Why Horror Seduces

By Mathias Clasen,

Book cover of Why Horror Seduces

Book description

From vampire apocalypses, shark attacks, witches, and ghosts, to murderous dolls bent on revenge, horror has been part of the American cinematic imagination for almost as long as pictures have moved on screens. But why do they captive us so? What is the drive to be frightened, and why is…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Why Horror Seduces as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

If you love horror, or are even mildly interested in it, you will find this book a real treat. Clasen is one of the world’s leading scholars of horror. Like Gottschall, he has the knack for engaging, personable writing, with witty turns that will make you laugh, even while the hair is standing up on the back of your neck at the horror scenarios he relishes describing. Clasen is absolutely convincing about the ways in which horror taps into our inherited ancestral fears and disgusts.

From Joseph's list on literary Darwinism.

Want books like Why Horror Seduces?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Why Horror Seduces.

Browse books like Why Horror Seduces

Book cover of The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human
Book cover of The Early Evolutionary Imagination: Literature and Human Nature
Book cover of American Classics: Evolutionary Perspectives

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,173

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Darwinism, evolution, and vampires?

Darwinism 19 books
Evolution 155 books
Vampires 305 books