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A weekly series, highlighting some of our favorite ≤140′s from MensConfidence writers and others. If you don’t follow them, bury your head in shame. T...
This is part IV in the categorical explanation for THE SUB GENRES OF HORROR. For an introduction, and PART I of this series, please begin...
Rejoice--The Walking Dead is back! I will get you caught up on the first week of eCornell's/ AMC's class with a lecture on "The Foundation of Sur...
As the partial government shutdown continues, here are 25 facts to stop or warm your heart: 1. President Obama sent an official letter to affect...
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A weekly series, highlighting some of our favorite ≤140′s from MensConfidence writers and others. If you don’t follow them, bury your head i...
A weekly series, highlighting some of our favorite ≤140′s fr...
A weekly series, highlighting some of our favorite ≤140′s fr...
A weekly series, highlighting some of our favorite ≤140′s fr...
Rejoice--The Walking Dead is back! I will get you caught up on the first week of eCornell's/ AMC's class with a lecture on "The Foundat...
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A weekly series, highlighting some of our favorite ≤140′s from MensConfidence writers and others. If you don’t follow them, bury your head in shame. Then follow them.
Whenever I have a sideways ponytail, I'm DTF.
— Panda Turd Tornado (@ispypanda) November 21, 2013
This is part IV in the categorical explanation for THE SUB GENRES OF HORROR.
For an introduction, and PART I of this series, please begin here: The Sub-Genres of Horror – Part-I
PART II is here: The Sub-Genres of Horror – Part-II
PART III is here: The Sub-Genres of Horror – Part-III
Part IV is below!
*****
Lovecraftian Horror (Cthulhu Mythos)
Named after its progenitor, author H. P. Lovecraft, Lovecraftian Horror deals with “cosmic horror of the unknown.” This theme is guided by the belief that human minds cannot possibly comprehend the perilous mysteries of the universe which are, at its core, alien and malevolent. Common elements include protagonists who use science and logic to attempt to unravel these mysteries, but then, most often, lose their sanity, as the mysteries of the cosmos are too much for the human mind to comprehend. Also categorized under “Weird Fiction,” Lovecraftian Horror is generally pessimistic, dependent on atmosphere, and typically abstains from gore (choosing to emphasize psychological fear, being the absence of normality).
Book Examples:
The Call of Cthulhu (or Tales of the Cthulhu Mythos) by H. P. Lovecraft
The Burrowers Beneath (Book 1 of the Cthulhu Cycle Deities) by Brian Lumley
New Cthulhu: The Recent Weird (an anthology) edited by Paula Guran
Media Tie-In
A book based on a movie, game, television show, etc., authorized by the production company to be written as part of cross promotional efforts. Generally, this type of book will expand the storyline of the original work, using its existing characters, concepts, and settings. The important distinction here is that the story itself will be unique from the movie (or other media vehicle), whereas a novelization is the simply the written form of the original story, i.e. a written format of what occurs in the movie.
Book Examples:
30 Days of Night: Light of Day by Jeff Mariotte
The Willow Files, Vol. 1 (Buffy The Vampire Slayer) by Yvonne Navarro
Dreams of the Dark (Dark Shadows) by Stephen M. Rainey, Elizabeth Massie, and Lara Parker
Monster Horror (AKA: Supernatural Horror; AKA: Monster Literature)
The very word itself, “Monster,” suggests something that is evil or hideous, and monsters in horror is perhaps the most familiar theme when one thinks of the genre. This may include any fictional or supernatural creature such as zombies, werewolves, mummies, vampires, etc. Typically the Monster (also generally the antagonist) is defined as something that is abhorrent to society and that it also incites fear and is threatening.
Book Examples:
I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
It by Stephen King
Paranormal
Paranormal Horror may be closely categorized to monster horror, but that these monsters are generally intangible, or if they are more like traditional “monsters” they are at least capable of intelligent thought, and not rambling killing-machines. Paranormal primarily includes ghosts, unidentified presences, demons, perhaps aliens, or simply anything that is contrary to the realm of current scientific explanation. Even the authenticity of séances or Ouija boards, faith healing, telepathy, or any psychic phenomena may be considered paranormal, as their results can’t be scientifically proven. A psychological movement, “Parapsychology” is the scientific study of the Paranormal, to push those boundaries of what may be “possible.” Another popular subgenre which is often categorized similarly is Paranormal Romance, recognized as a romance story in which one or more of the protagonists possesses some paranormal ability.
Book Examples (Paranormal Horror):
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
The Shining by Stephen King
Rosemary’s Baby by Ira Levin
Book Examples (Paranormal Romance):
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse #1) by Charlaine Harris
Fantasy Lover (Dark-Hunter companion novel) by Sherrilyn Kenyon
*****
MORE TO COME IN MY NEXT BLOG POST! Stay tuned soon for The Sub-Genres of HORROR – PART V
Part I Describes: Apocalyptic/Post-Apocalyptic Horror, Bizarro Fiction, Body Horror (Biological Horror)
Part III describes: Gothic Horror, Historical Horror, Humor (AKA: Horror Comedy), and Killer Animals
*****
Thanks to notes on this topic accumulated from the following websites:
http://www.cuebon.com/ewriters/Hsubgenres.html
http://www.goldenagestories.com/news/2013/01/04/the-dark-the-dark-the-history-of-horror-fiction/2602
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horror_fiction
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-different-horror-genres.htm
*****
Midnight cheers,
Eric J. Guignard
BIO:
Eric J. Guignard writes dark and speculative fiction from his office in Los Angeles. His stories and articles may be found in magazines, journals, anthologies, and any other media that will print him. He’s a member of the Horror Writer’s Association, the International Thriller Writers, and is also the Horror Genre Correspondent for Men’s Confidence Magazine. In addition, he’s an anthology editor, including: Dark Tales of Lost Civilizations (2012, Dark Moon Books), which was nominated for a Bram Stoker Award®, and this year’s critically acclaimed release, After Death… (2013, Dark Moon Books). Read his novella, Baggage of Eternal Night (2013, JournalStone Publishing), and watch for many more forthcoming books. Visit Eric at: www.ericjguignard.com or at his blog: www.ericjguignard.blogspot.com.
Rejoice–The Walking Dead is back! I will get you caught up on the first week of eCornell’s/ AMC’s class with a lecture on “The Foundation of Survival”. I’ll tell you a little bit about what I learned about “Maslow’s Heirarchy of Needs” and how it applies to this week’s episode of The Walking Dead (Season 4, Episode 1).
MASLOW’S HEIRARCHY OF NEEDS
Abraham Maslow was a 1950s-era psychologist who, through his research and observations, developed a hierarchy of human needs. He placed these beliefs in a pyramid shape with the most important, physiological needs, at the bottom. Maslow believed that people were “basically honest, self-reliant and self-regulating with a tendency to seek relationships, growth and love.” Per his pyramid, he thought that it was important for the lower-listed needs to be met before moving onto the higher-listed ones. He believed that there was conflict when: 1) these needs were not met or 2) a less important need was prioritized before a more important need was fulfilled. Here are those needs from most important (physiological) to least important (self-actualization):
Many critics of this argue that the order that people experience needs can vary, the order of these needs can vary by culture (for example, some regard esteem more highly than safety) and regression of needs is possible.
HOW IT APPLIES TO THE SHOW
Clearly, the post-apocalyptic world that the characters live in shakes up the fulfillment of their lower-level needs. From a pre- to post- zombie world, this has changed their motivations, as well as their perceptions. In the most recent episode “30 Days Without an Accident” (Season 4, Episode 1), you can see the relationships and structures that have been created or strengthened by an environment that demonstrates a limited threat to their physiological and safety needs. However, we see that fulfillment of these base needs has shifted opinions on things, like whether children should be carrying guns. (According to Carol and Carl, the answer is “Yes, and we’ll teach them how to use them”.) Even Rick’s three questions to newcomers reflects the difficult choices that have had to be made to fulfill basic human needs: 1) “How many walkers have you killed?” 2) “How many people have you killed?” and 3) “Why?”.
Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and Clara (Kerry Condon) in Episode 1
Photo by Gene Page/AMC
In this week’s discussions, we were asked:
Leave your thoughts in the comments below and then stay tuned next week for “WEEK 2–Public Health and Infectious Diseases”!
Abbie Elliot is a senior contributor for MCM and a writer for ‘Under the Tuscan Gun, part of “The Cooking Channel’s “Extra Virgin” with actress Debi Mazar (Entourage’s Shauna Roberts) and husband Gabriele Corcos. She has served as managing editor for ‘DC on Heels’, and has written professionally for organizations like The White House Commission on Remembrance and AOL/The Huffington Post. Follow her on twitter: @abbie_b_elliott or email abbie.b.elliott@gmail.com
As the partial government shutdown continues, here are 25 facts to stop or warm your heart:
1. President Obama sent an official letter to affected workers. It’s basically a love letter from the President to federal employees…well, maybe its more like a really really sweet breakup letter.
(THE WHITE HOUSE)
2. Approximately 400 national parks, museums and historical sites are closed to the public! This includes historical landmarks like The Washington Monument, The Statue of Liberty and The Lincoln Memorial. Potential revenue loss? $30 million PER DAY. Let that sink in. Um, I’m no economist, but doesn’t generating revenue help with budgetary issues?
The Statue of Liberty is currently closed. (THE GUARDIAN)
3. There are 24 wedding ceremonies planned on the National Mall for October–nine of which were supposed to occur the same week that the shutdown began. These couples now have to make alternate plans…and fast. #weddedmiss
(THE EXAMINER)
4. WWII veterans from Mississippi stormed the WWII Memorial. How apropos…from storming the shores of Normandy on D-Day to storming a public memorial on Shutdown Day. The mainly octogenarian vets were part of an Honor Flight tour, which provides memorial tours to veterans. Several lawmakers and their staff were on-hand to assist with the efforts. Thankfully, the U.S. Park Police let the veterans continue their tour without a confrontation.
(CARLOS BONGIOANNI/STARS AND STRIPES)
5. Members of Congress will keep getting a paycheck. With salaries upwards of six figures, a handful of lawmakers plan to forego their paychecks or donate it to charity. Think more should do the same? Then, sign this petition.
(GETTY IMAGES)
6. …but, no wonder they couldn’t make a decision, apparently some of them were drunk as a skunk during the final hours before the shitdown deadline. At least, this is according to reporters Jennifer Bendery and Sam Stein.
(TWITTER)
7. Many are taking comfort in the fact that government employees were paid retroactively in the 1995/1996 government shutdown. While this is likely true for “essential” employees, the 800,000-ish “non-essential’ employees may not be so lucky. Luckily, some may be eligible for a form of unemployment.
(NEW YORK DAILY NEWS)
8. Yay–our men and women in uniform will continue to get paid! President Obama signed the “Pay Our Military Act” on September 30 to ensure that military families are taken care of.
(YAHOO NEWS)
9. …but boo to the fact that 3.6 million veterans may not receive disability or pension benefits. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, this will happen if the government shutdown lasts more than two to three weeks.
(DVA)
10. Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid will continue to receive funding.
(U.S. SENATE)
11. The Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) could run out of funds in less than a week. This program provides food and healthcare for low-income women and children, like pre-natal screenings.
(FORBES)
12. Additionally, 1,600 Head Start programs, affecting one million, will begin gradually closing down as funds dry up. Head Start is a federally-funded program (The Department of Health and Human Services, HHS) that provides “education, health, nutrition and parent-involvement services to low-income children and their families”.
(HHS)
13. …but SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), a.k.a. food stamps, will still continue. Plus, official USDA child nutrition programs, which impact approximately 47 million children, will still provide assistance.
14. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) are turning away patients seeking treatment. According to a recent article by The Wall Street Journal, this includes 30 child cancer patients participating in clinical trials.
(NIH)
15. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is halting its annual seasonal influenza program. Save your sick days– you may actually need them for something other than day drinking.
(AP PHOTO/ ROGELIO V. SOLIS)
16. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will continue to pay out retirement benefits to federal employees. However, there may be a delay on retirement applications.
(OPM)
17. The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) remains open and will continue to deliver. So, mail your furloughed friends some cookies or something! Now, what kind of cookie says “I’m sorry you’re not getting a paycheck this week” ?
(USPS)
18. Federal prisoners remain behind bars. C’mon people, it’s a government shutdown—not the end of days. We are not going to just release convicted felons…or are we?
(DOJ)
19. Don’t worry, though, you can still feel like a convicted felon via airport security checks! The Transportation and Safety Administration (TSA) will still pat you down and rifle through your things.
(TSA)
20. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will resume core activities. This will include “routine establishment inspections, some compliance and enforcement activities, monitoring of imports, notification programs (e.g., food contact substances, infant formula), and the majority of the laboratory research necessary to inform public health decision-making.” However, many FDA programs will cease during the shutdown. Good thing salmonella and e. coli aren’t deadly…
(FDA)
21. Thanks to reserve funding, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office will continue to operate…at least for a few weeks. Sorry inventors, you may have to tell Mark Cuban to delay your debut on ABC’s Shark Tank.
(USPTO)
22. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will stop monitoring pollution issues. Big Business: 100, Environmentalists: 0
(FREE ENTERPRISE)
23. Social media accounts for various federal agencies, like the Library of Congress and NASA, have gone silent. Employees have been instructed not to post or respond via federal accounts. #booooooooo
(TWITTER)
24. The National Zoo’s video feed of the yet-to-be-named newborn panda (a.k.a. “Panda Cam”) is no longer streaming. However–fear not–the staff at TIME created their own panda cam live stream. TIME said,” We set up a panda on a stool in our office, and he will be continuously hugged, fed fake bamboo and forced to transcribe interviews throughout the day. He’s not as cute as a real panda, but with the shutdown going strong, he’ll just have to do.”
(TIME)
25. And finally (and ironically), the Affordable Care Act (a.k.a. “Obamacare”) moved forward on Day 1 of the shutdown. Obamacare is the perceived root of the budget battle in Congress. On the first day it opened to applicants, the HealthCare.gov experienced technical issues. The site received such a high amount of traffic that many people couldn’t register.
(HEALTHCARE.GOV)
Abbie Elliot is a senior contributor for MCM and a writer for ‘Under the Tuscan Gun, part of “The Cooking Channel’s “Extra Virgin” with actress Debi Mazar (Entourage’s Shauna Roberts) and husband Gabriele Corcos. She has served as managing editor for ‘DC on Heels’, and has written professionally for organizations like The White House Commission on Remembrance and AOL/The Huffington Post. Follow her on twitter: @abbie_b_elliott or email abbie.b.elliott@gmail.com
I’ve annihilated Nazi zombies in Call of Duty, taken a class in zombie obstacle courses, watched countless zombie flicks and run zombie-themed 5Ks. So, I’ve decided to take my love of the un-dead to the next level by getting some real “book-learnin’ ” in. My course of choice? “Society, Science and Survival: Lessons from AMC’s The Walking Dead.”
That’s right–in a move that further blurs the fading line between education and pop culture, the University of California-Irvine and AMC are offering an in-depth online course on science and survival. To all the naysayers: this class syllabus isn’t rocking surface-level fluff—students will explore real, scholarly concepts within the context of a zombie-filled landscape–like “Maslow’s hierarchy of needs—is survival just about being alive?” and “Social identity, roles, and stereotyping—as shown through leaders like Rick and the Governor”. The courses are taught by four of UC-Irvine’s prominent lecturers; versed in Social Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Public Health and Mathematics.
So, dear readers, to support your laziness and your (understandable/relatable/some-other-word-that-ends-in-able) addiction to The Walking Dead, I will smush my hours of hard learning and hard television watching into weekly post-apocalyptic recaps.
So, catch the season premiere of The Walking Dead on Sunday, October 13, 2013. Then, check back in when my “semester” begins on October 14 through December 20, 2013–I may need some help with my homework. Mmmmm, brains…
Abbie Elliot is a senior contributor for MCM and a writer for ‘Under the Tuscan Gun, part of “The Cooking Channel’s “Extra Virgin” with actress Debi Mazar (Entourage’s Shauna Roberts) and husband Gabriele Corcos. She has served as managing editor for ‘DC on Heels’, and has written professionally for organizations like The White House Commission on Remembrance and AOL/The Huffington Post. Follow her on twitter: @abbie_b_elliott or email abbie.b.elliott@gmail.com
This is part III in the categorical explanation for THE SUB GENRES OF HORROR.
For an introduction, and PART I of this series, please begin here: The Sub-Genres of Horror – Part-I
PART II is here: The Sub-Genres of Horror – Part-II
*****
Gothic Horror (AKA: Gothic Fiction)
Gothic horror originated as a movement that combined elements of terror with romance, attributed first to English author, Horace Walpole, with his 1764 novel The Castle of Otranto (AKA: A Gothic Story). Gothic horror has since then expanded, though it still relies heavily on atmosphere and setting (such as a ruined castle, rugged mountain, or mist-shrouded cemetery) to create an overall sense of gloominess or dread. Often, the plot is melodramatic and sensational and may include a naïve heroine living by the moors of a Victorianesque society and/ or a lonely male traveler, haunted by a dark secret which is revealed at the story’s climax.
Book Examples:
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Collected Works of Edgar Allan Poe by Edgar Allan Poe
Drood by Dan Simmons
Historical Horror (including: Alternative History)
Historical Horror (and any other type of Historical Fiction) is set in the past. Though not a clearly factual account, this sub-genre relies heavily on historic facts, setting, and/ or people to provide an alternative context or hypothetical explanation to an actual event that occurred, or simply to provide the backdrop for a realistic and interesting point in time. Horror set in history has a broad range, whether including an ancillary character that happens to have existed or by completely rewriting events, such as pitting alien invaders against Confederate raiders during the Civil War. The significance in this style of writing is that particular attention is placed in the details which maintain accuracy to the time period and the appropriate mannerisms and descriptions of characters involved.
Book Examples:
The Terror by Dan Simmons
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
The Devils of D-Day by Graham Masterton
Humor (AKA: Horror Comedy)
Though at first consideration horror and humor may seem like diametric opposites, these two elements actually work complimentarily with each other; each shares the goal to elicit a strong reaction by mixing screaming with laughing. The act of combining humor and horror has a deep-running psychological basis as fears, or that which is not understood, is often exaggerated into parody. The short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving (published in 1820) is considered the first “great comedy-horror story.”
Book Examples:
John Dies at the End by David Wong
The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks
Fat White Vampire Blues by Andrew Fox
Killer Animals
A self-descriptive title, this category includes stories of animals engaging in murderous rampage. Whether it’s a single animal or an invasion by large group, these beasts are consumed with a voracious inclination to slaughter every human being in their path. Typically the killer animal may be classified in one of two devices: The creature is already a feared or despised species that causes revulsion in the reader even while in a tranquil state (i.e. spiders or snakes); Or the creature is one which the reader empathizes with (i.e. dog or cat), but who is turned vicious by illness, revenge, latent evil, or any other cause normally attributable to humans.
Book Examples:
The Rats by James Herbert
Jaws by Peter Benchley
Cujo by Stephen King
*****
MORE TO COME IN MY NEXT BLOG POST! Stay tuned soon for The Sub-Genres of HORROR – PART IV
Part I Describes: Apocalyptic/Post-Apocalyptic Horror, Bizarro Fiction, Body Horror (Biological Horror)
Part III describes: Gothic Horror, Historical Horror, Humor (AKA: Horror Comedy), and Killer Animals
*****
Thanks to notes on this topic accumulated from the following websites:
http://www.cuebon.com/ewriters/Hsubgenres.html
http://www.goldenagestories.com/news/2013/01/04/the-dark-the-dark-the-history-of-horror-fiction/2602
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horror_fiction
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-different-horror-genres.htm
*****
Midnight cheers,
Eric J. Guignard
BIO:
Eric J. Guignard writes dark and speculative fiction from his office in Los Angeles. His stories and articles may be found in magazines, journals, anthologies, and any other media that will print him. He’s a member of the Horror Writer’s Association, the International Thriller Writers, and is also the Horror Genre Correspondent for Men’s Confidence Magazine. In addition, he’s an anthology editor, including: Dark Tales of Lost Civilizations (2012, Dark Moon Books), which was nominated for a Bram Stoker Award®, and this year’s critically acclaimed release, After Death… (2013, Dark Moon Books). Read his novella, Baggage of Eternal Night (2013, JournalStone Publishing), and watch for many more forthcoming books. Visit Eric at: www.ericjguignard.com or at his blog: www.ericjguignard.blogspot.com.
“If all your friends jumped off a bridge, then would you jump too ?” our parents always asked us. At the time, we knew that the response that kept us out of more trouble was always ‘No’. But, today, adventurer Erin Bonilla is saying,” Hell, yeah—sign me up!” This blonde adventurer wants to do a tandem base jump off of the 876-foot New River Gorge Bridge! To give you some perspective, this is more than 200 feet higher than the Seattle’s Space Needle (605 feet) and the St. Louis Arch (630 feet).
Bonilla in her skydiving gear.
Check out Bonilla’s video entry into the base jumping contest.
So, why does Bonilla want to take the leap in front of the expected 80,000 spectators of Bridge Day 2013? Well, if jumping off of a bridge wasn’t crazy enough, she is building towards her goal to skydive in space. Yes, you read that right: Skydive. In Space. Remember Felix Baumgartner’s historic 24-mile, Red Bull-sponsored space skydive in October 2012? Erin has met the Austrian daredevil, as well as the first man to skydive from the edge of space in 1960, Col. Joe Kittinger, USAF (Ret.). Both space-dive pioneers advised her to continue striving towards this (literally) out-of-this-world goal…and she’s obviously heeding that advice.
Col. Kittinger, Baumgartner and Bonilla at the Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
Check out Bonilla’s video entry into the base jumping contest.
The journey to space skydiving began with Bonilla leaping out of a plane 36 times (!) and attaining her Class-A skydiving license. She hopes to take the next step on October 19 with her very first base jump in Fayetteville, West Virginia. If Bonilla wins the opportunity to jump, Subaru will donate $1,000 to her charity of choice, the Stillbrave Childhood Cancer Foundation. The organization was created by a friend of hers, who lost his daughter to the disease.
Baumgartner, Bonilla and her husband, Dennis, at the Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
Check out Bonilla’s video entry into the base jumping contest.
Check out Bonilla’s video entry into the base jumping contest. If you like what you see, vote to send her base jumping and get $1,000 to a deserving charity. Then, write down the name “Erin Bonilla”—you can say that you knew her when. Oh, and sorry fellas…the coolest chick you don’t know is taken–he (Dennis) put a ring on it.
Abbie Elliot is a senior contributor for MCM and a writer for ‘Under the Tuscan Gun, part of “The Cooking Channel’s “Extra Virgin” with actress Debi Mazar (Entourage’s Shauna Roberts) and husband Gabriele Corcos. She has served as managing editor for ‘DC on Heels’, and has written professionally for organizations like The White House Commission on Remembrance and AOL/The Huffington Post. Follow her on twitter: @abbie_b_elliott or email abbie.b.elliott@gmail.com
This is part II in the categorical explanation for THE SUB GENRES OF HORROR.
For an introduction, and PART I of this series, please begin here:
The Sub-Genres of Horror Part I
*****
Dark Fantasy (AKA: Fantasy Horror, AKA: Gothic Fantasy)
Dark Fantasy in its broadest definition may be seen as simply another term for “supernatural horror,” being that it has a speculative element and the story is gloomy or grim in tone. However, the Dark Fantasy category is generally referenced when defining fiction in a “fantastic” context, and going beyond just the idea of one supernatural presence in order to explore a greater evil within its universe. Often, alternate and horrific worlds are developed that the characters must exist within. Other associations may involve elements of Sword & Sorcery fiction or High Fantasy fiction, written to a particulalry dark bent. Another example could be that the story is told from a mythological monster’s point of view.
Book Examples:
The Dark Tower (series of books) by Stephen King
The Saint-Germain novels by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
Kane (stories and novels) by Karl Edward Wagner
Environmental Horror (AKA: Eco-Horror, including “Natural Disasters”)
This category applies to any story in which an element of nature takes on a speculative aspect with potentially deadly consequences to humans. Often it’s a reactionary tale in which mankind abuses the environment, and by consequence of their own actions cause the environment to exact revenge. Examples of rampant ecology include: catastrophic natural calamity (volcano, earthquake, tornado); climactic upheaval (sudden return of the ice age or cooling of Earth’s core); man-eating plants (‘nuff said); mutated animals (overt monsters such as two-headed monster shark or oversized insects OR psychological/ intellect, ala Planet of the Apes); disastrous weather (flooding, blizzards, extreme heat); atmospheric toxicity (air no longer breathable), etc. Though often ‘campy,’ these stories do promote the greater good of environmental awareness and often serve as platforms for real warnings about misusing Earth’s resources.
Book Examples:
Hothouse by Brian W. Aldiss
Garbage Man by Joseph D’Lacey
The Ruins by Scott Smith
Erotic Horror (AKA: Dark Erotica)
Erotic Horror is horror fiction which combines elements of strong sexual or sensual imagery, including (though not necessitating) intercourse. Often the erotic element goes against conventional norms, involves supernatural aspects, and may not be ‘pleasurable’ to at least one of the participants. It’s a fine line and matter of taste moving beyond a story’s traditional “romantic” element to elicit erotica and tends to be more common in the horror genre than others, simply by the graphic style of writing that the community promotes. When pushing boundaries, it’s just as easy to describe an intense act of coitus as it is a gory bloodbath; both are somewhat taboo. Much horror has subtle elements that naturally lends itself into this category. Consider Dracula’s sensual sway over female victims, or the demon Succubus that drains unsuspecting men, or even the horror movie cliché that any young couple who engage in sex will be killed the following scene. (Trivia Time: William Shakespeare called the orgasm the “little death.”)
Book Examples:
The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker
Scared Stiff by Ramsey Campbell
Love in Vein: Twenty Original Tales of Vampiric Erotica edited by Poppy Z. Brite
Fairy Tales and Dark Fables
More often recognized in sanitized adaptations with happy endings, children are reared on legion of fairy tales. However, most of these stories were originally developed as being much darker in nature with gruesome twists and horrific endings than as known today. Rather than heroic adventures, fairy tales are parables for children meant to reinforce values and life lessons from an early age. At their heart, these stories may even be viewed as psychological tools . Child psychologist, Bruno Bettelheim, wrote the following in 1975 about this topic: “In order to master the psychological problems of growing up… a child needs to understand what is going on within his conscious self so that he can also cope with that which goes on in his unconscious.” Psycho-babble aside, old-school fairy tales are frightening things; oft-employed grim elements include supernatural monsters or witches, ghosts, deformation, severe punishment or imprisonment, and death. There continue to be new works released that incorporate elements of fairy tales, create their own tale, or promulgate the legends of fairy tales or fables, so this sub-genre by no means includes only “passed-down” stories.
Book Examples:
Grimms’ Fairy Tales by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
Little Red Riding Hood by Charles Perrault (first published)
Once by James Herbert
*****
MORE TO COME IN MY NEXT BLOG POST! Stay tuned soon for The Sub-Genres of HORROR – PART III
Part III describes: Gothic Horror, Historical Horror, Humor (AKA: Horror Comedy), and Killer Animals
*****
Thanks to notes on this topic accumulated from the following websites:
http://www.cuebon.com/ewriters/Hsubgenres.html
http://www.goldenagestories.com/news/2013/01/04/the-dark-the-dark-the-history-of-horror-fiction/2602
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horror_fiction
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-different-horror-genres.htm
*****
Midnight cheers,
Eric
_________________________________
Eric J. Guignard is MCM’s horror genre correspondent, and writes dark and speculative fiction from his office in Los Angeles. His stories and articles may be found in magazines, journals, anthologies, and any other media that will print him. He’s a member of the Horror Writer’s Association, the Greater Los Angeles Writer’s Society, and is also the Horror Genre Correspondent for Men’s Confidence Magazine. In addition, he’s an anthology editor, including: Dark Tales of Lost Civilizations (2012, Dark Moon Books), which was nominated for a Bram Stoker Award®, and this year’s critically acclaimed release, After Death… (2013, Dark Moon Books). Read his novella, Baggage of Eternal Night (2013, JournalStone Publishing), and watch for many more forthcoming books. Visit Eric at: www.ericjguignard.com, or at his blog: www.ericjguignard.blogspot.com, or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ericjguignard.
September Book Reviews are of older Horror Novels (15 years or more). Each of the following books may be purchased through www.amazon.com.
***
REVIEWED: Swan Song
WRITTEN BY: Robert R. McCammon
PUBLISHED: June, 1987
Another successful novel by author, Robert R. McCammon. Swan Song is a post-apocalyptic horror story following the survivors of a nuclear Armageddon. The characters are diverse and engaging, though many border on the stereotypical “too-good” vs. “too-evil.” However, I appreciated the variety of characters’ “Points of Views” by chapter, similar to Stephen King’s own post-apocalyptic novel, “The Stand.” The desolation and misery created by McCammon is emotional; you can feel the pain and weariness of the survivors as they trek across the ruined country. But that’s also offset by the perpetual hope and innocence of the girl, Swan, as well as the life lessons learned and perseverance by Sister and Josh and the others. The ending is very satisfying, even somewhat beautiful. Swan Song is a classic and recommended reading for anyone who enjoys dark fiction.
Five out of Five stars
***
REVIEWED: Among Madmen
WRITTEN BY: Jim Starlin and illustrated by Daina Graziunas
PUBLISHED: April, 1990
Easy read, fast-paced, violent, and gripping = highly recommended for fans of pulp action stories. Consider this similar to a zombie plague, only instead of fighting off the undead, the protagonists must battle “Berserkers” which are people who have contracted an incurable mental condition that drives them to sadistically murder anyone they can (consider a similarity in this to the movie, “28 Days Later”). Another level to this story, which makes the plot successful, is that anyone may contract the illness at anytime. So survivors are constantly suspicious of their friends, wondering if they’re about to turn berserker. The main character, Tom Laker, is an ex-vet and sheriff of a town of survivors. He’s a well-rounded hero with flaws and tragic circumstances. Most of the other characters are rather flat, however, and represent bland stereotypes. The author forces a great deal of emotion into the book, some of which is advantageous and some which is not. He cares for a wounded dog, which then runs away, leaving the audience to wonder at its purpose, or if it was an analogous device for Tom himself. Overall, if you’re not expecting too much, this is a great “read-something-fun” book. Also illustrated by the author’s wife, Daina, although I question the placement of the images, as they always came before a plot point, thus giving away what was going to happen.
Four-and-a-half out of Five stars
***
REVIEWED: Song of Kali
WRITTEN BY: Dan Simmons
PUBLISHED: January, 1998
Song of Kali is a well written novel of dark fiction, though hardly “the most frightening book ever written” as heralded across reviews and its book cover. There are actually very few scenes that seemed particularly scary at all. The plot is fair and emotionally-driven, compelling and sad, with good pacing, conflict, etc. And, man!, can this author write! The technical ability of Dan Simmons is extraordinary. However, the book just felt barely “above-average,” rather than fantastic, after closing the final page. The ending is anticlimactic, i.e. dreadful (in terms of boredom)… this story had so much potential to have been greater. The backdrop and circumstances Simmons established could have led to many, many more frightening scenes than he used. All-in-all, a fine read, especially as this is the first novel he ever wrote. Note to reader: His books get much better.
Four out of Five stars
Midnight cheers,
Eric
_________________________________
Eric J. Guignard is MCM’s horror genre correspondent, and writes dark and speculative fiction from his office in Los Angeles. His stories and articles may be found in magazines, journals, anthologies, and any other media that will print him. He’s a member of the Horror Writer’s Association, the Greater Los Angeles Writer’s Society, and is also the Horror Genre Correspondent for Men’s Confidence Magazine. In addition, he’s an anthology editor, including: Dark Tales of Lost Civilizations (2012, Dark Moon Books), which was nominated for a Bram Stoker Award®, and this year’s critically acclaimed release, After Death… (2013, Dark Moon Books). Read his novella, Baggage of Eternal Night (2013, JournalStone Publishing), and watch for many more forthcoming books. Visit Eric at: www.ericjguignard.com, or at his blog: www.ericjguignard.blogspot.com, or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ericjguignard.
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