The film adaptation of Wuthering Heights, which will be released on February 12, has brought a wave of attention to the Gothic novel genre. In our selection, we have gathered classic texts – for example, “Jane Eyre” by Emily Brontë's sister, Charlotte, and modern works that immerse you in the special atmosphere of Gothic literature.
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“Jane Eyre”, Charlotte Bronte
The story of a little orphan, who constantly faces injustice and rejection, has touched the hearts of many for centuries. Despite all the hardships, the heroine manages to maintain her honor, sharp mind, and loyalty to her aspirations and beliefs. In adulthood, seeking a better fate, Jane becomes a governess and begins a new, almost happy life in Thornfield. But the attractive and rich-hearted owner, Mr. Rochester, is hiding something from her. The partly autobiographical novel, published in 1847, has become a symbol of female nobility and strength in world literature.
“Frankenstein”, Mary Shelley
What does it mean to be human? What are our responsibilities to each other? What are the consequences of interfering with nature? The gothic thriller “Frankenstein” tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a scientist devoted to science. Obsessed with discovering the cause of origin and life, Frankenstein seeks to become one with God, creating a new creature from “stolen” body parts. Victor will stop at nothing to achieve his goal, but in the end he remains disappointed with the result of his work – the burden of responsibility for the life he created destroys all his plans. Tormented by isolation and loneliness, the once innocent creature turns to evil and unleashes a campaign of murderous revenge on its creator. This world bestseller by Mary Shelley not only tells a terrifying story, but also impresses with its deep philosophy, raising disturbing questions about the very nature of life and humanity's place in the world.
“The Fall of the House of Usher and Other Stories,” Edgar Allan Poe
“The Fall of the House of Usher” is a cult story by Edgar Allan Poe from 1939, which is a model of Gothic fiction. An emotional, tense story, which has been filmed many times, takes us to a distant American place, where the Usher family estate stands. The last descendant of an ancient family – Roderick Usher – invites a friend of his youth to stay in the gloomy family castle. Roderick's sister, Lady Madeleine, is seriously ill, life is barely surviving in her exhausted body. Then the woman dies, and it is decided to bury her in one of the dungeons of the Usher castle. Several days pass, and one night, cursed by a storm and lightning, Roderick learns something terrible: his sister has been buried alive…
“Poor Creatures”, Alasdair Gray
If Victor Frankenstein were to travel to the future, he would become Godwin Baxter. Or is it the same person? You can think about this while reading the novel “Poor Creatures” – a postmodern story about a doctor and his creation – Bella Baxter. This is a classic novel of Scottish fantasy literature by Alasdair Gray, which in 2024 gained attention thanks to the film adaptation by Yorgos Lanthimos, starring Emma Stone.
“Poor Creatures” tells the bizarre story of Bella Baxter, a young woman with the brain of a baby. She is the creation of ambitious scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter, who resurrects a pregnant woman who took her own life and transplants her with the brain of her unborn child. Charismatic Bella is curious about life, open-minded and has an insatiable sexual appetite – and begins to explore this world with all her passion. At one time, the London Review of Books called Alasdair Gray's novel “an extremely lively, funny, dirty, intelligent book.”
“Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Land”, W. E. Schwab
This epic novel is set in three different times and places: 16th-century Spain, 19th-century Britain, and the United States of America today. In Spain, the headstrong Maria, who understands all the rules of the game in a conservative, male-dominated society, accepts a proposal from a wealthy stranger that changes her life forever. In Britain, three centuries later, Charlotte lives an idyllic but closed and limited life on her family's estate. A beautiful widow offers her freedom, but the price is higher than Charlotte could have imagined. In the United States, Alice lives in the present day, entering university to change her own life, but after a chance intimate encounter, the girl begins to doubt her past, present, and future and rushes to find answers… and revenge.
“Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Land” is a gripping novel about life, women, and struggle.