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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
While there's nothing wrong with King's analysis and discussion of horror through tropes, books, movies, pop culture, and his own work, this book falls short, especially in retrospect, for a few huge reasons.
This is King still at the beginning of his long writing career. Sure, he'd put out some of his juggernauts that have stood the test of time by the time this appeared, including [b:The Shining|6324651|The Shining (The Shining #1)|Stephen King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1466353585l/6324651._SY75_.jpg|849585] and [b:The Stand|149267|The Stand|Stephen King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1213131305l/149267._SX50_.jpg|1742269], but this is still King as a baby writer. I think if he were inclined to revisit this topic now (or even in 2000 instead of 1981) he would have more developed ideas to share.
Of course, the book is also quite dated just by nature of the contents. Pop culture moves pretty fast, so any book examining what is available at any current moment will become obsolete in the blink of an eye. Despite that fact, a lot of what King writes still stirred that creative cauldron in my brain and gave me a lot to think about. When he's passionate about a topic, he really shines, and the writing is often fun and tongue-in-cheek. I can imagine that King was that super cool professor back in his teaching days.
The most glaring issue with this book is the complete and utter lack of diversity with the authors and other creators that King focuses on. There are only two women that he writes about with any sort of in-depth analysis and there aren't any people of color. I can't say I'm surprised by this, but that doesn't make it any less disappointing.
I am a Constant Reader, but that doesn't mean I need to be a King apologist. While he has written amazing women characters like Lisey Landon and Rosie Daniels and even transgressive ones like Annie Wilkes, his white, heteronormative, male perspective is always front and center. When he's wearing his influences on his sleeve throughout this book, that becomes even more apparent. It's not a bad book, it's just one to take with a grain of salt. Or perhaps a whole jar of it.
This is King still at the beginning of his long writing career. Sure, he'd put out some of his juggernauts that have stood the test of time by the time this appeared, including [b:The Shining|6324651|The Shining (The Shining #1)|Stephen King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1466353585l/6324651._SY75_.jpg|849585] and [b:The Stand|149267|The Stand|Stephen King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1213131305l/149267._SX50_.jpg|1742269], but this is still King as a baby writer. I think if he were inclined to revisit this topic now (or even in 2000 instead of 1981) he would have more developed ideas to share.
Of course, the book is also quite dated just by nature of the contents. Pop culture moves pretty fast, so any book examining what is available at any current moment will become obsolete in the blink of an eye. Despite that fact, a lot of what King writes still stirred that creative cauldron in my brain and gave me a lot to think about. When he's passionate about a topic, he really shines, and the writing is often fun and tongue-in-cheek. I can imagine that King was that super cool professor back in his teaching days.
The most glaring issue with this book is the complete and utter lack of diversity with the authors and other creators that King focuses on. There are only two women that he writes about with any sort of in-depth analysis and there aren't any people of color. I can't say I'm surprised by this, but that doesn't make it any less disappointing.
I am a Constant Reader, but that doesn't mean I need to be a King apologist. While he has written amazing women characters like Lisey Landon and Rosie Daniels and even transgressive ones like Annie Wilkes, his white, heteronormative, male perspective is always front and center. When he's wearing his influences on his sleeve throughout this book, that becomes even more apparent. It's not a bad book, it's just one to take with a grain of salt. Or perhaps a whole jar of it.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
I love Stephen King. I’m just going to get that out of the way as soon as possible. I love his stories and I think he is a clever guy. Anyone who could think up “IT or Salem’s Lot” is a genius in my opinion. Also he wrote “The Shining” which was the basis for the excellent Stanley Kubrick movie. (Interesting fact; Jack Nicholson improvised the famous “Here’s Johnny” line and actually had to cut down the door. He was one of the few actors that Stanley Kubrick actually let improves on his films.)
This is a book he wrote about horror and its forms back in 1981. This was actually the first Stephen King book I ever read. I read it back in 2012 and loved it, yet a lot of it went over my head as I didn’t read a lot of horror and didn’t watch horror films.
Fast forward to 2014.
I read a lot of horror books, have more knowledge on the genre and am obsessed with movies, not so much horror movies, but I’ve watched a lot of them. I read it again as I was bored and didn’t know what to read. I saw it in my Kindle library and said “what the hell” and decided to read it again. The first thing that hit me was how I could understand. The first three books he talked about were “Frankenstein”, “Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” and “Dracula”, all of which are books I’ve read. The same thing went and happened with movies. I could understand and learned from the master of terror. It’s like reading a book from a teacher, yet this teacher is telling you about things that go bump in the night and what’s hidden under your bed and in your closet.
The second thing was how witty Stephen King is. He made me laugh a few times. Not bad for someone who has horrified me at other times. The third was that he really knows what he is on about, which is a good thing as you do need to know these things, but holy crap he takes it to the next level.
Warning you now, Spoilers are in this book to many different things. I skipped a tiny bit (maybe 5 or so pages) which contained an in-depth look at Ray Bradbury’s “Something Wicked This Way Comes”, which is a book I want to read. Ironically this book is what told me about Something Wicked back in 2012.
Some understanding of the genre is needed before you even think of picking this up. However he helps you by giving you a list of horror books and films that he thinks are good and helpful in understanding the genre. It’s also a decent list of books to read and movies to watch.
The only problem I have with this book is the fact that it’s written in 1981. At that point we didn’t have all the technology we have now (which increases the fear of technology), didn’t have the wave of films important to the genre like Scream and Blair Witch Project. Also many different movies and books have been made since then. I don’t know how he could write another one of this so I don’t think he could fix the problem. Except unless he writes Danse Macabre Part 2, which he should.
I can see myself reading this many more times, each with a bit of a gap in-between and each time with more knowledge about horror in my head. This really is a good to read multiple times, except with a big gap in-between. But it is worth it.
This is a book he wrote about horror and its forms back in 1981. This was actually the first Stephen King book I ever read. I read it back in 2012 and loved it, yet a lot of it went over my head as I didn’t read a lot of horror and didn’t watch horror films.
Fast forward to 2014.
I read a lot of horror books, have more knowledge on the genre and am obsessed with movies, not so much horror movies, but I’ve watched a lot of them. I read it again as I was bored and didn’t know what to read. I saw it in my Kindle library and said “what the hell” and decided to read it again. The first thing that hit me was how I could understand. The first three books he talked about were “Frankenstein”, “Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” and “Dracula”, all of which are books I’ve read. The same thing went and happened with movies. I could understand and learned from the master of terror. It’s like reading a book from a teacher, yet this teacher is telling you about things that go bump in the night and what’s hidden under your bed and in your closet.
The second thing was how witty Stephen King is. He made me laugh a few times. Not bad for someone who has horrified me at other times. The third was that he really knows what he is on about, which is a good thing as you do need to know these things, but holy crap he takes it to the next level.
Warning you now, Spoilers are in this book to many different things. I skipped a tiny bit (maybe 5 or so pages) which contained an in-depth look at Ray Bradbury’s “Something Wicked This Way Comes”, which is a book I want to read. Ironically this book is what told me about Something Wicked back in 2012.
Some understanding of the genre is needed before you even think of picking this up. However he helps you by giving you a list of horror books and films that he thinks are good and helpful in understanding the genre. It’s also a decent list of books to read and movies to watch.
The only problem I have with this book is the fact that it’s written in 1981. At that point we didn’t have all the technology we have now (which increases the fear of technology), didn’t have the wave of films important to the genre like Scream and Blair Witch Project. Also many different movies and books have been made since then. I don’t know how he could write another one of this so I don’t think he could fix the problem. Except unless he writes Danse Macabre Part 2, which he should.
I can see myself reading this many more times, each with a bit of a gap in-between and each time with more knowledge about horror in my head. This really is a good to read multiple times, except with a big gap in-between. But it is worth it.
A history of the horror genre; well, at least up until the year I was born. This edition has a fairly updated intro, so that’s cool. A fully updated version would be awesome! I’m not big on horror, but I’m fascinated by those who love to be scared. King is funny, illuminating, and passionate. He talks a lot about the Apollonian and Dionysian literary concepts, something I was unfamiliar with. Gonna give his horror fiction a try (finally).
I listened to this on audio and it was basically like taking a literally/film uni course on horror- so the best course ever. I found 85% of it to be incredibly interesting and I loved SKs autobiographical notes.
Definitely glad I didn’t skip it.
Definitely glad I didn’t skip it.
The first 110 pages were really great. The last 25 were pretty good. Between those, the 200-and-whatever, were some of the most fucking boring pages I've ever read, then skimmed. I understand it's his course material, and had it been a two-way conversation, or a classroom discussion, sign me up, buddy, but it was one-way. A guy rambling on why he liked or hated things, not even specifically why certain things work and don't, didn't really even get into cool tricks of horror or literature to take away and apply. Even with King's wit and constant bashing of Republicans, I can only give this one two stars (as hinted, the first 110 pages were five stars).
Reviewed First at Brunner's Bookshelf
I really had no idea what to think of this book at first. I want to read every book from Stephen king so this was on my list. The reason I read this recently is for the simple reason that out of all the books I wanted to read this was the only one available at the library when I needed a book. I have always wondered what movies King thinks are worth watching in the horror genre and what his favorite novels are so I was anxious to see what he had to say. At the same time I wasn't sure how I would feel about a lecture on the subject. Would it take all the fun out of horror siting there reading about it broken down to its simplest forms?
I liked this book, King is one of those celebrities that I wish I could have dinner with. Just to talk about life, writing, and the subject of horror. Of course there would be no place for baseball in our dinner conversation. I'm a Cardinals fan and he is a Red Sox fan. We don't get along and the rivalry is almost as bad as the Cardinals and the Cubs. King is also someone I would love to take a class with. If I could take a writing course with King I would be in heaven. This book was like a class he is teaching, and a dinner conversation all rolled into one.
It was nice to know that I am just as warped as King is. We have the same taste in crappy B horror movies and I got a kick out of that. The foreword was done somewhat recently so he mentions some newer remakes that he enjoyed and I liked those as well. Other wise the rest of the book is all about some of the really old Horror movies that paved the way for what we have now. Not only does he talk about Horror movies, but he discusses some of the classic novels. He breaks down Dracula and Frankenstein and how they affected the movies that spun off from these novels. King also has a small section about Radio Horror programs. That was really interesting because I have heard some of those programs. The old radio dramas are great audio books.
As cool as this book turned out to be there were times where I drifted off and found myself a little bored. He got a little long winded at parts, but I'm used to that. Some of his books are over the 1000 page count so it wasn't a surprise. I enjoyed this book and I am giving it 4 out of 5 stars. This was a fun trip down the halls of horror.
I really had no idea what to think of this book at first. I want to read every book from Stephen king so this was on my list. The reason I read this recently is for the simple reason that out of all the books I wanted to read this was the only one available at the library when I needed a book. I have always wondered what movies King thinks are worth watching in the horror genre and what his favorite novels are so I was anxious to see what he had to say. At the same time I wasn't sure how I would feel about a lecture on the subject. Would it take all the fun out of horror siting there reading about it broken down to its simplest forms?
I liked this book, King is one of those celebrities that I wish I could have dinner with. Just to talk about life, writing, and the subject of horror. Of course there would be no place for baseball in our dinner conversation. I'm a Cardinals fan and he is a Red Sox fan. We don't get along and the rivalry is almost as bad as the Cardinals and the Cubs. King is also someone I would love to take a class with. If I could take a writing course with King I would be in heaven. This book was like a class he is teaching, and a dinner conversation all rolled into one.
It was nice to know that I am just as warped as King is. We have the same taste in crappy B horror movies and I got a kick out of that. The foreword was done somewhat recently so he mentions some newer remakes that he enjoyed and I liked those as well. Other wise the rest of the book is all about some of the really old Horror movies that paved the way for what we have now. Not only does he talk about Horror movies, but he discusses some of the classic novels. He breaks down Dracula and Frankenstein and how they affected the movies that spun off from these novels. King also has a small section about Radio Horror programs. That was really interesting because I have heard some of those programs. The old radio dramas are great audio books.
As cool as this book turned out to be there were times where I drifted off and found myself a little bored. He got a little long winded at parts, but I'm used to that. Some of his books are over the 1000 page count so it wasn't a surprise. I enjoyed this book and I am giving it 4 out of 5 stars. This was a fun trip down the halls of horror.
I would love to take this as a class. Ideally with Stephen King as the professor, of course. The opening chapters discussing the essential horror categories and corresponding novels (Frankenstein, Dracula, Dr. Jekkel and Mr. Hyde, etc) plus the movie discussions are very interesting.
I drifted during the chunks discussing movies or books I have not read or watched. That would be the lost star as you need to have read or seen every element to get the most for the book.
Read once you have a broad base of horror genre knowledge.
I drifted during the chunks discussing movies or books I have not read or watched. That would be the lost star as you need to have read or seen every element to get the most for the book.
Read once you have a broad base of horror genre knowledge.
I was hesitant on reading this, worried it would be out of date. (It's as old as me!) There have been a lot of... advances? (I don't know what you'd call them) in horror that no one could have predicted in 1981: slasher franchises going mainstream (e.g. Freddy Krueger action figures), J-horror, psychological horror (like Black Swan), torture porn, home invasion films, indie horror (e.g. The Blair Witch Project), the second rise and decline of zombies. Enough time has passed that now we have meta-horror for all those tropes (e.g. "Scream" and "The Cabin in the Woods").
Nonetheless, much of it still holds up because it's really all about roots. And those roots take place in three things--films, TV, and books. It takes examples from timeless phenomenon like B-movie monsters, anthology suspense, and Lovecraft books. Each reflects the time period they were born into. And it's all delivered with Stephen King's tight and witty prose (he was still high in these days so the writing is good). It's the kind of book that might be assigned in an "Introduction to Horror" college class. Plus, it contains some of the missing biographical elements from "On Writing".
However, I don't think it's required for any horror aficionado. There's a lot of examples from the 50s-70s that maybe influenced King more that it influenced everybody. Read this if you're a fan of Stephen King's style. You get to see him put on his college professor hat. But there are more current books that do just as well.
Nonetheless, much of it still holds up because it's really all about roots. And those roots take place in three things--films, TV, and books. It takes examples from timeless phenomenon like B-movie monsters, anthology suspense, and Lovecraft books. Each reflects the time period they were born into. And it's all delivered with Stephen King's tight and witty prose (he was still high in these days so the writing is good). It's the kind of book that might be assigned in an "Introduction to Horror" college class. Plus, it contains some of the missing biographical elements from "On Writing".
However, I don't think it's required for any horror aficionado. There's a lot of examples from the 50s-70s that maybe influenced King more that it influenced everybody. Read this if you're a fan of Stephen King's style. You get to see him put on his college professor hat. But there are more current books that do just as well.