what is a gothic novel

What Is a Gothic Novel: Exploring the Mysterious and Dark World of Gothic Literature

Are you intrigued by eerie castles, supernatural occurrences, and mysterious characters? Then you might be interested in Gothic novels. In this article, we will delve into the fascinating world of Gothic literature, exploring its characteristics, popular authors, and even recommend some must-read novels to satisfy your dark literary cravings.

Gothic novels, also known as Gothic fiction, emerged in the 18th century as a reaction to the rationality of the Age of Enlightenment. These novels explore themes of horror, romance, death, and the supernatural, often set in gloomy and medieval-inspired landscapes. They are characterized by a sense of mystery, suspense, and the presence of sinister elements.

One of the most influential and renowned Gothic novels is "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley. Published in 1818, this classic tells the story of Dr. Victor Frankenstein's creation of a monster and the consequences of his actions. It delves into themes of science, ambition, and the human condition, making it a captivating read for those interested in both horror and philosophical musings.

Another notable author in the Gothic genre is Bram Stoker, known for his masterpiece "Dracula," published in 1897. This iconic novel introduced the world to Count Dracula, the quintessential vampire, and created a template for countless modern vampire stories. With its chilling atmosphere and intense psychological undertones, "Dracula" remains a cornerstone of Gothic literature.

If you enjoy historical fiction with a touch of the Gothic, "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte is a must-read. Published in 1847, this novel follows the life of Jane Eyre, an orphan who becomes a governess and falls in love with the mysterious Mr. Rochester. Bronte's exploration of love, social class, and the struggle for independence within a Gothic setting has made "Jane Eyre" a beloved classic.

For those seeking more recent Gothic novels, "The Thirteenth Tale" by Diane Setterfield is a perfect choice. This atmospheric and intricately woven tale follows a biographer as she uncovers the secrets of the enigmatic writer Vida Winter. With its haunting ambiance and clever plot twists, "The Thirteenth Tale" has captivated readers in recent years.

To explore a wider selection of Gothic novels, there are numerous websites dedicated to Gothic literature and recommendations. Goodreads, a popular book recommendation platform, allows users to discover and discuss various Gothic novels, making it an excellent resource for finding your next dark and thrilling read. Additionally, websites like Literary Hub and Electric Lit often feature articles and lists of recommended Gothic novels, providing valuable insights into this captivating genre.

In conclusion, Gothic novels provide a captivating blend of darkness, mystery, and supernatural elements. From the classic works of Mary Shelley and Bram Stoker to more recent additions like "The Thirteenth Tale," this genre has enthralled readers for centuries. Whether you're seeking spine-tingling horror or thought-provoking philosophical musings, Gothic literature offers a vast array of novels to satisfy your cravings. So, grab a book, light a candle, and immerse yourself in the chilling world of Gothic fiction.
Seed Chronicles 2.0 Fiction
Seed Chronicles 2.0

A galactic police transport ship, carrying thirty thousand extraordinary seeds, unexpectedly disintegrates in the Earth's atmosphere due to the sabotage by interstellar terrorists. The thirty thousand extraordinary seeds scatter all over the planet. Chen Yu, an unusually lucky (or unlucky) individual, is selected to become an esteemed galactic police officer. He is entrusted with the mission of collecting all the scattered extraordinary seeds on Earth within five years. The dispersal of these seeds results in the emergence of numerous individuals with extraordinary abilities, some for good and some for evil. Meanwhile, Earth's power-hungry individuals, interstellar smugglers, and interstellar terrorists lurking in the shadows all make their appearance. They engage in a series of battles involving advanced technology and extraordinary abilities, driven by their own ideologies and interests. Regardless of whether their opponents are righteous or evil, the protagonist Chen Yu must defeat them and retrieve the seeds. Otherwise, the Earth will face the extermination by the galactic police fleet after five years—an unstoppable countdown. This book is a high-definition reset version of the Seed Chronicles, featuring the same characters but with a different story. We hope that all readers will enjoy it. If you do not like transformation novels, do not enter...

392.42 Million words | 2021-03-07 03:02Update

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The Mysterious Person of Huanghe Town Fiction
The Mysterious Person of Huanghe Town

Who was the person who died in the ruined temple on the west side of the village seventeen years ago, amidst the rolling Yellow River? A mystery hidden for thousands of years...

573.04 Million words | 2022-11-28 04:05Update

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Three Lives, Three Worlds: Farewell to Yaochi Fiction
Three Lives, Three Worlds: Farewell to Yaochi

Why must we go through three lives and three worlds? I don't want to, I don't want to... Even mortal women can have a loving relationship and spend a lifetime together, why can't I? Oh, Queen Mother, give me an explanation, as I have served by your side as the Lotus of Moon Reflection for hundreds of years, only to end up in this endless cycle of reincarnation... Heaven! Why is it so unfair?

180.79 Million words | 2022-07-24 04:28Update

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Monster Martial God Fiction
Monster Martial God

Monster — Born to Bring Disaster! An accident destroyed Fang Bai's body, and another accident led him onto the path of bringing calamity to the world. Amidst the chaos and conflicts, he defied the heavens and overturned the stars, ultimately becoming the greatest monster of all time!

422.10 Million words | 2022-10-20 13:47Update

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Super Dragon Pet Fiction
Super Dragon Pet

On a stormy night, the golden egg in Yang Tian's hand cracked open and a little green dragon crawled out! With the help of this dragon pet, Yang Tian embarked on a different path of martial arts cultivation. VIP Group (For fans with above cumulative fan value):

215.49 Million words | 2022-04-01 17:35Update

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The Years I Spent as an Onmyoji Fiction
The Years I Spent as an Onmyoji

This world has at least six different dimensions of space, as the Buddhist tradition calls it, the "six realms of existence." The realms of humans and ghosts were once separate, but for unknown reasons, the boundaries were broken. Souls now flood the mortal world, and resentment lingers in the air. Li Zheng, since his childhood, has had extraordinary experiences and has been guided by a master to become a Yin and Yang practitioner. As he grew older, he discovered that his true identity was far more complex than it seemed on the surface. The eerie restroom in a mountain village school, The lingering spirits of a couple, The enigmatic emerald-eyed black cat... ...

136.68 Million words | 2021-09-26 03:30Update

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Crimson Throne Fiction
Crimson Throne

Devoted in passion, sincere at heart, even if the path ahead is filled with mountains of corpses and oceans of blood, an infernal abyss, I will wield my long sword and fight my way back. Unable to become a hero adorned in golden armor, stepping on clouds of seven colors, then let me forge a divine throne from countless white bones, and dye it crimson with endless blood. This is a story that begins from insignificance, shining amidst the ashes. In a world at the end of its journey, as a person at the end of the road, one must either perish with the world or shine radiantly like light, achieving this throne of blood.

161.62 Million words | 2023-01-26 00:33Update

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Golden Armored Master Fiction
Golden Armored Master

Traversing to the garbage star to scavenge for discarded items? It's nothing special. Relying on diligence, hard work, and a bit of luck, training the body and cultivating spiritual power, mastering armor disassembly, repair, and manufacturing, becoming a jack of all trades. And in the end, even being able to fix a man to serve as an all-purpose bodyguard? ORZ, I swear, I will never give up until I reach the pinnacle of glory.

192.23 Million words | 2020-10-31 15:19Update

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Most Fearful of Love: Clingy Heart Sea Fiction
Most Fearful of Love: Clingy Heart Sea

【【Participating Work in the Yunqi Chinese Literature Essay Contest】】 Legend has it that he is the pride of Xicheng, with a mesmerizing appearance and a disdain for women. He is ruthless and terrifies his opponents. Until, he showers his affection on another woman... Indeed, legends are not to be trusted! Excerpt 1: A car accident left her without her father, but he decided to take her under his wing. 'She, Xia Shi'ai, is someone I protect. Anyone who targets her is targeting me!' Excerpt 2: In order to help an orphanage, she makes a deal with a demon. She undergoes both physical and emotional torment, only to go against him due to a breach of contract. 'Dahua, wise men adapt to the circumstances. Don't abandon the entire forest for the sake of one crooked tree.'

133.27 Million words | 2020-07-29 01:34Update

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Just want to sincerely love you! Fiction
Just want to sincerely love you!

Waking up from a nap, the face of the man next to me has completely changed. Is there anything more horrifying than this? If there is, it would be... "Sheng Zhi Xia, you are not allowed to wear such short skirts! You are not allowed to get close to strange men! You are not allowed to come home late!" "Then, is there anything I am allowed to do?" "You are allowed to love me!"

174.10 Million words | 2020-10-09 17:42Update

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Zombie New Daoist Fiction
Zombie New Daoist

Doing dirty things too often, perhaps there will be ghosts around you. People who are always too depressed, maybe they will be manipulated by those things hidden in the corners. Ghosts are always spouting nonsense, can you believe it? Welcome everyone to join the discussion group of this book.

244.52 Million words | 2021-09-02 21:48Update

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Chu Shao's Guide to Doting on His Wife Fiction
Chu Shao's Guide to Doting on His Wife

【This article has been published under the title "Never Betrayed by Deep Affection from Now On", available at Dangdang and Taobao.】【New book recommendation: My Beloved Wife: Yi Shao, Please Spoil Me!】He revealed before their marriage that he had a car and a house, and both his parents were too busy. She discovered the reality after marriage: luxury cars and numerous properties, while his parents flew around the world for business negotiations. Gu Xiaoxiao once foolishly believed that Chu Yichen was the most suitable person for her, until she discovered that he was her immediate superior at work...

234.62 Million words | 2021-06-24 17:20Update

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The Inner Palace. Fiction
The Inner Palace.

"You are the gift that Qi Zhenyu gave to me, to replace his severed head. Did your father not tell you to obey me?" Xiang Ye flicked the jade bone fan in his hand, gently removing the empress's phoenix robe. "My grandmother said that the daughters of the Qi family do not need to obey." Min'er looked up at this blood-stained king, her eyes devoid of fear. On their wedding night, the emperor embraced other women while he slept. However, his neglect, humiliation, and oppression could not affect this woman. Until that day when Xiang Ye saw Min'er smiling at another man.

142.26 Million words | 2020-07-13 14:01Update

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Operation Dawn Fiction
Operation Dawn

If you were asked to give up your name, your past, and embark on a completely unknown journey in the dark, where death, fear, guilt, misunderstanding, and injustice are your constant companions, where you may wander in the darkness until your last breath, never being able to stand freely in the bright sunlight like ordinary people, would you still choose such a life?

450.00 Million words | 2021-10-17 16:14Update

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Empress Wu Zetian, mesmerizing the world. Fiction
Empress Wu Zetian, mesmerizing the world.

The heroine travels through time to a chaotic fictional world, burdened with only one name.

212.08 Million words | 2021-12-10 00:59Update

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fall into a trap Fiction
fall into a trap

Zhou Nian's fiancé died, and his younger brother successfully took his place. At first, it didn't bother her much, but the new partner turned out to be none other than her high school crush, who once tore up her love letters and threw her to his brother. Zhou Nian said, "Who hasn't loved a scumbag when they were young? But now the scumbag keeps harassing her." The scumbag said, "They only like your appearance, but I want to have deep conversations with you." Zhou Nian: "..." Every encounter seems to be a deliberate effort. This is a story of a successful playboy.

167.90 Million words | 2021-09-13 08:01Update

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Paranoid Mr. Huo Su is exploding. Fiction
Paranoid Mr. Huo Su is exploding.

"Huo Zhanshen, your entire being belongs to me, down to a single strand of hair." The yandere girl gazed at her abstinent and domineering husband in front of her. Huo Zhanshen, with his slender fingers, loosened his tie. "I am yours?" "You are mine, and no one else is allowed to covet you!" She had set her sights on him, ready to support him, but unexpectedly found herself being teased instead...

178.99 Million words | 2022-08-10 10:59Update

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The Soul Gate Banquet Fiction
The Soul Gate Banquet

She is a wandering spirit who has been dead for over a decade. She befriends a lazy little wizard and falls in love with a young handsome man who can transform into a cat, despite being over a hundred years old. She also keeps a weeping little fairy as a pet, who hides in a flowerpot all day long. When she learns that her death is related to a demonic organization called the Soul Gate, she embarks on a path of revenge and encounters various factions along the way. She unwittingly ends up at the Soul Gate Banquet, where she narrowly escapes being dinner for the demons, thanks to the help of an unknown little demon. With the formidable Soul Gate and the countless dangers at the banquet, can she continue her path of revenge? How long can she remain alive in this ghostly world? As she unveils one mystery after another, her true identity shocks her to the core.

325.11 Million words | 2020-12-15 21:49Update

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Happy Family Fiction
Happy Family

The clueless preschool teacher has a rare moment of bravery in his lifetime, only to meet a heroic end! Just as he becomes the apprentice of the great deity, he clenches his fists and swears, 'I won't let this auntie ruin my first mission.' Welcome to the Qing Dynasty! A new comedy of errors unfolds!

112.40 Million words | 2020-08-24 13:48Update

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Perfect Pet Marriage: Cunning Husband and Innocent Wife Fiction
Perfect Pet Marriage: Cunning Husband and Innocent Wife

Strongly recommend the new book 'First Pet Marriage: Husband, Please Behave'. 'I want to sleep with you tonight...' In order to prove that he is not gay, she boldly sneaks into his room to seduce him. But when she sees his physical reaction, she is scared and flees. She is a noble daughter, raised in a greenhouse, showered with countless love. He is a cunning boss of a conglomerate. They are a perfect match in terms of social status and innate compatibility. She has secretly loved him since childhood, with the dream of becoming his lover. Little did anyone know, he had kept himself pure all these years, waiting for her to grow up...

101.16 Million words | 2022-03-11 03:49Update

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