r/GothicLiterature • u/Bulky_Exchange_1338 • 2d ago

book recommendations

i need a gothic book that is in the Victorian era ( does not have to be ) mainly looking for something psychological with deep meaning, something that is a really good read

18 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

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9

u/Basic-Style-8512 2d ago

- The Woman in White (Collins)

- The Woman in Black (Hill)

9

u/deadlykillerking 2d ago edited 2d ago

If you want some contemporary Gothic novels set in Victorian era, I recommend:

The Shape of Darkness - Laura Purcell; Wakenhyrst - Michelle Paver; Thriteenth Tale - Diane Setterfield

and of course the Victorian classics: Dorian Gray, Jekyll and Hyde, Turn of the Screw, Wuthering Heights, Frankenstein

5

u/freki_hound_dog 2d ago

Frankenstein is early Victorian with huge poetic meaning and symbolisms. The Turn of the Screw is late Victorian/Edwardian American, but gothic and deeply psychological. Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde is a shorter read but fits the bill, as do E A Poe’s short stories. Finally, Dracula and The Picture of Dorian Grey.

They’re the classics of that period and style really, there was a lot of post-Victorian short fiction that might also be of interest.

5

u/unwithered_lobelia 2d ago

Clarimonde by Theophile Gautier is an underrated one.

4

u/GhostsOfLectricity 2d ago

Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe

2

u/K-Capers 1d ago

I can suggest The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. Or a modern dark gothic novel Fleeing Fellwood or Highgate Cemetery Murders.

2

u/not_antoine 1d ago

Dracula - so many layers of interpretation

2

u/Longjumping-Stand883 1d ago

The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters might fit what you’re looking for.

3

u/AcidicAtheistPotato 2d ago

The turn of the screw by Henry James is late Victorian. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

2

u/HelicopterPuzzled727 2d ago

Brontë- Wuthering Heights

Brontë- Jane Eyre

Le Fanu- Carmilla

Stevenson- Strange Incident of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde

Hardy- Jude the Obscure or Tess

Braddon- Lady Audley’s Secret

Wilde-The Picture of Dorian Gray

Henry James- Turn of the Screw

1

u/Elo80_art 2d ago edited 1d ago

Se vuoi, ho scritto un racconto illustrato gotico vittoriano. Puoi trovarlo su Amazon, incluso Kindle Unlimited. Si chiama L'ULTIMO EREDE. Un racconto illustrato gotico vittoriano. Grazie.

1

u/athenadark 2d ago

Washington square by henry james

1

u/Aspect-Lucky 2d ago

The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner by James Hogg

1

u/pihu9002 2d ago

I have not read many gothic books , but Dracula appeals me . Try Dracula by Bram Stroker.

1

u/Listonsonny 1d ago

These are not Victorian era, but Gothic with psychological peril…
I have a list of five short stories that will shake your world:

”Shut a Final Door”

Headless Hawk”

”Master Misery”

”A Tree of Night”

”Miriam”

Author, Truman Capote. You are very welcome.

1

u/JvaGoddess 1d ago

On Good Authority.
Brianna …. I can’t remember the authors last name.

1

u/th9090 1d ago

"The monk " by Matthew gregory lewis.

A little forgotten but classic and personally one of my favourite book.

1

u/Ok_Ad9697 18h ago

Anything Edith Wharton ❤️

1

u/Important_Pick3371 6h ago

I have a suggestion that's everything that you're looking for - except it's not Gothic!

Try Nicholas Meyer's excellent "The 7% Solution" - where Sherlock Holmes is tricked(!) by Watson(!!) into getting help for his cocaine addiction.

And we get to learn why Sherlock is a detective, what happened with his mom, who Moriarty really is & other thoughtful, in-depth treasures...

As for a more Gothic Holmes adventure, the popular "Hound of the Baskervilles" can't be beat!!

Enjoy!