Don't judge a book by its movie, at least that's what many bibliophiles believe. To an extent, that maxim does ring with an edge of truth, but would a genre that relies so much on visuals and mood like the horror genre truly be better as a book than a movie?
Have a look at some of these icons of horror literature and judge for yourself.
The Call of Cthulhu By H.P. Lovecraft
Truth be told, most of Lovecraft's work is an acquired taste, but there is perhaps a no better display of his gift for creating otherworldly horrors than The Call of Cthulhu.
The tentacled ancient one is definitely a standout from other monsters, driving his victims to the realm of insanity with just the sight of him. Its language might be a bit to digest, but its horror is haunting to say the least.
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark By Alvin Schwartz
It might seem strange to feature a kids' book on our list but consider the following. With or without the movie of the same name, loads of horror films take from folklore and urban legends and few works do it better than this series by Alvin Schwartz.
Although the story might be intended for younger audiences, these short stories kept more than a few readers up at night.
Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
Ray Bradbury might be known for works like The Martian Chronicles and Fahrenheit 451, but his dark fantasy about creepy carnivals and a sinister sideshow is truly the book everyone should read, especially horror buffs.
Although Bradbury wrote the screenplay and had creative control for the Disney film adaptation, the book is leaps and bounds better in quality and scares.
Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
Before the vampire genre boomed in the 2000s, Anne Rice brought us the original sexy vampire in the form of Lestat with Interview with the Vampire.
True horror aficionados will know that the film leaves out many portions of the book, but for fans of dark fantasy, vampires, and horror stories in general, this entry in Rice's iconic vampire saga beautifully blends the beautiful with the beastly.
Great Tales and Poems by Edgar Allan Poe
No one writes a murder like Edgar Allan Poe, and there are few writers whose works have been so influential to the horror genre than this master of the macabre.
The best part is that most of Poe's works can be easily read due to their length. With stories like Masque of the Red Death, The Pit and the Pendulum, and Fall of the House of Usher, horror hounds have a regular smorgasbord of scares.
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman is an absolute genius when it comes to works of fiction, and one of his absolute must-reads for anyone interested is Coraline.
It might look like a children's book at first, but readers will soon find out how dark and twisted this novel can be. Even adults will find some serious nightmare fuel in this tale of rats, cats, and button-eyed dimensions.
The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
The Exorcist is one of the scariest films of all time, so it makes sense that it would be based on one of the scariest novels of all time.
In fact, William Peter Blatty contributed greatly to the famous film adaptation and even wrote and directed the sequels. It was a book that truly disturbed its readers upon its first release and will no doubt leave many modern readers grasping for the nearest crucifix.
Frankenstein By Mary Shelley
If there's one book on this list that everyone needs to read, horror fan or otherwise, it's this macabre masterpiece by Mary Shelley.
The tale of Dr. Victor Frankenstein has been told and retold on screen over and over again, but very few versions capture the heart-wrenching tragedy and ungodly horror that the original piece ignited. Those looking for the original walking dead need to put this novel at the top of their list.
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Bram Stoker's Dracula is the epitome of the Gothic horror novel. With vampires, castles, insane asylums, and a hunt for a mysterious monster, it's practically a mandatory staple for anyone remotely interested in horror.
There's not a soul alive who doesn't know the name Dracula, and it's all thanks to this horror icon.
The Shining by Stephen King
Stephen King is arguably one of the greatest, if not the greatest, horror writers of all time. But which one of his many macabre manuscripts deserves the top spot? Though it was a tough call, The Shining definitely takes the crown for this list.
With its use of psychic phenomenon, callbacks to Edgar Allan Poe, and unique spin on the haunted house genre, it is by far the best of the author's works, and the book every horror fan should own.
