What are the characteristics of classic dark novels?

Most of them contain elements of the supernatural or the unknown. In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', the transformation between the two personalities is a supernatural concept. And they tend to make the reader question the fundamental aspects of human existence and society, like in 'Heart of Darkness' which makes one think about colonialism and the human psyche.

Dark classic romance novels often have complex and tortured characters. For example, in 'Wuthering Heights', Heathcliff is a brooding and vengeful character. The settings are usually gloomy or filled with mystery, like the old mansion in 'Rebecca'. There's also a sense of the forbidden in these novels, such as the relationship between a human and a vampire in 'Dracula' which adds to the dark allure.

Another aspect is the treatment of serious or taboo topics with humor. 'Slaughterhouse - Five' deals with the atrocities of war. But instead of presenting it in a straightforward and solemn way, Vonnegut uses dark humor to make the reader see the absurdity in the midst of the horror. It makes you question the whole idea of war and how we perceive it.

Dark romance novels often have complex and flawed characters. For example, in 'Wuthering Heights', Heathcliff is full of rage and vengeance. The settings are usually gloomy or mysterious like the moors in 'Wuthering Heights'. The relationships are intense and often involve power struggles, as seen in 'Rebecca' where the new wife is overshadowed by the memory of the first wife.

Classic dark short stories often have a sense of foreboding. They may start with an ordinary setting but quickly introduce elements that make the reader feel uneasy. For example, in 'The Lottery', the idyllic small - town setting at first masks the cruel lottery tradition. Dark stories also tend to have complex characters, like the unreliable narrator in 'The Tell - Tale Heart'. Their actions are often driven by hidden motives, such as revenge or madness, as seen in 'The Cask of Amontillado'.

One of the best dark classic novels is 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker. It's a masterpiece of Gothic horror, introducing the iconic vampire Count Dracula. Another great one is 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley. It delves into themes of creation, monstrosity, and the consequences of playing God. 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde is also a notable dark classic. It explores the idea of a man's soul being corrupted while his outward appearance remains beautiful.

Characteristics? Firstly, the dark fae are usually depicted as having a different set of values compared to humans. Their sense of right and wrong is often skewed. In many of these novels, the dark fae live in a hierarchical society with strict rules and power dynamics. The stories often revolve around a human getting caught up in the dark fae world, like in 'Shadowfell'. There is also a sense of danger throughout the story. The dark fae can use their magic in ways that are harmful to humans or other beings. The overall atmosphere in dark fae novels is usually tense and filled with a sense of foreboding.

They usually deal with disturbing themes. Such as violence, manipulation, and psychological abuse. In 'We Need to Talk About Kevin', the story revolves around a mother trying to come to terms with her son's violent actions. It makes readers confront the darker aspects of parenting and human nature.

One characteristic is the use of the desert setting to create a sense of isolation. In a desert, characters are often far from civilization, which heightens the feeling of being alone and vulnerable. For example, in 'Blood Meridian', the vast and unforgiving desert makes the characters' situation more dire.

Dark fantssy novels often have a gloomy or foreboding atmosphere. For example, the settings might be desolate landscapes, like in 'The Dark Tower' series. The characters are usually complex and not always clearly good or bad. They might be anti - heroes, like Geralt in 'The Witcher' series. There's also often a sense of danger and the unknown, with elements of the supernatural that are not always benevolent.