“With three respected studies of Stephen King already published, Tony Magistrale has become the strongest voice among those who argue the respectability of King's fiction. In this volume he has selected the best essays from the vast body of recent King scholarship to support his contention that King is not only one of America's most popular writers, but he is also one of its best. The essays argue collectively that King's works are deeply influenced by the mainstream traditions of 19th- and 20th-century American and European fiction and are a commentary illustrative of the major political and social tensions shaping contemporary American life. They argue further, with limited success, that King's works rely on a rich literary tradition that includes such respected genres as the gothic and classical Greek tragedy. Remarkably effective in this argument are G. Weller's "The Masks of the Godden," E. Casebeer's "The Three Genres of The Stand," and R. Curran's "Complex, Archetype, and Primal Fear."”–
“This book represents a significant contribution to the study of Stephen King and his work and should prove itself useful. Such intelligent critical interest applied to any author of science fiction or fantasy is especially welcome,”–
“. . . reigning King guru Tony Magistrale has pulled off something of a coup, publishing in close proximity one of the best book-length studies and the best essay collection devoted to King's fiction.”–
“The Dark Descent is not a descent at all. Here, as in his other fine books, Tony Magistrale's scholarship has lifted the focus on King's work high above reviewer rhetoric and petty critical squabbles. These essays transcend the critical ladder and meet King on his own ground. Magistrale has editorially sustained purity of literary discourse that is wonderfully free of judgment.”–
Product Description
One of America's most popular novelists, Stephen King has begun to receive serious attention from scholars and literary critics. The Dark Descent assembles fifteen illuminating original essays that consider King from a variety of intellectual orientations, addressing the major novels and central themes that represent King's contributions to American letters and elevating King scholarship to a new level of critical discourse. King's body of horror literature is seen as arising from mainstream literary traditions and reflecting the tensions which shape contemporary American life. This volume places firmly King firmly within the canon of American fiction.
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