a good horror novel?

Question

okay so christmas is coming soon and my friend says that for her christmas present she would like a horror novel. since i usually don't read horror books i have no idea which ones i should get for her. so could you guys recommend a good horror novel she might like?

Answer 1

"The Shining" by Stephen King

"I am Legend" by Richard Matheson... actually a novella and some short stories with it. Written in the early 50s, but I liked it a lot. What I hear of the movie is quite different--

"Dracula" by Bram Stoker, a classic oldie but goldie

"The Phantom of the Opera" by Gaston Leroux... another classic book, really a terrific read.

"Odd Thomas," "Forever Thomas" and "Brother Thomas" by Dean Koontz are good... three books in that order; read the blurbs on them and see what you think. I thought they were both horrific and fun. Hmm.

"Ghost Story" by Peter Straub remains a favorite for horror, which is what it starts with and continues with all the way even through the end... scary.

That's all I can think of now. Others will post answers. You can always check the books out at a store or the library (I mean, look at them, read the inside covers, etc.)
Luck--

Answer 2

Since everyone said "No" I'll take the other side. I think books can make excellent movies. Many many great movies are based on books. Such as the Virgin Suicides, Leaving Las Vegas (the book wasn't that good actually but the movie was oscar-winning), Election, The World According to Garp, Interview with a Vampire, etc. Also, I think the best horror I've ever seen in The Shining which was originally a Stephan horror novel. This movie is phenomenal because Stanley Kubrick is masterful and Jack Nicholson is a wonderful actor. And Jaws is also a really great movie but this too was directed by Stephan Spielberg, one of the most respected directors of our time. I think a horror novel can be a great and scary film if it had a good director and cast. Unfortunately these days horror translates to B-movie and there most horror films star unknow actors and directors that are just getting their start. So, these films are never of the same caliber as dramas. In fact, the genre has been so flooded with crappy slasher flicks and cliches, most established directors don't even consider taking on a horror project. I also think established actors aren't drawn to horror because often horror scripts call for the exploitation of a scantilly-clad woman being a victim or a villian is that masked the whole time. Establish actors find nothing worthy in such project. That said, it's not books that don't make good horror novels it's the fact that good directors aren't as interested.

Answer 3

Try to find Ellery Queen's crime anthology "Rogues' Gallery".
('The great criminals of modern fiction').
Modern means 1945. It's so old that nowadays it's no more fiction, we take notice every day, anywhere, let's say press, TV, this cyberway or cyber(sub)way called the Web about the most astonishing real-real crimes.
But fiction, anyway, is always more thrilling than actual assasinations. It's artificially made by very subtle and swift professionals. "Rogues' Gallery" contains short stories by Fredric Brown, John Dickson Carr, Arnold Bennett, Agatha Christie, Eric Knight, Sinclair Lewis, Dashiell Hammett, "Pat Hand", Q. Patrick, Dorothy L. Sayers, Edgar Wallace and so on.
Perhaps you'd find some of this terror-horror Nobels (if there were Nobels for thriller novels) in some Bibliophilia web.
It's kitsch horror, but really suspensive and better not read it by night, and never tell friends how tales finish. And if your friend has a heart condition, forbidden!
There's an alternative, the classic "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote. Reality story investigated as a long, horrific report.
Or find an autobiography by Manson's gang.
There are a lot of precedents better than Stephen King, Lovecraft could be another one to rediscover. Or William Irish.
Or Mary Wollstonecraft ("Mary Shelley") with doctor Frankenstein and his socalled Monster, original written novel, not the film variations about the topic.
Have a shivering Christmas, OK?

Answer 4

You can't go wrong with anything by Stephen King, Dean Koontz or Clive Barker.

'Salems Lot by SK scared the bejeezus out of me ! And when I finished Pet Sematary I threw the book across the room !

DK's books Watchers and Strangers are both good.

I liked the short story collections of CB ... some of his novels got a little too strange for me ...

and in response to Doubledown's post above about "The Long Walk" (Stephen King writing as Richard Bachman) ... that is an AWESOME story ... I have read it SEVERAL times ... I always wanted to see if they would make that in to a movie (like they did with "Running Man")

Answer 5

I thought Cell by Stephen King was good (yeah, I thought, "oh, another zombie story," but this one was good.) Also, the novelization of 30 Days of Night was the best movie novelization I have ever read. Finally, you could check out Prey by Michael Crichton if you want realistic chills!

Since she is a "she" you should probably consider Dean Koontz. My Wife informs me that women prefer novels where the outcome is known at the beginning (ie, yes they will fall in love, or don't worry, everyone will survive). I can't stand that. Its like knowing the score of the game, then trying to watch it! (rant concluded)

So, if she wants a "thriller" without thrils or a "horror" without chills, stick to Dean Koontz.

Answer 6

Salem's Lot by Stephen King
Phantoms by Dean Koontz
Swan Song by Robert R. McCammon
The Store by Bentley Little
Necroscope by Brian Lumley
The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty

Those will scare the willies off anybody!

Answer 7

Dracula by Bram Stoker is excellent but she has probably read it, or is at least familiar with the story.

One of the most terrifying reads is "Salem's Lot" by Stephen King. MUCH better than the tv movie.

Another great Stephen King story would be "The Shining". I am not a great fan of his other novels.

If she hasnt read it, "Interview with the Vampire" by Anne Rice. The first and best entry of a trilogy.

Answer 8

I just finished re-reading The Thirteenth Tale (I'm blanking on the author's name). Its not a horror novel with monsters, but it is a solid gothic thriller.

I also enjoyed The Mephisto Club by Tess Gerritsen (horror novel there...)

The scariest horror stories are by HP Lovecraft. There are lots of anthologies of his short stories out there.

Answer 9

H.P. Lovecraft Tales! Printed by the Library of America (non profit org; they showcase the best American authors) has an awesome compliation for Lovecraft. He is the true original horror writer (from 1916-1935). Stephen King or Clive Barker are just followers to his "lead". TRUST ME, this is a must have for any true horror fan.

Answer 10

IT by Stephen King. When I read it, I couldn't be alone at all. 'Salem's Lot was a good one too. But I think IT is the best horror novel I've ever read.