Recs if you like Deliver Me...

in the first edition of ‘the monstrous-feminine’, barbara creed challenges the dominant representation of women in horror films as victims, arguing that patriarchal ideology constructs women as monstrous because of their sexuality (or lack thereof).

later, creed reinterprets the monstrous-feminine as a being who embraces her body and reclaims her otherness. in line with this contemporary vision, these are books which use horror to redefine notions of ‘womanhood’.

recommendations welcome!

Following women on journeys to do weird and maybe violent things.

Horror books to read just for the aesthetic

pregnancy horror has been a prevalent form of body horror for decades, popularised by the arrival of rosemary’s baby. this list offers a mix of classics and more niche picks, traversing the many questions of authority, complexities, and subversions of the subgenre. these books explore pregnancy and its aftermath, sometimes literally, and sometimes through metaphor.

Social commentary under patriarchy

Horror stories focusing on female characters who commit acts of violence rather than being the victims.

All sorts of stories about all sorts of women. Mostly litfic, some horror.

under-the-radar, lesser known weird lit fic recs

"Weird girl literature" featuring themes around pregnancy or motherhood

💜 yarnandbooks

eat them alive

Pregnancy and motherhood horror

fiction that explores some aspect of the modern capitalist hellscape, whether high-tech corporate, blue collar, or something in between.

List formerly known as weird girl elders. "Weird girl literature" books with characters that are over 30.

💜 yarnandbooks

It’s always nice to feel like a normal person by reading about those more unhinged than you 😌 These are all women focused books. Some I’ve read and some I’m going to read. Apologies in advance if it gets long. Recommendations are absolutely welcome!! So please feel free.

I know a couple are written by men which might be taboo for some but I’ve included because I thought they were appropriate or the author has a track record of writing women well.

List of books with book covers containing blurry faces, obscured faces, or distorted faces

This is a list of horror books written by women, as recommended by Sadie Hartmann (Mother Horror) in her book Feral and Hysterical. I highly recommend that you pick up a copy of Feral and Hysterical because it is so much more than a list of books. There are more lists of books, but also thoughtful essays by women writers. It's worth spending some time with Feral and Hysterical.

"Women are overqualified to write fictional horror. Period." -- Sadie Hartmann

Books that mainly take place inside the MC's head. Not saying the events are not real, but the compelling part of the book is the thoughts of the MC and less the plot. Typically unwell or struggling.