What is weird fiction?

Definition of weird fiction

Weird fiction is a subgenre of speculative fiction that originated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is characterized by its use of supernatural, surreal, or strange elements and themes, often with a focus on the eerie and the unsettling.

Weird fiction can be thought of as a bridge between traditional horror and science fiction, combining elements of both genres to create a sense of strangeness and otherworldliness.

Some of the key themes of weird fiction include the supernatural, the bizarre, the grotesque, and the inexplicable.

Famous writers of weird fiction include H.P. Lovecraft, Edgar Allan Poe, and M.R. James.

Note: This post is a part of my shameless SEO-driven book-marketing strategy, so there's that.

How is weird fiction different than fantasy?

Weird fiction and fantasy are distinct literary genres.

Weird fiction explores the eerie, supernatural, and strange, often blending horror, science fiction, and fantasy elements in settings that challenge reality. The tone is typically mysterious and unsettling, focusing on cosmic horror and forbidden knowledge.

In contrast, fantasy involves imaginative elements like magic and mythical creatures, usually set in secondary worlds with diverse tones from adventurous to epic. While both genres share some overlap, weird fiction emphasizes the unknown and cosmic horror, while fantasy explores magic, heroism, and clashes between different civilizations.

Examples of weird fiction books

1. The Man Who Was Thursday by G.K. Chesterton: This novel follows Gabriel Syme, a poet turned detective, as he infiltrates a group of anarchists who are plotting to overthrow the government. As he delves deeper into their organization, he discovers that the leaders of the group are not who they seem, and that the true nature of their plot is far more sinister and bizarre than he could have imagined.

This guy.

2. The House on the Borderland by William Hope Hodgson: This novel tells the story of a man who lives in a secluded house in the Irish countryside and becomes embroiled in a series of strange and terrifying events. He experiences visions of other worlds, encounters grotesque monsters, and is confronted with the idea that his own house is a portal to other dimensions.

Lovecraft approved.

3. The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle: This novella retells H.P. Lovecraft's The Horror at Red Hook from the perspective of Charles Thomas Tester, a young African American man drawn into a world of Lovecraftian horror and cosmic deities. As he becomes more entangled in the machinations of these otherworldly beings, he begins to question his own identity and place in the universe.

Hey wait a minute that's in Spanish.

4. The Willows by Algernon Blackwood: In this novella, two friends go on a camping trip along the Danube River and become involved in a series of strange and unsettling events. They encounter a series of mysterious and malevolent forces, including the titular willows, which seem to possess a malevolent intelligence of their own. As they try to escape, they find themselves pursued by these supernatural entities, leading to a tense and thrilling conclusion.

Best name for a super intelligent mouse. Go.

5. The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath by H.P. Lovecraft: This novel follows the adventures of Randolph Carter, a man searching for a mysterious city called Kadath that exists in his dreams. As he travels through otherworldly landscapes and encounters strange creatures, he becomes increasingly obsessed with finding Kadath and unlocking its secrets.

From the OG weirdo.

Free weird fiction short story

Want to read a classic weird fiction short story for free?

Check out The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman.

Summary: This short story tells the story of a woman who is confined to a bedroom in a house by her husband, who is a physician. As she becomes increasingly isolated and bored, she becomes fixated on the strange patterns in the yellow wallpaper of her room. As her mental health deteriorates, the line between reality and her own hallucinations becomes increasingly blurred.

Enjoy getting weird!