Synopsis:
For twenty-five years, Becky Siegel Spratford has worked as a librarian in Reader Advisory, training library workers all over the world on how to engage their patrons and readers, and to use her place as a horror expert and critic to get the word out to others; to bring even more readers into the horror fold.
Why I Love Horror is a captivating anthology and heartfelt tribute to the horror genre featuring essays from several of the most celebrated contemporary horror writers including, Grady Hendrix, Paul Tremblay, Stephen Graham Jones, Josh Malerman, Victor LaValle, Tananarive Due, and Rachel Harrison.
Review:
A heartfelt love letter to the genre, “Why I Love Horror,” is nothing short of an utter joy to read. A celebration of the genre we love… that we’re all invited to, packed to the wall with many familiar faces, from its warm welcome written by the ever-legendary Sadie Hartmann, to its triumphant curtain-call, in which SGJ rattles off the many reasons that we should all be devouring horror, I found a lot within this collection. Passion, humour, trauma, rage, heart.. Godzilla… yogurt. It’s out September 23rd, and, for the love of horror, you must read it.
Let me quickly talk you through some of my favourites, ergo, most of the anthology- Hailey Piper’s essay (in which the King of the Monsters makes his appearance) talks about horror as a place in which to belong, a place in which to heal, a genre full of empathy. I found myself nodding along so emphatically, I may have a repetitive strain injury. John Langan’s “In The Bermuda Triangle with Sasquatch, Flesh Smoldering,” is, as one would imagine, a strange yet delightful autobiographical account of Langan’s love for horror that could come only from his singular brain. I am also delighted to learn that his buddy Mr. Tremblay was as traumatised as I was by Jaws- he tells us so in his own essay, alongside illustrations by his daughter Emma. Alma Katsu, who I already knew was incredibly bad-ass, proves herself to be bad-asser still, and discusses horror as a contextualiser, horror as just around the corner, the same stance taken by Brian Keene, Gabino Iglesias and others. Cynthia Pelayo’s “My Mother Was Margaret White,” is the essay I personally found to be the most impactful. It’s as honest as you can get, and it talks about horror as a reminder, as an affirmation. Cynthia, thank you. Chapman too discusses his traumas, in an effort to pinpoint exactly where his love of horror comes from- only after he acknowledges horror as “the f’ing best.” Rachel Harrison’s essay, “Permission to scream,” represents horror as a vessel for justified rage, and a place in which to find catharsis. I have “Play Nice,” waiting to be read… very soon.
Grady Hendrix and Josh Malerman both wow. Hendrix, with his usual flair, proves horror to be a mystery, something our imaginations chase down rabbit holes… just read it for yourself. Malerman- well, only Josh could get away with “On The Amtrak Heading Home,” in which he sets up an actual dialogue, a conversation between himself and a dismissive stranger, whom, charm offensive, he eventually wins over of course. It’s sly, funny, big-hearted, and represents horror as vivid, alive, well and breathing. Those two were favourites, amongst Nuzo Onoh’s “A Day in my Psychedelic World,” it’s honest, wildly-entertaining, full of wit and cosmic anxiety about aliens. Furthermore, I’m glad someone out there has the same appreciation for Doris Lessing’s “The Fifth Child,” as I do.
My favourite inclusions though were from Spratford herself. Her piece “Why Ask Why,” is a love-letter not only to horror, but the art of curating, reviewing, recommending- championing. She also introduces each essay, tells us what to expect briefly, where to start, and who else we might enjoy. Eighteen authors quickly become 36- many of whom are now freshly on my radar. Spratford has an unparalleled passion and encyclopedic knowledge of the genre, and I think I’d quite like to be her when I grow up.
Throughout the collection we receive various invitations to respond to the same question. Why do we love horror? For a long while I was pretty stumped. Horror was not the same sanctuary for me as it was for Jennifer McMahon, I seem to lack those same traceable moments that got me here, unlike John Langan, and my love affair with horror does not span decades- as it has for Brian Keene or Becky Spratford herself. Sure horror is absolutely my jam, but why? Perhaps it’s partly because I find it to be an escape from an even grimmer reality, something that helps me frame the very real horrors that one need only turn on the news to endure. It’s partly because horror is so incredibly heartful, something that most, the people who really need to read this anthology, and yet probably won’t, don’t seem to understand. It helps that there are so many quality horror writers- 18 of them are included here, countless more are referenced. It’s that, but I realise now that it’s also this. It’s this. It’s us. I love horror because it’s community. As I read the acknowledgements, it hit me how many people were involved in this book alone, and every other book I’ve read this year. 18 authors sat down to write their essay, Becky Spratford edited it, Lane Heymont sold it- and sent it to me, thank you- Jeffery Alan Love did the cover art, Saga printed it. I read it, you read this. Countless hands shaped it, and even more will pass it on. Us halloween people are, contrary to popular belief, the nicest, finest, most helpful folk around. I love that Sadie Hartmann, Brandon Baker, Anna Dupre, Neil McRobert and Stephanie Gagnon gleefully drive me closer to financial ruin almost every day, I love that I’m friends with Ed Crocker, Charlie Battison, Nailah King, Chelsea Sherridan (who best be reading this, or it’s over) and countless others because of our mutual love of the genre. I love that I get to tell you about this book, and I hope you’ll read it. That is why I love horror.
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