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  • © 2018

The Palgrave Handbook to Horror Literature

Palgrave Macmillan
  • Offers a refreshing update on the genre of Horror Literature, particularly in light of timely theoretical discussions such as queer theory, feminist theory, and animal studies

  • Traverses time periods and geographical areas, covering topics ranging from medieval European horror to zombie fiction

  • Establishes the importance of the horror genre within the academy, which has been grossly overlooked and downplayed until recently

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Table of contents (38 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xx
  2. Introduction

    • Kevin Corstorphine
    Pages 1-17
  3. Themes of Literary Horror

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 203-203
    2. Vampires: Reflections in a Dark Mirror

      • Wendy Fall
      Pages 205-217
    3. Zombie Fictions

      • Anya Heise-von der Lippe
      Pages 219-231

About this book

This handbook examines the use of horror in storytelling, from oral traditions through folklore and fairy tales to contemporary horror fiction. Divided into sections that explore the origins and evolution of horror fiction, the recurrent themes that can be seen in horror, and ways of understanding horror through literary and cultural theory, the text analyses why horror is so compelling, and how we should interpret its presence in literature. Chapters explore historical horror aspects including ancient mythology, medieval writing, drama, chapbooks, the Gothic novel, and literary Modernism and trace themes such as vampires, children and animals in horror, deep dark forests, labyrinths, disability, and imperialism. Considering horror via postmodern theory, evolutionary psychology, postcolonial theory, and New Materialism, this handbook investigates issues of gender and sexuality, race, censorship and morality, environmental studies, and literary versus popular fiction.




Editors and Affiliations

  • Department of English, University of Hull, Hull, UK

    Kevin Corstorphine

  • Department of Humanities, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, Rapid City, SD, USA

    Laura R. Kremmel

About the editors

Kevin Corstorphine is Lecturer in American Studies at the University of Hull, UK. His work focuses on Gothic Studies, haunted space and place, the Ecogothic, and the study of popular fiction.

Laura R. Kremmel is Assistant Professor of English at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, USA. Her work focuses on Gothic Studies, British Romanticism, Medical Humanities/History, Disability Studies, and Horror Film.     








Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 189.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access