What are the characteristics of the horror fiction novels in the list of 1978 horror fiction novels?

Well, in the horror fiction novels of 1990, a common characteristic was the use of vivid and often grotesque imagery. Take 'Clive Barker's Books of Blood' for instance. His descriptions are so detailed and extreme that they create a very intense and disturbing reading experience. Also, a lot of these novels explored themes of the unknown and the otherworldly, such as in 'The Witching Hour' which dives deep into the world of witches and the supernatural.

Many of the 1977 horror novels likely had a focus on creating a sense of dread. They probably used elements like spooky settings, such as old mansions or desolate landscapes. For example, a novel might have a dilapidated cemetery as a setting which immediately sets a spooky mood.

Many of them often had a strong sense of atmosphere. For example, they would create a spooky setting like an old haunted house or a desolate forest.

Many of the 1970 horror novels often had a strong focus on the psychological aspect of horror. They would play on the fears and insecurities of the characters, like in 'Rosemary's Baby' where the main character's fear of the unknown regarding her pregnancy was a central part.

Many of them might have had a sense of mystery. For example, they could start with a strange event and slowly unfold the horror behind it.

The horror fiction novels from 1985 probably also delved into psychological horror. This means they played with the characters' and readers' minds, creating fear through the exploration of madness, paranoia, or the unknown within the human psyche. For instance, a novel might have a character slowly losing their grip on reality, which can be very unsettling for the reader. Another aspect could be the use of gore and shock value. Some novels may have had graphic descriptions of violence or grotesque scenes to horrify the audience.

The horror fiction novels from 1986 frequently had complex characters. In 'The Dark Half', the main character's struggle with his own dark side was a central part of the horror. And a lot of them used elements of the supernatural. 'It' has the shape - shifting Pennywise, which is a supernatural entity that uses people's fears against them. Another characteristic was the exploration of the unknown. 'The Tommyknockers' delved into the mystery of an ancient object and the strange things that start to happen as a result.

The horror fiction novels in 1989 might have also incorporated elements of the supernatural. This could include ghosts, demons, or otherworldly forces. These elements added an extra layer of fear, as they often defied the laws of nature and reason. They made the readers question what was possible and what was not. Moreover, the settings of these novels were often dark and foreboding, like old mansions or desolate cemeteries, which enhanced the overall spooky atmosphere.

Some might have had a focus on gore. With vivid descriptions of blood and violence to shock the readers. For example, detailed accounts of monster attacks or brutal murders.

The horror fiction novels in the 1973 list tended to build suspense gradually. They didn't rely on cheap scares but rather on creating an atmosphere of dread. This was done through detailed descriptions of the settings, the characters' emotions, and the slow revelation of the horror elements. For example, in many of these novels, the first part of the book would introduce the normal lives of the characters, and then slowly, things would start to go wrong, and the horror would unfold in a very methodical way. This made the horror more effective as it drew the reader in and made them invested in the story.