Paperbacks from Hell: The Twisted History of '70s and '80s Horror Fiction

by Grady Hendrix

The horror woman has a willowy, athletic figure with dynamite legs. Contrary to expectations, she is often flat-chested (with notable exceptions). She comes in two flavors: either dreamy and artistic, in which case she is given to precognitive dreams, shivers, and a sense that this place is pervaded by an indefinable evil; or practical and hardheaded, ready to sacrifice herself by performing an ancient ritual to save the world or racing into danger to save either her beloved man or child. The most expressive parts of her body are her nipples. They noticeably harden, when she is aroused, surprised, confused, or meeting new people. They are practically prehensile tentacles, capable of lengthening, thickening, unfurling, budding, flaring, and swelling. If she’s nice, she’s blonde, or maybe brunette. If she likes sex too much, her hair is red. Her eyes are almost always green, occasionally gray. Horror fiction protagonists often pause to stare into a mirror; they don’t always like what they see. Credit 126 Surprisingly, the horror woman is usually employed. If she is married, she owns a fashionable boutique. If she is single, she is a gifted artist or ambitious reporter looking for her big break. (It is worth noting that if the horror man is a reporter, he is always a washed-up alcoholic looking for a second chance.) No matter what the job, she is obsessed with proving herself to her male colleagues, which often leads to throwing herself into dangerous situations from which sh...