Well, 'Carmilla' by Sheridan Le Fanu is a notable 19th - century gothic novel. It features a female vampire, which was quite different from the more common male vampire stories at the time. Then there's 'Uncle Silas' by Sheridan Le Fanu as well. It has a suspenseful plot filled with mystery and a sense of impending doom. And 'The Mysteries of Udolpho' by Ann Radcliffe, which was extremely popular in the 19th century. It has all the hallmarks of gothic literature like a young heroine in a forbidding castle, secret passages, and an air of mystery.
Edgar Allan Poe is a well - known one. His works are filled with gothic elements like mystery and the macabre.
One famous 20th - century gothic novel is 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier. It has a great sense of mystery and a spooky atmosphere around the old mansion.
Edgar Allan Poe is a very famous one. His works are full of dark and mysterious elements.
Emily Brontë is quite famous for 'Wuthering Heights'. It has gothic elements like the wild moors and the passionate, tortured relationships.
Horace Walpole was a well - known author. His 'The Castle of Otranto' is considered one of the first gothic novels. It set the stage for many of the elements that would become characteristic of the genre.
One of the best is 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley. It explores themes of creation, monstrosity, and the limits of science. Another great one is 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker, which introduced the iconic vampire figure. 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' by Robert Louis Stevenson is also notable for its exploration of the duality of human nature.
Another important 18th - century gothic fiction book is 'The Mysteries of Udolpho' by Ann Radcliffe. It features elements like a gloomy castle, a young heroine in distress, and mysterious happenings that are typical of the gothic genre. Radcliffe's detailed descriptions of the settings and the heroine's emotions added depth to the story.
The 20th century gothic novels are marked by certain features. They tend to blend elements of horror and romance. There are often themes of isolation, as seen in characters being cut off from the outside world in some way, whether it's in a remote castle or a small, secluded village. The use of symbolism is also common, such as the storm representing chaos or a particular flower symbolizing death or love. These elements work together to create a unique literary experience that both thrills and makes the reader think.
They often feature supernatural elements such as ghosts, vampires or other unearthly creatures. For example, in some 17th - century gothic novels, the appearance of a ghostly figure in an abandoned wing of a castle drives the plot forward. The characters in these novels are usually complex, with the hero or heroine often being in a state of distress or facing some sort of inner turmoil. This could be due to a family curse or being trapped in a menacing situation within the gothic setting.
They often have elements like gloomy settings, such as old castles. There's also a sense of mystery and the supernatural. For example, in 'The Castle of Otranto', the appearance of giant figures and strange happenings create an eerie atmosphere.