FACT!
So, to identify the best horror books of all time, I've looked at a selection of websites that have lists of books and done up my own list. This year I'm going to read (or in some cases re-read) these titles and write a review. (For those who are interested I've listed the websites I used at the end of this blog). The top 13 horror books of all time are:
13 - The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris.
Need I say anything other than:
"Well Clarice, have the lambs stopped screaming?" and...
"I ate his ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti"
I remember reading this book some years ago and whilst it is was scary, the movie is better. Anthony Hopkins plays Hannibal Lecter with such brilliant that will never be surpassed, you cannot read the book without imagining him in the role.
12 - 'Salem's Lot by Stephen King.
This is the Master of Horror's first entry on the list, an awesome book that I read well over 20 years ago. Looking forward to reading it again.
11 - The Turn of the Screw by Henry James
I've never read this book so looking forward to it.
10 - Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin
I know absolutely nothing about this book so will have to read it and find out what all the bru-ha-ha is all about.
I've watched a lot of films based on Clive Barker's work but never read any of his books. This will be interesting.
8 - House of Leaves by Mark Danielewski
Yet another book I haven't read but going by other reviews I'm looking forward to reading this also.
7 - Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
I couldn't believe I haven't read this book, but, yet it appears on so many best horror lists. I wonder is it because it's one of the first in the genre or if it's actually any good. Only reading it for myself will tell me. Crazy to think this was written over 200 years ago.
6 - The Shining by Stephen King.
5 - Pet Sematary by Stephen King
And yet another entry by the King of Horror. I haven't read this for probably 25 years so can't remember it. Another book I'm looking forward to.
4 - Dracula by Bram Stoker
Another ground breaking, genre creating title that I haven't read. What a shame. Again, like Frankenstein, I wonder is it on so many lists because of it's genre creating credentials or is it actually any good. Written in 1897, it has spawned such awesomeness like Buffy and Queen of the Damned but also such crud like the Twilight Saga. Oh dear gawd.
3 - It by Stephen King.
Hey Georgie want your boat back. A truly horrifying book and movie. I did a review of the new movie here. Just love the book and movies. Will be strange reading this book again also.
2 - The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
Another book on the list I've never read, but I did love the movies and the new series is fantastic.
So, before I unveil the top horror book of all time, here is a summary of all the books so far, how many times they appeared on the top lists used and how many points they accrued:
No.
|
Title
|
Appearances
|
Points
|
13
|
The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas
Harris
|
3
|
21
|
12
|
Salem’s Lot by Stephen King
|
3
|
27
|
11
|
The Turn of the Screw by Henry
James
|
3
|
29
|
10
|
Rosemary’s Baby by Ira Levin
|
3
|
31
|
9
|
Books of Blood Volumes 1-3 by
Clive Barker
|
3
|
37
|
8
|
House of Leaves by Mark Danielewski
|
3
|
45
|
7
|
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
|
3
|
46
|
6
|
The Shining by Stephen King
|
3
|
60
|
5
|
Pet Sematary by Stephen King
|
4
|
38
|
4
|
Dracula by Bram Stoker
|
4
|
68
|
3
|
It by Stephen King
|
5
|
66
|
2
|
The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
|
6
|
72
|
So...final drum roll please...The best horror book of all time, FACT! is...
1 - The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Another I haven't read so this is going to the top of the pile.
Toodles for now
John The Captain Ryan.
All the book cover images were sources from Amazon.
The different websites used were:
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