
However, it is one of McCarthy’s most recent literary creations that has really captured the hearts and minds of readers, transporting them to an unforgiving, cruel, and downright depressing dystopia from which very little can survive. In no particular order, the first dark book on our list is The Road by author Cormac McCarthy.Ī mainstay and forefather of the ‘southern gothic’ genre of literature, McCarthy has long since made a name for himself for pushing the boundaries of language, violence, human behavior, and the harsh realities of existence – creating numerous iconic characters such as the unstoppable ‘Anton Chigurh’ from his novel No Country For Old Men and the equally intimidating ‘Judge Holden’ from his classic Blood Meridian. So, without further ado, let’s get started! The Road – Cormac McCarthy This is why we have compiled a list of some of the darkest novels from the market – all of them pushing boundaries in one way or another, and each of them achieving infamy in their own right. Now that we have talked a little about what darkness is within literature, it’s time to have a look at some examples. In this article we will cover all of these subjects, examining some of the most infamous and well-loved novels in the world, and tackling all manner of troubling and terrifying subject matter along the way. However, dark fiction doesn’t have to be about human darkness at all, and could also refer to traditional horror stories – including the ones featuring ghosts, ghouls, and demonic acts that prove to be continually popular amongst readers of all ages. This could involve anything from the excesses of human behavior, criminality, violence, horror, or any other depictions of characters and plots that are not considered for the general reader.

Generally speaking though, we are talking about books that really push the boundaries of what is considered acceptable literature – namely through the choice of story matter, topics, issues, and the plot itself. When we talk about ‘dark’ literature, there can of course be many different meanings. However, there are some writers who delve further than others, locating the dark, grimy underbellies of the human race and laying them bare through their writing.īut what exactly do we mean by a ‘dark’ book, and what are some examples of the darkest books of the literary world? What Do We Mean By ‘Dark’?
