The graphic nature of horror novels often lies in their vivid descriptions of violence. For example, in 'American Psycho', the main character's brutal killings are described in great detail, which is very disturbing. Another factor is the grotesque and abnormal creatures or situations. In 'It', Pennywise the Clown with its strange and terrifying appearance and actions is quite off - putting. Also, the psychological horror elements, like in 'The Shining' where the main character's mental breakdown is so well - described that it makes the reader feel uneasy.
What makes most graphic horror novels disturbing is the way they play with our deepest fears. Take 'The Exorcist' for instance. The idea of a young girl being possessed by a demon is already scary, but the detailed and graphic descriptions of her contortions, the foul language she spews out, and the overall atmosphere of evil really get under your skin. In novels like 'The Hellbound Heart', the exploration of otherworldly and sadistic realms, along with the graphic descriptions of the Cenobites' actions, is deeply disturbing. And the themes of death and decay, as seen in 'Pet Sematary', are presented in such a graphic way that it's hard not to be affected.
For 'The Handmaid's Tale', the subjugation of women is a major factor. Women are stripped of their rights and treated as property. In 'Fahrenheit 451', the destruction of knowledge through book - burning is really scary. It shows a society that is afraid of thinking and learning. And in 'A Clockwork Orange', the random and senseless violence carried out by the main characters makes it a very disturbing read.
Well, body horror novels are disturbing mainly because they violate our sense of self and physical integrity. Our body is something we identify with, and when we read about it being violated, invaded, or transformed in unnatural ways, it creates a sense of unease. Take a novel where a character's body is slowly being consumed from the inside by some unknown force. The thought of that happening to our own bodies or even just seeing it happen to a fictional character makes us squirm. Also, body horror often uses the body as a battleground for some greater horror, whether it's a supernatural power or a mad scientist's experiment, and this combination of the body and extreme horror concepts is what makes these novels so disturbing.
The element of the unknown in disturbing horror short stories is a big factor. For example, in stories like 'The Willows' by Algernon Blackwood, the strange and unexplained happenings in the isolated setting create a sense of unease. We don't fully understand what the willows are or what they want, and that's terrifying.
One major factor is the violation of the natural order. In sick horror stories, we might see things like the dead coming back to life in a wrong or corrupted way, or the innocent being targeted in the most brutal fashion. The sense of helplessness it instills in the reader or viewer is also a big part. When we see characters being subjected to these sick and cruel situations and they can't escape easily, it makes us feel uneasy and disturbed.
Taboo horror stories are disturbing because they often touch on things that society considers unacceptable or immoral. For example, stories about incestuous relationships within a horror context are deeply unsettling as they go against basic moral norms.
The unpredictability. Schizophrenic characters often act in ways that are difficult to anticipate because their perception of reality is distorted. This can lead to sudden and shocking actions or reactions in the story.
One of the most disturbing graphic novels is 'Maus' by Art Spiegelman. It's disturbing in a profound way as it depicts the Holocaust through the use of animals representing different groups. The way it shows the brutality and inhumane treatment of Jews during that time is extremely harrowing. Another could be 'Watchmen' which has a very dark and complex view of society, exploring themes like moral ambiguity and the potential for disaster in a world with super - heroes. It has some disturbing scenes that make you question the nature of power and heroism.
For some, it's the adrenaline rush. The fear and unease that disturbing horror novels create can be exciting in a strange way. It's like a roller - coaster ride for the mind.
Often, it's the unexpected and dark twists. For example, in some of these stories, characters that seem normal at first turn out to be capable of great evil. It goes against our expectations of how people should behave.
Well, one thing that makes most scary horror stories terrifying is the sense of the unknown. For example, in many classic horror stories, there are shadowy figures or strange noises that the characters can't explain. It plays on our natural fear of the things we don't understand. Another factor is the vulnerability of the characters. When we see a character alone in a haunted house, we can't help but put ourselves in their shoes and feel that same sense of dread.