This week at Bookstr we’re delving into the exciting, spine-chiling genre of pirate horror. Combining the swashbuckling adventure and exploration of the open seas of the pirate genre with the terror and suspense of the horror genre, pirate horror infuses readers with an added sense of dread to go along with the thrill. Let’s dive into the history, tropes, themes, and some recommendations!
History
The older of the two genres that make up the subgenre is certainly horror. And while stories intended to instill fear in readers have ancient origins, the true emergence of the horror novel we know today dates back to the gothic era.
The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole was published in 1764, and surrounds Prince Manfred of Otranto and his sickly son Conrad. Manfred exudes anxiety as he awaits the marriage of his son to the princess Isabella. He fears the passing of a prophecy that declares that his line will end with no heirs, and proceeds to act a madman about it when Conrad dies in a freak accident. In his frenzy, he rushes to try to marry Princess Isabella, and when she refuses, attempts to rape her. However, a series of supernatural events distract Manfred, and Isabella manages to escape and find herself a defender. The rest of the tale oozes with confusion, hauntings, and deep fear to match the tone of the beginning.
As far as the first pirate story, the first report this writer could find is a supposed report on the behavior and legacies of two famous pirates, but it is likely exaggerated enough to be considered fiction. We’ve all played telephone. We know how it goes. A True and Certaine Report of the Beginning, Proceedings, Overthrowes, and Now Present Estate of Captaine Ward and Danseker, the Two Late Famous Pirates, From their First Setting Forth to This Present Time published by Andrew Barker in London in 1609 after his crew was slain and he was held prisoner by the pirates.
Nearly incomprehensible to the modern reader, this report details Barker’s experience on his ship and the mishaps that he and his crew encounter. Laden with detail and dense language, this report does not have the emotional feel that we would expect to see out of a modern pirate novel.
The first majorly significant novel that explicitly blends both seafaring rogues and deeply instilled fear as main points of interest is The Ghost Pirates by William Hope Hodgson. The story surrounds Jessop as he joins a new crew in replacement of a deceased sailor. He learns along the way that the ship has a history of strange incidents and mysterious disappearances. As their journey on the Mortzestus progresses, tensions rise amongst the crew as they experience strange events and see apparitions and inexplicable malfunctions. As the ghostly presence grows stronger, morale deteriorates, and it takes all the crew has to keep the ship up and running. The story ends ambiguously, leaving readers with a sense of uncertainty and fear that they now share with the very crew they were reading about.
Tropes and Themes
Tropes that you’ll see in the genre again and again include fantastical creatures, curses, and hauntings. Creatures that are specific to the horror genre, like land-faring vampires, witches, and werewolves, are less common but have much potential to take on a new form on the open seas as the genre grows. Classic pirate foes like the Kraken, mermaids, and sirens combine with ghostly visitors to maximize feelings of fear and uncertainty.
Curses weave their way through many pirate horror novels. Whether its cursed treasure, a ship doomed to misfortune, or seas determined to hold onto ships once they enter their waters, curses and their lingering magic will continue to plague pirates through much of the genre.
Hauntings are also incredibly popular, with ghost crews and wronged spirits seeking vengeance wafting around the plot, instilling fear, trouble, and confusion amongst unsuspecting crews. Or, in some cases, suspecting ones, but how much can you really do about a spirit determined to be a nuisance? We’ll have to dive into some recs to find out!
Themes of adventure, mystery, and hierarchies are prevalent in all pirate horror novels. Whether explicitly or subtly, there will always be a chain of command on a ship, and the fear and tension evoked by supernatural interference will push relationships and loyalties to their limits. As with many pirate novels, roaming the ocean and exploring uncharted waters remains a classic theme, and the uncertainty of discovery is only magnified by the mysteries of the paranormal.
Recommendations
The Boats of the “Glen Carrig” and Other Nautical Adventures by William Hope Hodgson
William Hope Hodgson maintains his prolific presence in the horror genre with his compilation of unsettling nautical stories. The story begins with the sinking of the Glen Carrig, and the survivors must cram onto lifeboats and find themselves in a strange and desolate sea. They encounter islands filled with remains of fantastical creatures and men alike, a mysterious mist, and the struggles of limited resources and withering morale.
The Butcher’s Table by Nathan Ballingrud
Part of the collection Wounds: Six Stories from the Border of Hell, the story follows Martin Durnwood, who is a member of a mysterious gentleman’s club known as the Candlelight Society. He embarks on a journey aboard a ship with a group of cannibals and miscreants through hellish landscapes to reach the gates of Hell and acquire an atlas of the land. Combining dark humor, tragic humanity, and the consequences of the unknown, this tale takes readers on a complex journey through the human psyche – and the journey toward hell.
Dead Sea Chronicles by Tim Curran
When the Mara Corday and her crew mistakenly ventures into the Graveyard of the Atlantic, they find themselves trapped for eternity in a terrifying land of horrors beyond their wildest comprehension. In a place without a location, a time without a date, and stranded on a deathly still sea, the survivors of the ship may either spend eternity battling the monsters seeking their blood, or stumble upon a way out if they’re lucky.
Whether you’re looking to explore an early edition bone-chiller or a modern terrifying journey at sea, any of these maritime recs will have you right on the edge of your seat.
Click here to check out last week’s Crazy Book Genre!
Click here for a list of Bookstr’s favorite recs!
