Darkness on the PAGE (part one)
November 16th 2006 10:54
Curiously I don’t actually read much horror prose. Back in the day I was a hungry Stephen King fan, but that time seems to have passed. That’s not entirely true. I’m currently reading The Dark Half, which tells the darkly bemusing and shadowy tale of a novelist being terrorized by his professional other half; his more successful pseudonym in fact. Apart from being a story about twins and the uncanny psychic link between them, it’s also about the process of writing.
But enough about fiction (for the moment), I’m here to chat about non-fiction, Precious True Believers. So let us delve.
Over the years I’ve read numerous publications on the nature of horror, mostly books about horror movies. A few which have stuck with me for being smart, well-researched, entertaining, and above all, enlightening reads. Few people seem to realise, or appreciate, just how integral the genre of horror is. It speaks to the inner child as well as the outer adult. It harbours the psyche, and taunts the soul, entices the foolish, and rewards the adventurous.
Years ago I bought a fabulous book succinctly titled Nightmare Movies (more precisely sub-titled A Critical History of the Horror Film 1968-88) by Kim Newman. He turned out to be an expert on the genre. He’s also edited the British Film Institute’s Companion to Horror, Sight & Sound’s Science Fiction/Horror Reader, co-edited Horror: 100 Best Books and Horror: Another 100 Best Books, and co-written more recently, Horror: The Complete Guide to the Cinema of Fear.
In 1984 John McCarty published a passionate history of the modern horror film known as Splatter Movies: Breaking the Last Taboo of the Screen. For many years it was my bible of carnage. However, my favourite bedside companion around the same time was the American magazine Fangoria. I was lucky enough to acquire a mail order back catalogue deal that gave me every single issue from 1979 through to the then current issue (December 1988). When the large parcel finally arrived (via surface mail) I was overwhelmed and performed a most joyous danse macabre. Many of these issues are very hard to find now.
Speaking of the Devil, Stephen King published a lesser known work entitled Danse Macabre in 1981. One of his few non-fiction works, he waxes lyrical about all the different areas of horror in film and literature which have both inspired, enlightened and influenced him; a delightfully dark read full of wit and insight.
Back to magazines, and a must for any True Believer (if you can find ‘em) is Deep Red (edited by Chas Balun). Balun is the True Believin’ Overlord. I’m extremely lucky to own the first six issues of this lo-fi/low-brow quarterly fanzine (Dec. 87 – Mar 89). Balun had previously written a most definitive read; Horror Holocaust. This was followed by The Deep Red Horror Handbook, The Connoisseur’s Guide to the Contemporary Horror Film, and after a hiatus, Beyond Horror: A Deeper Shade of Red. Balun has been a man on a dark mission, a champion of hardcore horror, and he doesn’t suffer fools gladly.
The Eurocentric Flesh & Blood (edited by Harvey Fenton) and Eyeball (edited by Stephen Thrower), are available in magazine format, but have also been published as compendiums (edited from their first ten years respectively) and are essential to any horrorphile’s bookshelf. They deal, rather enthusiastically (and ultimately none-to-surprisingly), with sex and horror - art and exploitation. Both books are well-girthed, sensationally illustrated and intelligently written; a true haven for all imps of the perverse.
Finally, and most dramatically, is Killing for Culture – An Illustrated History of Death Film from Mondo to Snuff by David Kerekes and David Slater. This is not a book for the fainthearted or cynical. This is the most studied and philosophical book on my list. An extraordinary historical account of where the Darkness truly lies in the hearts of men and women. It is not so much the images that are graphic and disturbing, as the filmic descriptions and the filmmakers’ ideologies. It is a powerful and fascinating read, and provides much depth and lateral potency to what we know as the modern horror film.
* the images on this page were taken from the following wikipedia pages:
Danse Macabre and Horror film (Cat People movie poster) They are licensed from the GNU Free Document License
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Comment by Filmpeeker
Film Peek Forum
I'm a new blogger here at orble but it seems like a nice community.
I'll be reading you.
Comment by Anonymous
'It speaks to the inner child as well as the outer adult. It harbours the psyche, and taunts the soul, entices the foolish, and rewards the adventurous.'
I like that part because it's poetic to me, and i agree with heart. It also deepens the mind and soul, making room for more.
Literature of most kinds fascinates me; i've done some stephen king.. ('needful things' had me hooked). Also couldn't understand why none of my friends wouldn't go and see a horror flick or rent one out.. the horror aisle always had my morbid attention for a while. People don't want to see the dark side of themselves, represented by other things, be it art, stories, films ..
Dark creatures wrapped in metaphor turned up a lot in some of my older poetry.. based on people, spectres, dreams and nightmares, always leaving me deeper than before. Enjoyed your Dance of Macabre..
~Lily
definitely zzing now... smiles
Comment by Lily
Ars Poetica
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
Good to see you branching out!
It would be really interesting to know of your other interests, I expect I'd be a little surprised.
You certainly express yourself well on this one...i.e. horror
Cheers, katyzzz
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
Nice to see you're a man who can appreciate the written word as well as the movies you so obviously love.
I read Danse Macabre and once I got over the fact that it was non-fiction (didn't realise it when I got it), I really enjoyed it. I hadn't realised that there were so many other titles about horror thoughl. Your knowledge of all-things horror is impressive my friend!
KylieW
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
I see you!! thanks for the props. c u again soon!
Lily,
cheers! Your "dark creatures wrapped in metaphor" is a wonderful line!
katyzzz,
yes I'm a bit of a dark horse. stay posted. muchos gracias!
Comment by Lily
Ars Poetica
~Lily
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Kylie, the pen is mightier than the sword, unless of course you're armed with a Bic and they're swingin' a cutlass! ouch!
Comment by DonnaM
Love your post. I'm also interested in Horror films.
Would like to see more of what you write on this topic.
It's pretty cool!
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Please indulge in my past Pleasure of Nightmare posts ...
I'll be posting part two (fiction) on this particular side-topic later today ...
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by K.L. Almeroth
Motherhood
Hi Bryn,
Sorry it's taken me so long to get here....
I've read through all your other ones just now, too...hoping that wins me back some brownie points, since I've been slack in getting here for this fantastic post of yours..
I love it! You should seriously go get your doctorate in horror....and spend the rest of your life lecturing on this topic, traveling the world....you're so good at it!
Love that you mention The Dark Half, of course....
Just a question....is it his twin in the book, or his dopelganger???
I always took it that it was his dopelganger....isn't that like some kind of evil, supernatural twin?
Here's an idea...I think you should do a Dopelganger post....all about...you guessed it! Dopelgangers....
Remember that movie? Funnily called Dopelganger? (How many times can I say this word???!!!) With Drew Barrymore in it, and that hot guy from Father of the Bride?
Loved that movie.
(It's horror, by the way, not a romance, in case you haven't seen it...but I'm sure you have).
Anyway, about to go read part two of this fabulous post.
K.L.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Yes, seen the Drew Barrymore flick ... don't remember too much of it. But I do like her work.
I've always like the idea of a doppelganger, and I have even included one in my own supernatural horror feature screenplay Tattoo ...
I haven't quite finished Dark Half (will do tonight) .... so hang fire girl!
Comment by K.L. Almeroth
Motherhood
To Bryn,
Thank you so much for correcting me...
I wrote it out so many times, I knew there would have to be an error in it...
Ah...love this hint of your screenplay...very intriguing...
Okay, I won't try to spoil your Dark Half ending any more...
Your pal,
K.L.
P.S. Love Drew...she's the best!
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
The Dark Half has been completed. Sensational novel! What a last quarter! Whew!
Check out my dual review if you haven't already ...
A doppelganger literally translates as "double doer" ... Apparently they are a spectre-like double of yourself, that if you see, it is a bad omen, and generally a precurser to your own demise ....