Book collection

Gothic, Monsters, and Obsession

Gothic and horror novels appear here alongside adventure fiction and books about obsession, fear, creation, secrecy, or isolation. The individual guides explain the source of each story's conflict.

27 explainers

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2018Where the Crawdads SingBookExplains the endingNovel / MysteryDelia Owens / Based on Where the Crawdads SingRecap: Strong recapIsolation / Nature

Themes include isolation.

2015The Girl on the TrainBookExplains the endingPsychological thriller / MysteryPaula Hawkins / Based on The Girl on the TrainRecap: Useful recapMemory / Obsession

Themes include obsession.

2013The GoldfinchBookExplains the endingNovel / Literary fictionDonna Tartt / Based on The GoldfinchRecap: Useful recapArt / Trauma

Themes include obsession.

2011The MartianBookCompare with the filmScience fiction / Survival fictionAndy Weir / Based on The MartianRecap: Fast recapSurvival / Problem solving

Themes include isolation.

1995The PrestigeBookExplains the endingHistorical fantasy / MysteryChristopher Priest / United KingdomRecap: Useful recapObsession / Rivalry

Themes include obsession.

1992The Secret HistoryBookExplains the endingCampus novel / Psychological fictionDonna Tartt / United StatesRecap: Useful recapGuilt / Class

Themes include obsession.

1988The AlchemistBookExplains the endingNovel / Adventure fictionPaulo Coelho / BrazilRecap: Fast recapDreams / Faith

Selected for its gothic, horror, or adventure genre.

1987MiseryBookExplains the endingPsychological horror / ThrillerStephen King / Based on MiseryRecap: Useful recapCaptivity / Obsession

Themes include obsession.

1986ZodiacBookExplains the endingTrue crime / NonfictionRobert Graysmith / United StatesRecap: Useful recapObsession / Evidence

Themes include obsession.

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