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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
Stephen King sets up a masters-level class on the most disrespected genre in the history of fine arts: horror. In this nonfiction tome, he crafts an argument both honest and literary, both popular and intelligent, that rules in favor of horror films and books–and in turn defends his entire career.
full review @ http://lanceschaubert.org/2012/08/08/contracting-rabies-and-the-dance-of-death/#more-4127
full review @ http://lanceschaubert.org/2012/08/08/contracting-rabies-and-the-dance-of-death/#more-4127
informative
reflective
slow-paced
dark
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
The last time I read this was when the hardcover was published, more than forty years ago, so it was very current then.
Now, he's talking about horror stuff from almost 45 years ago...to almost 75 years ago. As someone else said, it would be great to let King have a second Danse...or maybe even a third.
That said, this is far from perfect. King gives a lot of insight, but he also does belabor a couple of points right into the ground. He also wears his favourites on his sleeve, giving a ton of page count to a couple of his obvious inspirations, Richard Matheson and Shirley Jackson...and maybe these two are owed, because reading early King really does show his love of both of these authors. However, you can also see he was buddies with Peter Straub, as he gives far too much space to Straub's first mainstream bestseller, that likely could have been better served on some more seasoned and better authors.
But, through his journey through radio, television, movies, comics, and novels, and King's inevitable digressions that are often more fun than the main point, he does cover a lot of ground, and he made me think. A lot.
Always a good thing.
Now, he's talking about horror stuff from almost 45 years ago...to almost 75 years ago. As someone else said, it would be great to let King have a second Danse...or maybe even a third.
That said, this is far from perfect. King gives a lot of insight, but he also does belabor a couple of points right into the ground. He also wears his favourites on his sleeve, giving a ton of page count to a couple of his obvious inspirations, Richard Matheson and Shirley Jackson...and maybe these two are owed, because reading early King really does show his love of both of these authors. However, you can also see he was buddies with Peter Straub, as he gives far too much space to Straub's first mainstream bestseller, that likely could have been better served on some more seasoned and better authors.
But, through his journey through radio, television, movies, comics, and novels, and King's inevitable digressions that are often more fun than the main point, he does cover a lot of ground, and he made me think. A lot.
Always a good thing.
Not my favorite. As much as I love his books, I think that I don't share his tastes, which is fine. I was expecting/wanting more of the process of writing and developing his books, but that wasn't in this one. Probably improper expectations on my part. However, the man really does know the genre.
And, boy howdy, does he dislike critics.
And, boy howdy, does he dislike critics.
Un libro molto particolare, che mescola in parti disuguali saggio e autobiografia. E tanto tanto amore per l'arte.
http://nonsempreiosonodelmiostessoparere.blogspot.it/2018/01/danse-macabre-di-stephen-king.html
http://nonsempreiosonodelmiostessoparere.blogspot.it/2018/01/danse-macabre-di-stephen-king.html
I seem to remember enjoying this more the first time I read it back when it came out. Still a good read.
Stephen King has a way of speaking to his readers that is very engaging and enjoyable. This novel, like its later cousin On Writing, proves both educational and entertaining. Although the book references decade specific occurrences for some of its points, it still provides insight into what keeps the horror genre alive for its readers.
Stephen King takes us on a ramble through the horror classics, 'contemporary' and old horror flicks, tv shows, and a selection of horror literature, occasionally dropping in an anecdote or two. A fun read that often had me asking mum 'have you heard of this movie???'. Definitely have a lot more horror movies on my tbw!
Well researched, crafted, and written. As a horror lover, I enjoyed this book. I did, however, find it a bit frustrating how much King railed against academics--we're not all as irritating or pretentious as portrayed in the book, and (in recent years, so not covered in the span of this monograph), there have been a lot of great critical books done on the horror genre that don't focus solely on Freud.
That said, definitely worth reading if you're a horror fan, and it comes with a handy film/book list at the end, which I will be working my way through in the future.
That said, definitely worth reading if you're a horror fan, and it comes with a handy film/book list at the end, which I will be working my way through in the future.