In Scandinavian folklore, there are tales of the Draugr. These are undead creatures that live in their graves but can rise to cause trouble. They are often described as being very strong and having a stench of decay. They are different from zombies as they often retain some of their former intelligence. European scary stories like these are deeply rooted in the history and culture of the continent, and they have been passed down through generations to give people a sense of mystery and fear.
One popular European bedtime story is 'The Little Red Riding Hood'. It's about a young girl who goes to visit her grandmother in the forest and encounters a wolf. Another is 'Hansel and Gretel', where two children are lost in the woods and find a gingerbread house. And 'Cinderella' is also well - known. It tells the story of a kind - hearted girl who overcomes hardships and attends a grand ball.
One well - known example is 'JoJo's Bizarre Adventure'. It has elements inspired by European culture and stories. For instance, the setting and some character designs draw from European aesthetics. Another is 'Black Butler', which is set in Victorian - era England, taking inspiration from the social and cultural aspects of that time in Europe. It features a young master and his demon butler, with a dark and mysterious plot that is characteristic of many European - inspired gothic tales.
Some popular scary stories include 'Annabelle'. It's based on a supposedly haunted doll that causes all sorts of spooky occurrences. 'The Conjuring' stories are also quite popular. These are about real - life paranormal investigators and their encounters with malevolent spirits. There's also the classic 'Dracula' story. The vampire Count Dracula preys on the living, and his powers and the fear he instills have made this story a staple in the horror genre.
In Irish folklore, the Banshee is well - known. She's a female spirit whose wailing warns of an impending death in a family. Her cries are so eerie that it sends chills down people's spines. Many old Irish families believe that when they hear the Banshee, it's a sign that someone in the family will soon pass away.
European scary stories are interesting because they can be very creative. They combine elements like magic, the supernatural, and human nature in unique ways. Take the story of the Pied Piper. It's not just a simple scary story. It has elements of mystery, revenge, and the power of music. The piper lures the children away with his music because the town didn't pay him. It shows how stories can be used to teach lessons as well as scare people.
One popular one could be 'The Haunted House Tale'. It's about a family that moves into an old, seemingly charming house, only to discover strange noises at night and apparitions in the hallways.
One popular European fiction book is 'Don Quixote' by Miguel de Cervantes from Spain. It's a classic that follows the adventures of a deluded knight. Another is 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen from England, which is well - known for its exploration of love and social class. And 'The Brothers Karamazov' by Fyodor Dostoevsky from Russia is also highly regarded for its deep philosophical and psychological insights.
A rather terrifying internet scary story is 'The Russian Sleep Experiment'. It tells of a group of people who were kept awake for an extended period in a Soviet experiment. As they became more sleep - deprived, they started to go insane and exhibit inhuman behavior. It plays on our fears of the unknown and the consequences of messing with basic human needs like sleep.
One popular horror scary story is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's about a man who is driven mad by the old man's 'evil eye' and eventually kills him, then is haunted by the sound of the old man's still - beating heart. Another is 'The Monkey's Paw' where a family gets a magical paw that grants wishes, but with horrible consequences for each wish they make.
One popular scary story fiction is 'The Shining' by Stephen King. It tells the story of a family in an isolated hotel with a dark and haunted past. The psychological horror in it is truly spine - chilling. Another is 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker. This classic features the iconic vampire, Count Dracula, and his terrifying actions against the living. Also, 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley is a great one. It explores the idea of creating life and the consequences that follow, which is both thought - provoking and scary.