Customer Reviews

The Naked and the Undead : Evil and the Appeal of Horror

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is extremely accessable and discusses horror in film in a profound way with considerable scope. Anyone who responds keenly to the supernatural in literature and film is bound to enjoy these in depth discussions of many of the finest horror films we have. The author is upfront about her approach, and about her own likes and dislikes, but these admissions do not limit the book in any way. There is much to learn here, much to ponder. For an author like me who believes that horror fiction and film reflect our deepest social and psychological concerns, this book has tremendous value. I am looking for more books by the author.

My favorite title of recent memory, "The Naked and the Undead" (a play on Mailer's WWII classic "The Naked and the Dead") is a much-needed review of recent horror films. Too many books on this topic are sadly out of date, incomplete, condescending, or just plain wrong. Philosophy professor Cynthia Freeland, however, dives right into the thick of things, stating that her favorite director is auteur David Cronenberg and that she has little patience for mainstream schlock like Freddy and Jason. "All right," I thought to myself, "my kind of writer."

She covers the entire "Hellraiser" series, the most recent vampire films, and classics like "Texas Chainsaw Massacre," "Repulsion," "Them!" "Eraserhead," "Peeping Tom" and "Nosferatu." The chapters range from "Women and Bugs" (the Alien and Species films) to "Monstrous Flesh" and "The Slasher's Blood Lust." Freeland knows her stuff, and her insights are profound and interesting. She considers feminist images in contemporary horror, graphic violence and its impression upon viewers, the appeal of the seductive, aesthetic vampire, and the visionary, intellectual works of Cronenberg ("Videodrome," "Dead Ringers," "The Fly").

The major problem, however, is that she's an academic, and the book reads like a PhD. dissertation. It's not a lot of fun to read, like, say, Stephen King's "Danse Macabre" or Kim Newman's "Nightmare Movies" or the anthology "Cut!" If you're a serious reader as well as horror film buff, then this book is very worthwhile. If you've ever studied film in college this book will be right up your alley. If, however, you don't really call into either category, then this book probably isn't for you.

There is much to be learned from in this book, and I'm very glad Ms. Freeland took such care and patience. I only wish she had approached this book more as an intelligent fan rather than as an academic. So, 3 and a half stars. And kudos for the awesome cover art!

I found this book to be wonderfully readable and absolutely facinating.

Ms. Freeland's view of the movies she discusses (Frankinstien, Dracula, Interview with a Vampire, the Hunger, The Shining, Eraserhead, the Alien series, the Hellraiser movies, etc.) is very interesting and her perspective on good and evil deserves to be brought to the foreground. I also appreciate her critiques of flat feminist critiques. Noting that sometimes a chainsaw is just a chainsaw.

This book makes a great basis for a number of film festivals. And with the advant of DVD, you can program it right in your own home. Say, what about your book club reading this book and watching the movies? That would be a blast.

Now...If I could only find a book club.