We all know the spine-chilling, disturbing sensations a good horror movie can cause. But what if we told you there are some haunting novels that can lead to an even deeper sense of terror?
Yes, it turns out that some fiction books are so disturbing, they simply traumatize people. As people claim, after reading some of the following novels, they experience a set of nightmares and feel haunted.
And if thatâs what youâre looking for, get ready because weâre about to reveal the top 5 horror novels that will impact the deepest corners of your mind!
“I’m Thinking of Ending Things” by Iain Reid
While the first book on our list canât be classified as the most disturbing one, itâs indeed scary enough to cause unsettling feelings. Iain Reidâs “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” is a 2016 novel that quickly became a trend in the horror genre. The plot is about a young woman whoâs thinking about ending her relationship while traveling with her boyfriend to meet his parents. Now, you might think nothing is utterly disturbing in this plot but trust me, the story is full of eerie vibes, not to mention its shocking conclusion (no spoilers, I promise).
The main reason for such intense psychological depth probably lies in the language Reid uses in the book. Itâs literally word-perfect which might make you feel like the language is refined by trusted essay writing services. While this may or may not be true, one thing is for sure: Reidâs language in this novel creates a sense of dread and confusion that keeps readers terrified for a long time, even after reading the book.
âThe Raftâ by Stephen King
Encountering Stephen King on a list of disturbing movies isnât a big surprise, especially for people who are familiar with his frightening novels. But âThe Raftâ will still freak you out with the degree of tension and horror it provides.
The set-up of the novel is nothing but ordinary. Even more, it might even sound cliche at first glance â four college students decide to swim out to a raft in a remote lake and they discover they are unable to leave the place without getting eaten. Although itâs simple, King ideally manages to create a truly horrifying experience. Maybe itâs because of its claustrophobic atmosphere just the authorâs skills to build suspense and fear from ordinary scenarios. Either way, one thing is for sure â The Raft is the novel you should definitely consider if youâre looking for a spin-chilling experience that will impact you for months.
âThe Trialâ by Franz Kafka
If you ever read Franz Kafka, chances are that youâre familiar with the feeling of exploring the world where nothing makes sense. Unlike most other horror novels, Kafka manages to create unsettling feelings in âThe Trialâ through surreal scenes that are accompanied by existential dread.
âThe Trialâ is a story of a man who is arrested and put on trial. In the novel, he has to deal with a mysterious, oppressive bureaucracy. The thing that makes this novel especially hard to tolerate is the sense of helplessness and confusion that the main character, Josef K. experiences. This illogical world will surely tap into your deep-seated fears and leave you thinking about existential questions long after you’ve finished reading.
âThe 120 Days of Sodomâ by Marquis de Sade
Nothing can be more disturbing than reading a story written by Marquis de Sade himself – the man whose name is directly related to the word âsadismâ. âThe 120 Days of Sodomâ is a book that has been banned in multiple countries for its explicit and brutal content for years. No wonder that itâs one of the most terrifying horror books that deeply impact the human psyche.
The 120 Days of Sodom is about the horrifying acts of four wealthy fascists who imprison a group of teenagers and satisfy their desires in brutal ways. In the book, youâll encounter 120 days of physical, mental, and sexual torture of these boys and girls. Sadeâs way of creating almost tangible horror with detailed and explicit scenes of brutality is hard to forget.
âDevolutionâ by Max Brooks
The final novel on our list is “Devolution” by Max Brooks – a book that is no less disturbing than the others weâve discussed. The thing that makes this novel one of the most terrifying books one can ever read is its focus on primal instincts when itâs hard to survive. Itâs true that the idea of the collapsing civilization is common but expressing it in the form of a journal that tells the experiences of a high-tech eco-community creates an immediate sense of dread.
So, even if you think that thereâs nothing scary about an overgrown ape, think twice before you read this novel because chances are that after reading this novel, the feeling of being haunted will stay with you longer than you expect.
Final Thoughts
If you havenât read at least some of these horror novels yet, now your reading list must be full of some masterpieces that will impact your psyche. One thing these five books have in common is that they all explore the darkest corners of the human mind and society. Thatâs what makes it even more relatable to our modern way of living and thinking.
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