The Greatest Books of All Time on Occult

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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 401 '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.

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  1. 1. The House Of Souls by Arthur Machen

    "The House of Souls" is a collection of supernatural tales that explore the thin veil between the physical and spiritual realms. From haunted houses to ancient rituals, the stories delve into the mysteries of the occult and the unsettling forces that lurk in the shadows. With vivid descriptions and a haunting atmosphere, the book takes readers on a chilling journey through the unknown, leaving them questioning the boundaries of reality and the existence of otherworldly beings.

    The 1408th Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 2. The Club Dumas by Arturo Pérez-Reverte

    The book follows Lucas Corso, a book detective who is hired to authenticate a rare manuscript by Alexandre Dumas. As he delves into the investigation, he finds himself entangled in a mystery involving two other books: a rare edition of "The Three Musketeers" and a satanic text, "The Book of Nine Doors of the Kingdom of Shadows". The narrative becomes a complex puzzle as Corso uncovers connections between the books, while also dealing with a seductive woman who seems to have stepped out of a Dumas novel, a mysterious killer, and a group of bibliophiles obsessed with Dumas. The lines between fiction and reality blur as he gets closer to the truth.

    The 1616th Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 3. The Complete John Silence Stories by Algernon Blackwood

    The Psychic Detective

    "The Complete John Silence Stories" is a collection of thrilling tales written by Algernon Blackwood. The book follows the adventures of John Silence, a psychic detective who uses his extraordinary abilities to solve perplexing mysteries. From haunted houses to supernatural encounters, Silence's investigations take readers on a captivating journey through the realms of the unknown. With a blend of suspense, horror, and the occult, these stories offer a unique and chilling reading experience.

    The 1693rd Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 4. Our Lady Of Darkness by Fritz Leiber

    A Novel of the Macabre

    The novel explores the eerie and supernatural as it follows the life of a recovering alcoholic and writer in San Francisco who becomes entangled in a web of occult horror. After discovering a mysterious book, he is drawn into the world of "paramentals"—sinister entities that feed on the energy of the modern city—and must confront the legacy of a long-dead sorcerer. As the protagonist delves deeper into the arcane, he must unravel the secrets of an ancient mystical theory called Megapolisomancy and face the terrifying forces that lurk in the shadows of urban decay, all while grappling with his personal demons.

    The 2038th Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 5. The Ceremonies by T. E. D. Klein

    "The Ceremonies" is a chilling horror novel that follows the lives of two academics who stumble upon an ancient evil lurking beneath a small town. As they uncover a series of disturbing rituals and dark secrets, they become entangled in a battle against an otherworldly force that threatens to consume them and unleash chaos upon the world. With its atmospheric writing and spine-tingling suspense, this book delves into themes of ancient mythology, the power of belief, and the terrifying consequences of meddling with forces beyond human comprehension.

    The 2868th Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 6. Flicker by Theodore Roszak

    The novel is a thriller that delves into the world of subliminal messaging in film. The protagonist, a film scholar, becomes obsessed with the work of a mysterious B-movie director whose films seem to induce strange psychological effects on viewers. As he delves deeper into the director's work, he uncovers a shadowy conspiracy that reaches into the heart of Hollywood and the Catholic Church, leading him to question the nature of reality itself.

    The 2919th Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 7. The Great God Pan by Arthur Machen

    And Other Weird Stories

    This novella delves into the chilling consequences of tampering with the unknown as it follows the aftermath of a sinister experiment to glimpse the supernatural realm. The story weaves a tapestry of mysterious occurrences, madness, and death, tracing the influence of an enigmatic woman believed to have been exposed to the ancient, malevolent entity known as Pan. As the narrative unfolds, the characters are drawn into a dark and eerie world where the boundaries between reality and the arcane dissolve, leading to a haunting conclusion that underscores the perils of unlocking forbidden knowledge.

    The 3275th Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 8. Falling Angel by William Hjortsberg

    In this gripping mystery novel, a down-on-his-luck private investigator is hired to find a missing person, only to uncover a web of dark secrets and supernatural forces. Set in 1950s New York City, the protagonist delves into the city's seedy underbelly, encountering eccentric characters and facing his own demons along the way. As he gets closer to the truth, the line between reality and fantasy becomes blurred, leading to a shocking and unexpected climax. With its atmospheric setting and intricate plot, this book keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

    The 4041st Greatest Book of All Time
  9. 9. The Green Face by Gustav Meyrink

    The novel is a surreal and mystical exploration set in Amsterdam, where a man named Hauberrisser encounters a mysterious figure with a green face in a curiosity shop. This encounter leads him into a labyrinthine journey through the city's underworld, filled with esoteric symbols, secret societies, and enigmatic characters. As Hauberrisser delves deeper, he grapples with themes of identity, reality, and the supernatural, ultimately confronting the boundaries between the material and spiritual worlds. The narrative weaves a rich tapestry of occult philosophy and existential inquiry, challenging the protagonist to seek deeper truths beyond the visible realm.

    The 5116th Greatest Book of All Time
  10. 10. Religion And The Decline Of Magic by Keith Thomas

    Studies in Popular Beliefs in Sixteenth and Seventeenth Century England

    This scholarly work provides a comprehensive examination of the interplay between magic, religion, and science in sixteenth and seventeenth-century England. It explores how the Protestant Reformation and the rise of scientific thinking led to a decline in the practice of magic. The book delves into the ways people sought to understand and control their world before the widespread acceptance of the scientific method, analyzing why individuals turned to magic and how the Church and state responded. It also considers the transition from a society where magical beliefs were mainstream to one where they were increasingly marginalized and ridiculed, offering a detailed account of this significant cultural shift.

    The 5121st Greatest Book of All Time
  11. 11. The Imago Sequence And Other Stories by Laird Barron

    "The Imago Sequence and Other Stories" is a collection of nine dark tales that blend the genres of horror and noir, delving into the cosmic and the occult. The stories are characterized by their atmospheric tension and psychological depth, exploring the human psyche and its vulnerabilities against a backdrop of supernatural and existential dread. Each narrative in the collection is meticulously crafted, featuring complex characters and intricate plots that often culminate in chilling and thought-provoking conclusions. The eponymous story, "The Imago Sequence," serves as a standout piece, inviting readers into a world of arcane mysteries and the relentless pursuit of forbidden knowledge, encapsulating the thematic essence of the entire collection.

    The 7470th Greatest Book of All Time
  12. 12. The Passage by Justin Cronin

    "The Passage" is a gripping post-apocalyptic novel that follows the journey of a young girl named Amy, who holds the key to humanity's survival. Set in a world ravaged by a government experiment gone wrong, the story explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the fight for redemption. As Amy grows older, she embarks on a perilous quest to find her purpose and confront the sinister beings known as Virals, while a group of survivors battles against the darkness that threatens to consume them all.

    The 7650th Greatest Book of All Time
  13. 13. The Chymical Wedding by Lindsay Clarke

    A Romance

    "The Chymical Wedding" is a novel that intertwines the lives of two poets in the 1980s with the historical tale of the alchemist, Sir Edward Kelley and Queen Elizabeth I's astrologer, John Dee. The modern day poets are researching the historical figures and find their lives mirroring the tumultuous relationship of Kelley and Dee. The novel explores themes of love, betrayal, alchemy, and the transformative power of the human spirit.

    The 12494th Greatest Book of All Time
  14. 14. The Eye In The Pyramid by Robert Shea, Robert Anton Wilson

    The Illuminatus! Trilogy

    This book is the first volume in a series that blends historical fiction, conspiracy theories, and satire. It follows the surreal adventures of two detectives as they uncover a complex web of conspiracies involving secret societies, government agencies, and mystical occurrences. Set against the backdrop of the 1960s, the narrative delves into themes of paranoia, power, and the nature of reality, challenging the reader's perception of truth and fiction. Through a mix of humor, philosophy, and speculative fiction, the story embarks on a psychedelic journey that questions the very fabric of society and individual belief systems.

    The 12494th Greatest Book of All Time

Reading Statistics

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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.

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