6 Dark academia books you need to read this winter

As winter winds blow past barren trees and bring with it a blanket of snow that descends to blur walkways and moral lines, there isn’t a more perfect time to brew a strong coffee and settle into the enchanting world of dark academia.

This literary genre, pined after for its intellectual intrigue, moral ambiguity and often gothic settings, has garnered unparalleled popularity in recent years, serving readers a chill up their spine as if the season’s cold were not already sufficient. If you’re planning on staying in and bundling up where the thirst for knowledge meets the depths of human complexity, here are six books to get you started.

The Picture of Dorian Gray is a masterpiece of Victorian literature that dips into pools of vanity, moral duplicity and the pursuit of aesthetics. The story revolves around a strikingly handsome young man, Dorian Gray, whose portrait is being painted. While finishing touches were added, Dorian wishes for eternal youth and beauty under the influence of the cynical Lord Henry, and the wish manifests. As Dorian exploits this newfound reality and indulges in hedonism, his portrait ages and reflects the moral decay of his soul, while he remains unscathed.

As one of the shortest books in this list, it is fascinating how deeply Wilde steered the story towards the provocative exploration of aestheticism and moral relativism. Keeping its title as a timeless classic, the book’s commentary on the duality of human nature is as relevant today as when it was written.

Tartt has long been crowned as the queen of dark academia, and her magnum opus The Secret History stands as a monolithic testament to that. The compelling narrative follows Richard Papen, who enrols into an elite college and becomes entangled with a group of classics students. Under the influence of their professor, the group is drawn into a world of esoteric rituals and moral transgressions, leading to a shocking act of violence.

Tartt's novel is a keystone of the genre, renowned for its lush prose and the way it captures the intoxicating allure of intellectual elitism. The book’s deep-dive of intellectual hubris and the corrupting power of beauty is the first of its kind, luring readers to linger between the pages.

After the success of RF Kuang’s Poppy War trilogy comes Babel, a richly woven tale that transports us back to a reimagined 19th century. The prestigious Babel Tower stands as an academic institution where translation is not just about language but also about harnessing magical powers that keep the world running. The protagonist, a linguistic prodigy, finds himself in the midst of political and magical intrigue as he uncovers the dark underbelly of this scholarly paradise.

If you rarely gave thought to the intricacies of translation, strap in for a jaw-dropping ride; Kuang appropriately weaves colonialism, power dynamics and the moral complexities of language into her work—it is no wonder her fresh perspective within the genre is widely celebrated.

If We Were Villains reads like a younger sibling of The Secret History but manages to stand on its own merits. The novel introduces us to the intense and competitive world of a renowned arts conservatory, where stage lights blur the lines between life and art, love and obsession, truth and deception. In chapter one we meet Oliver Marks, a young actor who, after serving time in prison for a murder he may or may not have committed, recounts the events that led to his incarceration.

The way the book immerses readers in the claustrophobic world of theatrical arts has solidified Rio’s novel in the dark academia hall of fame, bolstered by the clever use of Shakespearean motifs.

Straying slightly from the "academia" aspect of the genre, Rebecca is a haunting tale of romance and psychological suspense that has readers gripping their armrests. The unnamed young protagonist marries the wealthy and brooding Maxim de Winter, only to find herself living in the shadow of his first wife, Rebecca, whose presence looms large at the Manderley estate. As the story unfolds, the protagonist uncovers unsettling truths about Rebecca's life and death, which pays off in a dramatic climax.

Though du Maurier’s novel takes the undertone of romance rather than academia, her eerie crown jewel resonates with readers for its philosophical exploration of identity, memory and the ever-lingering power of the past over the present.

Adapted from the film screenplay, Kleinbaum’s Dead Poets Society tells the story of an English teacher, John Keating, who inspires his students at a conservative all-boys school to challenge the norms and embrace the pursuit of individual desires. The novel captures the transformative impact Keating has on his students, urging them to seize the day and think for themselves.

While not originating as a novel, Dead Poets Society has become an integral part of the dark academia genre, inspiring a love for literature and the rebellious pursuit of individual passions. Its celebration of poetry and the human spirit, set against the backdrop of a rigid educational system, resonates with readers who value intellectual freedom and self-expression.