Dan Lewis

The most terrifying characters in fiction

Kerry Meech gives us a Halloween run down of the top ten most terrifying characters ever. Sort of.

Most Stephen King characters – Jack Torrance in The Shining, Annie Wilkes in Misery, It… in… It

Perhaps unsurprisingly Stephen King’s novels contain some of the most terrifying characters to have graced the page. From the coulrophobia inducing It to everyone’s favourite typist, Jack Torrance, the novels of Mr King have probably caused more sleepless nights than those of any other author. My personal favourite is Misery’s Annie Wilkes, who gives a whole new meaning to the term bedside manner, Florence Nightingale she is most definitely not.

Regan MacNeil (The Exorcist)

OK, so Regan isn’t technically evil, she can’t be held responsible for the carnage that occurred in that Georgetown townhouse bedroom. The Devil made her do it. Honest. Hmmm, either way Regan MacNeil’s story has gone down in Horror fiction history as one of the most disturbing tales ever penned, thanks in part to Linda Blair’s head-spinning performance. Reportedly inspired by a true story, William Peter Blatty’s novel is a masterclass in horror writing, yet tends to be overlooked in favour of the film adaptation (which Blatty wrote the screenplay for). So if you find yourself at a loose end next Friday night ignore the trick and treaters, crank up the Mike Oldfield and prepare to be scared witless.

Kevin (We Need to Talk About Kevin)

Crikey, where to begin with this? There is a reason why this novel has become so phenomenally successful and I don’t want to give it away for those of you who haven’t read it, but those of you who have will understand my innate mistrust of anyone named Kevin.

Frank (The Wasp Factory)

There’s nothing much more creepier than a lone child*, this is a Horror fact and one that the much-missed Iain Banks puts to disturbing effect in The Wasp Factory. 16 year old Frank spends his days avoiding his eccentric father, strolling the desolate beaches of the remote Scottish island he lives on and pondering over the remainder of his childhood, So far, so Adrian Mole, apart from Frank seeks pleasure in the killing of animals and his brother may have just escaped from a psychiatric hospital. Gloriously gothic and macabre, it is no surprise that The Wasp Factory remains a favourite with our booksellers (we’re a twisted bunch).

*OK, so a lone child on a remote island who likes to kill animals is a bit creepier.

Alex (A Clockwork Orange)

You know you’ve managed to create a monster when even the humble glass of milk is transformed into something sinister, I mean try saying “Knifey Moloko” without breaking into a cold sweat. Everything about Anthony Burgess’ classic dystopian novel is disturbing, however it is the character of Alex who has us running to check our front doors before bedtime. Gleefully revelling in his acts of gratuitous violence and psychotic in his pursuit of victims, Alex becomes the embodiment of a near-future subculture of youths hell-bent on causing terror and chaos. So much for the swinging sixties, eh? From the bloodcurdling scenes of ultra-violence to the chilling Ludovico Technique used by the state to “rehabilitate” Alex, A Clockwork Orange is not only one of the most important novels of the 20th century but it has also provided inspiration for one of the most iconic and recognizable Halloween costumes. That isn’t a motley crew of Sally Bowles impersonators you’ll see careening down your local high-street next All Hallows’ Eve, that’ll be Alex and his bowler hatted droogs.

Patrick Bateman (American Psycho)

If Dexter is everyone’s favourite fictional serial killer, then Patrick Bateman is definitely the most stylish. Undoubtedly one of the most controversial novels of the 90s, American Psycho still has the power to shock today, if not for Bateman’s obsession with Huey Lewis & The News. Unforgiveable.

Mrs Danvers (Rebecca)

The best ghost stories are set in haunted houses and the more dilapidated the better. From The Fall of the House of Usher, to the eery Eel Marsh House of The Woman in Black to Miss Havisham’s crumbling Satis House in Great Expectations, there really is no better place to dispose of/madden/spook your characters. No one understood this more than Daphne Du Maurier, to this day I only have to hear the word “Manderley” and I am transported back to the world of Rebecca and… Mrs Danvers. Conniving, evil, jealous and bloody brilliant, Mrs. Danvers is hell-bent on making the new Mrs. de Winter’s life hell with explosive consequences and has remained one of literature’s greatest ever villains.

Something for the budding Horror enthusiasts:

He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named (Harry Potter)

Imagine being so evil that no one dares mention your name? That’s pretty evil, so we’re not going to tempt fate. It is a bit of mouthful though, isn’t it? So let’s just call him Tom and leave it at that.

Witches (The Witches) & Miss Trunchbull (Matilda)

I must confess that up until a few years ago I couldn’t watch any movies which featured Anjelica Huston, due to the utter terror I experienced as a child watching The Witches movie (which is yet another reason why books are always better than the film). However, personal trauma aside, the books of Roald Dahl have provided young and old booklovers alike with some of the most memorable characters, from the terrifying Grand High Witch to the remorseless headmistress Miss Trunchbull of Matilda.

Witch and Cat (Room on The Broom) & Peppa Pig (Peppa’s Halloween)

These tales are perfect for budding trick and treaters! Take to the skies with Witch and Cat as their unruly hitchhikers inadvertently send them into the lair of a greedy dragon! Or why not join Peppa Pig as she prepares for the big day (Halloween, not her wedding), Oh and did I mention this book comes with stickers, HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

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