Doom, Darkness and Damnation: 7 books to get you started with Medieval Horror
Medieval Horror is a thing. Did you know that? I didn't know that. Not until a couple months ago when I kept circling back to ‘Between Two Fires' by Christopher Beuhlman during a “what shall I read next?” spiral.
Medieval Horror can be defined as any horror type story set within the medieval period. Also known as the Middle Ages, in Europe it spanned the 5th - 15th Centuries. We're talking early technology (and I use the word “technology” in its very lowest form) and a time when superstition was king. The fear and threat of the dark unknown, the giant gaps in our knowledge for how the world worked, and the persistence of religion, creates the ideal environment for horror to grow.
For this list I've included books that I have put on my TBR for this genre, and although some wander further into “weird lit” rather than being more historically accruate, I've included what feels right to me, and what excites me. I have also tried to stray away from Viking fiction, because I think that comes under its own umbrella.
‘Between Two Fires' by Christopher Buehlman - This has sat at the top of my TBR for a couple months. I'm a bit anxious about starting it because I want to love it. And what if I don’t?
‘Lapvona’ by Otessa Moshfegh - Ugh. I LOVED this book. It was my first Moshfegh and it will not be my last. Stunning.
‘Armed in her Fashion’ by Kate Heartfield - I don't know if I can explain this one. You have to read the summary. But all I can say is that I NEED this book.
‘His Black Tongue' by Mitchell Luthi - What can I say? All those school years spent studying the Black Death over and over and over… It left an impression on me. And now I can't resist any kind of material that utilises it in some way.
‘Pilgrim’ by Mitchell Luthi - It would seem that Luthi is the author you want if Medieval Horror is your bag. This is nearly 700 pages though… So it's more of a chunkier cookie to sink your teeth into.
‘Laurus' by Eugene Vodolazkin - A journey across plague-ridden Europe? Say less.
‘Hollow' by Brian Catling - Definitely more on the “weird” side apparently. But I am transfixed by the cover. I have a good feeling about it.
Have you read any Medieval Horror before? What would you recommend?
Written by Sarah
