Horror Aficionados discussion

Ok, so maybe I'm crazy, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who has had this happen. Sometime in November a friend recommended that I read an online story called 'The Dionnaea House'. I read it and thought it was amazing. Somehow, I think through comments on or about the story, I saw people mentioning House Of Leaves by Mark Z.Danielewski. I went out a few days later and bought the book. From the moment I started reading it, I was completely engrossed by the novel. It was a combination of how uniquely written it was and the subject matter. I love found footage style movies, so the fact that it was based on a ff documentary also kept my interest. I barely put the book down once I started, only stopped to eat and sleep. I completed it in 3 days. This was in the beginning of December. This book really creeped me out and got under my skin, and I still process the story in my head pretty often. I still find myself picking up the book at times to read passages. Granted, I have read some other amazing novels since reading HOL, but my mind still keeps going back to it. Have any of you had this? Either with this novel or any others?

I also thought House Of Leaves was a good book but I didn't get any lingering feels about it after I finished it but I have felt that way with other books like It by Stephen King and his short story Survivor Type, I still think of that story often and I read it a long time ago.

Many of the Stephen King books that I have read leave me with something to think about, even if I don't think it will when I'm finished. One example is 11/22/63. I can't see or hear anything about JFK without thinking of that book.

Looking back through my favorites list, I don't think anything in the horror genre has ever affected me like that.

Outside of the genre, I would say that The Proud Highway: Saga of a Desperate Southern Gentleman, 1955-1967 by Hunter S. Thompson and Children of the Arbat by Anatoly Rybakov both struck me enough to make some lasting impression.

Yes a few books have let me feeling for want of a better word "odd", the stand, Duma key and lisey's story from Mr King, swan song, Rosemary's baby, Floating dragon, carrion comfort. Outside of horror a book called Lanark: a life in 4 books, one hundred years of solitude, a prayer for Owen meany, the list goes on! Maybe I'm just susceptible to books affecting me!

Yes a few books have let me feeling for want of a better word "odd", the stand, Duma key and lisey's story from Mr King, swan song, Rosemary's baby, Outside of horror a book called Lanark: a life in 4 books, one hundred years of solitude, a prayer for Owen meany, the list goes on! Maybe I'm just susceptible to books affecting me!

The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum. That one really sticks with me.

The first Graham Masterton book I ever read was "Devils of D Day" and I realised that it was different from anything I had read before such as The Exorcist, Rosemary's Baby, and so on. I went on to consume all the rest of his books and I still prefer his work over any other horror writer.

Red Dragon really got into my head. I had a few nights of poor sleep when reading that before bed.

Let's Go Play At The Adams'
The Cannibal Within
We Have Always Lived in the Castle
Survivor
Come Closer
When Darkness Loves Us
The Ruins
The Beach
Prey
The Summer I Died
Abandon
Under the Skin
Dead Sea

We Need to Talk About Kevin This book broaches the subject, is evil born or made?

The Girl Next Door (because it's based on a true story.)

Ghost Story by Peter Straub. This one stuck with me due to the intricacy of the story (a story within a story, within a story, etc..)There were a couple of scenes that I found to be terrifying and I still think of them a lot.

Ah, yes. We Need to Talk About Kevin. Excellent book and so fun to discuss.

Summer of Night
The Stand and It
Let's Go Play At The Adams'
Audrey's Door
The AmuletSome of it's just finishing it but it's also full of some dark and horrible death scenes.
The Dead-Tossed Waves
The Conqueror Worms and Ghoul
Walk Into The Night
Darkness, Tell Us

sent me into a psychedelic, philosophical phase that lasted through my college years.

Audrey's Door is disturbing, and along the same lines so is Naomi's Room.

This book inspired me to become a pagan: The Mists of Avalon

This book turned me into an apolitical social pessimist: The Prince.

I can't say that any horror genre novel has ever had any effect on my life.

Holly wrote: "This book inspired me to become a pagan:The Mists of Avalon

This book turned me into an apolitical social pessimist:[bookcover:The Prince|393134..."

Wow, is it wrong for me to think that that is sad?

In horror, The Stand always sticks with me for days after I read it, which I've done several times.
American Psycho was hard to get out of my system. There's probably a part for everyone where they say 'oh my god that's exactly how I feel all the time' and that creeps you the hell out. It just got too far under my skin. Great book.

And outside of horror, I just love the Count of Monte Cristo, it's another I keep going back to time and again.

The Magic cottage, Because it was the first adult horror novel i read and Others, because this book really freaked me out. Both novels are by James Herbert.
The first Dune novel by James Herbert, because it introduced me to classic sci fi.
Stranger in a strange land by Robert Heinlein because it showed much like Dune, how clever a novel can be.

Charlene wrote: "Holly wrote: "This book inspired me to become a pagan:The Mists of Avalon

This book turned me into an apolitical social pessimist:[bookcover:The..."

What part makes you sad.....the religion or the politics?

Holly wrote: "Charlene wrote: "Holly wrote: "This book inspired me to become a pagan:The Mists of Avalon

This book turned me into an apolitical social pessimi..."

I think Charlene meant the horror part.

The Genocides - This had the same impact on my brain as sitting through Das Boot (with no English subtitles) in a dark theater for three hours, like PTSD brought on by claustrophobia and overwhelming darkness and dampness.
Books of Blood, Vols. 1-3 - Opened my eyes to the possibilities of horror beyond werewolves chomping on European villagers
The Illuminatus! Trilogy: The Eye in the Pyramid/The Golden Apple/Leviathan - This had me looking for/finding evidence of synchronicity for year afterward.
We Can Build You - This book somehow induces mild depression in the reader, and there is little in the content that would be a likely suspect for this effect.
The Ecstatic - This book creeps up on you after you've read it. The impact isn't felt for a day or two. Then it gets more and more intriguing as the days pass.
Physiognomy - This book has a scene that uses dramatic irony in such a wickedly funny, nauseating, and nerve-wracking way.

Sorry about that. Jon is right, I was trying to say that I think it's sad that no horror novel has had an affect on you or your life.

I'm not saying horror books can change your life, I'm talking about the effects they can have on you. I've learned a lot about human nature from them, while others have opened my eyes to various historical world events and legends.
Horror has value and merit in my life and that makes me happy. I guess I find it sad that nothing in the genre has affected you the way it has affected me.

Well said, Charlene.

Thanks, Jon. :)

The one that first comes to mind is more of a short story/novella: THE WILLOWS, by Algernon Blackwood. This one has the power to affect me each and every time I read it. The very first time (no ages, here!) that I sat spellbound with this incredible work, I found myself contemplating the mysteries of just what other things "could" be out there. This story is definitely more "tame" than many of the others being listed, but emotionally, its effect on me was more powerful than so many others.

As for a recent book, James Newman's UGLY AS SIN is one that I can't get out of my mind. This one showcased more of what PEOPLE are capable of, and also affected me greatly.

The Endlands by Vincent Hobbes
Vlad: The Last Confession by C.C Humphreys
Both two of my favorite books and both excited me as I read more and more. When I was anticipating chapter after chapter I knew I was excited.

Charlene wrote: "Sorry about that. Jon is right, I was trying to say that I think it's sad that no horror novel has had an affect on you or your life.

I'm not saying horror books can change your life, I'm talking ..."

I just see them as entertainment and escapism. I read them, I enjoy them, but they are only a small percentage of what I read.

I agree with holly. horror is a break away from important literature, it's like going to sleep. horror doesn't stick with me unless it's used as a contribution towards or explains a philosophical idea, usually morals. but that's a very small percentage of authors in the horror spectrum aka cows or anything by de sade. I don't think Stephen king is a author that invokes strong emotions, he is just your run of the mill best sellers. I am not saying that's a bad thing but it's not exactly intellectually stimulating to read if you catch my drift.

Holly wrote: "I just see them as entertainment and escapism. I read them, I enjoy them, but they are only a small percentage of what I read. "

And that's fine and it's your right. I respect your views as I would hope you respect mine. :)

Andy wrote: " sent me into a psychedelic, philosophical phase that lasted through my college years."

How did you react when you found out Castanenda was a fraud? I was kind of upset, personally. Felt like I'd been sold a bill of goods.

I read some of Thomas Ligotti's stories (The Frolic, The Last Feast of Harlequin, My work is not yet done) and was made me feel anxious and paranoid for days after I finished the stories. He's definitely not for the faint of heart.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

It's cliche to say it but Lovecraft, who I only started reading a few years ago, resonates with me long after I read his stories.

Charlene wrote: "Holly wrote: "I just see them as entertainment and escapism. I read them, I enjoy them, but they are only a small percentage of what I read. "

And that's fine and it's your right. I respect your ..."


We're cool! :)

I would agree with Charlene, and for me something doesn't necessarily have to be of the highest echelon of human intelligence to affect me in some way emotionally. I thing it's more a visceral thing. But the wonder and beauty of books are different for each individual, which only makes me love them more.

Charlene wrote: "We Need to Talk About Kevin This book broaches the subject, is evil born or made?

The Girl Next Door (because it's based on a true story.)

Ghost Story by P..."

I so need to read Ghost Story. I was turned off by Koko when I read as a teen but maybe I should give Straub another chance.

Frank wrote: "Charlene wrote: "We Need to Talk About Kevin This book broaches the subject, is evil born or made?

The Girl Next Door (because it's based on a true story.)

[book:Ghost ..."

Good idea. I didn't care for Koko, but Ghost Story is in my all time top 5 for this genre.

Charlene wrote: "Holly wrote: "I just see them as entertainment and escapism. I read them, I enjoy them, but they are only a small percentage of what I read. "

And that's fine and it's your right. I respect your ..."

Very well put--we all have a right to our opinions, and should respect others'.

I just saw the post above about James Herbert's THE MAGIC COTTAGE--that was one of my first Herbert reads. (Time for a re-read, perhaps?) THE OTHERS was also a very poignant one!

sonny wrote: "I agree with holly. horror is a break away from important literature, it's like going to sleep. horror doesn't stick with me unless it's used as a contribution towards or explains a philosophical i..."

Important literature?

Literature is important if it means something to the reader.
And the ability to reach out and touch something as visceral and personal as a person's fear is something that few "serious" authors could accomplish.

Not really horror, but 2 books that really got into my head and wouldn't let me sleep well for weeks on end were and

Jon, you did a great job of putting into words how I feel about horror!

Kimberly i feel the same, want to reread Magic cottage.

The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty. I read that at a really young age and it changed the way I saw things for a long time.

The Painted Bird disturbed me on a few levels, also I found Mr. Shivers absolutely amazing

Frank wrote: "Charlene wrote: "We Need to Talk About Kevin This book broaches the subject, is evil born or made?

The Girl Next Door (because it's based on a true story.)

[book:Ghost ..."

Frank! You do need to read Ghost Story. You DO! :)

Jon Recluse wrote: "Literature is important if it means something to the reader.
And the ability to reach out and touch something as visceral and personal as a person's fear is something that few "serious" authors could accomplish.
"

Well said, Jon.

Holly wrote: "We're cool"

Yes, yes we are. :)

Charlene wrote: "Jon Recluse wrote: "Literature is important if it means something to the reader.
And the ability to reach out and touch something as visceral and personal as a person's fear is something that few "..."

Thanks, Charlene.

Jon Recluse wrote: "Charlene wrote: "Jon Recluse wrote: "Literature is important if it means something to the reader.
And the ability to reach out and touch something as visceral and personal as a person's fear is som..."

I smiled when I read that too. I used to feel that way also in my young, foolish days :-). There was the Great Literature I should be reading and profoundly meditating:

and then there was the commercial stuff I should be snubbing:

Then I loosened up and started reading a large variety of books and discovered that what really mattered to me was whether a book stirred up emotions in me and forced me to think, or very simply transported me out of my everyday doldrums and routine.
I have read disturbing books but few are from horror because the things that scare me have more to do with tyranny, the loss of rights and the blind submission to irrational authority than with things that go bump in the night. The later can cause some stress, make me look around nervously, or cringe in disgust but do not scare me or disturb me deeply.
Enough blathering. Here is my list of top three memorable reads:
In cold blood
Darkness at noon
The Night of the Decree (sadly, it doesn't look like this incredible book was ever translated into english)

Kin for reminding me that there is an aftermath, not a sequel, at the end of a story. Of how horror has consequences that ripple outward. And the toll it takes in human lives and sanity.

Boy's Life and Summer of Night for reminding me of the magic of childhood, from two different viewpoints.

Ghost Story for proving that horror can be more than just literature. That it can be literary and you can become lost in a book, in the best possible way.

When We Join Jesus In Hell for pure emotional impact. Touching nerves I thought had gone dead a long time ago.

Jon Recluse wrote: "Kin for reminding me that there is an aftermath, not a sequel, at the end of a story. Of how horror has consequences that ripple outward. And the toll it takes in human lives and sa..."

I think all of these are on my TBR list. I'll have to bump 'em up a bit. Thanks, Jon.