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Screaming for Pleasure: How Horror Makes You Happy and Healthy
Horror has the magic to captivate…and enthrall.It hooks you with unnerving fiction stories of dread and evil, pushes your limits and pokes every phobia. People love to be scared but behind every dark mythology and muffled scream is something deeper and even more fascinating. In Screaming for Pleasure, S.A. Bradley takes you on a wild journey exploring horror beyond Halloween, where you’ll discover what is so tantalizing about terror,
Rare insights about some of the greatest classic and modern horror heroes of all time, like movie directors David Cronenberg, Guillermo Del Toro and John Carpenter, culled from hundreds of interviews.
An in-depth look at the most impactful horror movies by female directors, plus a list of directors you should be watching now.
The most terrifying, shocking, strange, and magical moments in Hollywood horror film history with detailed breakdowns of over 100 films.
The psychology of fear to help you uncover the mysteries lurking within yourself.
Why the art forms of fright keep you happy, healthy, and more connected to others.
Screaming for Pleasure thrills you with the diversity, beauty, and power of the horror culture. Dissect films, books, myths, and music that reveals how horror constantly reinvents itself and reflects the anxieties of each generation through spine-chilling tales of terror. Whether you’re a beginner who’s frightened to watch scary movies alone or a haunted horror obsessive, Screaming for Pleasure is the entertaining guide to help cinephiles of all types fall in love with horror again.
Rare insights about some of the greatest classic and modern horror heroes of all time, like movie directors David Cronenberg, Guillermo Del Toro and John Carpenter, culled from hundreds of interviews.
An in-depth look at the most impactful horror movies by female directors, plus a list of directors you should be watching now.
The most terrifying, shocking, strange, and magical moments in Hollywood horror film history with detailed breakdowns of over 100 films.
The psychology of fear to help you uncover the mysteries lurking within yourself.
Why the art forms of fright keep you happy, healthy, and more connected to others.
Screaming for Pleasure thrills you with the diversity, beauty, and power of the horror culture. Dissect films, books, myths, and music that reveals how horror constantly reinvents itself and reflects the anxieties of each generation through spine-chilling tales of terror. Whether you’re a beginner who’s frightened to watch scary movies alone or a haunted horror obsessive, Screaming for Pleasure is the entertaining guide to help cinephiles of all types fall in love with horror again.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 26, 2018
25 people are currently reading
1560 people want to read
About the author
S.A. Bradley
4 books43 followers S.A. Bradley is the host of the popular podcast Hellbent For Horror, exploring all things horror across books, film, comics, and music. Bradley has loved being scared by over 1,600 horror films. He’s turned his passion into purpose, sharing his expansive knowledge on dozens of podcasts and in anthologies like Medium Chill and EvilSpeak magazine. Hellbent For Horror was a 2017 Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards nominee for Best Multi-Media Horror Site and was described by director Guillermo Del Toro as
Prior to becoming a champion of horror, Bradley served in the U.S. Air Force and was a firefighter. He now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and their dog, Fiona, where they can often be found meditating in a death metal mosh pit or dancing around a Northern Californian fire pit drum circle. Get your spook on by following Bradley on Twitter @hellbenthorror or on his website, Hellbentforhorror.com.
“Well researched, articulate and entirely absorbing.”Bradley’s first book, Screaming for Pleasure: How Horror Makes You Happy and Healthy, is a thrilling ride through the horror genre and its intense effect on every generation. He shows how you can be enriched by horror.
Prior to becoming a champion of horror, Bradley served in the U.S. Air Force and was a firefighter. He now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and their dog, Fiona, where they can often be found meditating in a death metal mosh pit or dancing around a Northern Californian fire pit drum circle. Get your spook on by following Bradley on Twitter @hellbenthorror or on his website, Hellbentforhorror.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
January 3, 2019
I knew it! Horror really does make you happy and healthy.
S.A. Bradley's book is the Danse Macabre for Generation X and later. Chapter after chapter, Bradley discusses different subgenres of horror film, how each affected him on his personal journey, as well as the general psychologies of the eras in which they were produced. Bradley is well-read, articulate, and witty as he guides the reader through horror and, in the end, explains why it is an important yet vastly underrated benefit to humanity.
I've been a listener to Bradley's Hellbent For Horror podcast for quite some time now. Much of what has been discussed throughout the run of the podcast is revisited in some form in the book. However, the book is not a replacement for the podcast, nor is it a simple rehash. They are companions.
I highly recommend this book for any fan of horror flicks, especially if you've ever felt like an outcast because of your fandoms.
S.A. Bradley's book is the Danse Macabre for Generation X and later. Chapter after chapter, Bradley discusses different subgenres of horror film, how each affected him on his personal journey, as well as the general psychologies of the eras in which they were produced. Bradley is well-read, articulate, and witty as he guides the reader through horror and, in the end, explains why it is an important yet vastly underrated benefit to humanity.
I've been a listener to Bradley's Hellbent For Horror podcast for quite some time now. Much of what has been discussed throughout the run of the podcast is revisited in some form in the book. However, the book is not a replacement for the podcast, nor is it a simple rehash. They are companions.
I highly recommend this book for any fan of horror flicks, especially if you've ever felt like an outcast because of your fandoms.
November 27, 2018
Real serial killers aren't anything like those in the movies. Ever wonder why? And did you ever think that the Addams Family was the most well adjusted group of people portrayed in popular culture? If so, this book is for you. Horror is a safe outlet for all our worst excesses and fears, allowing us to explore them without being consumed by them. This book examines horror through both an analytical and a personal lens, giving plenty of perspective while providing cool information - and tips on how to get your horror on. Excellent, breezy read.
November 30, 2018
There are few authors who are able to communicate the vitality, the essential nature of their own medium like S.A. Bradley. For him, and for fans of Horror, Horror is more than a genre, it is a mode of storytelling in and of itself. In 'Screaming for Pleasure,' Bradley gives both personal and methodological accounts of how Horror can help us through the darkest of times, and perhaps shine a light towards a "happier and healthier" future. Horror cannot make us immune to trauma (nothing can), but it can help inoculate us against it, help us prepare for the worst life as to throw at us. At the same time, Horror can give us a focal point to channel the trauma we are currently experiencing.
S.A. Bradley is able to communicate the ideas in the book (just like on his outstanding podcast 'Hellbent for Horror') in a straightforward, elegant way that makes his message easy to relate to and process. Not to mention, the book is just a great, interesting read. A must for Horror fans, film fans, and for open-minded people who may not have given Horror the shot it deserves.
S.A. Bradley is able to communicate the ideas in the book (just like on his outstanding podcast 'Hellbent for Horror') in a straightforward, elegant way that makes his message easy to relate to and process. Not to mention, the book is just a great, interesting read. A must for Horror fans, film fans, and for open-minded people who may not have given Horror the shot it deserves.
January 12, 2019
Sometimes the only thing more disdained than horror films, is horror film fans. If, like me, you have been one for life, then you know what I am talking about, the roll of the eyes, the dismissive groan, the “I hate those movies” retort when you mention that THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE and THE SHINING are among your favorite films, and God help you when you say you’ve got the DVDs and have watched them dozens of times, that automatically makes you fit company for psycho killers. But the great consolation to all that withering scorn is other horror fans, and the joy that comes from meeting someone who shares your passions, someone who has suffered the derision of those who refuse to get it, and who understands why we love to be scared in the most wonderful way possible again and again. S.A. Bradley, to paraphrase the classic film FREAKS, is “one of us,” and his book, SCREAMING FOR PLEASURE, is a love letter to the misunderstood genre we revere so much, but more than that, a full throttled defense of horror films, music and books, and the people who are drawn to these works of art.
I have been a fan of Scott Bradley’s podcast, Hellbent for Horror, for several years now, and this book is a good companion to the show, where he discusses the many aspects of the genre, and what it is about them that speaks to us so strongly. It is also a deeply personal book, as Scott details how a passion for horror films and books helped him through a less than ideal childhood, and some rough patches as an adult, and along the way gained a deep understanding of why horror connected with him, and more importantly, how it helped him cope with life. Scott also has a keen eye for why the genre has endured, how a film like THE EXORCIST spoke to the anxieties of the 1970’s, or how the 2004 remake of DAWN OF THE DEAD commented on the response to 9/11. He also does not waste time defending the un-defendable, such as the endless rip offs of HALLOWEEN and FRIDAY THE 13TH that glutted the slasher subgenre in the 80’s. He gives due deference to George Romero, Tobe Hooper, John Carpenter, and David Cronenberg, discussing their innovative works in detail, showing how they were onto something at a time when most other film makers had blinders on. There is a chapter devoted to the “Satanic Panic” of the 70’s and 80’s, when the likes of Alice Cooper, Kiss, and Black Sabbath horrified parents and teachers everywhere, and as someone who is not a fan of Metal music, I found this chapter most enlightening. Scott makes the case that horror is alive and well in the 21st Century, and shows how it has changed with the times, appealing to a new audience, now with the help of women directors who often bring a unique perspective to the horror films they make.
The book is easy to read, there is no section that is not on point, or a view not coherently explained in plain language. Though many films are discussed in detail, Scott does not give away any spoilers, even to classics that have been out for decades, he clearly wants the uninitiated to seek them out for themselves and find out what he means. Both the podcast and this book have given me more than a few titles that have prompted a Netflix search, and I am certain more than one reader of SCREAMING FOR PLEASURE will do the same. I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER and THE AUTOPSY OF JANE DOE are but two horror masterpieces I probably would never have seen if Scott Bradley had not put me on to them first. The book is also filled with more than one great anecdote, but I think my favorite is Scott’s account of being taken by his father to see Carpenter’s remake of THE THING in 1982, and why the excursion did not turn out as expected. I loved his take on Jordan Peele’s GET OUT, and why it is a much better film about race relations in America than Kathryn Bigelow’s heavy handed drama DETROIT, while making the point that it is perfectly okay to enjoy the former as a straight up horror film and forget about the social commentary. Personally, I think GET OUT was overrated as both, and that is the kind of discussion SCREAMING FOR PLEASURE is trying to provoke.
So rejoice horror fans, read SCREAMING FOR PLEASURE and go online and find Hellbent for Horror, you will be right at home.
I have been a fan of Scott Bradley’s podcast, Hellbent for Horror, for several years now, and this book is a good companion to the show, where he discusses the many aspects of the genre, and what it is about them that speaks to us so strongly. It is also a deeply personal book, as Scott details how a passion for horror films and books helped him through a less than ideal childhood, and some rough patches as an adult, and along the way gained a deep understanding of why horror connected with him, and more importantly, how it helped him cope with life. Scott also has a keen eye for why the genre has endured, how a film like THE EXORCIST spoke to the anxieties of the 1970’s, or how the 2004 remake of DAWN OF THE DEAD commented on the response to 9/11. He also does not waste time defending the un-defendable, such as the endless rip offs of HALLOWEEN and FRIDAY THE 13TH that glutted the slasher subgenre in the 80’s. He gives due deference to George Romero, Tobe Hooper, John Carpenter, and David Cronenberg, discussing their innovative works in detail, showing how they were onto something at a time when most other film makers had blinders on. There is a chapter devoted to the “Satanic Panic” of the 70’s and 80’s, when the likes of Alice Cooper, Kiss, and Black Sabbath horrified parents and teachers everywhere, and as someone who is not a fan of Metal music, I found this chapter most enlightening. Scott makes the case that horror is alive and well in the 21st Century, and shows how it has changed with the times, appealing to a new audience, now with the help of women directors who often bring a unique perspective to the horror films they make.
The book is easy to read, there is no section that is not on point, or a view not coherently explained in plain language. Though many films are discussed in detail, Scott does not give away any spoilers, even to classics that have been out for decades, he clearly wants the uninitiated to seek them out for themselves and find out what he means. Both the podcast and this book have given me more than a few titles that have prompted a Netflix search, and I am certain more than one reader of SCREAMING FOR PLEASURE will do the same. I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER and THE AUTOPSY OF JANE DOE are but two horror masterpieces I probably would never have seen if Scott Bradley had not put me on to them first. The book is also filled with more than one great anecdote, but I think my favorite is Scott’s account of being taken by his father to see Carpenter’s remake of THE THING in 1982, and why the excursion did not turn out as expected. I loved his take on Jordan Peele’s GET OUT, and why it is a much better film about race relations in America than Kathryn Bigelow’s heavy handed drama DETROIT, while making the point that it is perfectly okay to enjoy the former as a straight up horror film and forget about the social commentary. Personally, I think GET OUT was overrated as both, and that is the kind of discussion SCREAMING FOR PLEASURE is trying to provoke.
So rejoice horror fans, read SCREAMING FOR PLEASURE and go online and find Hellbent for Horror, you will be right at home.
March 13, 2019
I am the person S.A. talks about in the book. Someone whom used to love horror and then forgot it along the way. This book is a wonderful reminder of the great horror films that I used to watch, and more importantly ones I missed. The author is passionate about this art-form.. an art-form dismissed and call out when done bad, and renamed when it is done well (i.e. Get Out). You can feel the excitement the writer gets talking about why this genre matters. For horror fans new and renewed, this was a most enjoyable read.
April 24, 2021
S. A. Bradley has done a service to fans of horror by writing Screaming for Pleasure. One of a growing number of appreciations that explore the benefits of the horror genre, I found this one particularly close to home. As I point out in my blog post about it (Sects and Violence in the Ancient World), that may be because, like Bradley, I was raised in a religious, but broken, family and I used horror as a way of coping with the world in which I found myself. It’s nice to know that you’re not the only one who sees something.
Part memoir and fully an appreciation, Screaming for Pleasure examines horror from several angles. Early chapters deal with horror in movies (which is the main thrust of the book), literature, and music. Bradley also explores how horror helps with dealing with death and other psychological benefits. He does this not as a psychologist, but as a person who has found the genre personally beneficial, and accepting. Those who admit to enjoying horror are often considered outsiders and so accept others who make the same admission.
I found it particularly informative that Bradley is able to defend horror that has mainstream success against those who therefore try to relabel it, as if there is something inherently wrong with horror. Not only that, but anyone who’s a horror fan reading this book will come away with many recommendations for films they may not have been aware of. I was glad to see Bradley agreeing with what I wrote in my book Holy Horror that the genre guidelines aren’t always as clear as they might seem. Horror is a genre that is complex and that has definite benefits for those who view it.
Part memoir and fully an appreciation, Screaming for Pleasure examines horror from several angles. Early chapters deal with horror in movies (which is the main thrust of the book), literature, and music. Bradley also explores how horror helps with dealing with death and other psychological benefits. He does this not as a psychologist, but as a person who has found the genre personally beneficial, and accepting. Those who admit to enjoying horror are often considered outsiders and so accept others who make the same admission.
I found it particularly informative that Bradley is able to defend horror that has mainstream success against those who therefore try to relabel it, as if there is something inherently wrong with horror. Not only that, but anyone who’s a horror fan reading this book will come away with many recommendations for films they may not have been aware of. I was glad to see Bradley agreeing with what I wrote in my book Holy Horror that the genre guidelines aren’t always as clear as they might seem. Horror is a genre that is complex and that has definite benefits for those who view it.
November 10, 2020
This wasn't what I'd expected, but it was a good read nonetheless.
May 22, 2022
A fun read that was at times a memoir and at other times a review of classes and new horror movies and how the genre has evolved.
There were a ton of movies that I want to watch now!! I added several to my library list, but sadly, many are not available. The other ones I want to watch are Audition (1999), Wretched (2007), The Invitation (2015), Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film (2006), Proxy (2013), and I Am Not a Serial Killer (2016). The hunt is on!!
There were a ton of movies that I want to watch now!! I added several to my library list, but sadly, many are not available. The other ones I want to watch are Audition (1999), Wretched (2007), The Invitation (2015), Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film (2006), Proxy (2013), and I Am Not a Serial Killer (2016). The hunt is on!!
May 10, 2023
Fun, cathartic, and informative. I'm a firm believer in the philosophy of this book and it was really nice to see it articulated in such a great way.
September 4, 2022
Listen, I'm not sure what I can tell you other than that I think this is a book that everyone, especially horror fans (be they new or long-time,) should consider reading. There are perhaps one or two minor little points that I disagree with Bradley on, but this book is very well-researched, well-written, and insightful in a way I appreciate. Give it a shot, you might find a new movie recommendation!
June 3, 2019
A great read for horror lovers! An internal look at the genre with great detail and much love!!
January 3, 2020
This book was the perfect way to start my 'More Books in 2020' resolution.
This book sums up perfectly why the horror genre is great! It doesn't matter if you're a casual fan or a diehard like myself.
This book sums up perfectly why the horror genre is great! It doesn't matter if you're a casual fan or a diehard like myself.
April 28, 2022
If you like horror, this was a fun book that brought out some nostalgia. Some chapters I liked better than others. I enjoyed the tie in of horror movies/novels to music and other pieces of pop culture. I don't really care much about Hollywood and awards, so not as upset about the genre shift and felt too many "rants" on the subject. I grabbed some good recommendations from his lists at the end of the chapters.
May 3, 2019
Screaming for Pleasure: How Horror Makes You Happy and Healthy is a genre-bending look at horror film, criticism of it, and personal narratives about how various films interest the narrator.
This book is perfect for those either very well-versed in horror film or interested in becoming more familiar with it. He examines motifs of horror movies, their evolution and new applications, and uses his personal experiences with them to analyze them.
I loved this book because--while it is OBVIOUSLY written by a brilliant person, the complex ideas are still accessible.
This book is perfect for those either very well-versed in horror film or interested in becoming more familiar with it. He examines motifs of horror movies, their evolution and new applications, and uses his personal experiences with them to analyze them.
I loved this book because--while it is OBVIOUSLY written by a brilliant person, the complex ideas are still accessible.
June 4, 2019
This book thoughtfully articulates what's fascinating about horror.
If you love horror, you'll love this book and the way it digs into so many different sub-genres.
If you don't like horror, this book will help you GET why people are taken with it.
An excellent resource that covers a wide range of horror in the form of movies, books, music, comics, and more.
I especially liked the idea of cross-breeding horror with other genres.
The author does an amazing job of noticing what works, whether it's the performance in a scene or the way music creates tension or how the screenwriter explores themes on screen.
If you love horror, you'll love this book and the way it digs into so many different sub-genres.
If you don't like horror, this book will help you GET why people are taken with it.
An excellent resource that covers a wide range of horror in the form of movies, books, music, comics, and more.
I especially liked the idea of cross-breeding horror with other genres.
The author does an amazing job of noticing what works, whether it's the performance in a scene or the way music creates tension or how the screenwriter explores themes on screen.
March 5, 2019
Page turner of a book that has insightful and intelligent thoughts on horror but also has humor. I loved how the author brought his own personal experiences to why he loves horror and the demons he fought with giving himself permission to love it. The author is also incredibly versed in all areas of horror from books, to films to music and has unique thoughts about the topic. It's just a very smart book that is also heartfelt and fun to read. I learned a lot and was also entertained.
January 30, 2019
This was a very interesting and thought provoking book. I could never explain why I liked horror so much. S.A.Bradley showed me why. He explains the history behind horror. He mentioned so many movies I have not seen that I see myself binge watching a lot of horror movies. Good Job! I look forward to your next book!
April 19, 2023
This is another resource my daughter used for a project about Horror (literature and film) and a very enjoyable, readable book it is! Bradley has mixed elements of memoir as he tells of his 'origin story' becoming a horror fan out of the depths of family dysfunction with social commentary and film critique.
Bradley is the host of the Hellbent for Horror podcast and you just have to smile when you hear him talk about some film he's enamored of. He shows in this book that horror can indeed, as his subtitle makes clear: "make you happy and healthy." He begins by sharing what brought him to horror and shows how universal the motivation to seek out horror is. After writing about literature, he also devotes a chapter to "Devil Music" and harkens back to the Satanic Panic that overtook much of American society in the 70s/80s.
Of all genres, horror may have the largest number of subgenres and the inclusivity of horror is one of its strongest positives. His descriptions of movies I've seen as well as those I've not has whet my appetite and set me on course for a new project! I want to watch every movie he writes about! And helpfully, besides the films he spotlights, each chapter has a further list of films worthy of viewing.
Standout chapters are devoted to women in horror (during my daughter's project, it's become clear that from the first, women have indeed been some of the most creative and influential creators of horror) from the Gothic Horror novels of Anne Radcliff to Mary Shelly and later writers like Daphne du Maurier and most recently directors such as Stephanie Rothman, Kathryn Bigelow (years before her Oscar winning The Hurt Locker made her debut with Near Dark, Mary Harron and Amy Holden Jones whose feminist slasher-satire The Slumber Party Massacre is a must-see! When Bradley describes director Heidi Honeycutt's Wretched, it's clear this is a horror only a woman living in contemporary America could imagine. Who else could frame a film about toxic relationships and disordered eating as a horror film so well? As she says in an interview Bradley includes: "Some of the best horror films are some of the most thought-provoking, artistic, and intellectually challenging films ever made."
And this point is important to remember because the Horror genre is still held in disrepute by the mainstream. As Bradley shows, whenever a Horror film breaks out into the mainstream, Hollywood denies it's "horror". In 2017, two horror films, Get Out and The Shape of Water garnered 17 Oscar nominations (both for "Best Picture"). When Jordan Peele's Get Out was released, it was lauded by critics as a brilliant horror film. When it received 4 Oscar nominations and won for Best Original Screenplay, it was suddenly called a "Social Justice Thriller." And, if you can believe it, when it was up for a Golden Globe, it was slotted in the "Comedy and Musical" category (as there is no "Horror"category!
Guillermo del Toro's The Shape of Water, inspired by his love of The Creature from the Black Lagoon won BEST PICTURE but when it was initially released it had such a limited release he had to publicize it himself on TWITTER! The studio had little faith it would do well. Once it won some Oscars, the media was describing it as "Fantasy Romance that happens to have a creature in it."
But such contortions are not new: Silence of the Lambs, a film that features cannibalism, severed heads, evisceration with two serial killers became a "psychological thriller" and Jaws was called an "adventure film."
Horror is one of the most protean genres, shining a light on our fears and anxieties while providing a way to face and deal with our darkest impulses. I actually shudder imagining a culture that had no place for horror literature and film.
Bradley is the host of the Hellbent for Horror podcast and you just have to smile when you hear him talk about some film he's enamored of. He shows in this book that horror can indeed, as his subtitle makes clear: "make you happy and healthy." He begins by sharing what brought him to horror and shows how universal the motivation to seek out horror is. After writing about literature, he also devotes a chapter to "Devil Music" and harkens back to the Satanic Panic that overtook much of American society in the 70s/80s.
Of all genres, horror may have the largest number of subgenres and the inclusivity of horror is one of its strongest positives. His descriptions of movies I've seen as well as those I've not has whet my appetite and set me on course for a new project! I want to watch every movie he writes about! And helpfully, besides the films he spotlights, each chapter has a further list of films worthy of viewing.
Standout chapters are devoted to women in horror (during my daughter's project, it's become clear that from the first, women have indeed been some of the most creative and influential creators of horror) from the Gothic Horror novels of Anne Radcliff to Mary Shelly and later writers like Daphne du Maurier and most recently directors such as Stephanie Rothman, Kathryn Bigelow (years before her Oscar winning The Hurt Locker made her debut with Near Dark, Mary Harron and Amy Holden Jones whose feminist slasher-satire The Slumber Party Massacre is a must-see! When Bradley describes director Heidi Honeycutt's Wretched, it's clear this is a horror only a woman living in contemporary America could imagine. Who else could frame a film about toxic relationships and disordered eating as a horror film so well? As she says in an interview Bradley includes: "Some of the best horror films are some of the most thought-provoking, artistic, and intellectually challenging films ever made."
And this point is important to remember because the Horror genre is still held in disrepute by the mainstream. As Bradley shows, whenever a Horror film breaks out into the mainstream, Hollywood denies it's "horror". In 2017, two horror films, Get Out and The Shape of Water garnered 17 Oscar nominations (both for "Best Picture"). When Jordan Peele's Get Out was released, it was lauded by critics as a brilliant horror film. When it received 4 Oscar nominations and won for Best Original Screenplay, it was suddenly called a "Social Justice Thriller." And, if you can believe it, when it was up for a Golden Globe, it was slotted in the "Comedy and Musical" category (as there is no "Horror"category!
Guillermo del Toro's The Shape of Water, inspired by his love of The Creature from the Black Lagoon won BEST PICTURE but when it was initially released it had such a limited release he had to publicize it himself on TWITTER! The studio had little faith it would do well. Once it won some Oscars, the media was describing it as "Fantasy Romance that happens to have a creature in it."
But such contortions are not new: Silence of the Lambs, a film that features cannibalism, severed heads, evisceration with two serial killers became a "psychological thriller" and Jaws was called an "adventure film."
Horror is one of the most protean genres, shining a light on our fears and anxieties while providing a way to face and deal with our darkest impulses. I actually shudder imagining a culture that had no place for horror literature and film.
September 2, 2025
Why do we love horror? Why, when I was so terrified by Poltergeist when I first saw it at a friend's house as a six-year-old, did I seek it out as an adult (it’s now one of my favorite films and definite rewatch every Spooky Season)? Why do I own and frequently revisit the miniseries of Stephen King's IT (the one with inimitable Tim Curry) when my first viewing gave me phobias of clowns and high school locker rooms? Why did I write and publish my own horror novel, often terrifying myself with shadows after a late-night, intense writing session? Why do I return to horror again-and-again, even those parts of the genre that make me the most uncomfortable when it scares and sometimes scars me? Might as well ask me why I breathe.
In Screaming for Pleasure, S.A. Bradley, explores big questions about why we love horror, how horror sculpts and molds us, and why horror is important, not just to individuals but to society as a whole. The result is a fascinating read and a fun stroll through some of the best, the worst, and the devilish parts of what must be one of the most divisive genres.
My daughter met Bradley at a fan convention. Knowing I love both story analysis and horror, she got me a signed copy of Screaming for Pleasure. She knows me well! Reading this book was a pleasure. I enjoyed the personal stories, the discussions of various aspects of horror, and the analysis of why this genre affects us so much.
One of my particularly favorite parts of the book was the discussion of heavy metal. Growing up in a very conservative small town midway to nowhere during the 80s, heavy metal was extremely taboo. My first brush with it (Bradly would say "my first kiss") was the scandalous day my older brother snuck home a cassette—a single—of Metallica's "Enter Sandman" ("Nothing Else Matters" was on the reverse side). I was shocked and dismayed that this person I looked up to could be so rebellious. But the thing that scandalized me most was when, upon listening to the cassette (in secret, of course), I found that I enjoyed it. GASP! It took years and many clandestine encounters before I was able to finally admit that I don’t just enjoy Metallica, I love heavy metal. Admitting it to my wife and family was such a big deal, it felt like a shadow of what it must feel like to come out to your loved ones as homosexual, trans, etc. (NOTE! I am NOT saying my admission of loving taboo music was anywhere near the level of coming out about gender identification or sexuality. I have great respect for anyone who goes through that, and do not wish to diminish their experience in the slightest). Even after admitting it, the vestiges of old guilt remained whenever I turned on a metal album or playlist. It invoked internal debate about what it was that I loved so much about the music that was so reviled by people I love and respect. Bradley did a masterful job explaining the origins of heavy metal in a way I could understand and relate to, and then detailing some of the reasons this dark, and sometimes lyrically and performatively violent musical genre resonates with so many, including myself. It would probably be too far to say the discussion was a balm to my soul, but it was very comforting.
The rest of the book was just as good. The discussions of violent sex and gore, in particular, intrigued me, as those are parts of horror that put me off the most, and understanding why they are there was useful to my own understanding of the genre.
In fact, I thought the whole book was great. Bradley’s conversational—and sometimes confessional—tone was pitch perfect. His own admissions and personal stories augmented the analysis, and the whole thing was just exceptionally well done.
Horror isn’t for everyone, and that’s OK. My wife is not a fan (then again, I’m not a fan of the syrupy sweet Hallmark romances or silly Disney channel films she prefers—horror is different for everyone). There have been times in my life when others have judged me for my love of horror. At a writing conference, a discussion with another writer about what we were working on led to the outraged, and a tiny bit offensive, exclamation: “Why would ANYONE write horror?” To each his own. One thing Bradley does well is defend the genre as a legitimate source of entertainment and even introspection. Like it or hate it, horror has been with humankind forever and will continue to offend, gross out, and entertain for forever more.
If you are interested in what makes horror great—or if you are baffled why anyone would enjoy such a culturally taboo genre, check out Bradley’s book. His analysis is spot on, and he gives great suggestions for movies, music, and books that will spike your heart rate and keep you up at night. What a great time!
In Screaming for Pleasure, S.A. Bradley, explores big questions about why we love horror, how horror sculpts and molds us, and why horror is important, not just to individuals but to society as a whole. The result is a fascinating read and a fun stroll through some of the best, the worst, and the devilish parts of what must be one of the most divisive genres.
My daughter met Bradley at a fan convention. Knowing I love both story analysis and horror, she got me a signed copy of Screaming for Pleasure. She knows me well! Reading this book was a pleasure. I enjoyed the personal stories, the discussions of various aspects of horror, and the analysis of why this genre affects us so much.
One of my particularly favorite parts of the book was the discussion of heavy metal. Growing up in a very conservative small town midway to nowhere during the 80s, heavy metal was extremely taboo. My first brush with it (Bradly would say "my first kiss") was the scandalous day my older brother snuck home a cassette—a single—of Metallica's "Enter Sandman" ("Nothing Else Matters" was on the reverse side). I was shocked and dismayed that this person I looked up to could be so rebellious. But the thing that scandalized me most was when, upon listening to the cassette (in secret, of course), I found that I enjoyed it. GASP! It took years and many clandestine encounters before I was able to finally admit that I don’t just enjoy Metallica, I love heavy metal. Admitting it to my wife and family was such a big deal, it felt like a shadow of what it must feel like to come out to your loved ones as homosexual, trans, etc. (NOTE! I am NOT saying my admission of loving taboo music was anywhere near the level of coming out about gender identification or sexuality. I have great respect for anyone who goes through that, and do not wish to diminish their experience in the slightest). Even after admitting it, the vestiges of old guilt remained whenever I turned on a metal album or playlist. It invoked internal debate about what it was that I loved so much about the music that was so reviled by people I love and respect. Bradley did a masterful job explaining the origins of heavy metal in a way I could understand and relate to, and then detailing some of the reasons this dark, and sometimes lyrically and performatively violent musical genre resonates with so many, including myself. It would probably be too far to say the discussion was a balm to my soul, but it was very comforting.
The rest of the book was just as good. The discussions of violent sex and gore, in particular, intrigued me, as those are parts of horror that put me off the most, and understanding why they are there was useful to my own understanding of the genre.
In fact, I thought the whole book was great. Bradley’s conversational—and sometimes confessional—tone was pitch perfect. His own admissions and personal stories augmented the analysis, and the whole thing was just exceptionally well done.
Horror isn’t for everyone, and that’s OK. My wife is not a fan (then again, I’m not a fan of the syrupy sweet Hallmark romances or silly Disney channel films she prefers—horror is different for everyone). There have been times in my life when others have judged me for my love of horror. At a writing conference, a discussion with another writer about what we were working on led to the outraged, and a tiny bit offensive, exclamation: “Why would ANYONE write horror?” To each his own. One thing Bradley does well is defend the genre as a legitimate source of entertainment and even introspection. Like it or hate it, horror has been with humankind forever and will continue to offend, gross out, and entertain for forever more.
If you are interested in what makes horror great—or if you are baffled why anyone would enjoy such a culturally taboo genre, check out Bradley’s book. His analysis is spot on, and he gives great suggestions for movies, music, and books that will spike your heart rate and keep you up at night. What a great time!
September 21, 2022
“Horror is about emotion first” (p. 2). Horror movies tell a story while eliciting intense emotions such as shock, terror, fear, repulsion, and dread. Something about horror films and that “first kiss” with the emotions they elicit causes viewers to form lifelong opinions of the genre, either in favor of horror or in avoidance of it. With author S.A. Bradley, the movie Don’t Look Now (1973) sealed his fate of forever loving the horror genre.
Unlike Bradley, my “first kiss” with horror had the opposite effect. I have successfully navigated my movie obsessions away from this genre in favor of restful nights of sleep and maintaining my ability to keep all the lights effectively off when the sun goes down. However, that doesn’t prohibit me from recognizing the unique history and cinematic architecture that horror films have provided in the movie industry, both at large movie studios and in the independent film space. In fact, my respect for the genre I so fear started long before cracking open this book. During my undergrad I completed a course solely dedicated to monsters in film, which ironically ended up being one of my favorite general education courses offered over the course of my studies. A college course Bradley himself could have written and taught with his eyes closed!
“Screaming for Pleasure” is an enjoyable read, despite the scary nature of the films discussed within. Each chapter is well thought out and executed, ranging from how horror does or doesn’t hook you, to the music and the phobias within. Furthermore, women in horror and sex in horror have chapters dedicated to them as well, showcasing Bradley’s in-depth knowledge and passion for the topic. Self-described as having watched more than one thousand horror movies and attending horror conventions, there may be few as qualified as Bradley to craft such a well-rounded manifesto of horror.
Included within “Screaming for Pleasure” is a plethora of references to various horror movies, from the good, the bad, and the utterly terrifying. Bradley holds nothing back as he traverses many decades of cinematic horrors. Listing movies by phobia, award wins, director, or decade, his encyclopedic knowledge is extremely impressive and on full display throughout the read. Whether you enjoy the horror genre or not, “Screaming for Pleasure” is a wholly enjoyable read, garnering one’s complete respect for the love it or hate it genre that is horror.
Unlike Bradley, my “first kiss” with horror had the opposite effect. I have successfully navigated my movie obsessions away from this genre in favor of restful nights of sleep and maintaining my ability to keep all the lights effectively off when the sun goes down. However, that doesn’t prohibit me from recognizing the unique history and cinematic architecture that horror films have provided in the movie industry, both at large movie studios and in the independent film space. In fact, my respect for the genre I so fear started long before cracking open this book. During my undergrad I completed a course solely dedicated to monsters in film, which ironically ended up being one of my favorite general education courses offered over the course of my studies. A college course Bradley himself could have written and taught with his eyes closed!
“Screaming for Pleasure” is an enjoyable read, despite the scary nature of the films discussed within. Each chapter is well thought out and executed, ranging from how horror does or doesn’t hook you, to the music and the phobias within. Furthermore, women in horror and sex in horror have chapters dedicated to them as well, showcasing Bradley’s in-depth knowledge and passion for the topic. Self-described as having watched more than one thousand horror movies and attending horror conventions, there may be few as qualified as Bradley to craft such a well-rounded manifesto of horror.
Included within “Screaming for Pleasure” is a plethora of references to various horror movies, from the good, the bad, and the utterly terrifying. Bradley holds nothing back as he traverses many decades of cinematic horrors. Listing movies by phobia, award wins, director, or decade, his encyclopedic knowledge is extremely impressive and on full display throughout the read. Whether you enjoy the horror genre or not, “Screaming for Pleasure” is a wholly enjoyable read, garnering one’s complete respect for the love it or hate it genre that is horror.
September 23, 2022
“Horror is about emotion first” (p. 2). Horror movies tell a story while eliciting intense emotions such as shock, terror, fear, repulsion, and dread. Something about horror films and that “first kiss” with the emotions they elicit causes viewers to form lifelong opinions of the genre, either in favor of horror or in avoidance of it. With author S.A. Bradley, the movie Don’t Look Now (1973) sealed his fate of forever loving the horror genre.
Unlike Bradley, my “first kiss” with horror had the opposite effect. I have successfully navigated my movie obsessions away from this genre in favor of restful nights of sleep and maintaining my ability to keep all the lights effectively off when the sun goes down. However, that doesn’t prohibit me from recognizing the unique history and cinematic architecture that horror films have provided in the movie industry, both at large movie studios and in the independent film space. In fact, my respect for the genre I so fear started long before cracking open this book. During my undergrad I completed a course solely dedicated to monsters in film, which ironically ended up being one of my favorite general education courses offered over the course of my studies. A college course Bradley himself could have written and taught with his eyes closed!
“Screaming for Pleasure” is an enjoyable read, despite the scary nature of the films discussed within. Each chapter is well thought out and executed, ranging from how horror does or doesn’t hook you, to the music and the phobias within. Furthermore, women in horror and sex in horror have chapters dedicated to them as well, showcasing Bradley’s in-depth knowledge and passion for the topic. Self-described as having watched more than one thousand horror movies and attending horror conventions, there may be few as qualified as Bradley to craft such a well-rounded manifesto of horror.
Included within “Screaming for Pleasure” is a plethora of references to various horror movies, from the good, the bad, and the utterly terrifying. Bradley holds nothing back as he traverses many decades of cinematic horrors. Listing movies by phobia, award wins, director, or decade, his encyclopedic knowledge is extremely impressive and on full display throughout the read. Whether you enjoy the horror genre or not, “Screaming for Pleasure” is a wholly enjoyable read, garnering one’s complete respect for the love it or hate it genre that is horror.
Unlike Bradley, my “first kiss” with horror had the opposite effect. I have successfully navigated my movie obsessions away from this genre in favor of restful nights of sleep and maintaining my ability to keep all the lights effectively off when the sun goes down. However, that doesn’t prohibit me from recognizing the unique history and cinematic architecture that horror films have provided in the movie industry, both at large movie studios and in the independent film space. In fact, my respect for the genre I so fear started long before cracking open this book. During my undergrad I completed a course solely dedicated to monsters in film, which ironically ended up being one of my favorite general education courses offered over the course of my studies. A college course Bradley himself could have written and taught with his eyes closed!
“Screaming for Pleasure” is an enjoyable read, despite the scary nature of the films discussed within. Each chapter is well thought out and executed, ranging from how horror does or doesn’t hook you, to the music and the phobias within. Furthermore, women in horror and sex in horror have chapters dedicated to them as well, showcasing Bradley’s in-depth knowledge and passion for the topic. Self-described as having watched more than one thousand horror movies and attending horror conventions, there may be few as qualified as Bradley to craft such a well-rounded manifesto of horror.
Included within “Screaming for Pleasure” is a plethora of references to various horror movies, from the good, the bad, and the utterly terrifying. Bradley holds nothing back as he traverses many decades of cinematic horrors. Listing movies by phobia, award wins, director, or decade, his encyclopedic knowledge is extremely impressive and on full display throughout the read. Whether you enjoy the horror genre or not, “Screaming for Pleasure” is a wholly enjoyable read, garnering one’s complete respect for the love it or hate it genre that is horror.
April 8, 2022
Screaming for Pleasure by S.A. Bradley is a chilling book about the genre of horror. Bradley talks about all the physical and psychological benefits of experiencing horror for entertainment purposes. The author writes in a conversational tone and recollects events from his life that made him fall in love with horror. From his “First Kiss” with horror to dealing with the trauma of death, this book covers a lot of diverse themes about horror while including various anecdotes from the author’s life.
Children are fascinated with the forbidden; the thrill of seeing their first actual horror movie gets them hooked. From there, they seak out more thrills and scares. The societal conditions changing what we view as taboo or scary, advancements in technology, and special effects, have shaped how the author consumed horror movies. This personal and anecdotal nature of the writing gives readers an engaging and intimate experience as if they were sitting down with Bradley having a discussion.
One feature of this intriguing book is that the author talks about several movies that have come to define the genre, which serves as a great list of recommendations for anyone who wants to dive into the horror genre after reading this book. The author does a great job at striking the perfect balance between describing these classics enough to be able to talk about them but not so much as to give out any spoilers.
This thought-provoking book is not an academic analysis of the topic; instead, it is meant to spark an educated debate. It also serves as an introduction to those that may have shied away from horror in the past and gets them to look more deeply into horror as an art form, not just screams and scary monsters.
Screaming for Pleasure: How Horror Makes You Happy and Healthy is a psychological look into the genre from the perspective of societal norms and expectations to personal encounters and analysis. Readers that are interested in the history of horror and the role it has played in the entertainment industry will find this a fascinating book.
Children are fascinated with the forbidden; the thrill of seeing their first actual horror movie gets them hooked. From there, they seak out more thrills and scares. The societal conditions changing what we view as taboo or scary, advancements in technology, and special effects, have shaped how the author consumed horror movies. This personal and anecdotal nature of the writing gives readers an engaging and intimate experience as if they were sitting down with Bradley having a discussion.
One feature of this intriguing book is that the author talks about several movies that have come to define the genre, which serves as a great list of recommendations for anyone who wants to dive into the horror genre after reading this book. The author does a great job at striking the perfect balance between describing these classics enough to be able to talk about them but not so much as to give out any spoilers.
This thought-provoking book is not an academic analysis of the topic; instead, it is meant to spark an educated debate. It also serves as an introduction to those that may have shied away from horror in the past and gets them to look more deeply into horror as an art form, not just screams and scary monsters.
Screaming for Pleasure: How Horror Makes You Happy and Healthy is a psychological look into the genre from the perspective of societal norms and expectations to personal encounters and analysis. Readers that are interested in the history of horror and the role it has played in the entertainment industry will find this a fascinating book.
February 6, 2023
I'm a big fan of horror films, and even though I watch them often through my hands/fingers as they are covering my eyes in dread, I return to the genre over and over. I love the adrenaline and anxiety they fill me with. It's just so much fun to be scared out of my mind. I heard about this book as I was perusing the website for a Fan Expo Convention in San Francisco last Thanksgiving 2022. I thought the book sounded interesting, so I made sure to swing by the author's booth to pick up a copy. It was a lot of fun talking with the author about horror films and my first horror film that affected me. It's the "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" by the way.
The best thing I got out of this book was a list of horror films I want to check out. Many of them I've heard of, but others were knew to me and many of them sound amazing. And terrifying! I can't wait to track them down and/or add them to my home movie collection.
In many ways, I felt this book was just a primer to do more research on the subject of why horror is so popular a genre with many people. Some chapters such as the one on music weren't of much interest to me. I did like the chapter, though, on women directors and creators of horror films. That was an interesting chapter. I would have liked to have seen a chapter on the history of how LGBTQ+ and People of Color have been portrayed in horror and television shows, but unfortunately, that topic is never even broached in the book. That feels like a lost opportunity.
In any case, I enjoyed this book. I truly feel watching horror films can be really cathartic and cleansing, and a whole of fun.
The best thing I got out of this book was a list of horror films I want to check out. Many of them I've heard of, but others were knew to me and many of them sound amazing. And terrifying! I can't wait to track them down and/or add them to my home movie collection.
In many ways, I felt this book was just a primer to do more research on the subject of why horror is so popular a genre with many people. Some chapters such as the one on music weren't of much interest to me. I did like the chapter, though, on women directors and creators of horror films. That was an interesting chapter. I would have liked to have seen a chapter on the history of how LGBTQ+ and People of Color have been portrayed in horror and television shows, but unfortunately, that topic is never even broached in the book. That feels like a lost opportunity.
In any case, I enjoyed this book. I truly feel watching horror films can be really cathartic and cleansing, and a whole of fun.
May 30, 2022
My thanks to Goodreads for an advanced copy of this tome on horror, its history and influences.
Screaming for Pleasure: How Horror Makes You Happy and Healthy by writer and podcaster S.A. Bradley is a collection of essays both on the the genre of horror and how his love of horror of all types helped him become the person he is today. The essays are interesting with plenty of suggestions for books, movies and even music, with lots of interviews and many personal asides, which add a nice touch. Bradley goes into depth about horror, its history and how it has been viewed by outsiders, especially in the movie industry.
The personal touches are what make the book. Bradley discusses his upbringing, the religion he was raised in, difficulties with his parents and church, and how spooky tales and heavy metal helped him. I understood that. I also enjoyed that he wasn't shy in calling out laziness and bad story telling where he saw it, and what forms of horror films he liked and didn't like. Not many people like to get personal on their own feelings in books like these, in fear of alienating readers. I respected his honesty, even on I think a few things we might disagree on. Which is great because a genre should not be all things to all people. I'm looking forward to listening to his podcast Hellbent for Horror now also. A very good read and a nice study for new, old or wanting to get back into scary things.
Screaming for Pleasure: How Horror Makes You Happy and Healthy by writer and podcaster S.A. Bradley is a collection of essays both on the the genre of horror and how his love of horror of all types helped him become the person he is today. The essays are interesting with plenty of suggestions for books, movies and even music, with lots of interviews and many personal asides, which add a nice touch. Bradley goes into depth about horror, its history and how it has been viewed by outsiders, especially in the movie industry.
The personal touches are what make the book. Bradley discusses his upbringing, the religion he was raised in, difficulties with his parents and church, and how spooky tales and heavy metal helped him. I understood that. I also enjoyed that he wasn't shy in calling out laziness and bad story telling where he saw it, and what forms of horror films he liked and didn't like. Not many people like to get personal on their own feelings in books like these, in fear of alienating readers. I respected his honesty, even on I think a few things we might disagree on. Which is great because a genre should not be all things to all people. I'm looking forward to listening to his podcast Hellbent for Horror now also. A very good read and a nice study for new, old or wanting to get back into scary things.
August 6, 2024
The author's first two initials are appropriate, as his writing generally seems to be in essay format. The book covers a lot of the same material as the podcast, in that it defends horror as a genre, and discusses what movies do certain things particularly well. There are autobiographical elements, like how Bradley first fell in love with horror (what he calls a "first kiss"), and how his family's extreme religious belief in the coming apocalypse affected his views. He had to read in a book that their denomination was considered a cult. While movies are the main focus, he also discusses his love of horror books and heavy metal music. He touches on how horror can be used as a way to deal with various fears, including that of death itself. One chapter that got to me was about how the general public often tends to be dismissive of horror as a genre, and how when horror movies receive acclaim, people try to define them as something else, particularly when they're nominated for Academy Awards. But he also criticizes people who don't want horror to evolve at all, which he says just fuels the haters. It's a quick read, but there's a lot here.
May 16, 2020
During the first half of the book, Bradley focuses on the fact that the horror genre is disrespected, insulted and ignored by most film critics and fans to the point that successful horror movies such as “Get Out” and “The Shape of Water” had to be rebranded by their creators in order to achieve proper recognition. This is a compelling argument for Bradley to make until he hypocritically decides to devote a large portion of one of his book’s chapters to disrespecting, insulting and writing off the entire horror sub-genre of slasher films simply because he doesn’t feel intellectually challenged by them. In running-down slasher films, Bradley becomes the embodiment of the critics and fans he proclaimed to hate just two chapters earlier. While the book on-the-whole was enjoyable and insightful, Bradley’s own biases and hypocrisies hampered what could have been a beacon of hope for horror fans that feel the need to apologize for their love of the genre.
November 4, 2021
Horror Fans Rejoice!
I entered this Goodreads giveaway because I truly am a fan of the horror genre. I have loved horror books and movies since I was a kid. I remember asking my dad if we could see "The Shining" and when we were going to see it, I was too scared to see it based on the reviews I had heard. I still haven't seen it. The author of this book has a non-traditional view of the movie. I found this book to be well-written, although it did have some formatting issues and a few other issues. The author tells us his favorite books and movies, writing good synopses which manage to detail the plots without revealing any spoilers. I definitely am going to check some of the books and movies out. I rarely rate a book five stars, but this book warrants this rating. If you are a horror aficionado, this is a can't miss. Highly recommended!
I entered this Goodreads giveaway because I truly am a fan of the horror genre. I have loved horror books and movies since I was a kid. I remember asking my dad if we could see "The Shining" and when we were going to see it, I was too scared to see it based on the reviews I had heard. I still haven't seen it. The author of this book has a non-traditional view of the movie. I found this book to be well-written, although it did have some formatting issues and a few other issues. The author tells us his favorite books and movies, writing good synopses which manage to detail the plots without revealing any spoilers. I definitely am going to check some of the books and movies out. I rarely rate a book five stars, but this book warrants this rating. If you are a horror aficionado, this is a can't miss. Highly recommended!
November 1, 2020
I didn’t love the writing in this, so whenever it drifted into any kind of academic or research-based writing I kind of tuned out. The best parts were when the author told stories about his own experiences with horror: seeing The Thing with his father as a child, having his “First Kiss” horror film, finding a group at horror conventions he connected with. Along with his more personal numbered lists at the end of most chapters, these made me feel connected to the person behind the book, which is where the strength of this book lies. I wouldn’t call it essential reading for horror lovers, but it is certainly fun and sweet.
February 10, 2021
(Won this book on Goodreads). I really enjoyed this book. It was great to hear about someone else who loved Horror Movies. It read like a conversation and not boring at all. I enjoyed the tidbits of history and sidelines of the evolution of horror movies to include how they are made into other categories since the term horror has a cheesy connotation to Hollywood. I had to read this book with my Netflix account open to make sure movies I forgot about or didn't know about, in a horror genre, were available and saved on my queue.
June 20, 2022
encyclopedia of horror films…lots of facts about the movies
Several repeats that would have been caught by more experienced writer,in my opinion.
Summarizing horror movie/book plots was done very well and took me back to my experience when I watched/read the horror story.
The chapter about music, oh,man…I remember the talk about subliminal messages in Stairway to Heaven
Kind of like an encyclopedia of the different horror films, each with a synopsis. The horror films are categorized effectively, but reading them was a bit boring.
Very long book. Laborious read.
Several repeats that would have been caught by more experienced writer,in my opinion.
Summarizing horror movie/book plots was done very well and took me back to my experience when I watched/read the horror story.
The chapter about music, oh,man…I remember the talk about subliminal messages in Stairway to Heaven
Kind of like an encyclopedia of the different horror films, each with a synopsis. The horror films are categorized effectively, but reading them was a bit boring.
Very long book. Laborious read.
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