A very engaging and in-depth examination of modern horror (up to 1980) is presented by Mr. King. He delves into novels, movies, and television, providing a comprehensive overview. Additionally, he offers valuable insights into his own writing history, with a particular focus on The Stand. Even thirty-seven years after its publication, this book continues to be referenced in bibliographies and endnotes, which is truly remarkable considering it was essentially a labor of love, combining a mix of previously published material from Playboy and original work.

Some individuals may argue that the book is obsolete, but I'm not entirely sure what that implies. The essays were penned in the late seventies, yet the observations and analysis remain relevant today. While television has indeed improved, as Mr. King could not have predicted, he is not a psychic. The question of how ideas can become obsolete is a valid one, and the answer is that they often aren't. I find the writing in "Danse Macabre" to be still vibrant and enjoyable. As a lifelong enthusiast of such topics, I always relish reading scholarly examinations of movies, comic-books, and the like, and this book is a fine example. I have no hesitation in awarding it four stars.

I'm not a fanatic of essays, but since it was by one of my favorite authors and dealt with a topic that I adore, it had to be something that I would surely like.

The information is very interesting. It's evident that for this kind of books, an enormous research is carried out in order to be able to put it into writing. King's style is always unrivaled. However, with all this, he still didn't manage to make me decide to add more essays to my list of books to read.

There's nothing against them, it's just that they're not readings that I enjoy. I find that while the content may be valuable and the writing style may be excellent, essays don't capture my attention and interest in the same way that other types of literature do. Maybe it's because I prefer a more narrative and fictional approach to reading. But I do appreciate the effort and research that goes into writing essays, and I can see why some people might really enjoy them. It's just a matter of personal preference.

Let's talk, you and I. Let's talk about fear.

In his first non-fiction book published more than forty years ago (1981), Stephen King is obsessed with the genre he loves the most: horror. And he explores the world of the strange and the supernatural through all the works of fantasy and horror that entertained or scared him in the last thirty years (1950 - 1980), inviting his reader to a macabre dance.

This is not a monograph, as the author does not seem to be interested in an exhaustive, research study of how horror was depicted in literature, film, and radio broadcasts in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. It rather seems like a relaxed conversation, like those we all have had with our girlfriend/boyfriend and our colleagues (which usually starts with a question like "what is your favorite horror movie?" and has no end), like a storytelling around the fire, like the "true" metaphysical stories of the countryside that our grandfather told so beautifully and convincingly.

Starting from the horror comics of William Gaines ("Tales from the Crypt") and the famous Mercury Theater broadcast for Halloween (a "hoax or gimmick" that Americans never forgot), the king of horror skillfully dissects the genre that served (and still serves) him best. Sometimes he explains how and why monumental works of fantastic literature (Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Dracula, Frankenstein) achieved immortality, sometimes he points out the influence of contemporary socio-political forms of fear and anxiety (biological war, radiation, etc.) on the genre, and sometimes he examines a series of relatively contemporary (of the era of Danse Macabre) horror novels (in two other chapters under the microscope of his analysis are the films of the genre), such as, among others, "Ghost Story" by Peter Straub, "The House Next Door" by Anne Rivers Siddons, "The Shrinking Man" by Richard Matheson, or "The Haunting of Hill House" by Shirley Jackson. In between, he refers to the really bad movies of the genre (a hilarious chapter!) and to horror on television.

At the end of his macabre dance, just before leaving the stage, S. King, in the form of appendices, lists two catalogues, one with his most outstanding and favorite horror movies (all released during the period 1950 - 1980), and a second one with his most outstanding and favorite books of this period.

A book that is translated into Greek for the first time by the (excellent) Michalis Makropoulos, it is read slowly, ceremoniously, mystagogically, keeping useful notes (you check books, movies, everything), so that, after you finish the book (S. King did what he had to do, he showed you the basic steps), you can continue your own rhythmic journey in the mythology of horror.

A history of the horror genre;

well, at least up until the year I was born. This particular edition has a rather updated introduction, which is really cool. However, a fully updated version would be truly awesome! I'm not overly fond of horror myself, but I find those who love to be scared utterly fascinating. Stephen King, in this work, is not only funny but also highly illuminating and passionate. He delves deeply into the Apollonian and Dionysian literary concepts, something that was completely unfamiliar to me. After reading this, I've decided that I'm finally going to give his horror fiction a try. I'm curious to see how he weaves these concepts into his stories and what kind of terrifying experiences he can create for his readers. Maybe I'll discover a newfound appreciation for the horror genre through King's works.

I was just 15 years old when I came across this informal, neighborly, digressive, and highly subjective history of late 20th-century horror entertainment. It encompassed various aspects such as movies, literature, radio, comics, and TV. And ever since then, I have simply never looked back. Stephen King not only introduced me to remarkable works and authors like Lovecraft, Harlan Ellison, Ray Bradbury, and their masterpieces like "Freaks," "Rosemary's Baby," "The Stepford Wives," but also exposed me to the fascinating world of Southern Gothic literature. He also acquainted me with crime fiction by authors like James M. Cain and Jim Thompson, the rebellious spirit of punk rock, and the classic art-house film "Hiroshima Mon Amour." This history includes a great list of essential horror fiction and movies that I'm still working on, more than 30 years later. It's truly a journey that has shaped my love for all things horror and beyond.

The text is a bit on the dry side in some parts, but it's still really cool.

Due to this book, I ended up downloading a large number of old horror movies.

It's quite interesting how a simple book could inspire such an action.

I've always had a soft spot for old horror movies, and this book seems to have reignited my passion for them.

The descriptions and stories in the book must have struck a chord with me, making me eager to explore the world of old horror flicks.

Now, I have a collection of these movies that I can enjoy whenever I want.

It's like having a little treasure trove of spooky entertainment.

I can't wait to sit back, relax, and get scared out of my wits by these classic horror movies.

Maybe I'll even discover some hidden gems that I never knew existed before.

All in all, this book has led to a rather unexpected but enjoyable adventure in the world of old horror movies.

A Glimpse into Terror through the Eyes and Mind of the Indisputable King of Terror.

Stephen King is widely regarded as the undisputed king of terror. His works have captivated readers around the world for decades. This article offers a unique perspective, taking a closer look at the terror that lies within his stories through the eyes and mind of the master himself.

Reading King's books is not just a simple act of entertainment; it is a curious and extremely interesting journey. His vivid descriptions and imaginative plots have the power to send shivers down your spine and keep you on the edge of your seat. Whether it's a haunted house, a supernatural creature, or a psychological thriller, King knows how to tap into our deepest fears and make them come alive on the page.

For any follower of King, this article is a must-read. It provides valuable insights into the creative process behind his terrifying tales and offers a new appreciation for his talent as a writer. So, if you're ready to face your fears and explore the world of terror through the eyes of the king, then this article is for you.

I started purchasing discounted hardcovers of Stephen King when I was a teenager. "Danse Macabre" is a serious essay on horror literature and films, spanning from the 1950s to its 1981 publication. This treatise has provided me with an invaluable education. To understand how thorough, organized, and insightful this work is, consider this: I'm not even a horror fan! I must have initially been attracted to one of his more ghostly novels. I give it 4 stars because the drier factual segments made it take 6 months to read. My 400-page hardcover is equivalent to 800 paperback pages, which is daunting, but it's excellent work.

The very pleasant host rightfully assumes to address horror fans, but I didn't mind being in the minority. I loved the external vantage point and believe my journey was exceptional because of it. With knowledge of only a few of the most infamous horror shows, films, and books, I was a completely blank slate as a pupil! Having no prior impressions of the titles we analyzed put me in a rare position of fully grasping the meaning of Stephen's examples. I wasn't reminiscing but learning: the difference between horror and terror, how our scares vary from culture to culture and decade to decade, and why the entertainment mediums of radio, television, and theatre excelled in some eras over others.

Even though horror isn't for me, I would like Stephen to know that I feel enriched by his explanations of what the appeal is. Fans admit that many aspects are cheesy and unlikely, but they search for gems: a moment that is undeniably scary, superb presentation in words or technical artistry, and genuine platforms that shed light on our societal positions. There is nothing trite about the implications of horror's subject matter and our reactions to it. This education about fear and suspense is essential for any author. I felt absolutely enlightened throughout.

During my adolescence, there were four books that kept me the best company.

The first one is "Danse Macabre" by Stephen King. It delved into the world of horror and its various aspects, captivating my imagination.

Then there was "L'orrore soprannaturale in letteratura" by H.P. Lovecraft. His unique style and exploration of the supernatural left a lasting impression on me.

"Racconti fantastici del '900" by Giuseppe Lippi was another favorite. The collection of fantastic tales from the 20th century introduced me to a diverse range of stories and ideas.

Finally, "Racconti fantastici dell'Ottocento" by Italo Calvino completed the quartet. It presented a selection of fantastical stories from the 19th century, each with its own charm and creativity.

I read and reread these books, using them as a guide to discover other great works and authors. In the pre-Google era, it wasn't always easy to find similar reads, especially when I was interested in genres that were often considered subgenres. However, the recommendations of King, Lovecraft, Lippi, and Calvino rarely disappointed me. They opened up a world of literary possibilities and shaped my love for the fantastical and the horror.

As a writer, with a gothic/horror saga to be published in 03/2021, this book proved to be interesting and useful for me to think about and learn more about the genre.

The way it is narrated struck me as strange, very different from the language used in "On Writing" (another non-fiction book by King). Informality is the norm here, almost as if the author were speaking to one orally rather than it being a written text.

His theory about the 5 "monsters" of the horror genre is interesting and a good way to approach the writing and analysis of works in this category.

Unfortunately, it seemed a bit chaotic to me. It branches out too much and I have felt lost on some occasions. It should be noted that being from a generation several decades after King, a large part of the movies and books mentioned were unknown to me, which contributed to my disorientation at times.

I leave you a video about King's decalogue (in case you're interested): https://bit.ly/48YnNaa.

This book offered me valuable insights into the horror genre. However, its unconventional narrative style and excessive branching made it a bit challenging to follow at times. Despite this, I still found King's theory about the "monsters" of the genre to be quite thought-provoking. I believe that this book can be a useful resource for both aspiring and experienced writers of horror, as well as for fans of the genre who are interested in learning more about its inner workings.

This is a very good essay on the horror genre. Although it may not be completely up-to-date, it reaches back to the 1980s and dissects a whole bunch of really interesting movies and books that I have been adding to my pile.

King spreads his passion for series like The Twilight Zone, movies like The Exorcist, actors like Lon Chaney or Bela Lugosi, directors like Roger Corman or George Romero, and writers like Ray Bradbury or Harlan Ellison. A wealth of references that evoke his memories of youth and the analysis of society through the literary horror genre.

It's a book to enjoy gradually, accompanied by some wonderful photographs of the mentioned works. It offers a fascinating exploration of the horror genre, taking readers on a journey through different eras and aspects of this captivating form of art.

The author's knowledge and enthusiasm shine through, making it a must-read for fans of horror and anyone interested in the cultural significance of this genre.

In 1981, Danse Macabre was originally published.

Good Lord, that was an astonishing 40 years ago. I vividly recall being in high school at that time. It's truly mind-boggling how time has flown by.

I remember purchasing this book with my meager allowance and poring over its pages with great enthusiasm. Back then, I would have unhesitatingly rated it 5 stars. However, upon this recent reread, I gave it a slightly lower rating. The reason being that it felt like an overly written treatise on a subject that King clearly favored.

If this can be considered a criticism at all, it's a minor one.

The scope of the book encompasses the years 1950 to 1980, a span of thirty years of horror. The writing style is very much as if Grandpa King is sitting on the porch with a cooler full of Medallas (in Puerto Rico, our beer of choice), saying, "Let me teach you something, Louie. Sometimes I'm going to talk to you straight, and other times I'm going to get didactic and downright pedagogical, but listen carefully because you might just discover something truly important here."

Just imagine, if that was the tone of this work forty years ago, what would he sound like now with an additional forty years of knowledge and experience?

He writes about movies and books that he deems essential for a well-rounded horror fandom. I adored him so much back then that the indexes in the back of my well-worn initial copy were highlighted and annotated with the dates when I watched or read the recommendations.

(There are two indices in the back of the book. One index is for movies that are historically significant to horror aficionados, and the other contains a list of books that are recommended reads for horror fans.) Overall, it is a fascinating read, but you really have to be okay with seeing how the sausage gets made, because not everyone is going to be comfortable with reading it.