The Penguin Encyclopedia of Horror and the Supernatural


Book Description

For the first time ever, in a single volume, a comprehensive guide to horror and the supernatural in all the arts ... More than 50 essays and 600 entries covering authors, composers, visual artists, directors, actors, and movies that are connected in some way to horror tales or the supernatural. Also defines terms used with the supernatural.




Penguin Encyclopedia of Horror


Book Description




The Penguin Book of the Undead


Book Description

The walking dead from 15 centuries haunt this compendium of ghostly visitations through the ages, exploring the history of our fascination with zombies and other restless souls. Since ancient times, accounts of supernatural activity have mystified us. Ghost stories as we know them did not develop until the late nineteenth century, but the restless dead haunted the premodern imagination in many forms, as recorded in historical narratives, theological texts, and personal letters. The Penguin Book of the Undead teems with roving hordes of dead warriors, corpses trailed by packs of barking dogs, moaning phantoms haunting deserted ruins, evil spirits emerging from burning carcasses in the form of crows, and zombies with pestilential breath. Spanning from the Hebrew scriptures to the Roman Empire, the Scandinavian sagas to medieval Europe, the Protestant Reformation to the Renaissance, this beguiling array of accounts charts our relationship with spirits and apparitions, wraiths and demons over fifteen hundred years, showing the evolution in our thinking about the ability of dead souls to return to the realm of the living—and to warn us about what awaits us in the afterlife. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.




American Supernatural Tales


Book Description

Part of a new six-volume series of the best in classic horror, selected by Academy Award-winning director of The Shape of Water Guillermo del Toro American Supernatural Tales is the ultimate collection of weird and frightening American short fiction. As Stephen King will attest, the popularity of the occult in American literature has only grown since the days of Edgar Allan Poe. The book celebrates the richness of this tradition with chilling contributions from some of the nation's brightest literary lights, including Poe himself, H. P. Lovecraft, Shirley Jackson, Ray Bradbury, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and—of course—Stephen King. This volumes also includes "The Yellow Sign," the most horrific story from The King in Yellow, the classic horror collection by Robert W. Chambers featured on HBO's hit TV series True Detective. By turns phantasmagoric, spectral, and demonic, this is a frighteningly good collection of stories. Filmmaker and longtime horror literature fan Guillermo del Toro serves as the curator for the Penguin Horror series, a new collection of classic tales and poems by masters of the genre. Included here are some of del Toro’s favorites, from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Ray Russell’s short story “Sardonicus,” considered by Stephen King to be “perhaps the finest example of the modern Gothic ever written,” to Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House and stories by Ray Bradbury, Joyce Carol Oates, Ted Klein, and Robert E. Howard. Featuring original cover art by Penguin Art Director Paul Buckley, these stunningly creepy deluxe hardcovers will be perfect additions to the shelves of horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and paranormal aficionados everywhere.







Icons of Horror and the Supernatural


Book Description

Offers entries on 24 of the significant archetypes of horror and the supernatural, from the classical epics of Homer to the novels of Stephen King.




Horror Literature through History [2 volumes]


Book Description

This two-volume set offers comprehensive coverage of horror literature that spans its deep history, dominant themes, significant works, and major authors, such as Stephen King, Edgar Allan Poe, and Anne Rice, as well as lesser-known horror writers. Many of today's horror story fans—who appreciate horror through movies, television, video games, graphic novels, and other forms—probably don't realize that horror literature is not only one of the most popular types of literature but one of the oldest. People have always been mesmerized by stories that speak to their deepest fears. Horror Literature through History shows 21st-century horror fans the literary sources of their favorite entertainment and the rich intrinsic value of horror literature in its own right. Through profiles of major authors, critical analyses of important works, and overview essays focused on horror during particular periods as well as on related issues such as religion, apocalypticism, social criticism, and gender, readers will discover the fascinating early roots and evolution of horror writings as well as the reciprocal influence of horror literature and horror cinema. This unique two-volume reference set provides wide coverage that is current and compelling to modern readers—who are of course also eager consumers of entertainment. In the first section, overview essays on horror during different historical periods situate works of horror literature within the social, cultural, historical, and intellectual currents of their respective eras, creating a seamless narrative of the genre's evolution from ancient times to the present. The second section demonstrates how otherwise unrelated works of horror have influenced each other, how horror subgenres have evolved, and how a broad range of topics within horror—such as ghosts, vampires, religion, and gender roles—have been handled across time. The set also provides alphabetically arranged reference entries on authors, works, and specialized topics that enable readers to zero in on information and concepts presented in the other sections.




Supernatural Horror in Literature


Book Description

Prepare to embark on a journey into the chilling unknown with "Supernatural Horror in Literature: A Journey into the Chilling Unknown" by H. P. Lovecraft. In this captivating exploration, Lovecraft delves into the darkest corners of the human psyche, unraveling tales of terror and dread that will haunt your dreams. As you delve into Lovecraft's macabre world, be prepared to confront ancient evils, cosmic horrors, and unspeakable terrors beyond human comprehension. Lovecraft's mastery of the supernatural genre will transport you to realms where sanity teeters on the brink of oblivion. But here's the question that lingers in the shadows: What if the true horror lies not in the monsters that lurk in the darkness, but in the existential dread that permeates the human experience? Could Lovecraft's tales of cosmic insignificance and existential terror be reflections of our own fears and anxieties? Engage with Lovecraft's seminal work as he guides you through the annals of supernatural literature, from the eerie tales of Edgar Allan Poe to the spine-chilling stories of Algernon Blackwood. Through his insightful analysis and unparalleled storytelling, Lovecraft offers readers a glimpse into the abyss of the unknown. Are you ready to confront the horrors that lurk beyond the veil of reality? Immerse yourself in Lovecraft's world of eldritch horrors and forbidden knowledge, where each story is a journey into the depths of the human psyche. Let Lovecraft's haunting prose and vivid imagination transport you to realms where the line between dreams and nightmares blurs. Here's your invitation to explore the twisted landscapes of the supernatural with H. P. Lovecraft's "Supernatural Horror in Literature." Will you accept the challenge and venture into the chilling unknown? Don't miss out on the opportunity to experience this timeless masterpiece. Purchase your copy of "Supernatural Horror in Literature: A Journey into the Chilling Unknown" now, and prepare to confront the darkness that lies within.




Supernatural Horror in Literature


Book Description

Great modern American supernaturalist brilliantly surveys history of genre to 1930s, summarizing, evaluating scores of books, including works by Poe, Bierce, M. R. James, "Monk" Lewis, many others.




The Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Spirits


Book Description

Covers the realm of ghost folklore and mythology with over five hundred entries on historical sightings, paranormal research, and supernatural hauntings.