Some early 20th century horror novels that are worth mentioning are 'The Beetle' by Richard Marsh. It has elements of the supernatural and mystery. 'Ghost - Stories of an Antiquary' by M.R. James is also notable. His stories often revolve around the discovery of ancient and cursed objects, and the horrors that follow those who encounter them.
One of the most famous early 20th - century horror novels is 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker. It introduced the iconic vampire Count Dracula. Another is 'The Call of Cthulhu' by H.P. Lovecraft. His works often feature cosmic horror elements. Also, 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley, although written in the 19th century, was still highly influential in the early 20th century horror genre.
A very significant one is 'And Quiet Flows the Don' by Mikhail Sholokhov. It tells the story of the Cossacks during the First World War, the Russian Revolution, and the Civil War. It's known for its detailed and vivid descriptions of the Cossack life, their traditions, and how they were affected by the great upheavals of the early 20th century. Another interesting work is 'The White Guard' by Mikhail Bulgakov, which gives an account of the civil war from a different perspective.
Thomas Mann is a very notable author. His novel 'Buddenbrooks' is a classic that chronicles the decline of a bourgeois family over generations, providing a deep look into German society at the time.
Well, 'The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman' is an interesting 18th - century novel. It has a unique narrative style that plays with the conventions of storytelling. Also, 'Candide' by Voltaire is a very important work. It's a philosophical novel that uses satire to comment on various aspects of society, such as war, religion, and human nature. These novels give us great insights into the culture, values, and social structures of the 18th century.
Well, themes such as death and the afterlife were common. In many early 20th - century horror novels, characters were often faced with the mystery of what lies beyond death. For instance, in 'The Beetle', there are elements related to the supernatural and the threat of death. Isolation was also a theme. Consider 'The House on the Borderland' where the protagonist is isolated in a strange and menacing location. And of course, the theme of the monstrous, whether it's a physical monster like Frankenstein's creation or a more abstract form of monstrosity.
There's also 'Njal's Saga' from Iceland in the 12th century. It's a complex narrative full of family feuds, legal disputes, and heroic characters. It offers a great view into the social and cultural aspects of Icelandic society during that period.
One of the notable 10th - century works could be 'The Tale of Genji' from Japan. It is often considered the world's first novel. It gives a detailed look into the Heian period's court life, with complex characters and relationships.
Sure. One of the most famous early 20th century horror novels is 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker. It introduced the iconic vampire character Count Dracula. Another is 'The Call of Cthulhu' by H.P. Lovecraft. His works often feature cosmic horror elements that were quite revolutionary at the time. Also, 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley, although first published in the 19th century, had a huge influence on early 20th - century horror.
Carmilla in 19th - century horror novels has a unique charm. The narrative style is very engaging. It uses vivid descriptions to create a sense of unease. For example, the way it describes Carmilla's nocturnal visits is really spine - chilling. Also, it contributed to the development of vampire lore in horror. It added new dimensions to the concept of the vampire, such as the idea of a more seductive and less brute - force kind of vampire compared to some of the earlier male vampire portrayals.
Some great 20th - century horror short stories include Shirley Jackson's 'The Lottery'. In this story, a small town has an annual lottery, but it's not what one would expect. The twist at the end is quite horrifying. Also, Richard Matheson's 'Prey' is a chilling story. It involves a small, malevolent doll that terrorizes a woman, playing on the fear of the unknown and the idea of something small being very dangerous.
One of the great early 20th - century novels is 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It explores themes of wealth, love, and the American Dream. Another is 'A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man' by James Joyce, which is a semi - autobiographical account of a young man's intellectual and artistic development. Also, 'Mrs. Dalloway' by Virginia Woolf is notable for its stream - of - consciousness narrative technique.