Icons of Horror and the Supernatural: An Encyclopedia of Our Worst Nightmares (2 Volume Set)
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Overview
Horror and the supernatural have fascinated people for centuries, and many of the most central figures appear over and over again. These figures have gained iconic status and continue to hold sway over popular culture and the modern imagination. This book offers extended entries on 24 of the most enduring and significant figures of horror and the supernatural, including The Sea Creature, The Witch, The Alien, The Vampire, The Werewolf, The Sorcerer, The Ghost, The Siren, The Mummy, The Devil, and The Zombie. Each entry is written by a leading authority on the subject and discusses the topic's essential features and lasting influence, from the classical epics of Homer to the novels of Stephen King. Entries cite sources for further reading, and the Encyclopedia closes with a selected, general bibliography. Entries include illustrations, sidebars of interesting information, and excerpts from key texts.
Horror and the supernatural have fascinated people for centuries, with many of the most central figures appearing over and over again across time and cultures. These figures have starred in the world's most widely read literary works, most popular films, and most captivating television series. Because of their popularity and influence, they have attained iconic status and a special place in the popular imagination. This book overviews 24 of the most significant icons of horror and the supernatural.
Synopsis
Horror and the supernatural have fascinated people for centuries, and many of the most central figures appear over and over again. These figures have gained iconic status and continue to hold sway over popular culture and the modern imagination. This book offers extended entries on 24 of the most enduring and significant figures of horror and the supernatural, including The Sea Creature, The Witch, The Alien, The Vampire, The Werewolf, The Sorcerer, The Ghost, The Siren, The Mummy, The Devil, and The Zombie. Each entry is written by a leading authority on the subject and discusses the topic's essential features and lasting influence, from the classical epics of Homer to the novels of Stephen King. Entries cite sources for further reading, and the Encyclopedia closes with a selected, general bibliography. Entries include illustrations, sidebars of interesting information, and excerpts from key texts.
Horror and the supernatural have fascinated people for centuries, with many of the most central figures appearing over and over again across time and cultures. These figures have starred in the world's most widely read literary works, most popular films, and most captivating television series. Because of their popularity and influence, they have attained iconic status and a special place in the popular imagination. This book overviews 24 of the most significant icons of horror and the supernatural.
Kelli Perkins - Library Journal
Influential master of horror fiction H.P. Lovecraft wrote that the oldest emotion of humankind is fear and the strongest of those is fear of the unknown. Chronicled here are our collective nightmares, as mirrored in multicultural and multigenerational stories in print, on television, and in pop culture. More than just the fodder of B movies, they are a glimpse into our psyche. Horror genre scholar Joshi here focuses on the icons themselves, 24 in total, as opposed to supernatural literature, an angle that makes this set unique. Witches, ghouls, sea creatures, and aliens are dissected and addressed as both historical and pop figures. Each icon definition focuses on central features of the myth, such as the requirement that zombies must lack free will. The set covers traditional horror symbols like vampires and mummies but also tackles more amorphous terrors like "urban horror" and "the curse." Authoritative entries are accompanied by bibliographies and further readings and interspersed with relevant chronologies and black-and-white illustrations.
Editorials
From the Publisher
"As one who, perhaps fortunately, does not suffer from nightmares, this reviewer found Joshi's encyclopedia totally absorbing and fascinating."
- Reference Reviews
Library Journal
Influential master of horror fiction H.P. Lovecraft wrote that the oldest emotion of humankind is fear and the strongest of those is fear of the unknown. Chronicled here are our collective nightmares, as mirrored in multicultural and multigenerational stories in print, on television, and in pop culture. More than just the fodder of B movies, they are a glimpse into our psyche. Horror genre scholar Joshi here focuses on the icons themselves, 24 in total, as opposed to supernatural literature, an angle that makes this set unique. Witches, ghouls, sea creatures, and aliens are dissected and addressed as both historical and pop figures. Each icon definition focuses on central features of the myth, such as the requirement that zombies must lack free will. The set covers traditional horror symbols like vampires and mummies but also tackles more amorphous terrors like "urban horror" and "the curse." Authoritative entries are accompanied by bibliographies and further readings and interspersed with relevant chronologies and black-and-white illustrations.
—Kelli Perkins