Poulcheria Papadopoulou

On finding pleasure in the macabre Ahhh, the macabre! A genre, an era, a defining moment in Gothic history… all of the above, or none, depending on the way you see it. The Merriam-Webster defines the word “macabre” as something that “involves death or violence in a way that is strange, frightening, or unpleasant.” It is also defined as “having death as a subject;” “dwelling on the gruesome;” and, “tending to produce horror in a beholder.” These would definitely be the technical terms of the macabre; but what about the provoking themes it involves that so evoke feelings of pleasure in the unknown and the gore while all the same provide the beholder with food for thought inviting them to analyze what they see or read? The macabre is indeed shocking, but nothing better than to shock someone to make them see within a macabre piece and far beyond it. It is true that we read for pleasure. However, people who truly enjoy reading will pause for moments in their reading snafus to really understand what it is they read; and for the dreamers out there, they will visualize it, conjure up images, and will most likely stare at the ceiling trying to figure out the emotional state of the writer at the time of the conception. In my view, that stands mostly true when talking about the macabre; or love for that matter even though I do believe the macabre is less fluid than love is, hence a whole different matter. For all of you who enjoy reading the gruesome, morbid, and frightful genre, here are 5 books to devour: 1. Dracula: Well this is a classic. Everybody knows about Dracula. The reason why I am including this here is because at a time, it was the definition of Gothic and macabre. It may not be scary in the least nowadays, especially with everything that’s happening in the world, but you do learn something about the origins of the genre through Stoker’s masterpiece. And, you also get to read about the real thing and not the way vampires are portrayed now. 2. Frankenstein: If this was any other name, my autocorrect would probably underline it with a red squiggly line. But, similar to novel no. 1, Frankenstein’s legacy will live on to allow future generations witness Mary Shelley’s vast sense of the macabre. 3. It: Could it really be a complete list without a Stephen King novel? I think not, and I hope others do too. Having seen the movie before reading the book (I know, I know, but I was at a very tender age and I happened upon the movie on the TV; couldn’t get away; didn’t sleep for a long time after that), I see why a lot of people are afraid of clowns. Who wouldn’t be after having watched that thing? It was the ghastly atmosphere, the appalling protagonist, and the naïve rest of the world that so much drew me into King’s masterpiece and why I am including it in my list. Anyone disagreeing, please raise your hand! 4. We Have Always Lived in the Castle: Unreliable narrator, murder, black humor. Can’t ask for more now, can I? I love it when there are disturbed minds in a book and think they have it together. Who doesn’t love a good old twisted mind with a dose of mystery and a lot of Gothic gore? Who, I ask you? 5. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer: Pathos, indulgence in one’s passion, and maddening downfall leading to murder. Is there any reason not to include this here? The reader has ample of material to analyze while reading Süskind’s work and reflect on their own passions and on what is possible when sensual depravity is combined with one’s psyche.