Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Trick or treat? The month of spooks is upon us and it’s only fitting that we fully immerse ourselves into the Halloween spirit - not only by dressing up, but more so by uncovering the story behind your monster’s fear factor.
You’ve seen the movies, the neighborhood kids running around in his attire, but what is it that makes Frankenstein such an iconic character? Well, we have Mary Shelley to thank for his tenacity. Blurring the lines between fiction and reality with its gripping narrative, this 200 year old goth classic is sure to keep you up at night (reading or fearing, one cannot say). Set in 19th century Europe, the novel revolves around scientist Victor Frankenstein, and his experimentalist tendencies which lead him to create an ultra human being - Frankenstein’s monster as we know him. Abandoned shortly after his ‘birth’ due to his hideous appearance, and shunned by society in general, the monster turns detrimental in his quest for revenge. Destroying everything and everyone in his path, is Frankenstein finally vindicated? Equal part fact and fiction, backed by the author’s personal experience with the misery of death, Frankenstein is one such story which won’t haunt you voluntarily. You fall prey to the essence of this literary marvel when you least expect it. After all, it is the demon you conjure that haunts you more than any physicality.
Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
‘2015 New York Times Fiction Bestseller’, ‘Thriller directorial starring Emily Blunt.’ If that wasn't enough to pique your interest into this stunning novel, read on, because the book isn’t what it may seem at first glance. Spinning an entire narrative from a three-person perspective, Paula Hawkins leaves no stone unturned when it comes to taking the reader on a mind boggling, subliminal journey.
What do you get when you place a vengeful alcoholic divorcee in close contact with her ex and his new family, on a daily basis? Rachel seethes at the mere sight of her ex-husband Tom, his new wife Anna and their daughter Evie. Someone is bound to get hurt, but it isn’t who you may think. In an incredibly fast paced setting, Rachel’s underlying sense of incompetence and unhappiness with her own life lead her to idealize and romanticize that of two complete strangers (who turn out to be Tom’s neighbors) - “Jason” and “Jess” as she names them. All this just from the seat of a train.
Now when “Jess” supposedly goes missing, is later found dead, and Rachel wakes up covered in blood, with no memory of the night before (thanks to her binge drinking), how have the two seemingly unrelated parties crossed paths? In a turn of the tables, involving a police investigation, pseudonymous trips to a therapist, adultery, and a second clandestine murder, Rachel ends up saving the day, and her life. A complete fresh take on abusive relationships, gaslighting, psychological therapy, alcoholism and vendetta - all from the seat of a train. A read worthy of every second spent rethinking and analyzing, a must for first time thriller readers!
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
The story follows the life of Alicia Berenson, who’s a middle aged successful painter. She leads a happy life until, one day, she shoots her husband multiple times in the face and is put on trial for his murder. After the brutal murder of her husband, Alicia chose to remain silent and is locked away at the Grove, a secure forensic unit away from the public eye.
She seems to be a lost cause until Theo Faber, a psychotherapist, takes a special interest in her case and goes over and beyond to figure out the reason behind Alicia's actions and silence. Did she really kill her husband in cold blood or was someone else in the room manipulating her into pulling the trigger? If so, why didn't she say anything during her trial? Why did she choose to name her painting Alcestis, a Greek heroine who sacrifices her own life for her husband, before her ultimate retreat?
Theo finds himself extremely fascinated as he discovers the workings of Alicia's mind and possible theories are formed as to what could have caused the murder. The book begins with the narration by Theo and is later taken over by Alicia herself. The Silent Patient is an amazing thriller that nails the ending and will leave the reader wanting more. But the real question seems to be left up to the reader, is the protagonist Alicia or Theo?
Cabin at the end of the world by Paul G. Tremblay
In a world where there are million ways to spend someone’s time, what makes this particular book so worthwhile that it won the Horror Writers Association's Bram Stoker Award, 2019? The key elements of writing a good horror book include a captivating opening, high stakes throughout the plot and a satisfactory ending. The book starts off with Wen, a seven-year-old child enjoying what the world has to offer, but the tension builds on quickly as a stranger befriends her and warns her about the doom of the world that is to follow as the book proceeds. The stranger ends up invading her home and holds her and her family hostage, but the invaders make an effort to remain kind to the family of three. The irony only seems to increase the tension. The family dynamic only adds onto the readers’ interest as the two fathers are so in love with each other and with their adopted daughter, Wen.
What lengths are the people in the room willing to go in order to save the world? The Cabin draws in the reader's attention from the very first page and maintains it till the very end. The book is beautifully tragic and definitely worth the readers’ time.
Salem’s Lot by Stephen King
Stephen King’s second published novel and first best seller was ’Salem’s Lot. The main character is Ben Mears, an author who has recently lost his wife in a motorcycle crash. Unable to conquer his grief after many months, he returns, after an absence of twenty-five years, to the town of Jerusalem’s Lot, known by most of its inhabitants as “Salem’s Lot.”
He is startled by his sight of the Marsten House, a great mansion built on a hill overlooking the town. Ben is filled with foreboding, and the reader knows that the Marsten House is going to be a central factor in the events to come. King describes the mansion as if it is alive, almost conscious, and full of evil. It had been built many decades before by a mobster named Hubie Marsten, who shotgunned his wife to death and then hanged himself. When he was nine, Ben had visited the abandoned building on a dare and had seen an apparition—Marsten’s spectral corpse swinging from a roof beam. Now, he feels almost as if the house has been waiting for his return.
The book is masterful in part because King does not hurry the reader. He increases the sense of suspense and menace in slow, unpleasant pulses; and they catch us, like the deepening shadows of a dusk that, once so safely distant, is suddenly upon us, and heralding the creatures of the night. This one is definitely one of the classics that has to be in everyone’s reading list, only if they can stomach it.
Edited by
Sahana Sadanand - 3BBA C
Sanjana Mukund - 1 BBA F
Priya Pachattu - 1 BBA E
Designed by
Chirag Mehta - 3 BBA C
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