Horror for Weenies: Everything You Need to Know About the Films You're Too Scared to Watch

Horror. Some people love it! Some people don't! And, generally speaking, people tend to have strong feelings about the genre, falling into one camp or the other. In a bit of irony, there are people who are 'afraid' of Horror as a genre. Yep, they are afraid of the genre people seek out purposefully to cause them to feel fear. Within this group of people, there are those who are afraid of Horror but are also curious. They wonder why others enjoy the idea of feeling scared or disturbed, and they may be ready to take the plunge and begin to explore. It is for this group of people, possibly fearful and definitely, to a degree, adventurous, that Emily C. Hughes has written her new book: Horror for Weenies: Everything You Need to Know About the Films You're Too Scared to Watch.

Hughes describes how a viewing of Poltergeist at an early age put her off of watching Horror films. She goes on to explain how, as she became an adult, she had the experience of listening to her friends and family as they talked about Horror films while she never truly understood the conversation taking place. Hughes says that her bridge back into watching Horror cinema was reading Horror literature, and once she started watching them, she never looked back. Hughes, who now regularly writes about Horror, has provided the perfect entry point for those interested but unsure how to proceed. She recounts a brief history of Horror cinema and describes how and why she has chosen the films she examines. The rest of the book closely examines films released from 1960 through 2018, providing in-depth synopses, production notes, cultural context, and suggested reading for potential viewers who still may not find themselves ready to watch. The result is an infinitely readable and enjoyable book that will be interesting for both established Horror film fans and a practical and fun guide for those looking for a place to challenge their comfort zones and take the plunge.

As Hughes' experiences illustrate how Horror can be an acquired taste and Horror for Weenies may not be for everyone. But as the days grow shorter, the nights grow longer, and Halloween rapidly approaches, Horror for Weenies may be the perfect way for some to find a film to while away the hours on an Autumn evening.

Other Books Reviewed by Daryl M.

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