HDC Top 100 Horror Books

[BookZombie]

Sorry Wicker but I'd hate to see 120 Days of Sodom feature in one of our Sticky Top 100s. Please don't think I'm trying to undermine your selection

My only objection to this book would be that to my mind this is not horror, just like I would not call the Elsa movies horror. Yes there are horrible things happening to people, but then so are there in any action book, most historical romances, war books, you name it. I am not trying to define a genre here, however for me at least something bad happening to people, even allot of bad things happening to people is not enough to make it horror.

Perhaps we should debate what we define as horror. For let me tell you that if it is just something really bad happening to people then I would like to nominate Uncle Tom's Cabin and if we are including bad things happening to animals I will nominate Black Beauty. Both books have horrible, terrible things happening to the main characters and those around them.

Now Macbeth or Ulysses or for that matter Brother's Grim fairytales I can completely see on this list, however can you really see Black Beauty on it? File such a discussion might not be fitting on this thread itself, still should not the question be asked, what is horror? What makes something horror?

but I have read Juliette and it's a contrast between wonderful segments of philosophy/social commentary and disgusting sexual 'sadism'.

What is wrong with sexual sadism, granted the books in questions are far, far on the extreme side, but they have still inspired generations of us who are on the kinky side in the bedroom. :)

[fiend_skull]

I hope it isn't too late for entries haha.

"The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde
"Dracula" by Bram Stoker
"The Creatures of the Pool" by Ramsey Campbell
"The Hellbound Heart" by Clive Barker
"Psycho" by Robert Bloch
"Rosemary's Baby" by Ira Levin
"Shadows Over Innsmouth" by H.P. Lovecraft
"Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley
"Desperation" by Stephen King
"Something Wicked This Way Comes" by Ray Bradbury

I know I listed some obvious choice, but in all honesty they got that way for a reason haha.

[TheWickerFan]

Originally Posted by swiss tony

I guess what I'm building up to asking is, as a horror and cinema fan, do you think this is a 'must-see' movie? In the same way that The Passion of the Christ or Cannibal Holocaust are but not The Men Behind the Sun or August Underground...?

Like I said, I am not opposed to art forms that, while completely disgusting on face value, offer either something educational or morally enriching providing there isn't some sinister back drop to it.

I would say yes; this is a must see film.

I'm not sure I understand where you're coming from at all in the latter paragraph.:confused:

By the way, neverending pointed out that the first thing the president said regarding this list was not to start arguments about people's choices; it would be decided at a later date by a panel of judges.

[Fearonsarms]

I know this isnt the thread for arguments as to what is horror. I just have to back up wickerfan-I have seen "salo" and would definitely class it as horror! For the simple reason that it scared the hell out of me and I haven't been able to get it out of my head since seeing it. I have not read "120 Days Of Sodom" but as this book influenced the film I think it should definitely be included according to the guidelines set by Doc Faustus.

For the record this isnt a tally post as I haven't read "120 Days Of Sodom" so can't back it up.

[neverending]

The Hunchback of Notre Dame - Victor Hugo

[TheWickerFan]

Originally Posted by neverending

The Hunchback of Notre Dame - Victor Hugo

Sorry. If this was a test, I failed.;)

[Straker]

I might be putting myself inline for coping some flack here by getting involved in a subject I'm really not all that familiar with, but from my, very casual, observation of this thread, there doesnt seem to be much from what I always considered to be the pioneers of horror fiction. I'm thinking along the lines of Beckford and . Skimming through the posts I havent even seen Ann Radcliffes name mentioned yet.

Not ment as a criticism and I don't mean for people to defend or justify their picks. I would have enough trouble comming up with 10 horror novels to put a list together. I might be tempted to throw Wuthering Heights on my list too... Then again, I haven't read a Stephen King novel in my life and probably never will. :eek:

[BookZombie]

I might be putting myself inline for coping some flack here by getting involved in a subject I'm really not all that familiar with, but from my, very casual, observation of this thread, there doesnt seem to be much from what I always considered to be the pioneers of horror fiction. I'm thinking along the lines of Beckford and . Skimming through the posts I havent even seen Ann Radcliffes name mentioned yet.

Why do you not mention some books by the authors you mention, everyone have different opinions on who was most influential in shaping the horror genre, I am looking forward to seeing your suggestions on what should be on the top 100 list.

I second the Hunchback Of Notre Dame, it is a great novel, and it definitely belong on a top 100 most influential horror books list in my opinion.

[neverending]

Originally Posted by Straker

I might be putting myself inline for coping some flack here by getting involved in a subject I'm really not all that familiar with, but from my, very casual, observation of this thread, there doesnt seem to be much from what I always considered to be the pioneers of horror fiction. I'm thinking along the lines of Beckford and . Skimming through the posts I havent even seen Ann Radcliffes name mentioned yet.

Not ment as a criticism and I don't mean for people to defend or justify their picks. I would have enough trouble comming up with 10 horror novels to put a list together. I might be tempted to throw Wuthering Heights on my list too... Then again, I haven't read a Stephen King novel in my life and probably never will. :eek:

So throw a list together. Do the work instead of kibitzing.

[Doc Faustus]

Anybody who has given me a list of ten and feels that the ten did not express your needs well enough, give me ten more. Anybody who hasn't given me a list, give me twenty. Let's get a bigger sampling together. Radcliffe, Sade, Bronte...these are good additions. Good names to bring in. Let's up the tempo. I'd like to see three hundred books listed here by the middle of April.