If you enjoy reading books by Mary Shelley then you might also like the following authors:
Bram Stoker is best known for his iconic novel “Dracula,” which established many of the conventions of subsequent vampire fantasy. His ability to create suspenseful and gothic atmospheres is similar to the haunting style found in Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein.”
Ann Radcliffe was a pioneer of the gothic novel, and her works such as “The Mysteries of Udolpho” demonstrate her talent for creating eerie settings and emotional depth.
Readers who appreciate the atmospheric tension in Shelley’s stories will likely enjoy Radcliffe’s works.
Famous for “Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde,” Stevenson masterfully explores themes of duality and moral ambiguity, subjects also found in Shelley’s writing. His tales often question human nature and the boundaries of science.
As a master of the macabre, Edgar Allan Poe’s stories often include dark and psychological elements. His ability to evoke horror and delve into the human psyche mirrors the gothic and complex character work seen in Shelley’s creations.
Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novels, like “The Scarlet Letter,” focus on themes of sin, guilt, and society. His deep philosophical questions and exploration of human nature resonate with Shelley’s thematic concerns.
Author of the solitary novel “Wuthering Heights,” Emily Brontë crafts an intense narrative filled with raw emotion and dark romanticism, capturing the gothic tones that many Mary Shelley fans appreciate.
Best known for “Jane Eyre,” Charlotte Brontë combines elements of romance and gothic fiction. Her strong, complex characters and brooding atmospheres are engaging for readers who enjoy Shelley’s intense storytelling.
Horace Walpole’s “The Castle of Otranto” is often credited with founding the gothic literary tradition, featuring supernatural events and grandiose settings. His work laid the groundwork for the themes and styles Shelley later adopted.
Victor Hugo, with novels such as “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame,” explores themes of social injustice and the human spirit. His dramatic narratives offer intricate character studies similar to those in Mary Shelley’s novels.
Wilkie Collins was a pioneer of the mystery genre, and his novel “The Woman in White” combines suspense with gothic elements. His intricate plots and mysterious characters are likely to draw in Shelley enthusiasts.
Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray” is a classic gothic tale that explores themes of vanity, moral corruption, and the supernatural, appealing to fans of Shelley’s probing look at the human condition.
Known for his ghost stories, M. R. James often set his tales in arcane and scholarly environments, crafting narratives that mimic the eerie essence found in Shelley’s gothic works.
Henry James’ “The Turn of the Screw” is a psychological horror novella that plays with ambiguity and perception, providing an experience similar to the suspense and mystery in Mary Shelley’s narratives.
H. G. Wells’ novels, including “The Invisible Man” and “The Island of Doctor Moreau,” are early examples of science fiction that ponder ethical questions about scientific discovery, much like Shelley’s “Frankenstein.”
Elizabeth Gaskell, with stories such as “North and South” and the ghostly “The Old Nurse’s Story,” seamlessly blends social commentary with elements of gothic fiction, appealing to those interested in Shelley’s combination of social critique and gothic elements.