A breakdown of the genre - what lives inside the world of dark fiction?

A breakdown of the genre - what lives inside the world of dark fiction?

By Erika Mendelson

The world of dark fiction is a warped, twisted place. It is a genre that isn’t afraid to explore what many consider taboo, weaving the sinister, the unknown, the disturbing and the unsettling into a spellbinding, intoxicating read. It is also a complex corner of the literary realm, encompassing many smaller literary categories. Let’s take a look at some of the most common subgenres you’ll find under the vast umbrella of dark fiction: 

Speculative fiction 

Those craving the ultimate experience of escapism would be well suited for a speculative read. This genre challenges every basic rule of society, based on only one central guideline: a departure from reality as we know it. Speculative fiction involves stories that take place in a world that is not our own, such as alternate dimensions, impossible planets, or dystopian societies. While not all speculative books are necessarily dark, it can be an incredible tool in crafting unexplored settings that pair together perfectly with a dark fiction piece.

Gothic fiction 

Often viewed as the foundation of modern horror, gothic fiction is all about the atmosphere. These stories are rooted in a desire to create an all-encompassing sensation of unease, utilizing eerie settings, supernatural elements, dark imagery and suspenseful prose to reflect its moody, foreboding aesthetic. These novels don’t need jaw-dropping twists and flesh-hungry monsters to scare you–the ominous, brooding vibes will do all the work.

Horror (general)

This genre brings your spooky comfort books to the next level. Horror authors take great pleasure in instilling as much bone-chilling fear into their readers as possible, and they will do it by any means necessary. Often pulling speculative, supernatural, and mystery elements into the mix, true horror fiction places a strong weight on terror and suspense to create a sinister environment where nobody–readers included–feels safe.

Dark fantasy

The wondrous fantasy genre takes a twisted turn when it collides with the darkest corners of the fictional world. Dark fantasy blends a variety of horror tropes with enchanting fantasy characteristics, resulting in a haunting, magical narrative where nothing is out of the realm of possibility. In fantastical lands where the unimaginable can occur, terror has every opportunity to seep in. Imagine Harry Potter but a whole lot more graphic.

Dark romance 

If you’re looking for a wholesome love story that gives you all those warm and cozy feelings, you’re best to steer clear of this section of the bookstore. Dark romance delves into the toxic, and often dangerous, aspects of relationships, delving into themes of violence, abuse, trauma, control and obsession. In these stories, casual kidnapping and borderline stalking are considered regular occurrences, leaving readers wondering whether they should really be rooting for these couples. To sum it up, dark romance characters are absolutely dripping in red flags.

Weird fiction

These books are the definition of mind-boggling. Known for its unusual nature, weird fiction frequently executes plots surrounding psychological disruptions, abnormal creatures or peculiar storylines–think The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allen Poe. Like gothic fiction, these stories don’t necessarily rely on classical horror conventions, but instead focus on creating an environment of unease and discomfort that both intrigues and disturbs readers.

Crime/thriller fiction

Crime and thriller novels can take a menacing turn real quick, placing many of them under our dark fiction umbrella. In a genre characterized by danger, readers will find themselves looking over their own shoulders after a few chapters of these electrifying reads. The constant air of distress and suspense, paired together with gruesome plotlines, is a terrifier of its own making.

As these stories generally lack supernatural elements, instead revolving around real-life monsters–these are our psychopaths, murderers and stalkers–many often consider this genre the scariest of the bunch.

Erika Mendelson is a Carleton University graduate with a Bachelor of Journalism, a Centennial College Publishing student, and a self-proclaimed bibliophile. She resides in Toronto, ON.