Horror as a Genre: information from our library science students
Defining Horror as a Genre
The thrill of getting scared is engrained into our lived experience from childhood games of jack in the box, to whispered ghost stories at camp, to binge-watching a true crime documentary—horror is with us throughout our lives. The Horror Writers Association (2023) asserts, “horror appeals to almost everyone…from the fables of Grimm to the classic poems of Poe, from the ghost stories of Beirce to the popular novels of King, nearly anyone you ask has a scary book, story, or movie” (What is Horror, para. 3). There are as many works of horror to explore as there are ways to get scared.
The genre of horror is all about emotions—evoking fear, anxiety, dread, and apprehension in the reader. The joy of reading horror comes from exploring the depths of human psychology, the supernatural, and what might lurk under the seemingly mundane (Wyatt & Saricks, 2019). A work of horror “doesn’t have to be ghosts, ghouls, or things that go bump in the night. It simply needs to elicit fear or dread in the reader” (Horor Writers Association, 2023, What is Horror, para. 4). Horror “explores central questions about human nature, capabilities, and anxieties… allow[ing] readers to process these fears” (p. 241). Horror novels let people experience fear and explore the unknown safely and securely, through reading instead of reality.
Common Tropes and Themes
Good Vs Evil
Perhaps the ultimate theme in horror is good vs. evil (Wyatt. & Saricks, 2019, p. 243)! Who wins? In horror we see both endings. Both can be equally exciting. Sometimes stories end with a cliffhanger, leading our minds to ponder, did the good guy make it? Will the villain return? This question often leads to a sequel.
Supernatural/Paranormal Forces
Psychological Confusion: Many stories lead us to question, "Is this real? Or is this in the character’s head? This creates confusion in our own heads as the reader. This theme creates an attention to detail in readers and often makes us go back over scenes to decipher their true meaning (Demaria et al., 2021; Wyatt & Saricks, 2019).
Creating an Atmosphere of Dread
A palpable atmosphere should be felt in a good horror. Vivid descriptions, strong emotions, and environmental factors lend a hand to this element (Demaria et al., 2021; Wyatt & Saricks, 2019). Stephen King is a master at creating ambiance in his stories. The setting of The Shining is an isolated hotel, surrounded by snow and a hedge maze. He made the story so real to readers that many went on to visit the real setting, The Stanley Hotel.
Loss of Self
We see this theme in stories involving possession, zombies, or parasites. Leech is a perfect example of this and highlights a host/parasite relationship. “As far back as I can remember, in any place, in any host, I never had a name” (Ennes, p. 56). Humans being used as a resource strikes fear in the reader, as humans we are accustomed to being at the top of the food chain.
Appeals of Horror
Elements of appeal are tools to articulate why a reader seeks out a particular genre (Saricks, 2004). Horror books revolve around eliciting fear and dread and “authors achieve these feelings by placing every other element of the novel in service to creating the sense of menace and establishing the emotional impact” (Wyatt & Saricks, 2019, p. 239). Because of this, things like storyline and characterization are less important while elements of tone and setting are essential.
Depending on the type of horror—storyline or visceral—the action may build slowly or grab the reader from the very beginning (Wyatt & Saricks, 2019). The language of horror fiction helps immerse the reader in the story through lush and rich description. These kinds of prose can slow down the speed of the story but greatly enhance the atmosphere. Another way that tone and atmosphere are built is through the setting, “so critical are spaces in horror novels that they are described more completely and vividly than the characters. Authors use settings extravagantly” (p. 240). What is a scary story without the haunted house, the abandoned town, or dilapidated warehouse? Horror’s success depends on not only creating these settings, but making the reader feel as if they are there, creeping through dark corridors and feeling the chill in the air.
Contact us
These lists and genre information are brought to you by the MLIS 7998 students in our Genres for Adult Readers class in the Master in Library and Information Science program. Thank you for sending in such good books, materials, and information. I hope you had a good time with this project!
If any material listed is problematic or you would like to suggest future recommendations and themes please contact Crystal Miller at crrichardson@valdosta.edu! They would love feedback, or just to talk about books!
