The Greatest Books of All Time on Curses

Click to learn how this list is calculated.

This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 759 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

Follow on:

What should I read next?

Get personalized book recommendations based on your reading history and preferences. Our algorithm analyzes your favorite books and reading patterns to suggest your next great read.

Get Recommendations

Genres

Curses

"Curses" as a category for books encompasses a diverse range of narratives that revolve around the theme of supernatural afflictions, hexes, and maledictions. These stories often delve into the dark and mysterious aspects of magic and the occult, exploring how curses impact individuals, families, or entire communities. Characters may grapple with ancient spells, vengeful spirits, or malevolent forces that bring about misfortune, suffering, or transformation. The genre can span various settings and time periods, from gothic horror and dark fantasy to contemporary thrillers and historical dramas, offering readers a rich tapestry of suspense, intrigue, and the eternal struggle between good and evil.

Add additional genre filters

Countries

Date Range

Filter books by their publication year. Enter the earliest year (Start) and latest year (End) to find books published within that period. Leave either field empty to search from the beginning of time or up to the present day.

Filter

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download

To download this list as a CSV file, please log in to your account. Once logged in, you'll be able to download the data for use in spreadsheet applications.

Login to Download
View: List Grid Table
Filter by: Genres Dates Countries
  1. 1. Oresteia by Aeschylus

    "Oresteia" is a trilogy of Greek tragedies that tells the story of the House of Atreus. It begins with King Agamemnon's return from the Trojan War and his subsequent murder by his wife, Clytemnestra, and her lover, Aegisthus. The second play focuses on the revenge of their son, Orestes, who kills his mother and her lover to avenge his father's death. The final play deals with the trial of Orestes by the gods for the crime of matricide, resulting in his acquittal and the end of the curse on the House of Atreus. The trilogy explores themes of justice, vengeance, and the intervention of the gods in human affairs.

    The 286th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  2. 2. The House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne

    A Romance

    This novel revolves around the cursed Pyncheon family, who live in a gloomy New England mansion, cursed due to the actions of their ancestor who had an innocent man hanged as a witch to seize his property. The story explores themes of guilt, retribution, and atonement, and the narrative is interspersed with the author's philosophical musings. The present-day Pyncheons include an old maid, a daguerreotypist, and their elderly, reclusive cousin who returns to the house after a mysterious absence of many years.

    The 601st Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  3. 3. Ghost Stories Of An Antiquary by M. R. James

    "Ghost Stories of an Antiquary" is a collection of chilling tales that delve into the supernatural and macabre. Written by M. R. James, these stories transport readers to eerie settings, where ancient artifacts, haunted houses, and vengeful spirits lurk. With a masterful blend of suspense and atmospheric descriptions, James weaves narratives that leave readers on the edge of their seats, questioning the boundaries between the real and the supernatural. Each story is a haunting exploration of the human psyche and the terrifying unknown, making this collection a must-read for fans of classic ghost stories.

    The 616th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  4. 4. The Jewel Of Seven Stars by Bram Stoker

    A Novel of the Mummy

    "The Jewel of Seven Stars" is a gripping gothic horror novel that follows the story of a young archaeologist who becomes entangled in a mysterious and ancient curse. When an Egyptian mummy is brought to London, strange occurrences begin to unfold, leading the protagonist on a perilous journey to uncover the secrets of an ancient queen and her quest for immortality. As the suspense builds, the protagonist must confront supernatural forces and make a desperate attempt to break the curse before it consumes them all.

    The 1949th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  5. 5. The Second Century Of Creepy Stories by Hugh Walpole

    "The Second Century of Creepy Stories" is a collection of chilling tales that delve into the depths of the human psyche, exploring themes of fear, madness, and the supernatural. From haunted houses to malevolent spirits, each story takes readers on a suspenseful journey, leaving them questioning the boundaries between reality and the unknown. With its masterful storytelling and eerie atmosphere, this anthology is sure to captivate fans of horror and suspense.

    The 1949th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Amazon
  6. 6. The Löwensköld Ring by Selma Lagerlöf

    The Ring of the Löwenskölds

    The novel revolves around a cursed ring, originally stolen from the grave of a Swedish nobleman, which brings misfortune to its possessors. As the ring passes through the hands of various characters, it exposes the greed, pride, and prejudice of a community, leading to a series of tragic events. The curse of the ring seems to be inescapable until it is finally returned to its rightful place, suggesting themes of justice, retribution, and the possibility of redemption. The story intertwines the supernatural with the psychological, exploring the impact of the past on the present and the intertwining of human fate with the mystical.

    The 1964th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  7. 7. Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

    In a magical land where witches and wizards exist, a young hat maker named Sophie is cursed by a jealous witch and transformed into an old woman. Determined to break the curse, Sophie seeks refuge in the mysterious moving castle of the feared wizard Howl. As Sophie navigates the castle's enchanting rooms and encounters its eccentric inhabitants, she discovers the power of love, friendship, and self-acceptance. Together with Howl and his apprentice Michael, Sophie embarks on a captivating journey filled with adventure, magic, and unexpected twists that will change their lives forever.

    The 2087th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  8. 8. Worse Things Waiting by Manly Wade Wellman

    Supernatural Stories of Manly Wade Wellman

    In "Worse Things Waiting" by Manly Wade Wellman, a collection of eerie and suspenseful tales unfolds, each one delving into the realm of the supernatural. From encounters with vengeful spirits to mysterious disappearances, the stories explore the darker corners of human existence, leaving readers on the edge of their seats. With vivid descriptions and a masterful command of suspense, Wellman invites readers into a world where the line between reality and the supernatural is blurred, and where the worst things imaginable are waiting just beyond the shadows.

    The 2450th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  9. 9. The House With A Clock In Its Walls by John Bellairs

    In this gothic mystery novel, a young orphan named Lewis Barnavelt moves to New Zebedee, Michigan, to live with his eccentric Uncle Jonathan, who turns out to be a mediocre, but well-intentioned, warlock. Lewis discovers that his uncle's house, a creaky, old mansion with a mysterious ticking heart, was previously owned by a sinister couple who sought to bring about the end of the world using a magical clock hidden within the walls. As Lewis learns magic from his uncle and befriends a neighboring witch named Mrs. Zimmerman, he must confront his own insecurities and fears while they all race against time to find the clock and stop the apocalyptic plans set in motion by the house's former inhabitants.

    The 3014th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  10. 10. Goosebumps by R. L. Stine

    The book is a thrilling children's horror novel that follows a young protagonist who encounters a series of eerie and supernatural events. When the character stumbles upon something strange, such as a mysterious object or a creepy new neighbor, they soon realize that their ordinary life is about to take a terrifying turn. Each chapter builds suspense, leading to chilling discoveries and encounters with monsters, ghosts, or other paranormal phenomena. The story is designed to both spook and entertain, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with its blend of humor, twists, and frights, typical of the series it belongs to.

    The 3256th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  11. 11. All Heads Turn When The Hunt Goes By by John Farris

    In this chilling horror novel, a wealthy and powerful family is haunted by a malevolent force that has plagued them for generations. As the family gathers for a reunion at their ancestral home, they soon realize that they are trapped in a nightmarish cycle of violence and death. With each passing generation, the evil grows stronger, and the family members must confront their darkest secrets and confront the terrifying truth behind their curse. Filled with suspense and supernatural elements, this gripping tale explores the destructive power of family legacies and the lengths one must go to break free from their grip.

    The 3408th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  12. 12. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

    In this enchanting twist on the Cinderella fairy tale, a young girl named Ella is cursed with the "gift" of obedience by a well-meaning but misguided fairy. This compulsion forces her to obey any direct command, leading to a life of manipulation and frustration. Determined to reclaim control over her life, Ella embarks on a quest to find the fairy who cursed her and break the spell. Along the way, she encounters ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters, and a charming prince, weaving a story of self-discovery, resilience, and the power of true love. Her journey is not only about breaking the curse but also about finding her voice and the strength to stand up for herself in a world that tries to define her destiny.

    The 3892nd Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  13. 13. Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung

    The book is a collection of surreal and haunting short stories that blend elements of horror, fantasy, and folklore to explore themes of human suffering, societal norms, and the darker aspects of human nature. Each story delves into the bizarre and the macabre, often featuring characters who encounter strange and unsettling phenomena that challenge their perceptions of reality. Through its imaginative and often unsettling narratives, the book offers a poignant commentary on the complexities of life and the human condition.

    The 5154th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  14. 14. Holes by Louis Sachar

    This book follows the story of a young boy who is falsely accused of stealing a pair of sneakers and is sent to a juvenile detention center in the middle of a desert. Here, the boys are made to dig holes every day as a form of punishment. As the protagonist digs, he discovers the truth about the warden's obsession with the holes, the mystery of a hidden treasure, and a curse that has been haunting his family for generations. The story is a blend of adventure, mystery, and coming-of-age themes.

    The 5231st Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  15. 15. Uzumaki by Junji Ito

    The book is a horror manga that centers around a small fog-bound Japanese town cursed by supernatural events involving spirals. As the obsession with the spiral pattern begins to spread among the townspeople, it manifests in increasingly bizarre and terrifying ways, warping both the minds of the inhabitants and the very fabric of the town itself. The narrative follows a high school teenager and her boyfriend as they struggle to understand and survive the madness engulfing their once-peaceful home, revealing the spiral's hypnotic and monstrous influence on both the human psyche and the natural world.

    The 6674th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Amazon
  16. 16. Spindle’s End by Robin McKinley

    In this enchanting retelling of a classic fairy tale, a princess is cursed by an evil fairy to prick her finger on a spindle and die on her twenty-first birthday. To protect her, the infant princess is spirited away by a young fairy and raised in a small village, unaware of her royal heritage. As her twenty-first birthday approaches, various forces converge to either save or doom her, leading to a journey of self-discovery, magic, and adventure. With the help of her friends, including animals she can communicate with, the princess must find a way to break the curse and embrace her true destiny.

    The 8644th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  17. 17. The Wrath & The Dawn by Renée Ahdieh

    A Thousand Nights, A Single Dawn

    In this reimagined tale inspired by "One Thousand and One Nights," a young woman volunteers to marry a caliph known for taking a new bride each day only to execute her at dawn. She does this to avenge her best friend, one of his previous victims. However, as she weaves stories night after night to postpone her execution, she begins to see a different side to the ruler and uncovers secrets that could alter the course of the kingdom. Amidst a backdrop of magic, betrayal, and political intrigue, the woman finds herself torn between her mission for revenge and the unexpected feelings she develops for the man she intended to hate.

    The 10850th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  18. 18. Blanca & Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore

    In this enchanting tale, two sisters, Blanca and Roja, find themselves ensnared in a cruel family curse that has haunted generations: one sister is destined to become a swan. Their bond is tested when two local boys become entangled in their lives—one emerging from a strange transformation, and the other hiding his true identity. As the sisters grapple with the curse's grip, they must navigate a complex web of love, rivalry, and identity, challenging both societal expectations and their own deepest fears. The story weaves magical realism with themes of family, fate, and the power of self-acceptance, creating a lyrical narrative that explores the blurred lines between fairy tale and reality.

    The 11274th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Amazon
  19. 19. Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher

    In this darkly enchanting fantasy, a princess named Marra embarks on a perilous quest to save her sister from an abusive marriage to a powerful prince. Accompanied by an unlikely band of allies, including a gravewitch, a fairy godmother, and a former knight, Marra navigates a world filled with danger, magic, and unexpected humor. As she confronts her own fears and insecurities, Marra discovers her inner strength and the true meaning of family and sacrifice. The story weaves together elements of fairy tales and folklore, creating a rich tapestry of adventure and resilience.

    The 13341st Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Amazon
  20. 20. Kintu by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi

    A sweeping multigenerational saga set in Buganda that traces the aftermath of an ancestral act—treated as a curse—through successive descendants, weaving oral history, myth and hard political history as family members confront tradition, colonialism, Christianity, gendered violence, land disputes and personal betrayals; intimate stories of love, motherhood and survival are used to explore identity, memory and the heavy, often tragic burden of inherited legacies on both a family and a nation.

    The 13734th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org
  21. 21. The True Queen by Zen Cho

    A Sorcerer to the Crown Novel

    In this enchanting historical fantasy, two sisters find themselves stranded in Regency England after a magical mishap in their home of Janda Baik. With one sister cursed and without her memories, they seek the aid of England's Sorceress Royal. Their quest leads them to discover their own hidden powers and confront a malevolent fairy realm. As they navigate the complexities of high society and magical intrigue, the sisters uncover secrets about their past and the true nature of the curse that binds them. The narrative weaves a tale of sisterhood, identity, and the courage to fight for one's place in the world, all set against the backdrop of a richly imagined magical Regency era.

    The 14046th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Amazon
  22. 22. Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

    The book follows the lives of the Owens sisters, Sally and Gillian, who come from a long line of witches. Raised by their eccentric aunts after their parents' death, the sisters grow up learning about love and magic. However, they face an age-old curse that any man who falls in love with an Owens woman will meet a tragic end, leading them on a journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and a struggle to overcome their family's dark past.

    The 15010th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Amazon
  23. 23. The Sea Of Monsters by Rick Riordan

    Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 2

    In this thrilling sequel set in a modern world where Greek mythology is reality, a young demigod embarks on a perilous quest to save his endangered summer camp, Camp Half-Blood. The magical borders protecting the camp are failing, and to prevent its destruction, our hero and his friends must journey into the treacherous Sea of Monsters to find the mythical Golden Fleece, the only thing powerful enough to heal the land. Along the way, they face numerous mythological foes and discover startling truths about their own identities and destinies. This action-packed adventure not only tests their bravery and friendships but also sets the stage for further challenges in the unfolding saga of their extraordinary lives.

    The 15010th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Amazon
  24. 24. Reflections On The Psalms by C. S. Lewis

    A thoughtful lay exploration of the Psalms that treats them as poetry and lived worship rather than systematic theology, probing themes like praise, joy in the Law, judgment, lament, and the troubling imprecations. It explains how praise completes enjoyment and how “second meanings” can arise, while candidly addressing the cultural distance and moral difficulties modern readers face. Blending literary insight with spiritual reflection, it invites a refreshed, honest appreciation of these ancient songs.

    The 16507th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org
  25. 25. The Uncertain Places by Lisa Goldstein

    "The Uncertain Places" follows the story of two sisters, Willa and Livy, who are sent to live with their eccentric grandmother in a mysterious house filled with secrets and magic. As they explore the enchanted woods surrounding the house, they discover a world of fairies, curses, and dark family history. But when Livy falls under the spell of a dangerous fairy prince, Willa must use all her wit and courage to save her sister and uncover the truth about their family's past.

    The 17113th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Amazon

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download

To download this list as a CSV file, please log in to your account. Once logged in, you'll be able to download the data for use in spreadsheet applications.

Login to Download