For a beginner, 'The Shining' by Stephen King is a great choice. It's a well - known horror novel with a simple yet effective premise of a family in a haunted hotel. The characters are relatable and the build - up of horror is gradual. Another good one is 'Pet Sematary'. It's easy to get into and the concept of the cursed burial ground is both scary and fascinating.
Sure. 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson is a classic that still holds up today. It's a great starting point as it builds tension and unease in a very psychological way. You don't have to deal with extreme gore or violence, but it still gives you that creeping sense of horror.
For a beginner, 'The Monkey's Paw' is a great choice. It's a short story that shows how a simple wish - granting device can lead to horror. The family's desperation and the unexpected and dark outcomes are quite effective in creating a sense of dread.
Sure. 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson is a great start. It has a slow - building sense of dread and the atmosphere of the haunted house is really spooky.
I would also recommend 'SOMA'. It has a thought - provoking story. Although it has some complex themes, the basic premise of exploring an underwater research facility and the strange things happening there is easy to grasp. The game also has a great sense of atmosphere and horror that can draw in new players to the horror genre.
For a beginner, 'Frankenstein' is a great choice. It's not only a horror story but also a philosophical exploration of creation and responsibility. The idea of a man - made monster and his struggle in a world that rejects him is both sad and terrifying. Also, 'Carmilla' can be a good pick. It has a female vampire, which is a bit different from the more common male vampires in horror stories, and it has a very gothic and spooky feel to it.
For a beginner, 'Carmilla' by Sheridan Le Fanu is also worth reading. It was one of the early vampire stories. It tells the story of a young woman who befriends Carmilla, who turns out to be a vampire. The story has an air of mystery and gothic horror that is not too extreme for someone new to horror short stories.
Richard Matheson's 'I Am Legend' could be a good choice too. It's about a man who believes he is the last human alive in a world filled with vampires. The loneliness and the constant threat from the undead create a great sense of horror and suspense.
I'd recommend 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson. It seems like a normal small - town story at first. The townspeople gather for an annual lottery. But as the story progresses, it becomes clear that this lottery is not what it seems, and the 'winner' is actually going to be stoned to death by the rest of the villagers. It's a great introduction to the idea that not everything is as it appears in horror stories.
Sure. 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson is a great start. It has an eerie atmosphere and psychological scares that are not too over - the - top. Another good one is 'Pet Sematary' by Stephen King. It has a simple yet disturbing premise about a place where things that are buried come back, but not in a good way.
I also recommend 'An Artist of the Floating World'. It gives insights into Japanese society and culture through the eyes of an ageing artist. It's a relatively short novel, so it's not too much of a commitment for a beginner, but it offers a great taste of Ishiguro's work.