Icons of Horror and the Supernatural [Two Volumes] [2 Volumes]: An Encyclopedia of Our Worst Nightmares [Hardcover]

In this collection of 24 essays analyzing major "icons" in the field of horror and supernatural literature, icons are defined as themes—"The Alien," "The Haunted House," "The Zombie." Chapters are arranged alphabetically, and each contains between 12,000 and 15,000 words tracing the roots of the icon in folklore and legend and its prevalence in media and popular culture today. Although the emphasis is on print fiction, movies, television, and role-playing games are mentioned. Radio is not included. Works for children and young people are covered, from the Bunniculaseries in the chapter on vampires to His Dark Materials. Surprisingly in a work that examines popular fiction, the Harry Potter series is barely mentioned in either the chapters on the sorcerer or the witch. Illustrations are small and confined to chapter headings, although there are many sidebars in each chapter, usually lists of films, books, or short stories. Each chapter has a bibliography that often includes a filmography and Internet resources. A general bibliography and index are contained in volume 2. The work is weakened by editorial errors. In the chapter "The Doppelganger," people "wreck havoc." A Gene Wolfe story is described as "creepy but ghost." Jerry Ahern and Sharon Ahern's novel Werewolves is spelled Werewolvess. Many similar errors should have been corrected. The index is incomplete, missing many items that are mentioned in the text. With a better index and fewer errors, this would have been easy to recommend, but as it is, it is recommended with strong reservations for larger public libraries as a readers'- and viewers'-advisory tool and for academic libraries with popular culture and literature classes. Stipek, Kathleen

"The breadth and length of essays make them useful introductory primers, some of which likely say things that haven't been said elsewhere....[r]esearchers as well as horror readers can peruse a library copy for historical context, some of it fascinating. And Joshi's choice of topics provides a neat way of framing horror, largely as supernatural beings: defining the what if not the why of horror." -

Locus

Horror and the supernatural have fascinated people for centuries, and many of the most central figures appear over and over again. These figures have gained iconic status and continue to hold sway over popular culture and the modern imagination. This book offers extended entries on 24 of the most enduring and significant figures of horror and the supernatural, including The Sea Creature, The Witch, The Alien, The Vampire, The Werewolf, The Sorcerer, The Ghost, The Siren, The Mummy, The Devil, and The Zombie. Each entry is written by a leading authority on the subject and discusses the topic's essential features and lasting influence, from the classical epics of Homer to the novels of Stephen King. Entries cite sources for further reading, and the "Encyclopedia" closes with a selected, general bibliography. Entries include illustrations, sidebars of interesting information, and excerpts from key texts.

Horror and the supernatural have fascinated people for centuries, with many of the most central figures appearing over and over again across time and cultures. These figures have starred in the world's most widely read literary works, most popular films, and most captivating television series. Because of their popularity and influence, they have attained iconic status and a special place in the popular imagination. This book overviews 24 of the most significant icons of horror and the supernatural.