For beginners, 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe is a great start. It's short and packs a punch with its themes of madness and guilt. 'Dracula' is also a good choice as it's very well - known and has been adapted many times, so it's easy to find different interpretations to help understand the story better.
A good beginner - friendly gothic story is 'The Canterville Ghost' by Oscar Wilde. It has a touch of humor along with the spooky elements. Also, 'Carmilla' is a great pick as it's an interesting take on the vampire genre within gothic literature. It's not as long or complex as some others, making it accessible for those new to gothic stories.
I would recommend 'Frankenstein'. It's not only a classic gothic story but also has a lot of relatable themes like the pursuit of knowledge and the consequences of playing God. 'The Yellow Wallpaper' is another good one for beginners. It's a short story that effectively creates a sense of unease and oppression, which are common in gothic literature.