Horror Literature

Lesson 1: Introduction to Horror

Horror Authors

This section will deal with each of the authors whose works will be used as thematic clarification in the rest of the lessons. There are seven authors who are discussed in subsequent lessons.

(1) Edgar Allan Poe.

It has been mentioned above that Poe was a pioneer in terms of subject matter. He, rather than Walpole, is often recognized as the father of horror literature as we know it today. Poe wrote a vast amount of short stories, longer works and poetry. His contribution to horror literature is invaluable, as mentioned by Lovecraft in his essay. The entirity of Section VII is devoted to this author.

Poe produced a large body of work, including poetry and fiction. In subsequent lessons works such as "The Telltale Heart" and "Premature Burial" are mentioned.

(2) Bram Stoker

Bram Stoker was, like Poe, a pioneer. With Dracula he began a trend of vampire fiction that is showing no sign of diminishing more than a century later. In fact the popular monster has developed in wide variety of ways. Since his creation, Dracula has inspired nearly all of emotion available on the human spectrum, including love, lust, fear, jealousy and hatred.

Chapter 7 in Clemens deals with Dracula.

(3) Howard Phillips Lovecraft

From an early age Lovecraft cultivated his reading and writing talents. When he grew up the author kept up a large amount of correspondence and writing, which he continued throughout his life. Several blows, such as the death of his mother and the failure of his marriage, resulted in periods of lethargy where the author did little. But his body of work is nonetheless remarkable for his relatively short life.

(4) Gaston Leroux

Gaston Leroux, the creator of Phantom of the Opera, began his writing life as a journalist. The most remarkable work of his creation is Phantom, which, like Dracula, is showing no signs of diminishing fame.

(5) Clive Barker

Clive Barker takes the concept of “disgusting” to new heights with his horror. His Books of Blood hit the market with a storm during the 1980’s. This talented author also practiced his art in other areas such as film. One of the results is "Candyman". This tale deals with urban myths and includes certain gothic elements such as dark, damp, enclosed spaces.

(6) Poppy Z. Brite

Brite is also a hot young author of our time. Her first work, Lost Souls, is in my humble opinion also the best. She smashes subject matter taboos with her extreme and bloody imagery combined with homosexuality. Brite draws on the Gothic subculture to sculpt her vampires. These vulgar and drug-addicted creatures are an entertainingly far cry from Stoker’s gentleman.

(7) Tanith Lee

Lee deals with the vampire theme in a more subtle, but equally devastating way, as Brite. Her Dark Dance Trilogy is however by no means innocent. All sorts of interesting taboos are thrown away. Incest for example is one of the main kinds of sexual encounters in her novels. Lee manages to make these appear perfectly acceptable and romantic.

Through these authors, I am attempting to demonstrate the increasingly daring way in which horror themes are used in literature with the progression of time. Themes such as fear, damnation and salvation will be discussed in future lessons. Lesson 2 deals with fear.

Something to Think About:
Who is your favorite author and why? Do you like a lot of gore or do you favor subtlety in horror literature?

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