As Europe holds centuries of history, the folklore and legends that comprise the horror genre are vast and diverse. With this Bookstr feature, we strive to give you a sample of horror narratives from a variety of different cultures. Grab your cozy blanket, light some candles, and get ready for some spine-chilling reads!
Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist
Although the summers in Sweden are bright and cheerful, as we get to the autumn months, the lack of sunlight and coldness transform the land into a spooky realm. Lindqvist’s narrative is set in 1981 Stockholm and captures this gloominess perfectly, as he follows the tortured life of Oskar, a 12-year-old boy bullied by his peers. Following the suspicious death of one of his tormentors, Oskar becomes friends with the mysterious girl who has recently moved into his flat. Eli, Oskar’s new friend, is very particular, as she seems detached from modern society and only comes out at night.
The Golem by Gustav Meyrink
As we hop over to continental Europe, our journey takes us to the city of Prague. In Meyrink’s novel from 1915, the city itself plays an important role, almost a character itself. The story follows the numerous inhabitants of the city, a diverse cast that includes artists, junk dealers, and a sex worker. The title character of the Golem stems from a rabbinical myth and possibly represents the suffering and anxieties of the other characters. Within this story, this creature reappears every 33 years in a doorless room.
Hex by Thomas Olde Heuvelt
Although set in a town called Black Spring situated in the Hudson Valley, New York, this novel is written by Thomas Olde Heuvelt, who resides in the Netherlands. Black Spring is haunted by a terrifying figure known as the Black Rock Witch, an apparition from the 1600s with sewn-up eyes and mouth. As the elders of the town warn of the horrible consequences of the witch breaking free of her restraints, they rely on high-tech security to hold her at bay and keep the horrors confined. However, a group of teenagers grew bored of the small-town life, and broadcast their town’s horrifying secrets online, causing the witch to go viral and chaos ensues.
Eyes Guts Throat Bones by Moïra Fowley-Doyle
Half-Irish, half-French author Moïra Fowley-Doyle invites us on a thrilling ride with her collection of short stories that focus on a range of human topics, including relationships and how we interact with each other. Motherhood is a recurring topic throughout the stories’ themes. The tales encompass a sexy, erotic, and sometimes gruesome mood, as Fowley-Doyle strives to gnaw on our deepest human fears and impulses.
Hopefully, these suggestions can open up a whole new world of different perspectives and experiences. As Europe is composed of many different countries and cultures, it is a land that offers many potential new tales and experiences for readers. No matter where we live in the world, there will always be some frightful bump in the night that manages to quicken our pulse and spike our adrenaline.
To explore more of Europe via literature, check out Around the World With Bookstr: Portugal!
For more scares and thrills, check out our Heart Racingly Good Thrillers and Mysteries bookshelf on Bookshop.org!
