Can you recommend the best classic horror short stories for beginners?

Sure. 'Creepy' is a great one for beginners. It has simple yet effective horror stories. The stories are not overly complex so it's easy to get into. The art is also quite accessible and it gives a good introduction to the horror comic genre.

I'd say 'The Lottery and Other Stories' by Shirley Jackson could be a good choice for beginners. The stories in it are quite accessible. For example, 'The Lottery' has a very unexpected and creepy ending that gives a taste of what horror short stories can be like without being too extreme.

Sure. 'The Call of Cthulhu' is a great start. It's very famous and has a simple yet terrifying concept. The idea of an ancient, powerful being that can drive people mad just by its existence is really spooky. Another one is 'The Colour Out of Space'. It's not too complex and gives a good taste of how cosmic horror plays with the unknown and the unearthly.

Sure. 'The Little Prince' by Antoine de Saint - Exupéry is a great choice for beginners. It's a short and beautifully illustrated novel with deep philosophical messages about friendship, love, and the meaning of life. Another good one is 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry. It's a simple yet touching story about a young couple's selfless love. And 'The Necklace' by Guy de Maupassant is also suitable. It's a short story that shows the consequences of vanity.

I think 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' is a good beginner - friendly classic gothic horror novel. The writing is beautiful and the concept is really interesting. Also, 'Wuthering Heights' has enough gothic elements for a beginner to get a taste of the genre. The dark and stormy setting, and the complex relationships between the characters are very engaging.

Sure. 'The Monkey's Paw' is a great start for beginners. It's a short and straightforward story with a really creepy concept. You can easily understand the horror elements without getting too bogged down in complex language or long - winded plots. Another good one is 'The Tell - Tale Heart'. It's a classic Poe story that is short enough to hold a beginner's attention and the psychological horror aspect is very accessible.

Sure. 'The Monkey's Paw' is a great start. It's a short story with a simple but very effective horror concept. A family gets a magical paw that can grant wishes, but every wish comes with a horrible price. 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' is also suitable. The headless horseman is a well - known horror figure, and the story has a spooky, atmospheric setting. And 'The Canterville Ghost' which combines humor with horror in a story about a ghost that is trying to haunt a family but often fails comically at first.

A great beginner - friendly horror story is 'The Yellow Wallpaper'. It's a psychological horror about a woman who slowly descends into madness while being confined in a room with the eponymous wallpaper. It's more about the build - up of psychological terror rather than extreme scares.

For beginners, 'Pride and Prejudice' is a great start. It has a clear and engaging plot about love and marriage in the 19th - century English society. The characters are well - developed and the language, while a bit old - fashioned, is not too difficult to understand. Another good one is 'Romeo and Juliet'. It's a very well - known story and the basic plot is easy to follow, plus it shows the power of young love.

For beginners, 'Dracula' is an excellent choice. It has a captivating plot that unfolds as the characters discover the existence of the vampire. The descriptions of Dracula's powers and the spooky settings like his castle are really engaging. Also, 'Carrie' is quite accessible. It deals with relatable themes like bullying at school and then takes a turn into horror when Carrie's powers are unleashed.