Dark academia is a literary sub genre, aesthetic and sub culture characterised by romanticization of gloomy settings, ancient or Gothic architecture, revolving around elite and prestigious academic and educational institutions.
It embraces the people obsessed with academia,classic literature, the fine arts and has developed into an aesthetic represented by the autumnal season, melancholic atmosphere and a passion for Greek mythology.
1.Dead Poets Society by Nancy H.Keilbaum
The story is about a group of young rowdy boys at Welton Academy who are frustrated by the bounds of authority of civilization, who decide to revive a secret Dead Poets Society.
Embracing the mantra carpe diem, they challenge conformity, awaken their passions, and strive to live authentically.
Their new English professor John Keating ushers in the romantic spirit within each of the characters as he guides the young boys attempting to overcome the fear of admonishment that society unleashed on those who dare to dream — and transcend societal norms.
As the boys wrestle with freedom, identity, and consequence, the narrative becomes a bittersweet exploration of youth, courage, and the inevitable tragedy that ensues in an authoritarian world.
2. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
The novel traces the terrifying journey of Raskolnikov,who becomes dangerously engrossed into academia and develops his own theory.
His delusions lead him to believe that he is the chosen one to transcend conventional rationalism.
His tremendous compulsions compel him to prove his theory, thereby committing crime. An unhinged narrative of devastating consequences that stem from the darkest recess of the human psyche.
3.A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallero
The narrative revives and reimagines the globally acclaimed duo of Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Doctor Watson.
Following the descendants and heirs of famous characters, Charlotte Holmes reveals her disinterest in friendship with Jamie Watson.
However, the gruesome murder of a Sherringford student and their friend destroys any possibility of maintaining any distance between them because Holmes and Watson have themselves been accused of the heinous crime, prompting them to follow the footsteps of their forefathers.
With several throwbacks and references to the OG duo, this new age dark academic novel serves as a nostalgic reminder to the fans of Holmes and Watson.
4. The Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
It is the story of Galaxy “Alex” Stern, who is offered a scholarship to Yale University. She is an unusual choice for the scholarship because her life defies the traditional expectations associated with a Yale student.
She dropped out of high school, engaged in anti social activities, was traumatised by her boyfriend’s death — and could see ghosts.
The title is a reference to the ninth house, whose moderator is responsible for supervising the eight secret societies that practice dangerous occult magic.
Alex is tasked with monitoring the powerful and privileged members that participate in bolstering the already elite members of society. Bardugo’s “ninth house” draws inspiration from the Anderson Mansion, the New Haven headquarters of the Yale secret society.
Stephen King believed that Ninth House was “the best fantasy novel [he had] read in years…”
The Gothic Library suggests that “Ninth House is, I feel, the embodiment of a popular new aesthetic called Dark Academia. It blends the intellectualism and romanticism of prestigious institutions of higher learning with the paranormal, the occult, and the dark underbelly that taints these institutions.”
5. The Argumentative Indian by Amartya Sen
is a nonfiction collection of essays where he debunks the singularity of the notion of identity perpetuated by hegemony. philosophical, historical, and deeply academic.
For readers who want to dive into real dark academia through an Indian lens, this book provides an unique perspective rooted in debates and dissent to ideologies disseminated to serve political ends.
6. The Secret History by Donna Tart
The Secret History by Donna Tart is another commentary on the dichotomies and dualities commented upon by Dostoevsky in Crime and Punishment.
The book has since been credited as popularizing the growth of the dark academia literary sub-genre.
As a campus novel, it represents the wonder of prestigious,elite educational institutions but also uncovers the ominous secrets behind them.Behind the pristine facade, lies the sinister truth of moral ambiguity and twisted secrets typified by the enigmatic Professor Julian Morrow and his exclusive group of students including the charismatic Henry, twins Charles and Camilla and Bunny.
Their obsession with Greek mythology ultimately culminates into a tragedy— which impacts every character in the novel.
7. The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake is a fantasy novel revolving around six magical academicians who battle and compete against each other in the most high stakes competition of their lives which will guarantee opulence and privilege.
Five of them will ultimately comprise the prestigious Alexandrian Society. What follows is a tale of grit and determination to snatch the ultimate prize.
8. Babel by R. F Kuang
Babel’s plot is focused on four new students at the institute, their growing awareness that their academic efforts maintain Britain’s imperialist supremacy, their debate over how to prevent the First Opium War, and the use of violence.
Set in the elite scholarly institution of Oxford, and exploration of how translation and academia have been weaponized to justify British imperialism.
The dark academic setting of gloomy, ancient Gothic buildings is hauntingly evocative and echoic of harsh realities of the post colonial world.
9. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley was a cautionary tale which gave birth to a revolutionary new genre of science fiction.
Blending the Creator and creation myth with the dreadful fears and anxieties of her contemporary society towards science, Shelley crafted a novel that was instrumental in helping lay the foundation of the dark academia genre.
Impregnated by eerie Gothic landscapes and terrifying scenes, Frankenstein is overreaching Doctor Faustus like protagonist Victor Frankenstein who becomes isolated from society and distressed in light of his ethical dilemmas.
10. Black Chalk by Christopher J. Yates
Black Chalk by Christopher J.Yates is another dark academia novel with the backdrop of a fictional educational institution of Pitt College at the University of Oxford in 1990.
Reminiscent of The Atlas Six, this narrative follows a clique of six friends who play against each other to win the 10,000 pounds cash prize, with increasingly high stakes, intricate Gothic world building and tragic consequences.
With elegant prose and mounting tension, the novel explores ambition and consequence in equal measure.
Dennis Drabelle writing in The Washington Post writes, “A circle of bright college friends who feed on one another’s cleverness and trump one another’s insults until the steady diet of cynicism ends in tragedy – this is the stuff of two fine first novels: Donna Tartt’s The Secret History (1992) and, now, Christopher J. Yates’s Black Chalk.”
11. If We Were Villains by M.L Rio
If We Were Villains by M.L Rio follows some students involved in acting in Shakespearean dramas at Dellecher Classical Conservatory.
Oliver Marks’ retrospective recollection of his stint at the prestigious educational and academic institute, characteristic of dark academia because it highlights the darker aspects of elite institutions.
The violent vengeance that ensues among the tight-knit actor circles after a change in the typical cast of such a Shakespearean play is the main plotline of the novel.
The shift in hierarchies results in changes in group dynamics and moral ambiguities, ultimately leading to tragic consequences.
It is the debut novel by the American author who is a recovering actor turned author. She has a M.A degree in Shakespeare Studies from King’s College and holds a PhD in English Literature.
Her novel also reflects her Shakespearean education as If We Were Villains is rendered with Shakespearean references and dialogues.
This novel comprises evocative dialogues, intricate characterisation and a well developed plot. A gripping dark academia novel that leaves the readers stunned with its gut wrenching ending.
12. The Picture of Dorian Gray
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde has been regarded as a classic of Gothic Fiction.
Dorian Gray has been presented through the eyes of his friend, Basil Hallward. Echoing the tendencies of the Overreacher, Gray exchanges his soul for eternal youth and beauty.
He pursues a hedonistic lifestyle devoid of any moral or sexual restraints. Inspired by Lord Henry Wotton,Gray engages in the performance of a gentleman in polite society while simultaneously leading a double life of impulsivity and debauchery.
Sheldon W. Liebman observes that Dorian’s immersion in the elite social circles of Victorian London exposes him to a culture of superficiality and moral hypocrisy.
