Dark Fiction
Explore books, themes, and recommendations in Dark Fiction.
What is the Dark Fiction Subgenre?
While not necessarily a horror subgenre, dark fiction concerns itself with many of the same themes and elements of horror fiction. Themes include all of the darker aspects of humanity, such as death, fear, and the evil side of human nature. Dark fiction stories will be bleak, booth in atmosphere as well as in plot and thematic elements. While some dark fiction may contain details found in horror, the purpose is less to scare and more to examine these more sinister aspects of human nature, and that may include fear. Scares in this subgenre will be subtle, and for the most part, dark fiction tends to steer clear of the more supernatural aspects of horror, such as ghosts, demons and monsters.
However, dark fiction is actually a pretty vast subgenre. It encompasses many other subgenres such as dark fantasy, dark mystery, dark comedy, and even dark thriller. So, it is still possible to encounter monsters, ghosts, and ghouls in dark fiction, particularly in the dark fantasy subgenre. As a general rule, however, dark fiction tends to concern itself with more human matters.
While the aim of dark fiction is not necessarily to scare, it definitely seeks to disturb. Dark fiction is haunting, but not in the ghostly sense. Images and themes of dark fiction are likely to stay with the reader long after they have turned the last page. Because the themes and elements of dark fiction are what matter most in the subgenre, most everything else can be extremely variable. Dark fantasy and dark science fiction will often contain the unexplainable and supernatural. Dark comedy will contain elements of humor, and dark mystery, dark thriller, and noir all contain complex and intriguing plots. Dystopian fiction and noir with their corrupt and vile societies are also very closely related to dark fiction because they share the same shadowy elements.
Dark Fiction Characteristics
Level of Characterization: The level of characterization in dark fiction is high as believable and relatable characters are needed to guide readers through the somber themes.
Level of Plot: Plots can be moderate to high in dark fiction. This vast subgenre will often feature mysterious and complex plots.
Level of Supernatural: The level of supernatural in dark fiction is most often low. With the exception of dark fantasy, dark fiction tends to steer clear of the supernatural aspects found in horror fiction.
Level of Scary: Dark fiction is not especially scary as that is not the aim of this subgenre. Instead, themes will be gloomy and plot elements. The level of scary in dark fiction is very low.
Level of Violence: Because this is such a large subgenre, the level of violence in dark fiction is variable. Generally, however, the violence in dark fiction is not used to shock or frighten but instead to further expound on dark themes of the story.
Typical Setting: There is no one typical setting for dark fiction, though dystopian societies seem to be one of the more common in the subgenre.
Related Horror Subgenres
Dark fiction has its own subgenres. These are dark fantasy, dark mystery, dark thriller, dark comedy, and even noir. Horror subgenres related to dark fiction include, comic horror and horror noir. Science fiction genres such as dystopian are also related to dark fiction.
Don't Read Dark Fiction If You Dislike…
Dark and somber themes, as these are a staple of dark fiction. However, if you are seeking truly scary fiction or real thrills and chills, this is probably not the genre for you.