Horror Literature: A Core Collection and Reference Guide

Horror Literature: A Core Collection and Reference Guide catalogs and analyzes key works in the horror genre from the 18th century through the 1970s. The guide features extensive annotations, bibliographic information, and critical commentary on hundreds of horror novels, short stories, and related texts. Tymn organizes the entries chronologically and by subgenre, covering Gothic literature, supernatural horror, psychological horror, and dark fantasy. Each entry provides publication details, plot summaries, and historical context, along with notes on the work's significance and influence within horror literature. The book includes biographical sections on major horror authors like M.R. James, H.P. Lovecraft, and Shirley Jackson, examining their contributions to the genre. Reference sections detail horror periodicals, anthologies, critical studies, and recommendations for building core library collections. This comprehensive guide illuminates horror's evolution from Gothic origins to modern psychological terror, while establishing the genre's literary legitimacy and cultural impact. The work serves as both a scholarly resource and a practical tool for readers, collectors, and institutions.

Limited reader reviews exist online for this academic reference guide. The few available reviews note its value as a collection development tool for librarians and academics studying horror literature. Readers liked: - Comprehensive coverage of pre-1981 horror works - Detailed annotations for each entry - Strong focus on foundational horror texts - Clear organization by time period and subgenre Readers disliked: - Now dated (published 1981, no recent editions) - Limited coverage of contemporary horror - Some entries lack critical analysis - High price point for used copies Review Sources: Goodreads: No ratings or reviews Amazon: No ratings or reviews WorldCat: 2 brief positive reviews from academic librarians Library Journal (1981): Recommended for academic libraries The scarcity of public reviews suggests this remains primarily a specialized academic resource rather than a book with broad reader engagement.

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🔖 Published in 1981, this reference guide was one of the first comprehensive academic resources dedicated specifically to horror literature 📚 Marshall B. Tymn won the World Fantasy Special Award (Professional) in 1982 for this work and his other contributions to fantasy scholarship 🏛️ The book divides horror literature into distinct historical periods: Gothic (1764-1835), Victorian (1836-1914), Modern (1914-1939), and Contemporary (1940-present) 📖 Beyond just listing works, it provides critical annotations and evaluations of each entry, making it valuable for both scholars and collectors 🎭 The guide includes coverage of horror in various media forms beyond literature, including films, magazines, and fanzines - innovative for its time in recognizing horror's multimedia presence