Sex and Death in Horror Fiction

[MagnusTC]

I am searching for horror stories based on the topics of sex and death in different (tragic, dysfunctional, perverted etc.) combinations, either implicitly or explicitly. Here is a list of what I have thought of thus far:

Robert Aickman: Ravissante, Ringing the Changes, No Stronger than a Flower
Stefan Grabinski: Fumes, Szamota's Mistress
Max Blecher: Adventures in Immediate Unreality
Sarban: Ringstones
Comte de Lautréamont: Les Chants de Maldoror
Georges Bataille: Madame Edwarda, My Mother
Oscar Wilde: The Picture of Dorian Gray

I was actually a bit surprised that I couldn't think of anything else, so I would be very interested in any (historical or contemporary) suggestions you might have!

[Dr. Valzer]

Off the top of my head I would suggest:

The Story of the Eye - Georges Bataille
The Torture Garden - Octave Mirbeau
Various woks by the Marquis de Sade
"We So Seldom Look on Love" by Barbara Gowdy
Scared Stiff by Ramsey Campbell

[Professor Angell.]

Joseph Pulver's "Blood will have it's season" and "Sin & Ashes" kinda fits here - not at home, can't name particular stories but..they both feature sex and death.

[sundog]

Ever since reading the cartoon version of The Last Feast of Harlequin I've been thinking of the story along very sexual lines.

Quentin S. Crisp's brilliant Remember You're A One-Ball also seems to me suffused with sexuality.

[JadedFool]

I think most of Clive Barker's work, particularly the Books of Blood collection.

[Michael]

What immediately comes to my mind is Alan Moore's "From Hell." Most of his works deal with themes of sex/sexuality and death but in "From Hell" it is a constant, unrelenting tone of sex and death that never, at any point, abates. I can't think of another work I've read that does this. One story that I know comes close is Michael Marshall Smith's "More Tomorrow" and I'm sure there are others. Looking at the previous posts, I can't find grounds to disagree with any of the recs, especially Barker's Books of Blood

[DoktorH]

Robert Bloch: Psycho Bret Easton ellis: American Psycho Tim Seeley: any of the "Hack/Slash" graphic novels Chuck Palahniuk: Invisible Monsters film The Wizard of Gore (2007) The Wicker Man Martin Anti-Christ After Life

[Joel]

Clark Ashton Smith:
'The End of the Story'
'The Last Incantation'
'Necromany in Naat'
'The Death of Ilathotha'
'Mother of Toads'

C.L. Moore:
'Shambleau'
'Black God's Kiss'
'The Black God's Shadow'

Robert E. Howard:
'Queen of the Black Coast'
'Worms of the Earth'

Harlan Ellison:
'Lonelyache'
'Pretty Maggie Moneyeyes'
'Broken Glass'

Fritz Leiber:
'The Girl With the Hungry Eyes'
'Horrible Imaginings'
'Dark Wings'

[Joe Pulver]

Quote Originally Posted by Professor Angell.

Joseph Pulver's "Blood will have it's season" and "Sin & Ashes" kinda fits here - not at home, can't name particular stories but..they both feature sex and death.

Yes, I'd say there are more than a few in each collection. "Love Her Madly" and "First There Is A Mountain . . . Then" in SIN & ashes sure wear that shoe . . . "8's & Aces" too.

Bloch's benchmark "A Toy For Juiliette". The influence of this tale, and Bloch in general, in my work is, I guess, very LOUD . . .

[Dr. Valzer]

Quote Originally Posted by Joe Pulver

[ Bloch's benchmark "A Toy For Juiliette". The influence of this tale, and Bloch in general, in my work is, I guess, very LOUD . . .

It's one of my favourite stories as well, Joe.