One of the first horror stories I remember hearing was The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allen Poe. I was really young and I listened to it on cassette and remember being terrified!
Thanks Buds!
So, I have a question for folks... I considered putting Toni Morrison on the list because of Beloved. I think Beloved is an absolutely fantastic book and it does involve a ghost. It's one of those books that's always stuck with me.
I didn't really know if it would qualify for this type of list, or if the use of the ghost theme in that book is too metaphoric... or, in other words... if the inclusion of the ghost in that book was for motivations so different from a lot of typical ghost stories, that it wouldn't really be appropriate for this list.
For anyone who's read Beloved, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.
Oh, this came in as I was typing. That's a good question, Amanda. I have read Beloved and I agree that it's a terrific book. I don't think it would have occured to me to put it on this list for the reasons you mentioned - but strictly speaking I guess it is a "ghost" story of sorts.
I considered putting Toni Morrison on the list because of Beloved. I think Beloved is an absolutely fantastic book and it does involve a ghost. It's one of those books that's always stuck with me.
I didn't really know if it would qualify for this type of list, or if the use of the ghost theme in that book is too metaphoric... or, in other words... if the inclusion of the ghost in that book was for motivations so different from a lot of typical ghost stories, that it wouldn't really be appropriate for this list.
For anyone who's read Beloved, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.
I read a lot of Anne Rice, but I just never thought her books were scary. Perhaps because she's telling the story from the 'creature's POV in her vampire novels?
this made me remember another novel that scared the shit out of me - Whispers by Koontz. Thinking back on it today still gives me the chills.
Phantoms by Koontz was really scary if you can suspend your fear of his really careless writing. The story is good though.
I use my memory of "The Tell-Tale Heart" every time that I can't sleep. I picture a murderer standing over the side of my bed just waiting to see if my breath gets faster, or stays calm. If I stay calm, I won't have known he was there, so he can just choose to walk away, but if I start breathing heavy, he'll know for sure that I'm going to turn him in, so he might as well hack me to death. That forces me to breathe calmly, which in turn, leads to sleep.
Hmm. Have you tried counting sheep?
Hmm. Have you tried counting sheep?
The scariest and most horrifying novel I've ever read is "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote. Not a horror story but a novelization of a horrific murder of an entire family in Kansas circa 1959. Based on true events and real people it is the only novel i can recall that gave me chills and goosebumps. It made the hair on the back of my neck stand up for two reasons: First, the recounting of the senseless and brutal killing of a blameless and innocent family, and the subsequent tragic consequences for all, including Truman himself and second, the exquisitely tight prose that vibrates with tension.
I was all set to do a write-in vote for Shirley Jackson, but you had her on the list, A! When I was about 9 or so I read this big thick compilation of all her works. Some of them were light-hearted and really funny. Some were really scary. Very confusing.
That was a terrifying story. Isn't the movie "Capote" about the TC interviewing one of the murderers as part of the research for the book? I think so.
I loved "Harvest Home," by Thomas Tryon!
I loved "Harvest Home," by Thomas Tryon!
Oh, now, there's a blast from the past! I'd totally forgotten about that book. Now I remember reading this in high school - and staying up all night to finish it.
I'm glad you remember it, too, Marie! That book actually sparked my interest in ancient pagan harvest rituals. Years later, this led to interests in witchcraft, Wicca, Halloween origins, the European witch burnings ... I'm not pagan or Wiccan and I can't pretend to be deeply knowledgeable about this stuff, but I've always had a soft spot for it and have written a little bit about it -- all thanks to "Harvest Home"!
Oddly enough, Thomas Tryon is better known for "The Other," and although I think I read that one first, I don't remember a thing about it.
Of course you all know that Thomas Tryon the author was first known as Tom Tryon, the actor? Quite handsome, too. If I knew that he died in 1991, I had forgotten it. :(
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0874502/ (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0874502/)
Maybe I should read Harvest Home some day.
I didn't know that, until I googled him a couple of days ago.
BTW, if anyone googles "Harvest Home" and arrives at Wikipedia, be forewarned that their entry describes the entire plot, start to finish, including tons of spoilers. Reading it was fun for me, as it brought back memories, but anyone who plans to ever read it should avoid Wikipedia.
Oddly enough, Thomas Tryon is better known for "The Other," and although I think I read that one first, I don't remember a thing about it.
I remember reading a book called the equivalent of "The Other", waaaaaay back when. About two twin boys. Is that the one?