I truly enjoy Stephen King's writing, even in those instances when I don't find myself in agreement with the ideas he presents. And in this particular book, I found myself disagreeing with a rather surprising amount of what he had to say. It should be noted that I am reading this work over 40 years after its initial publication and at least 10 years after the forward was written. My key takeaway from this experience is that there is a vast difference between King's tastes and mine when it comes to books, movies, and shows. At least, this is the case when comparing myself to the King of the early 1980s. It's quite interesting to see how our perspectives can diverge, yet still, I can appreciate the quality of his writing despite our differences.

Finally finished!

It has cost me my life to do it, and that's because I'm not very used to reading essays lately. I tend more towards fiction and I've had to intersperse this little shot (very well written but full of film and literature data that often obliged me to look up to fully understand what Tito King was talking about) with novels.

It is a walk through the literature and film of the genre intertwined with anecdotes and comments from King.

Quite recommendable :)

Expanded version:

Finally finished!

Oh my goodness, it has truly been a struggle to complete this. I have to admit that I'm not accustomed to reading essays these days. My preference leans more towards the world of fiction. So, when it came to this particular piece, I had to fit it in between reading novels. It was a bit of a challenge as it was very well written but filled with so many details about film and literature. Tito King's work was so rich that I often had to look up various things to fully grasp what he was talking about.

This essay is like a fascinating walk through the realm of genre literature and film. It's intertwined with interesting anecdotes and King's own comments. It offers a unique perspective and is truly quite engaging.

Overall, I would highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in these topics. It's a great read that will expand your knowledge and appreciation of the genre. :)

This article will provide you with some valuable information regarding the horror genre.

However, it must be noted that if you lack a certain background in readings or movies related to this genre, it can become extremely dull.

One might initially give it three stars simply because of King's name on the cover.

Lol, just kidding. In reality, the content within needs to be engaging and offer more than just a famous name.

It should explore the various subgenres of horror, the common themes and tropes, and perhaps even provide some analysis of classic horror works.

Only then can it truly be considered a worthwhile piece of writing on the horror genre.

Without this in-depth exploration, it risks being just another forgettable article that fails to capture the essence and allure of horror.

So, while the mention of King's name may draw in some readers, the article itself needs to deliver on substance to truly shine.

I am already sure that if Stephen King rewrites the phone directory of Pazardzhik, he will read it in two days and with pleasure. Just like in his other similar book "On Writing", the analysis is mixed with stories, autobiography and lyrical digressions that take over the text 2:1 and make it pleasant and readable.

The book examines the horror genre in the period between 1950 and 1980, which includes books, films, television and radio broadcasts. Uncle Stevie (as we know he is dying to be called) once again shows that in addition to being a writer, he is also a passionate reader, viewer and listener. The book leaves the impression that he has read, watched and listened to everything, even remotely related to his favorite genre and not only. He is direct and uncompromising, both in his praise and in his criticism of the creators. The only thing that annoys me is that in the covered period there are no computer games. I'm sure that if he wrote the book now, he would include them too, because with him there are no half-measures.

If someone expects an easy recipe for how to write horror, they will be disappointed. It will not be beaten, kicked and roughly rhythmically trampled in the footsteps. Stephen King does not dissect writing, dividing it into elements. Rather, he frames (in a rather wide frame at that) the basics of the genre, leaving quite a lot of room for the imagination to dance. And I agree with him 100%, because obviously both of us are passionate readers, and in one of the last free genres in literature there is no room for semi-fabricates (not that many people don't try).

In the end, there are two appendices with a hundred films and a hundred books each, which demonstrate what he is talking about in the book and will be very useful to me.

I like it, but it can never become my favorite book. It has turned out to be something of an essayistic type - neither fish nor fowl - but to the detriment of that, it is wonderful to read.

11th in my quest to read every Stephen King in pub order. King's exploration of horror takes on many forms, predominantly set in the 50's, 60's, and 70's. I found the discussion on how horror serves as a reflection of societal fears and the evolution of those fears over time to be truly captivating. His personal accounts of what initially piqued his interest in horror and what fuels his inspiration provided a fascinating glimpse into his writing process, which I believe was highly enlightening. I truly enjoyed this work, and I am most definitely going to read On Writing as well.

Ranking so far:

1. Salem's Lot

2. The Stand

3. The Dead Zone

4. The Shining

5. Carrie

6. The Long Walk

7. Night Shift

8. Danse Macabre

9. Firestarter

10. Roadwork

11. Rage

Cujo is next in line.

A really fun book, even though it doesn't offer anything new regarding horror. I mean, unless you've never given a thought to horror at all. King is truly such an outstanding storyteller. It's all those side-tracks, footnotes, and the casually tossed-off stuff that makes the book so captivating.

Also, I need to read some works by Davis Grubb, Gerald Kersh, and James Herbert. Their writing might bring a new perspective and add to my reading experience.

And I really must finally watch Dementia-13. Why haven't I seen that yet? It's a major failing on my part. I'm sure it has something unique to offer in the realm of horror and I'm eager to explore it.

Always keeping in mind that the reading of essays is something rather sporadic for me and the publication date of this work, I think King makes a magnificent dissection of the Horror genre in its multiple facets.

There have been parts that have indeed seemed a bit dense to me and others that, for fear of spoiling works that I am very much looking forward to, I have had to skip, but in general it has been a gratifyingly surprising reading due to its overall lightness and all the information it condenses. It hasn't broken my patterns but I recommend it without hesitation to anyone who is interested in the subject, because it doesn't disappoint at all.

King's exploration of the Horror genre is both comprehensive and engaging. He delves into the various elements that make up this genre, from the psychological aspects to the more traditional tropes. The essays are well-written and accessible, even for those who may not be overly familiar with the Horror genre.

One of the things I appreciate about this collection is King's ability to offer insights and perspectives that I hadn't considered before. He challenges some of the common assumptions about Horror and encourages the reader to think more deeply about the genre.

Overall, I would highly recommend this collection of essays to anyone who has an interest in the Horror genre. It's a great read that will both entertain and educate.

First off, I must express that this book completely derailed my reading plan. I had a well-organized list of books to read next, arranged by publication date and other factors. However, when I read the introduction to Pet Sematary and learned that King also wrote Danse Macabre while working at the University of Maine and living in the house that inspired that book, and that it was partly based on the content of his class, I simply couldn't resist. The thought of taking a horror class taught by Stephen King was too enticing, and I had to read it immediately.

Moreover, this book introduced me to a plethora of other books that I now feel compelled to read right away. It has, in the most wonderful way, disrupted my carefully laid plans. It also made me wonder: what have I been doing with my life that I haven't read so many of these books? Oh right, I've been reading Stephen King

Have you ever pondered what King's overall perception is of the horror genre? Well, this book provides the answer.

Even though it was written nearly 4 decades ago, many of the arguments Stephen presents within these pages still hold true. In fact, I would be extremely eager to read something as comprehensive as this about the current state of horror in the year 2023.

In "Danse Macabre," King delves into numerous horror movies, shows, and books that were successful and those that fell short. He dissects some works in a rather tiresome manner and can definitely be overly verbose at times. However, if you have a passion for the horror genre like I do, it remains interesting, albeit sometimes frustrating when you find yourself disagreeing with Stephen's viewpoints (I simply cannot forgive the slander of Blatty!). Nevertheless, this was a highly enjoyable read, even during the parts where it dragged. And if nothing else, it serves to illustrate what King, the self-proclaimed master of horror, thought of certain horror pieces back then and how they influenced his own writing.

It is by no means a flawless essay, but it is valuable for genre enthusiasts and aspiring horror authors alike.

Bloody brilliant!

But here's a fair warning to my fellow readers. If you're not a die-hard horror movie buff, if you don't have a penchant for horror in written form, and if your knowledge of the horror genre extends no further than John Carpenter's Halloween, then this book might not be for you.

I deliberated for quite a few times before picking up this book, considering it's a non-fiction and I had no clue what Stephen King's non-fiction works were like. Well, I'm not disappointed. Not in the slightest.

SK is ruthless. He dissects the entire horror genre as if it were on an operating table, proceeding without any anesthesia or warning. His brilliant analysis truly opens one's eyes. Personally, I have a soft spot for the old stuff, the kind that this book delves into. It's like comparing Bella Lugosi's Dracula to that abysmal thing that came out a few years ago (Dracula Untold). I loathed the new film. Despite all its fancy new effects and whatnot, it can't even come close to the old classic. So, for someone who craves that truly terrifying, raw kind of effect that messes with your mind, this book is seriously a wonderful addition.

However, one might find it a little dull at certain moments and a bit repetitive in some parts. But I guess that's just due to the analytical nature of the book. The snippets from SK's own life were a refreshing touch. I'm not sure if I'll rush to pick up another non-fiction by him anytime soon, perhaps in a year or so, if I'm still kicking. But this one, it was definitely no regret at all.

Book #01 of 2022.
Book #18 of Stephen King Bibliography Challenge

I don't give a rating because I read specific chapters (for example, the one about the radio and the terror broadcast in my America was completely uninteresting).

Someone who has been dealing with horror literature for years, I don't think will find anything new, especially in a book that was published in 1981.

I would recommend it only to new readers of horror literature and to fans of King himself.

This book may have some value for those who are just starting to explore the genre of horror. However, for those who are more experienced in reading horror literature, it may seem a bit outdated and lacking in新意.

Overall, it's not a bad book, but it's not a must-read either. It depends on your personal interests and level of familiarity with the horror genre.

An Eye-Opener

The film is truly an eye-opener. It breaks many taboos. On page 159, it is mentioned that a little girl kills her mother with a garden trowel and then starts to eat her. This is a shocking and disturbing scene that challenges our sensibilities.

On page 224, it lists the various gruesome ways people have been killed in horror movies. We horror movie fans have seen it all. People have been clubbed, burned at the stake, shot, crucified, stabbed through the eyes with needles, eaten alive by all kinds of creatures, beheaded, sucked dry of their blood, gobbled up by sharks and piranha fish. Bad guys have gone down screaming in pools of quicksand and acid. Our fellow humans have been squashed, stretched, and bloated to death. At the end of Brian De Palma's The Fury, John Cassavetes literally explodes.

On page 389, it is suggested that one reason for the success of Marvel's Spiderman when he debuted in the late fifties was his vulnerability. He was and still is an engaging exception to the standard comic-book formula. This shows that sometimes, breaking the rules and being different can lead to great success.