We’re officially in October and Halloween is right around the corner. That means that spooky movies, crazy costumes, and creepy stories will dominate everything this month. For the avid readers out there, or for those who can’t quite get themselves to watch scary movies, I have the perfect October activity. There is an abundance of books out there dedicated to romance, comedy, and action. But this month, try something different and take a look at horror stories. And while I know that some people do not like to read anything prior to 1995 because they’re ‘boring,” these tales will most definitely keep you on your toes, and maybe they’ll even haunt you. Enjoy!
The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe
One of Poe’s most famous stories, The Tell-Tale Heart focuses on a paranoid narrator who is haunted by the clouded eye of the old man he takes care of. This eye haunts him so much that he is determined to murder the old man. Once he commits this crime, he hides the body parts under the floorboards and is soon investigated for murder by the police. The story is about how he deals with his paranoia and his crime. Does he get away with it or is he caught by the police? Read this story to find out.
The Pit and the Pendulum by Edgar Allan Poe
This story focuses on a man who is brought to trial during the Spanish Inquisition and is condemned to death. He ends up in a cell, where he trips and realizes that there is a giant pit that he could fall into. Later on, he ends up strapped to a wooden board and a razor-sharp pendulum is swinging back and forth, slowly descending closer to him so as to end up killing him. Will he die or will he make it out alive? You never know with Poe until you read the story.
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
This is one of my personal favorites because it’s not necessarily a horror story, but rather a mystery/ thriller. It takes place on an island and centers around a group of 10 strangers who have been lured there under false pretenses, whether it be a vacation, a job opportunity, or to meet friends. These strangers are then told that they’ve been invited to the island because they’ve all committed crimes yet escaped justice for some reason. They are told via gramophone (this novel was written in the early 20th century) that they are on the island to pay for their actions. The rest of the novel is a series of deaths, but the real question is who is killing them if the victims are the only people on the island and they can’t escape? You’ll have to discover it for yourself when you read the novel.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
The classic monster tale is the perfect Halloween read. It will clarify all the misconceptions you’ve heard about Frankenstein growing up, including who Frankenstein actually refers to. It is told both in the form of letters from an outsider’s perspective as well as from a first-person account of the monster’s creator. The story details the origins of the monster and how he becomes the creature we have grown up fearing. Not only will it make you question what you know about the monster, but it will also take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions.
The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe
This is a story of revenge and murder, perfect for a dark October night right before Halloween. The narrator of this tale, Montresor, wants to get revenge on his “friend,” Fortunato by plotting to murder him one night. Montresor first gets Fortunato drunk and then lures him into his cellar with the promise of a special wine tasting of the rare Amontillado wine. Once there, Montresor keeps Fortunato inebriated and tricks him into getting chained to the wall. You’ll have to read the story, though, if you want to find out whether or not Montresor ends up murdering Fortunato.
Halloween is one of the best times of the year because there is so much spooky stuff out there to participate in. But there are only so many times that you can watch scary movies or create decorations. If you want a change of scene or if you just like reading, these scary stories will be sure to get you in the Halloween spirit.
Sources:
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