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Unutterable Horror

This series delves into the depths of weird and unsettling fiction, tracing its lineage from ancient myths to seminal works of Gothic and Victorian horror. It explores the genre's evolution through pivotal authors who masterfully blended psychological dread with the supernatural. Readers will uncover a fascinating journey through tales that shaped our understanding of unutterable terror and its enduring aesthetic and popular significance.

Unutterable Horror: A History of Supernatural Fiction, Volume 2
Unutterable Horror

Recommended Reading Order

  1. 1

    Unutterable Horror

    A History of Supernatural Fiction, Volume 1

    • 374 pages
    • 14 hours of reading
    3.9(20)Add rating

    Focusing on the evolution of weird fiction, this study examines its history from ancient texts like the Epic of Gilgamesh to the late 19th century. S. T. Joshi highlights influential works by Greek and Latin authors, as well as key figures in Gothic fiction such as Horace Walpole and Mary Shelley. The analysis includes Edgar Allan Poe's groundbreaking blend of psychological and supernatural horror, along with contributions from writers like J. Sheridan Le Fanu and Bram Stoker, showcasing how weird fiction developed into a genre of both popular and aesthetic significance.

    Unutterable Horror
  2. 2

    The second volume of S. T. Joshi's history delves into the Golden Age of weird fiction at the turn of the twentieth century, highlighting influential authors like Arthur Machen, H. P. Lovecraft, and M. R. James, who transformed the genre into a high art form. It examines the legacy of these writers and their impact on subsequent generations, including Ray Bradbury and Shirley Jackson, who grounded horror in everyday life. The evolution of weird fiction continues today with contemporary authors pushing its boundaries, showcasing its enduring appeal and literary significance.

    Unutterable Horror: A History of Supernatural Fiction, Volume 2