What are the characteristics of Chinese horror novels?

Many Chinese horror novels incorporate moral lessons or karma. It's not just about scaring the reader but also about showing the consequences of bad deeds. For instance, a character who has done wrong might be haunted by vengeful spirits, which reflects the traditional Chinese belief in justice and retribution.

Chinese crime horror novels often blend traditional Chinese cultural elements. For example, they might incorporate elements from Chinese folklore, like ghosts and demons. These elements add a unique flavor to the horror aspect.

The BL aspect adds an emotional layer. The relationship between the male characters develops in the midst of the horror. It could be a slow - burn romance where they first meet in a spooky situation and gradually grow closer as they face more and more scares together. They might support each other through terrifying experiences, which makes their bond stronger.

One characteristic is the use of superstition. For example, many stories involve ghosts, spirits, and traditional Chinese beliefs about the afterlife. This adds an air of mystery.

Many Chinese novels in the list have complex plots. For example, 'Dream of the Red Chamber' has a very intricate web of relationships and family politics. They also often have deep cultural roots. 'Journey to the West' is full of Buddhist and Taoist elements.

One characteristic is their long - standing traditions. Chinese novels have a long history of development. They can be very imaginative, like in 'Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio' where there are all kinds of supernatural beings and events. Moreover, Chinese novels usually carry moral lessons. For instance, 'Water Margin' shows the consequences of social injustice and the importance of loyalty among the heroes.

Chinese novels usually have a strong sense of history. They are either set in specific historical periods, like 'Journey to the West' which has elements related to Buddhism's spread in ancient China. And they also have a variety of themes. There are novels about love like 'Lotus Lantern', and novels about social problems such as 'The Scholars'. The language used can also be very poetic and vivid, adding to the overall charm of the novels.

Most Chinese novels have complex character relationships. For example, in 'Dream of the Red Chamber', there are dozens of important characters, and their interactions are very intricate, which makes the story very engaging.

Many 2020 horror novels seemed to focus on modern fears. For example, in 'The Only Good Indians', there was a sense of dread related to the past coming back to haunt the present, which could be seen as a reflection of our fear of past mistakes catching up with us.

These horror novels also had a strong sense of mystery. In 'The Fireman', the origin and nature of the spore that was causing people to combust was a mystery that drove the plot forward. The readers were constantly trying to figure out what was going on, which added to the overall sense of unease and horror. There was also a trend towards more complex characters who had to deal with the horror in different ways, adding depth to the stories.