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How do you define horror?
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I'm reminded of former Supreme Court Justice, Hugo Black's words on pornography. I'm paraphrasing, "I can't define it, but I know it when I see it"
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That's the definition of horror.
That subtle feeling of unease when you are alone in the dark, and realize that you really aren't alone.
When the little hairs on the back of your neck stand at attention.
When I start to get an uneasy/uncomfortable feeling.
I think horror is pretty inclusive, since elements of horror are present in almost everything. It doesn't have to be frightening; it can be sorrowful, like in Santa Sangre. I think the common element that separates the genre from others is that horror makes the uncomfortable its focus, while the uncomfortable can be death, grief, fear, disgust, or any number of things. Horror gets up close and personal with the unpleasant, so you can really feel it, examine it. I feel as if there's a trend among people who don't like the genre--or believe they don't--to identify the horror that they do like as something else, such as science fiction. "I like it, therefore it must not be horror," as opposed to, "Oh, I guess I like some horror."
There are niches within horror, as there are within any genre, but horror itself is not a niche. I'm hoping perceptions shift to recognize that.
For me, being grossed out and disgusted is not horrifying.Feelings of dread and unease are what I'm looking for when I read horror.
I think Lovecraft has it right. Horror is when you get that gut reaction of dread, whether it's a story about ghosts, insects, trying to survive, or whatever it is that sends the chill of terror down your spine.
Tom wrote: "http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/mo...This has the makings of true horror"
That is horrifying.
http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/03/justice... What is with the news today. These headlines are the makings of some good stories!
Ruining your day with bad news done badly since 2004. The Dreamin' Demon I cringe from their stories but I can't turn away.
I just realized I never answered the original question probably because I can't. I find many books horrifying that aren't actual horror. Cold In July by Joe Lansdale stands out as one. I had nightmares and had to leave lights on for months after reading that book because it frightened so deeply on all levels. That to me is horror at its best.
I like my horror to have fearful excitement and mystery. I don't want to be repulsed with bloodsplatter or excessive violence. Hauntings, ghosts, demons, monsters and evil creatures that have a purpose, not just rampant violence are horror stories I most enjoy.
I guess this is why we have sub-genres and multiple genres. Some writers even earn their own genre like "Stephen King Horror", which means the book is way longer than it needs to be and isn't scary. :) Ok that's my opinion. Don't try and set me straight or rip me a new one.
Barks & Bites wrote: "I just realized I never answered the original question probably because I can't. I find many books horrifying that aren't actual horror. Cold In July by Joe Lansdale stands out as one. I had nightm..."I recently watched Cold in July--haven't read the book though--and I'd definitely qualify it as horror, so I don't think you're off track at all by saying/feeling that.
Barks & Bites wrote: "I just realized I never answered the original question probably because I can't. I find many books horrifying that aren't actual horror. Cold In July by Joe Lansdale stands out as one. I had nightm..."I recently watched Cold in July--haven't read the book though--and I'd definitely qualify it as horror, so I don't think you're off track at all by saying/feeling that.
Holly wrote: "For me, being grossed out and disgusted is not horrifying.Feelings of dread and unease are what I'm looking for when I read horror."
Exactly. While I'm not against a little blood and guts to drive home a good part of a story, I'd much rather feel uneasy than queasy.
"Splatter" stories usually bore the shit out of me, with very few exceptions. Okay, there's guts. Now what?
I agree...gore is just smoke and mirrors. I want a physical reaction from the story...I want to feel unease..muscles contracting...small body hairs standing on end. I want to feel uncomfortable and slightly awkward. Pulse quickening. That's horror to me.
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There have only been a handful of books where gore and straight up brutality actually gave me a sense of dread. One was Misery (obviously), but that was because Ms. Wilkes was an unstable character capable of doing anything. Also, any part of the Ice and Fire books containing Ramsay Snow freaks me the hell out, for the same reason.
Gore and brutality definitely have their places in literature. When it comes to revenge, there is no torture or bizarre death slow and painful enough for the villain if I have built up enough hatred for him/her.I just finished reading Deliverance and a broadhead through the chest just wasn't a very satisfying death for those hillbillies.
In my opinion, horror is a broad genre as it covers everything to haunted houses all the way to splatter/gore. Horror is horror no matter how you look at it. But to even get more technical, even serial killer true crime could also be considered a type of horror especially when authors describe graphic details of the murders as some serial killers decapitate or remove body parts of their victims. So I would think that would fall under the category of horror too.
For me, the Lovecraft's classification defines it precisely. While I will include, surely, Psycho and Silence of the Lambs, as well, in it. As dreadful stories. The fear of the death was what creates such great horror stories.
Definition of horror by the Horror Writers Association: http://www.horror.org/horror-is.htm
Lovecraft's take on defining horror and his essay which heavily focus' on the supernatural (not Psycho or Silence of the Lambs):
"The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown."
http://www.hplovecraft.com/writings/t...
Stephen King's Danse Macabre:
"On top is the "gross-out" level..." p. 4
"But on another...the work of horror is a dance..and what it's looking for is the place where you...live at your most primitive level."
How do you define horror? Or do you define it? Do you adhere to one of the definitions above? Or is it personal? Thoughts?