dark fantasy short stories

One great Lovecraft short story in the dark fantasy genre is 'The Call of Cthulhu'. It tells of a cosmic horror waiting to be unleashed. Another is 'The Colour Out of Space', which features a strange, otherworldly color that brings doom to a rural area. 'At the Mountains of Madness' is also notable as it explores the frozen Antarctic and the ancient, terrifying secrets hidden there.

One of the best is 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. It's a disturbing tale that blurs the line between reality and madness. The main character's descent into psychological turmoil while being confined in a room with the titular wallpaper is both haunting and thought - provoking.

Well, a major theme is the distortion of reality. Dark fantasy short stories often play with the idea of what is real and what is not. There's also the theme of the dark side of human nature. Stories might show how people can be cruel, greedy or self - destructive. And many of these stories have a theme of isolation, whether it's physical or mental, which often adds to the sense of dread and darkness.

Edgar Allan Poe is one of the most well - known. His stories like 'The Fall of the House of Usher' are full of dark, Gothic elements. H. P. Lovecraft is also famous. His works such as 'The Call of Cthulhu' often deal with cosmic horror in a short - story format. Another is Angela Carter. Her short stories, like 'The Company of Wolves', are known for their dark, feminist take on fairy tales.

One great example is 'The Masque of the Red Death' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's a dark and eerie story set in a plague - stricken land where a prince tries to escape death by hiding in his abbey. Another is 'The Yellow Wallpaper' which delves into a woman's psychological decline in a confined space. And 'Carmilla' is a classic vampire story that predates Dracula and has a very dark, dream - like quality.

For beginners, 'The Monkey's Paw' by W.W. Jacobs is a great start. It's a short and simple story that packs a punch. It shows how a simple wish - granting device can lead to tragic consequences in a very dark and unexpected way.

The sense of cosmic horror. Lovecraft's stories make you feel like humanity is insignificant in the face of the vast, unknowable cosmos. His short stories often involve ancient, powerful entities that are far beyond our comprehension. This makes the stories very different from typical horror, as it's not just about a serial killer or a haunted house. It's about things that could potentially destroy all of humanity.

Sure. 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is a great one. It's a dark exploration of a woman's descent into madness. Another is 'The Masque of the Red Death' by Edgar Allan Poe. It has a very gothic and dark atmosphere, with the Red Death representing mortality. And 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson is also a well - known dark short story that makes you question the dark side of human nature.

Transformation is a frequently seen theme. Characters may transform physically or psychologically due to dark forces or magic. This could be a transformation into a monster or a more subtle change in personality. Additionally, the theme of the corrupting influence of power is common. Whether it's magical power or political power within a dark fantasy world, it often leads to the downfall of characters or entire civilizations.

One 'dark dark short story' could be about a haunted house. A family moves in, and every night they hear strange noises. Doors open and close on their own. Eventually, they discover a tragic past of a murder in the house that haunts it still. Another could be a story of a lost traveler in a dark forest. He encounters strange, shadowy figures that seem to lead him deeper into the forest, and he realizes he may never find his way out. And there could be a story about a cursed object. A woman finds an old mirror at a flea market. When she looks into it, she starts seeing visions of a past life filled with sorrow and misfortune.