As humans we have an unexplainable fascination with the macabre -- stories that will frighten
us and leave us tossing, turning, and double checking that there are no monsters under
our beds.
It’s safe to say that books were a major catalyst in the fascination with fear -- ghost
stories that embedded their way into our minds, from The Woman In Black to The Turn of the
Screw.
They’ve become so well know for invoking fear -- but let's talk about the lesser known
ones -- the ones that don’t receive the attention they so deserve.
So, today on Top 5 Scary Videos, we’re going to be counting down the Top 5 Scary Books
You Should Avoid Reading.
Before we begin, be sure to stick around until the end of the video, where I’ll be responding
to some of your comments.
Lets jump in.
5 The Haunting of Hill House - Shirley Jackson Now, you may be surprised I included this
book on our list -- considering it jumped up in popularity following the release of
the Netflix series of the same name.
However, prior to this, the book wasn’t as popular amongst all audiences, and was
a lesser known ghost story that certainly deserves our attention.
When we think about horror story cliches, we think haunted houses.
It’s the top of the list, an idea done so often it’s frequently parodied.
However, Shirley Jackson brought something entirely new with our book, The Haunting of
Hill House -- which is simply the best haunted house story ever written to dat.
Fact.
Released back in 1959, Hill House is a gothic horror that tells the story of four seekers
who arrive at a notoriously haunted house under the order of Dr. Montague -- an occult
scholar looking for evidence of a haunting.
At first, their stay seems destined to be nothing but a spooky encounter -- however,
Hill House is gathering its power, and eventually chooses one of them to makes it own.
Now -- the book is vastly different to the show, and arguably better.
So, if you want a fright you should definitely check it out...even though this list is books
you should avoid.
But where is the fun in that?
4 The Cipher - Kathe Koja First published back in 1991 by Kathe Koja,
during a period of time where it was becoming clear that the likes of Stephen King weren’t
the future of horror fiction -- so Koja took advantage of this by stripping the genre down
to the basics.
The Cipher tells the story of a black hole that spontaneously appears in the floor of
a couple’s apartment in Detroit, and of course, dreadful things begin to happen.
Nicholas and Nakota are forced to set out to see what happens when they drop various
items into the hole, but as they do, they discover everything they drop down comes back
violently rearranged.
Now, this book is a tough one to track down these days -- with the only way to get ahold
of it is in ebook form -- which is no fun at all.
Here’s hoping that a publisher will eventually bring it back into print -- they would be
doing us all an invaluable service.
3 The Green Man - Kingsley Amis Published back in 1969 by British author Kingsley
Amis, The Green Man is often described as being “three genres of novel in one”:
ghost story, moral fable, and comic novel.
It is essentially a pastiche of a Jamesian ghost story by a harcore fan.
The story follows Maurice Allingston, a man who has reached middle age and is haunted
by death.
It opens with Maurice’s father dropping dead, and continues as friends and family
convene for the funeral.
Now, his problems are many, and increasing throughout the story: How to deal with his
own declining health?
How to reach out to a teenage daughter who watches TV all the time?
How to find another drink?
And then, of course, death.
It’s a ghost story but all a black comedy.
It’s confusing, yes, but also one of the best books on our list -- and certainly worthy
of your attention, if you dare.
2 The Ritual - Adam Nevill If you’re familiar at all with the Netflix
film of the same name, you will be surprised to see this on our list, and so high.
Now, that’s not me diminishing the film in any way, but once again -- I’m straying
from the popular, and focusing on the unknown.
Now, The Ritual of course gained notoriety after the release of the film, but prior to
that, it was a hidden horror gem.
The book follows four old University friends as they set off into the Scandinavian wilderness
of the Arctic Circle; in an attempt to reconnect with one another, and escape their problems.
However, tensions begin to arise within the group -- and with little experience between
them, a shortcut during their hike turns into a nightmare scenario that could cost them
all their lives.
Things descend into madness when they group stumble across an old habitation -- ancient
artefacts decorating the wall, and bones scattered upon the floor.
It’s haunting, and the last quarter of the book departs radically from what happened
leading up to it.
And the ending does not arrive until the final sentence of the back.
It is chilling and just downright perfect.
1 The Beckoning Fair One - Oliver Onions Oliver Onions is among the greatest practitioners
of the traditional English ghost story in the silver age.
What tells these stories apart from more recent horrors, is that they are not crude; they
are slow, and subtle.
The Beckoning Fair One tells the story of a young down-and-out novelists who leases
rooms in a decaying house, in the hopes of completing his masterpiece.
However, as all classic ghost stories go, he discovers that he is not alone -- but what
makes this story truly frightening is that he is happy about it.
Now, much like our previous numbers, The Beckoning Fair One is a little tricky to track down,
but the best way to obtain it is by purchasing a copy of Anita Miller’s anthology, 4 Classic
Ghostly Tales -- in which it appears alongside other masterpieces.
Well, there we have it!
Do you guys agree with our list?
Are there any scary books that we missed?
Fiction, or nonfiction.
Leave us all your thoughts and feelings in the comments down below and perhaps we can
do a part 2.
Before I go, I just want to respond to a few comments from one of our last videos, Top
5 Mysteries Solved By YouTubers.
PrinceAli 91 said “I think we can all agree that the biggest mystery is the mystery of
Lucy McPhee” -- Ain’t that the truth.
Laken Toluao said “You are so funny and kind may god bless you.”
-- Bless up.
Thomaslam 5 said “Lucy looking like a gorgeous vampire in this video.”
-- Aww, so sweet.
I loaded up on that sweet, sweet blood over the weekend.
Steven Mercado said “Lucy there is something I gotta tell you, I’m the devil, I am the
angel who lead a rebellion against my father God, I was banished to Hell after worst when
I ruled as King over the souls of the damned.”
-- Fucccckkkk
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And until next time, see ya later.