Artwork courtesy of Anastasia Codjebas
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote is a renowned true crime novel; it paved the way for the true crime genre both on screen and on paper. The setting is primarily in Holcomb, Kansas—in the year 1959. A propitious ranch family, the Clutters, on the River Valley Farm, is brutally murdered as a consequence of an unsuccessful heist. Perry Smith and Richard “Dick” Hickok, the two murderers, did not adhere to their intention of simple thievery. The underlying dilemma is whether the deviant duo feels emotion over their consequential actions or indifference, for indifference does not make an adequate motive for murder. The horror lies not within the frightening or gory aspects of the murders. It lies within the disbelief that fellow humans have the capacity to orchestrate impassive kills.
Four Past Midnight by Stephen King
We have Cujo. Pennywise. The Creep. Jack Torrance. All are infamous villains that spread terror throughout their victims. They are poster children for classic horror. But Four Past Midnight by Stephen King— comprising four novellas— is unique through its four distinct storylines and genres. The first short story is called The Langoliers; it is a science fiction thriller about ten passengers of a plane that survive a rip in time only to be stuck in the past with time destroying monsters. Secret Window, Secret Garden, another novella, is a blur between mystery and thriller. A stranger accuses a famous author of plagiarism. The author claims to have proof of his innocence, but certain obstacles prevent him from obtaining the proof. The Library Policeman is fantastical and resembles the Lightning Thief with the monster impersonating Mrs. Dodds. A businessman residing in a small town is late in returning his books and the librarian ( a monster who eats children) sends the library policeman after him. The Sun Dog, the last of the novellas, conforms to the supernatural horror genre; when a boy acquires a Sun 600 polaroid for his birthday, he notices an anomaly: in every captured picture, a monstrous dog makes an appearance. Four Past Midnight by Stephen King is memorable due to its unparalleled stories.
Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller
Arthur Miller, often described as a modern horror playwright, lives up to his title in Death of a Salesman. As indicated by the name, the book is about a substandard salesman with shortcomings in all aspects of his life; he is an unloyal husband and a disrespected father who is content with being self-centered. The salesman, Willy, continues to express self-loathing and guilt over his mistakes, creating a turbulent cycle of denial that affects his family members.
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Toni Morrison is an African American author who adopts the role of a literary spokesperson for injustices inflicted upon black people. Beloved is a novel set post-Civil War on a house haunted by Sethe’s (the protagonist) dead daughter’s spirit. Sethe was a former slave who murdered one of her daughters to protect her from slavery. The dead daughter interjects herself into Sethe’s life as a corporeal manifestation and wreaks havoc on Sethe’s relationship with her living daughter, Denver, and her lover, Paul D.