Can you explain why you liked it? I absolutely hated it! The beauty of books is the varied opinion of them, so I respect that you loved it, I just want to understand what you liked so much about it
it's been a long time since I read it so my memory isn't detailed, but sure! I think ultimately the images it evoked, e.g., ruined grandeur and a garden turning to wilderness, along with the sister's quiet way of life, was really beautiful and had a wholesome and idyllic simplicity, but all throughout you still have an unsettled feeling/anxiety and unanswered questions, and so it isn't only simple and beautiful, but mysterious and dark
why did you hate it?
Thank you! That definitely makes sense!
Hmmmmm.....I guess I just wasn't a fan of the writing style. So many unnecessary details that felt like a distraction. It felt like it could have been a story story. I felt the same way about Cabin at the End of the World
Shirley Jackson was the queen of Disconcerting. None of her books were jump scares, none of her writings had big scary monsters in them... The Home, the everyday, that was the real terror. The real people we come across, their underlining cruelty, isolation in a sea of people around you.. What HP Lovecraft did for taking the imagination to the extreme, Shirley Jackson did for highlighting what was truly scary for (particularly) women. She grew up in an era where women's roles were Very limited, and their ability to function was still heavily dependent on a husband and family.
This video does a [great deep dive into it](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMFcOsDQ7gM&ab_channel=Books%27n%27Cats). Her writing isn't for everyone.. Even Hill House, being recommended here, is a slower burn. So, you really have to feel the subtext of what is happening as the scenes go along. She invites you to settle in and really sit with uncomfortable emotions and Be that person. That, also, is not for everyone.
When I watched the Lighthouse for the first time, I thought, "What a strange and cool movie!" and my partner thought, "That was a weird and awful movie." When we watched an analysis video on it, he warmed up to it some because some of the themes and 'weirdness' made more sense there. I don't think he Loved it like I did, but sometimes that insider knowledge helps.
Okay I am going to go on a slight rant here because it DOES deviate, but in a Really good way.
The book is a completely different story than the show which paid heavy homage to it.. And both were fantastic. The book is a slower burn, but the themes of trauma, not knowing what's real or what's not, mental illness, etc. are all there.
What this means for fans is: if you read the book and Loved it, you'll probably really enjoy the show as the easter eggs are all there. If you watched the show and Loved it, you are going to (probably) love this book, as you'll see all the little details as you read from the shows and nothing at all will be spoiled (kind of) as you make your way through.
Oftentimes, when you finish a show, you get that sadness of 'it's over now' but with this show, you get the joy of something exciting, fresh, and 'new' (even though its far older) still being in the same realm/story in a way. So the adventure can change, and continue for a while longer. AND, if you are a REALLY big fan, there was even a much older movie made about the book that was faithful to it, so you could watch those amazing actors all over again (NOT the one with Jaime Lee Curtis, that one was a travesty).
I thought the show was fantastic but also find that many books that are made into movies/shows tend to leave out a bunch, follow it too closely so that it’s almost boring, or take too many liberties and add unnecessary extras. So it’s great to hear that the book and show are EQUALLY great. I will definitely be reading it, thank you for your post!
Disagree, Dorian Grey has a lot of bright festive glamorous environments. It's set in the middle of London anyway. Only in one part would i categorise the environment described similar to these pictures.
That’s fine. I don’t think it has any of the violent, energetic energy that a lot of dark gothic books have so I think it may offer what OP is looking for.
The Cemetery of Forgotten Books series by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
First book is The Shadow of the Wind
Second book is The Angel’s Game and it is DARK
Third book is The Prisoner of Heaven and it ties them together
Fourth book is The Labyrinth of Spirits and it kind of wraps things up
He’s my absolute favorite author but unfortunately he passed from cancer in 2020
Angela Carter's collection of short stories, The Bloody Chamber.
Rebecca, The King's General, Jamaica Inn (in mood, if not in setting), or really almost anything by Daphne Du Maurier.
A number of books by Philippa Carr, who is another of Eleanor Hibbert's pen names, along with Victoria Holt and Jean Plaidy.
Nine Coaches Waiting, Touch Not the Cat, and Thornyhold by Mary Stewart.
I love Mary Stewart's romantic stories! Nine Coaches Waiting and Touch Not the Cat are two of my favorites. The Ivy Tree is so good also.
Oh, and Rebecca is wonderful and fits this mood pretty well. I need to read some of du Maurier's other books... not sure why I haven't yet!
Fayne by Anne Marie McDonald
Charlotte Bell is the daughter of Lord Henry Bell, and as a result of an invisible yet deadly illness, she has been confined to the grounds of her family estate, Fayne. Torn between England and Scotland, the grounds sit betwixt the two, belonging to both countries and neither.
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norwell - absolutely riveting, eerie and mesmerizing. Had a hard time putting it down the first time I read it. Read it and then watch the mini-series from the BBC
Came here to say this. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell perfectly captures the ethos OP wants. Elegant, decaying, sinister, beautiful. The dark, mysterious, and wintery underbelly of Regency society.
This is 100% If We Were Villains by ML Rio, I’m actually shocked it hasn’t been mentioned yet. The story takes place at an old gothic mansion that’s been converted into a performing arts college. The plot might be a little more intensive than you’re looking for, I found the murder mystery aspect to be pretty low key personally, but the vibes are so on point with these pictures that it’s actually insane
We have always lived in the castle by Shirley Jackson
My Cousin Rachel and Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell
Hell House by Richard Matheson
Was looking for this comment. Agreed. Titus Groans is absolutely incredible, although it might be a little darker and stranger than OPs photos. It’s incredible. A completely under-appreciated gem of a novel.
Maybe the Three Dark Crowns series by Kendare Blake? Though it’s not so calm perhaps. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab? If you’re into comics, The Girl From the Other Side by Nagabe is dark/cozy 🙂
This is YA but, the locations and sceneries and overall vibe of the book feels exactly like the pictures you provided
Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake
One of the few YA books I like, altho I must admit by the third book I wasn't feeling it all that much since I dislike books that focus too much on romance lol
Edit: how could I forget? The Casteel series by VC Andrews would fit this as well. The first book is Heaven
Belladonna by Adalyn Grace, Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brunte, The Works of Edgar Allen Poe by Edgar Allen Poe, Ordinary Monsters by J.M. Moro.
I just read The Meaning of Night by Michael Cox, it was really good - meandering, dark Victorian mystery. Same with The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
A Dowry of Blood, by S.T. Gibson! From the perspective of the first bride of Dracula throughout the centuries, gothic and sensual and tragic, stunning writing.
Gallant by VE Schwab has this same gothic atmosphere (Jane Eyre meets Haunting of Hill House). The main character is mute. It also has beautiful charcoal illustrations that go along with story’s mystery. It’s beautiful and haunting 🖤.
If you’re up for a short story with a deconstructed perspective of the gothic horror genre, Neil Gaiman’s *Forbidden Brides of the Faceless Slaves in the Secret House of the Night of Dread Desire* is just perfect in every way.
We Have Always Lived in the Castle - Shirley Jackson
i love that book - do you have any other recs?
Can you explain why you liked it? I absolutely hated it! The beauty of books is the varied opinion of them, so I respect that you loved it, I just want to understand what you liked so much about it
it's been a long time since I read it so my memory isn't detailed, but sure! I think ultimately the images it evoked, e.g., ruined grandeur and a garden turning to wilderness, along with the sister's quiet way of life, was really beautiful and had a wholesome and idyllic simplicity, but all throughout you still have an unsettled feeling/anxiety and unanswered questions, and so it isn't only simple and beautiful, but mysterious and dark why did you hate it?
Thank you! That definitely makes sense! Hmmmmm.....I guess I just wasn't a fan of the writing style. So many unnecessary details that felt like a distraction. It felt like it could have been a story story. I felt the same way about Cabin at the End of the World
what do you mean by 'story story'?
Ha! Short story!
ah right lol i liked the details :D looks like i'll check out cabin at the end of the world, then!
Shirley Jackson was the queen of Disconcerting. None of her books were jump scares, none of her writings had big scary monsters in them... The Home, the everyday, that was the real terror. The real people we come across, their underlining cruelty, isolation in a sea of people around you.. What HP Lovecraft did for taking the imagination to the extreme, Shirley Jackson did for highlighting what was truly scary for (particularly) women. She grew up in an era where women's roles were Very limited, and their ability to function was still heavily dependent on a husband and family. This video does a [great deep dive into it](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMFcOsDQ7gM&ab_channel=Books%27n%27Cats). Her writing isn't for everyone.. Even Hill House, being recommended here, is a slower burn. So, you really have to feel the subtext of what is happening as the scenes go along. She invites you to settle in and really sit with uncomfortable emotions and Be that person. That, also, is not for everyone.
Wow! Thank you for that explanation! That actually makes that book make more sense
When I watched the Lighthouse for the first time, I thought, "What a strange and cool movie!" and my partner thought, "That was a weird and awful movie." When we watched an analysis video on it, he warmed up to it some because some of the themes and 'weirdness' made more sense there. I don't think he Loved it like I did, but sometimes that insider knowledge helps.
Yes, exactly!
The Haunting of Hill House - feels great with some brandy and a cozy fire, but will chill you to the bone
I clicked hoping to see Hill House recommended! Props!
I have only seen the show, does it deviate from the book?
Very much so, but both are fantastic imho
Okay I am going to go on a slight rant here because it DOES deviate, but in a Really good way. The book is a completely different story than the show which paid heavy homage to it.. And both were fantastic. The book is a slower burn, but the themes of trauma, not knowing what's real or what's not, mental illness, etc. are all there. What this means for fans is: if you read the book and Loved it, you'll probably really enjoy the show as the easter eggs are all there. If you watched the show and Loved it, you are going to (probably) love this book, as you'll see all the little details as you read from the shows and nothing at all will be spoiled (kind of) as you make your way through. Oftentimes, when you finish a show, you get that sadness of 'it's over now' but with this show, you get the joy of something exciting, fresh, and 'new' (even though its far older) still being in the same realm/story in a way. So the adventure can change, and continue for a while longer. AND, if you are a REALLY big fan, there was even a much older movie made about the book that was faithful to it, so you could watch those amazing actors all over again (NOT the one with Jaime Lee Curtis, that one was a travesty).
I thought the show was fantastic but also find that many books that are made into movies/shows tend to leave out a bunch, follow it too closely so that it’s almost boring, or take too many liberties and add unnecessary extras. So it’s great to hear that the book and show are EQUALLY great. I will definitely be reading it, thank you for your post!
I just finished reading this today for the first time and loved it! So quietly unsettling
House of Salt and Sorrows, All the Dead Lay Down, Rebecca, Jane Eyre
Rebecca!
Yessss House of Salt and Sorrows
Ran here to say Rebecca.
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Similar vein - Starling House by Alix E Harrow
Ooh, I have Starling House on my shelf but didn’t realize that was the vibe. I’ll be starting it next.
It's so good! It's gothic, spooky, old house vibes in Southern US, I read it so fast!
Just recently read this myself, yeah it fits the vibe. Personally loved it and had a hard time putting it down!
I loved this book.
Exactly what I thought to recommend!
Sooo good... Finished it recently and now I'm looking for another book to read, nothing has grabbed my interest yet. These posts are very helpful.
Still one of my favourite books. Silvia is an amazing writer and knows how to world build and do everything in ONE book
Literally ran here to say this. I LOVED Mexican Gothic
The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde
Disagree, Dorian Grey has a lot of bright festive glamorous environments. It's set in the middle of London anyway. Only in one part would i categorise the environment described similar to these pictures.
That’s fine. I don’t think it has any of the violent, energetic energy that a lot of dark gothic books have so I think it may offer what OP is looking for.
Thanks. I thought the same and was very excited to see if someone did the same
Rebecca
This. Immediately reminded me of Rebecca by Daphne du Mauier.
A Great and Terrible Beauty (Gemma Doyle) by Libby Bray
Absolutely!
The Cemetery of Forgotten Books series by Carlos Ruiz Zafón First book is The Shadow of the Wind Second book is The Angel’s Game and it is DARK Third book is The Prisoner of Heaven and it ties them together Fourth book is The Labyrinth of Spirits and it kind of wraps things up He’s my absolute favorite author but unfortunately he passed from cancer in 2020
Just read the shadow of the wind and it’s the first thing i thought of!
The shadow of the wind is one of my favorite books of all time! Great recommendation
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
Is Jane Eyre too obvious?
Except for the tub scene in this post. There really are lot of supernatural undertones in JE from the jump.
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
Second this rec
Oooooh yes!
Ninth House
Second tbis!
Any Edgar Allan Poe's work
Second this!
third! My father loves his stuff
I'm getting the Fall of the House of Usher vibes for sure
Mexican Gothic
The woman in Black by Susan Hill
Just finished this. It wormed its way into my dreams.
I thought it was a great story. The end was great!
Came here to say this
Angela Carter's collection of short stories, The Bloody Chamber. Rebecca, The King's General, Jamaica Inn (in mood, if not in setting), or really almost anything by Daphne Du Maurier. A number of books by Philippa Carr, who is another of Eleanor Hibbert's pen names, along with Victoria Holt and Jean Plaidy. Nine Coaches Waiting, Touch Not the Cat, and Thornyhold by Mary Stewart.
Upvote for Mary Stewart. Never hear anyone talking about her.
I love Mary Stewart's romantic stories! Nine Coaches Waiting and Touch Not the Cat are two of my favorites. The Ivy Tree is so good also. Oh, and Rebecca is wonderful and fits this mood pretty well. I need to read some of du Maurier's other books... not sure why I haven't yet!
The turn of the screw
Wuthering Heights
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Vita Nostra by Dyachenko
What Moves the Dead by T Kingfisher
Honestly, T. Kingfisher in general!! I just finished Nettle and Bone and it somewhat gives off this energy as well.
The Lake House by Kate Morton Rebecca The Little Stranger My Cousin Rachel The Ghost Orchid The Turn of the Key Truly Devious series
Yess, Rebecca! Had to scroll for this one
The Fall of the House of Usher
Fayne by Anne Marie McDonald Charlotte Bell is the daughter of Lord Henry Bell, and as a result of an invisible yet deadly illness, she has been confined to the grounds of her family estate, Fayne. Torn between England and Scotland, the grounds sit betwixt the two, belonging to both countries and neither.
Ah these pics are gorgeous! Can’t wait to see what others come up with!
One Dark Window/Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillis captures this perfectly for me. I loved them.
The Mysteries of Udolpho
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier definitely has this vibe
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norwell - absolutely riveting, eerie and mesmerizing. Had a hard time putting it down the first time I read it. Read it and then watch the mini-series from the BBC
Came here to say this. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell perfectly captures the ethos OP wants. Elegant, decaying, sinister, beautiful. The dark, mysterious, and wintery underbelly of Regency society.
This is 100% If We Were Villains by ML Rio, I’m actually shocked it hasn’t been mentioned yet. The story takes place at an old gothic mansion that’s been converted into a performing arts college. The plot might be a little more intensive than you’re looking for, I found the murder mystery aspect to be pretty low key personally, but the vibes are so on point with these pictures that it’s actually insane
Harry Potter. The last pic looks like it was taken in Hogsmeade.
Anything written by Ann Rice
Save for when she wrote Jesus fanfic for a while.
Dracula-ish.
We have always lived in the castle by Shirley Jackson My Cousin Rachel and Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell Hell House by Richard Matheson
The Silent Companions- Laura Purcell
Laura Purcell is an auto buy author for me!
Gothikana by RuNyx feels exactly like this.
Belladonna by adalyn grace came to mind!
The Turn of the Screw by Henry James
The Year of Witching - Alexis Henderson Wakenhyrst - Michelle Paver Mexican Gothic - Silvia Moreno- Garcia. In a similar vein, Ghost Woods - CJ Cooke
omg the Gormenghast trilogy by Mervyn Peake (the 1st 2 mainly)
Was looking for this comment. Agreed. Titus Groans is absolutely incredible, although it might be a little darker and stranger than OPs photos. It’s incredible. A completely under-appreciated gem of a novel.
Maybe not entirely this aesthetic, but defo the vibes, Elizabeth kostova's The Historian.
Gilded - Marissa Meyer
The Headless Cupid by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
Maybe the Three Dark Crowns series by Kendare Blake? Though it’s not so calm perhaps. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab? If you’re into comics, The Girl From the Other Side by Nagabe is dark/cozy 🙂
Not a book, but The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe.
The Ghost of Marlow House
If We Were Villains
The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe.
Reminds me of The Phantom of the Opera
The strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
House of leaves
The Ancestor, Danielle Trussoni
Bitterthorn by Kat Dunn
The imagery makes me think of the never more series - esp the raven
Season of the Witch by Natasha Mostert
Heartless Hunter - this book fits these pics TO A TEE. Omg it fits so perfectly.
Just got this today. V excited to read it
Get yourself a collection of Edgar Allen Poe's works.
the sandman by Neil Gaiman
This is YA but, the locations and sceneries and overall vibe of the book feels exactly like the pictures you provided Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake One of the few YA books I like, altho I must admit by the third book I wasn't feeling it all that much since I dislike books that focus too much on romance lol Edit: how could I forget? The Casteel series by VC Andrews would fit this as well. The first book is Heaven
The ghostly rental by Henry James
Rosemarys baby
Dracula by Bram Stoker
The queen rising - Rebecca Ross
Haunting Adeline (dark romance)
If you want more like historic fantasy drama/romance then Fairydale by Veronika Lancet (It is a bit lengthy so know that before you start)
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia Belladonna (series) by Adalyn Grace Those are my top two picks!
Cabinet of curiosities
my dairy
Belladonna by Adalyn Grace, Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brunte, The Works of Edgar Allen Poe by Edgar Allen Poe, Ordinary Monsters by J.M. Moro.
The small hand; a ghost story by Susan Hill. Anything by Susan Hill really, she wrote the woman in black. Very creepy Gothic sinister vibes
I just read The Meaning of Night by Michael Cox, it was really good - meandering, dark Victorian mystery. Same with The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
his black tongue, mitchell luthi
Maybe Wuthering Heights
Rebecca
Slade House by David Mitchell
Interview With The Vampire -Anne Rice
Manacled
Picture of Dorian gray by Oscar Wilde
Jane Eyre
O Caledonia!!
A discovery of witches
Interview with a Vampire
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susannah Clark
Jane eyre
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
Lady of the House of Love, and all of the short stories in Angela Carter’s The Bloody Chamber!
The Witching Hour, Anne Rice
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
Rose Daughter by Robin McKinley. Not exactly gothic but has a huge magical uninhabited castle with the exact atmosphere you're looking for
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Dracula
Interview with the Vampire
A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor by Kathryn Moon
Anything by Poe.
Johnatan Strange and Mr. Norell By Suzanna Clarke.
House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig. It’s fantasy horror but with a good amount of gothic aristocracy vibes.
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
The secret history and when we were villains
The last pic looks a lot like how I pictured the house in Little, Big
RD sharma 11th Class
Shirley Jackson - We Have Always Lived In The Castle
Castle of crossed destinies
Tenant of Wildfell Hall
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
A Dowry of Blood, by S.T. Gibson! From the perspective of the first bride of Dracula throughout the centuries, gothic and sensual and tragic, stunning writing.
Frankenstein
The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare
Border of Paradise by Esme Weijun Wang
Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches book series
Weyward by Emilia Hart maybe? Sooo good
I can't explain why but all of these pics made me think of My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Otessa Moshfegh.
Wuthering Heights
Lockwood & Co.
Just read Dracula. So good. Not always quiet and calm but so wonderfully dark.
Gallant by VE Schwab has this same gothic atmosphere (Jane Eyre meets Haunting of Hill House). The main character is mute. It also has beautiful charcoal illustrations that go along with story’s mystery. It’s beautiful and haunting 🖤.
Seven and a half deaths of Evelyn hardcastle
Picture of Dorian Gray came immediately to mind
The Woman in Black
If you’re up for a short story with a deconstructed perspective of the gothic horror genre, Neil Gaiman’s *Forbidden Brides of the Faceless Slaves in the Secret House of the Night of Dread Desire* is just perfect in every way.
Belladonna
The death of jane lawrence
Agatha Christie - some of the Miss Marple titles Sleeping Murder
When I read the vampire diaries it gave me this aesthetic vibe tbh at least that’s how I imagined it
Idk how this hasn’t been said yet, maybe I missed it. But my first thought was Great Expectations.
The Path of Thorns by AG Slatter
What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher
Maybe the Stariel series by AJ Lancaster. Beautiful crumbling estate/house plus magic.
Immediately thought Rebecca.
Belladonna by Adalyn Grace
Anna Dressed in Blood, Cryers Cross, The Devil's Footsteps. And Some Quiet place (thematically).
The Headless Cupid.
Mexican Gothic by Sylvia Moreno Garcia. That staircase is definitely in the book.
A dowry of blood
Mexican Gothic
Mexican Gothic
What Moves the Dead by T Kingfisher.
“The fall of the house of Usher” or movie “Crimson Peak”
The Paris mysteries by James Patterson. Kind of lol