Gothic novels that are a classic and must be read by bibliophiles

Gothic novels were a product of the 18th century and has become popular ever since then. It was a branch of the larger Romantic movement that was influencing English literature at the time. Gothic novels usually invoke fear and apprehension from themes such as supernatural, mysteries, family curses and madness. Here is a list of five classic gothic novels that one should give a read:

Dracula

Written by Bram Stoker, Dracula is one of the classic gothic novels in English. Though not the first vampire novel, Dracula popularized the concept more than anyone. It revolves around the story of Count Dracula who hails from Pennsylvania and hungers after the blood of humanity, also hoping for world domination. It is now up to a group of four men and a woman to stop his devious plans. Dracula has been adapted and re-adapted into movies television series.

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Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus

Not only is Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus one of the classic gothic novels but also the first sci-fi novel in English. Written by Mary Shelley, the novel is commendable for its storyline and epistolary structure. It revolves around a scientist and his act of creating life from the dead remains with the newly-discovered electricity. The novel also delves into the psychological makeup of man, the birth and death of moral conscience.

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The Mysteries of Udolpho

The Mysteries of Udolpho was almost like a phenomenon in English literature which was written by Ann Radcliffe, popularly known as Mrs Radcliffe. It raised the genre of gothic romance to a whole new level. One of the most popular gothic novels, it revolves around the story of an orphan girl who gets separated from the man she loves and is confined to the medieval castle of her aunt’s new husband. The storyline follows the trials and tribulations that the heroine faces like advances from an unwanted suitor, threats and terror.

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The Castle of Otranto

This novel by Horace Walpole is reportedly the first of the gothic novels which began the genre of gothic fiction. This novel also gave the English dictionary the word ‘serendipity’. It is a translation of an Italian story from the time of the crusades. The Castle of Otranto is about Manfred, the prince of Otranto who strives to secure his castle for his descendants from a mysterious curse. It introduced the typical gothic elements of secret passageways, trapdoors, vulnerable heroines fleeing from a devious man and such. It was also reportedly Walpole’s personal favourite among his own works.

Wuthering Heights

Not as horrifying as the other books in the list, Wuthering Heights falls in the category of romantic gothic novels. Revolving around two families, the Earnshaws and the Lintons, and one orphan boy Heathcliff, this novel by Emily Bronte popularised the bleak Yorkshire moors of England more than ever. The place has almost become a pilgrimage for the Bronte fans. Moving over two generations, Wuthering Heights has suicide, ghosts and madness in its plot which makes one of the coveted classic gothic novels.

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