Sure, some epistolary classics — such as Frankenstein and Dracula — bear a passing resemblance to Paranormal Activity and Grave Encounters, but they lack many of the hallmarks that define found-footage, including the ever-present fear that the story itself may be a giant hoax. That’s not to say that found-footage horror novels don’t exist. In fact, two of the most famous examples of found-footage in literature, The Call of Cthulhu* and House of Leaves, happen to be two of the most famous horror novels ever written. They do not appear on the list below, however, simply because my intention here is to highlight lesser-known horror novels and horror staples that are not often associated with the found-footage sub-genre.
- Note: Call of Cthulhu author H.P. Lovecraft was a virulent racist and anti-Semite. His despicable views cannot be separated from his work, in which miscegenation is often the source of the horrors therein. With that being said, it’s impossible to understate Lovecraft’s influence on the cosmic horror sub-genre in particular and mainstream horror in general. While I encourage horror fans to read Lovecraft’s work, if only to better understand the genre as a whole, the contents of his oeuvre warrant a warning label. Want more horror novel reading recommendations? Check out this list of genre-blending horror novels and add some of the best horror novels of 2022 to your TBR!
