What are the best gothic novels?

Among the 10 best gothic novels, 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier is a great example. The unnamed narrator is haunted by the memory of the first Mrs. de Winter. 'The Mysteries of Udolpho' by Ann Radcliffe is a classic with its heroine Emily's adventures in a foreboding castle. 'Carmilla' by Sheridan Le Fanu is another important one, which was one of the early works to deal with female vampires.

One of the best is 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. It explores themes of racial injustice and moral growth in a southern setting. Another great one is 'Absalom, Absalom!' by William Faulkner. It has complex family dynamics and a sense of the decaying South. Also, 'The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter' by Carson McCullers is considered a top southern gothic novel, with its exploration of isolation and the human condition in a southern town.

The top 10 best gothic novels surely contain 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde. In this novel, a man's portrait ages while he remains young as he indulges in immoral behavior. 'Carmilla' by Sheridan Le Fanu is another great one. It's a vampire story that predates 'Dracula'. And 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte has gothic elements such as the spooky Thornfield Hall and the mysterious Mr. Rochester.

One of the best is 'Wuthering Heights' by Emily Bronte. It's a classic with its dark, brooding atmosphere, complex characters, and a love story full of passion and pain. Heathcliff and Catherine's relationship is intense and the moors setting adds to the gothic feel.

'Mexican Gothic' by Silvia Moreno - Garcia is also great. It combines elements of Mexican culture with gothic horror. The decaying family estate and the strange happenings within it make it a captivating read. There are themes of family secrets, the supernatural, and a sense of claustrophobia that are typical of gothic novels.

Some of the well - known 'goodreads best gothic novels' include 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker. It features the iconic vampire Count Dracula and is filled with elements of horror, mystery and the supernatural. The brooding atmosphere and the menacing presence of the vampire make it a classic gothic novel.

Some of the best gothic fiction novels include 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte. The dark secrets in Thornfield Hall, like the madwoman in the attic, and the brooding presence of Mr. Rochester give it a gothic feel. Also, 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde. The portrait that ages while Dorian remains young and the hedonistic and immoral lifestyle he leads in a somewhat gloomy Victorian setting is very gothic. And 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier. The mysterious and powerful presence of Rebecca even after her death, the grand but forbidding Manderley estate, all contribute to its gothic nature.

One of the best is 'Wuthering Heights' by Emily Bronte. It's a classic with its dark and brooding atmosphere, complex characters like Heathcliff and Catherine, and the wild moors setting which adds to the gothic feel. The love between the main characters is intense and tortured, making it a prime example of gothic romance.

One characteristic is a gloomy and often isolated setting. For example, in 'Jane Eyre', Thornfield Hall is a large, imposing, and somewhat desolate place that adds to the sense of mystery. Another is the presence of the supernatural or elements that seem to defy explanation, like the ghosts in 'The Turn of the Screw'.

Another good one is 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde. Dorian's portrait aging while he stays young is a great mystery. The gothic elements are present in the hedonistic and somewhat dark world that Dorian inhabits, and the novel explores themes of sin, morality, and the consequences of a double life.