poe further refined and popularized the genre. His short stories, such as 1839’s “The Fall of the House of Usher,” infused the horror genre with his unique blend of macabre and psychological terror. The visionary works of Shelley and Poe defined horror literature, setting the stage for centuries of thrilling storytelling.
The subsequent decades produced numerous seminal works that have stood the test of time:
- 1860’s “Woman in White” and 1868’s “The Moonstone” by Wilkie Collins
- 1863’s “The House by the Churchyard” and 1872’s “Green Tea” by Sheridan Le Fanu
- 1886’s “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson
- 1890’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde
- 1897’s “Dracula” by Bram Stoker
- 1898’s “The Turn of the Screw” by Henry James
Modern Horror Literature
The horror genre boomed in the 20th century, giving rise to new subgenres like paranormal, occult, dark fantasy, survival, and science fiction horror. The genre began to feature contemporary trappings, such as serial killers and slasher stories, presenting a dark reflection of modern society.
Standing on the shoulders of literary giants, modern horror authors continue to terrify readers. H.P Lovecraft, for instance, merged elements of science fiction and horror to give us “The Call of Cthulhu” and “At the Mountains of Madness.” His stories invite readers to peer beyond the veil of reality, where horrors are ancient and alien. Stephen King, a master of modern horror, can twist the ordinary and mundane into the terrifying, as anyone who’s read “The Shining” or “Pet Sematary” knows.
We also celebrate contemporary voices like Stephen Graham Jones, Jonathan Maberry, and Silvia Moreno-Garcia who continue to bring us fresh horror literature. These writers ensure that the horror genre not only remains relevant but also evolves and captivates new generations of readers.
A Taste of What’s to Come
We hope you’ve enjoyed this look back at the origins of horror literature. Unfortunately, we couldn’t cover every influential author and spine-chilling story deserving of your attention, but that doesn’t mean the story has to end here.
If you want to delve deeper into the world of literature and explore the tremendous impact words have on the world, consider expanding your understanding through academic study. The University of Texas Permian Basin offers two outstanding online programs designed for literature enthusiasts:
An English degree could be your gateway to a fulfilling career in which you teach, edit, or even author your own work. Alternatively, you could venture into fields like advertising, public relations, or law, where mastery of the English language is vital.
Our English programs are entirely online, meaning you can seamlessly switch from enjoying your favorite horror story—we’re fans of “House of Leaves” by Mark Z. Danielewski—to studying British and American Literature.
Ready to apply? Click here to start on a journey that ends with you earning your degree from UT Permian Basin.
Sources:
https://www.nypl.org/blog/2018/10/18/brief-history-gothic-horror
https://www.britannica.com/art/horror-story
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-horror-fiction