What are the characteristics of good weird fiction books?

New weird fiction books often have a sense of the uncanny. They mix elements of the familiar with the extremely strange. For example, they might take a normal setting like a small town and introduce a completely alien or supernatural element into it.

Weird fiction often features elements that are strange, uncanny, and outside the realm of normal experience. It might include odd creatures, surreal settings, and a sense of unease. For example, H.P. Lovecraft's works are full of ancient, indescribable entities and dark, otherworldly locations.

One characteristic is the blurring of reality and the fantastical. In weird detective fiction, the settings can be ordinary cities or towns but with a hidden layer of the abnormal. The characters, too, are often complex, with the detective having to grapple not only with the mystery at hand but also with their own beliefs as they encounter things that challenge their understanding of the world. It also tends to have an atmosphere of unease and mystery that pervades the story from start to finish.

One characteristic is the presence of the strange and the abnormal. For example, in 'The Call of Cthulhu', there are these ancient and powerful entities that defy human understanding. Another is the sense of unease and dread. Weird fiction novels often make the reader feel a bit on edge. Also, they can have non - linear or fragmented storytelling like in 'House of Leaves'.

New weird fiction often features a blend of the strange and the familiar. It combines elements of horror, science fiction, and fantasy in unique ways. It may include surreal landscapes, grotesque creatures, and mind - bending concepts that challenge the reader's perception of reality.

Realistic weird fiction often combines elements of the ordinary and the strange. It might have a setting that seems like the real world at first glance, but then strange events or creatures start to emerge. For example, a story could be set in a normal small town, but there are unexplained disappearances and strange noises at night.

A century of weird fiction often features elements like supernatural phenomena, alternate realities, and mysterious creatures. The stories might challenge conventional notions of reality and explore the unknown. The writing style can be quite vivid and imaginative to draw readers into these strange worlds.

One great weird science fiction book is 'Annihilation' by Jeff VanderMeer. It features a strange and otherworldly area known as Area X, where the laws of nature seem distorted. Another is 'Solaris' by Stanislaw Lem. The planet Solaris has a sentient ocean that creates hallucinations based on the astronauts' memories. And 'The City & the City' by China Miéville is also a great pick. It has a unique concept where two cities exist in the same physical space but are culturally and socially separated in a very strange way.

Some of the top 10 might include 'House of Leaves' by Mark Z. Danielewski. It has a very strange and complex structure that plays with the concept of a house that is larger on the inside than the outside. Another could be 'The King in Yellow' by Robert W. Chambers, which contains some really eerie and otherworldly stories that influenced a lot of later horror and weird fiction. And 'At the Mountains of Madness' by H.P. Lovecraft, with its exploration of the unknown in Antarctica and the terrifying ancient creatures that are discovered there.

One characteristic is the blending of different genres. New weird fiction can mix horror, science fiction, and fantasy elements. For instance, a story might have a scientific concept that leads to a horror - like situation, or a fantasy world that has elements of a scientific mystery. They also tend to play with the concept of reality and perception. Characters may experience things that make them question what is real and what is not, which adds to the overall sense of unease and mystery in the story. Another aspect is the often complex and convoluted plots. There are multiple threads and layers that the reader has to peel back to fully understand the story.