Curated shelf
Gothic Fiction
Browse Gothic Fiction as a public-domain reading list on Rivro, with free classics, authors, subjects, and related books.
Frankenstein; or, the modern prometheus
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
Frankenstein; or, the modern prometheus
"Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus" by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley is a Gothic novel published in 1818. It tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a living creature from assembled body parts in an unorthodox experiment. When the creature awakens, Victor flees in horror, abandoning his creation. The conscious being must navigate a world that fears him, learning language and seeking connection, only to face repeated rejection. Embittered and alone, the creature confronts his creator with a desperate request that will set both on a dark path of vengeance and tragedy.
Wuthering Heights
Emily Brontë
Wuthering Heights
"Wuthering Heights" by Emily Brontë is a novel published in 1847. Set on the Yorkshire moors, it follows two landowning families and their turbulent relationships with Heathcliff, a mysterious foster son. Driven by obsessive love, possession, and revenge that spans generations, the story unfolds through dark passion and cruelty. This Gothic tale challenged Victorian morality with its depictions of abuse and class conflict, ultimately becoming a cornerstone of English literature despite its initially polarized reception.
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Oscar Wilde
The Picture of Dorian Gray
"The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde is a philosophical fiction and Gothic horror novel published in 1890. When a beautiful young man wishes that his portrait would age instead of himself, his desire becomes terrifyingly real. As Dorian pursues a life of pleasure and moral corruption, he remains eternally youthful while his painted image transforms into a horrifying record of his sins. Wilde explores beauty, morality, and the dangerous influence of hedonistic philosophy in this tale of vanity and its consequences.
Dracula
Bram Stoker
Dracula
"Dracula" by Bram Stoker is a Gothic horror novel published in 1897. Told through letters, diary entries, and newspaper articles, the story follows solicitor Jonathan Harker's terrifying encounter with Count Dracula in Transylvania. When the vampire Count travels to England and begins preying on victims in Whitby, a small group led by Professor Abraham Van Helsing must hunt him down. This seminal work of Gothic fiction has become the centrepiece of vampire literature, profoundly shaping the popular conception of vampires for generations.
The Yellow Wallpaper
Charlotte Perkins Gilman
The Yellow Wallpaper
"The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is a short story published in January 1892. This landmark work of feminist literature and horror fiction follows a woman confined to a nursery by her physician husband as treatment for "temporary nervous depression." Forbidden from working or writing, she documents her experience through secret journal entries. With nothing to occupy her mind but the room's disturbing yellow wallpaper, she descends into madness, becoming obsessed with its strange patterns and the figures she perceives within it.
The Works of Edgar Allan Poe — Volume 2
Edgar Allan Poe
The Works of Edgar Allan Poe — Volume 2
"The Works of Edgar Allan Poe — Volume 2" by Edgar Allan Poe is a collection of literary works, including short stories and essays, written during the early to mid-19th century. This volume contains a range of tales that delve into themes of mystery, horror, and the uncanny, showcasing Poe's mastery of suspenseful and psychological storytelling. Notable pieces include "The Purloined Letter," which features the brilliant detective C. Auguste Dupin as he solves a complex crime involving a stolen letter of great importance, highlighting both the ingenuity of the detective and the folly of the authorities. The opening of the volume features "The Purloined Letter," where the narrator and Dupin engage in deep contemplation over previous mysteries when they are visited by Monsieur G, the Prefect of the Parisian police. The Prefect brings details of a perplexing case involving a missing letter that holds significant political power, stolen by the Minister D. As the Prefect describes his failed attempts to recover the letter, Dupin's insights reveal that the straightforward nature of the theft has eluded the authorities. The narrative sets a tone of intellectual intrigue as Dupin prepares to outsmart both the Prefect and the clever Minister, emphasizing Poe’s exploration of human intellect and the nature of perception.
The Turn of the Screw
Henry James
The Turn of the Screw
"The Turn of the Screw" by Henry James is a gothic horror novella published in 1898. A young governess arrives at a remote country estate to care for two children, only to become convinced that supernatural forces haunt the grounds. As she witnesses mysterious figures and grows increasingly alarmed by the children's behavior, the line between reality and imagination blurs. This unsettling tale has captivated readers for over a century with its deliberate ambiguity, leaving the true nature of the horror chillingly uncertain.
The Mysteries of Udolpho
Ann Ward Radcliffe
The Mysteries of Udolpho
"The Mysteries of Udolpho" by Ann Radcliffe is a Gothic novel published in 1794. Young Emily St. Aubert endures a cascade of misfortunes after her parents' deaths, finding herself trapped in a sinister Italian castle controlled by the menacing Montoni. Surrounded by mysterious terrors, hidden secrets, and supernatural phenomena, Emily must navigate perilous intrigues while separated from her beloved Valancourt. This archetypal Gothic tale weaves romance, suspense, and dark mysteries through remote castles and haunted landscapes.
Carmilla
Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
Carmilla
"Carmilla" by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu is a Gothic novella published in 1872. A foundational work of vampire literature that predated "Dracula" by 25 years, it tells the story of young Laura, who lives in an isolated Austrian castle. When the enigmatic Carmilla arrives after a carriage accident, the two girls form an intense friendship marked by romantic advances and unsettling mysteries. As young women in nearby towns begin dying from an unknown illness, Laura experiences disturbing nightmares and her health mysteriously declines.
The Phantom of the Opera
Gaston Leroux
The Phantom of the Opera
"The Phantom of the Opera" by Gaston Leroux is a Gothic horror novel first published in 1909-1910. Set beneath the grand Paris Opera House, the story follows a mysterious, disfigured figure known as the Phantom who haunts the theater's depths. When he becomes obsessed with a young soprano named Christine Daaé, a dangerous love triangle emerges involving her childhood friend Raoul. As the Phantom's demands grow more violent and his jealousy intensifies, Christine finds herself trapped between two worlds—one above ground, one in the shadows below.
Northanger Abbey
Jane Austen
Northanger Abbey
"Northanger Abbey" by Jane Austen is a coming-of-age novel and satire of Gothic fiction completed in 1799 and published posthumously in 1817. The story follows naïve seventeen-year-old Catherine Morland, whose active imagination and fondness for Gothic novels distort her view of reality. When she visits Bath and later stays at the mysterious Northanger Abbey, Catherine's romantic fantasies collide with everyday life, leading to misunderstandings and revelations. Through social entanglements and misjudgments, she must learn to distinguish fiction from reality.
The Monk: A Romance
M. G. (Matthew Gregory) Lewis
The Monk: A Romance
"The Monk: A Romance" by M. G. Lewis is a Gothic novel published in 1796. It follows Ambrosio, a virtuous monk who succumbs to forbidden desires when a mysterious figure infiltrates his monastery. His fall from grace spirals into a dark tale of lust, murder, and demonic pacts. Scandalous for its sexually explicit content and themes of rape and incest, it became the most controversial Gothic novel of the 18th century, shocking readers while achieving immense popularity and influencing the horror genre.
The strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Robert Louis Stevenson
The strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
"The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" by Robert Louis Stevenson is a Gothic horror novella published in 1886. When London lawyer Gabriel John Utterson investigates strange occurrences involving his old friend Dr. Henry Jekyll and a murderous criminal named Edward Hyde, he uncovers a disturbing mystery. This defining work of Gothic horror explores the duality of human nature, examining how good and evil can intertwine within a single person. The story's impact endures today, with "Jekyll and Hyde" becoming synonymous with those who possess hidden, shocking darkness.
Mosses from an old manse
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Mosses from an old manse
"Mosses from an Old Manse" by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a short story collection published in 1846. Named after the house where Hawthorne spent the first years of his marriage, this collection features allegorical tales that explore the darker aspects of human nature. Critics noted the work's pervading "blackness of darkness" beneath its bright surface, with only brief moments of light breaking through. The stories probe moral and psychological depths through Hawthorne's characteristic symbolic style, creating what contemporaries considered superior to his earlier work.
The Vampyre; a Tale
John William Polidori
The Vampyre; a Tale
"The Vampyre; a Tale" by John William Polidori is a short work of prose fiction written in 1819. Born from the same legendary ghost story contest that produced Frankenstein, this tale follows young Aubrey as he travels Europe with the mysterious Lord Ruthven, a charming nobleman who delights in others' ruin. When Aubrey discovers the horrifying truth about his companion, a binding oath prevents him from warning those he loves most. Polidori transformed the vampire from folklore creature into the aristocratic predator recognized today.
The Castle of Otranto
Horace Walpole
The Castle of Otranto
"The Castle of Otranto" by Horace Walpole is a novel published in 1764, widely regarded as the first Gothic novel. Set in a haunted medieval castle, the story follows Lord Manfred as his family faces a terrifying ancient prophecy. When his son is crushed by a gigantic helmet on his wedding day, Manfred desperately attempts to prevent his dynasty's downfall. The tale merges medieval atmosphere with supernatural terror, featuring mysterious prophecies, hidden identities, and ominous apparitions that threaten to destroy everything Manfred holds dear.
Confessions of an English Opium-Eater
Thomas De Quincey
Confessions of an English Opium-Eater
"Confessions of an English Opium-Eater" by Thomas De Quincey is an autobiographical account published in 1821. De Quincey chronicles his laudanum addiction and its profound effects on his life, from the pleasures of early use to the nightmares and visions of dependency. Beginning with his troubled youth as a homeless runaway in London, he traces his relationship with opium through vivid, seductive prose that itself mirrors the drug's allure. This groundbreaking work won De Quincey overnight fame and shaped public understanding of opium for generations.
The Monkey's Paw The Lady of the Barge and Others, Part 2.
W. W. (William Wymark) Jacobs
The Monkey's Paw The Lady of the Barge and Others, Part 2.
"The Monkey's Paw" by W. W. Jacobs is a horror short story first published in 1902. When the White family receives a mummified monkey's paw that grants three wishes, they dismiss warnings about its terrible power. Their seemingly innocent wish sets off a chain of devastating events that test the boundaries between fate and human desire. This classic tale of supernatural consequences has become one of the most adapted horror stories in literature, spawning countless retellings across stage, film, and television.
Wieland; Or, The Transformation: An American Tale
Charles Brockden Brown
Wieland; Or, The Transformation: An American Tale
"Wieland; Or, The Transformation: An American Tale" by Charles Brockden Brown is a novel published in 1798. Often considered the first American Gothic novel, it follows Clara Wieland and her family as they experience mysterious disembodied voices that lead to devastating consequences. When a strange visitor named Carwin arrives with the ability to throw his voice, the line between supernatural phenomena and human deception blurs fatally. Religious fanaticism collides with rationality as Clara struggles to understand the horrifying events that destroy her once-peaceful family.
Caleb Williams; Or, Things as They Are
William Godwin
Caleb Williams; Or, Things as They Are
"Caleb Williams; Or, Things as They Are" by William Godwin is a three-volume novel published in 1794. A humble young man enters service with the wealthy Ferdinando Falkland, whose volatile temperament conceals a dark secret. When Caleb's curiosity leads him to uncover his master's guilt in a past murder, he becomes trapped in a desperate game of pursuit and persecution. This gripping tale exposes how power and institutions destroy innocent lives, offering a scathing critique of tyrannical justice in Godwin's England.
The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner
James Hogg
The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner
"The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner" by James Hogg is a novel published in 1824. Robert Wringhim, a fervent Calvinist, falls under the influence of the enigmatic Gil-Martin and becomes convinced he is predestined for salvation. Believing himself justified by God, he embarks on a dark path of murder against those he deems already damned. This Scottish gothic tale blurs reality and supernatural horror, exploring religious fanaticism and evil through a narrative told largely from the criminal's own perspective.
Le Horla
Guy de Maupassant
Le Horla
"Le Horla" by Guy de Maupassant is a horror story written in 1887. The tale follows a well-to-do narrator who begins experiencing disturbing physical and psychological symptoms after greeting a passing Brazilian ship. Through diary entries, he describes his torment by an invisible presence he calls "the Horla." As inexplicable events multiply, he struggles to determine whether this entity is real or a manifestation of his own descending madness, while his condition progressively deteriorates through paranoia, hallucinations, and anxiety.
The Lock and Key Library: Classic Mystery and Detective Stories: Old Time English
Unknown
The Lock and Key Library: Classic Mystery and Detective Stories: Old Time English
"The Lock and Key Library: Classic Mystery and Detective Stories: Old Time English" edited by Julian Hawthorne is a collection of classic mystery and detective stories likely compiled in the late 19th century. The anthology features works from notable authors of the period, including Charles Dickens, Bulwer-Lytton, and Thomas De Quincey, showcasing a range of ghostly and suspenseful tales that delve into the supernatural and the enigmatic. The common theme throughout these stories revolves around mysterious occurrences, haunted settings, and the psychological tension that arises from confronting the unknown. The opening of the anthology introduces readers to "The Haunted House" by Charles Dickens, where the first-person narrator embarks on a journey to a seemingly abandoned, eerie house. As he describes his strange encounter with a fellow traveler on the train and his exploration of the house's neglected surroundings, Dickens skillfully sets a ghostly atmosphere filled with hints of the supernatural. The narrator's conversations with locals further develop the haunting lore surrounding the house, punctuated by quirky characters and comedic elements. Dickens artfully intertwines humor with horror, establishing a playful yet eerie tone that sets the stage for the unfolding mystery within the haunted residence.
The Lair of the White Worm
Bram Stoker
The Lair of the White Worm
"The Lair of the White Worm" by Bram Stoker is a Gothic horror novel published in 1911. When Australian Adam Salton arrives in Derbyshire to meet his great-uncle and claim an inheritance, he encounters mysterious snake attacks, a murderous noblewoman, and whispers of an ancient legend. As bodies accumulate and dark secrets emerge, Adam discovers that a monstrous creature may lurk beneath the English countryside—and that one local woman might be far more than she appears.
The History of Caliph Vathek
William Beckford
The History of Caliph Vathek
"The History of Caliph Vathek" by William Beckford is a Gothic novel composed in French beginning in 1782 and first published in English in 1786. The story follows Vathek, a depraved and tyrannical caliph with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, who encounters a mysterious stranger promising magical treasures and access to forbidden power. Seduced by promises of ultimate knowledge and the keys to the Palace of Underground Fire, Vathek makes a dark pact that demands terrible sacrifices and leads him down a path of increasingly heinous acts, rejecting salvation at every turn.
Nightmare Abbey
Thomas Love Peacock
Nightmare Abbey
"Nightmare Abbey" by Thomas Love Peacock is a novella written in 1818 that satirizes the gloomy excesses of Romantic literature. Set in an isolated mansion, the story follows melancholy Christopher Glowry and his son Scythrop, who becomes entangled with two women while hiding a mysterious fugitive. Through eccentric characters and their philosophical conversations, Peacock lampoons the era's obsession with morbid subjects and misanthropy, contrasting overheated imagination with everyday reality through light-hearted ridicule.
I misteri del castello d'Udolfo, vol. 1
Ann Ward Radcliffe
I misteri del castello d'Udolfo, vol. 1
"I misteri del castello d'Udolfo, vol. 1" by Ann Ward Radcliffe is a Gothic novel published in 1794. Emily St. Aubert endures her parents' deaths before falling under the control of her aunt's sinister husband, Montoni. He drags her to his remote Italian castle, where mysterious terrors lurk behind black curtains and ghostly secrets haunt the corridors. As Montoni schemes to steal her inheritance, Emily must navigate supernatural horrors, forced marriages, and dangerous escapes while searching for her lost love, Valancourt.
I misteri del castello d'Udolfo, vol. 2
Ann Ward Radcliffe
I misteri del castello d'Udolfo, vol. 2
"I misteri del castello d'Udolfo, vol. 2" by Ann Ward Radcliffe is a Gothic novel published in 1794. Emily St. Aubert faces supernatural terrors in the sinister Castle Udolpho, where her villainous uncle Montoni imprisons her aunt and schemes to steal Emily's inheritance. Mysterious figures lurk behind curtains, ghostly apparitions haunt ancient corridors, and Emily must escape while navigating threats from Montoni's dangerous associates. Meanwhile, her beloved Valancourt has fallen into disgrace, complicating her hopes for happiness and safety.
I misteri del castello d'Udolfo, vol. 4
Ann Ward Radcliffe
I misteri del castello d'Udolfo, vol. 4
"I misteri del castello d'Udolfo, vol. 4" by Ann Ward Radcliffe is a Gothic novel published in 1794. This archetypal Gothic romance follows Emily St. Aubert through supernatural terrors and sinister machinations. After losing her parents, Emily falls under the control of her aunt's dubious husband, Montoni, who imprisons her in his remote castle. There she encounters mysterious curtains, ghostly apparitions, and vanishing servants. As Emily escapes and reunites with her lost love Valancourt, dark secrets about her family's past begin to emerge.
I misteri del castello d'Udolfo, vol. 3
Ann Ward Radcliffe
I misteri del castello d'Udolfo, vol. 3
"I misteri del castello d'Udolfo, vol. 3" by Ann Ward Radcliffe is a Gothic novel published in 1794. This volume continues Emily St. Aubert's harrowing tale as she flees the sinister Castle Udolpho and its menacing owner, Montoni. Finding refuge at the supposedly haunted Chateau-le-Blanc, Emily reunites with her lost love Valancourt, only to face heartbreaking revelations about his character. Meanwhile, mysterious disappearances and ghostly encounters plague the household, while Emily begins uncovering disturbing connections between her past and the chateau's dark secrets.