Review: “The Art of Horror”

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Take a look inside the stunning new illustrated history of horror, "The Art of Horror" by Stephen Jones. | spookylittlehalloween.com

 

I have a tiny confession to make. I love Halloween, but I’m not much of a horror fan. I like creepy, suspenseful stories that make me jump or look over my shoulder, and I enjoy old horror movies that are so outdated…they’re laughable. But I don’t like movies or stories that are all blood and guts. (I can barely watch medical dramas because of how quickly I get queasy from B&G shots. What can I say? I’m a weenie.)

So when Jennifer from Over the River offered up a copy of “The Art of Horror” for review…I had absolutely no idea if I’d like it. Horror fan and Miranda have never been synonymous. But I said yes because I firmly believe you should always keep an open mind and be willing to explore.

I was not disappointed.

“The Art of Horror” is a beautiful collection of more than 500 images depicting every aspect of the horror genre – from stellar movie posters and pulp magazines, to artist renditions of all the monsters that go bump in the night. There is no shortage of the supremely spooky and delightfully creepy in this book. (It would look really great on your coffee table year-round, by the way!)

It has more than 100 contributors, a beautiful forward by the one and only Neil Gaiman and has been masterfully edited by Stephen Jones – a man who knows horror better than anyone.

 

Take a peek inside:

 

Take a look inside the stunning new illustrated history of horror, "The Art of Horror" by Stephen Jones. | spookylittlehalloween.com

 

Take a look inside the stunning new illustrated history of horror, "The Art of Horror" by Stephen Jones. | spookylittlehalloween.com

 

Take a look inside the stunning new illustrated history of horror, "The Art of Horror" by Stephen Jones. | spookylittlehalloween.com

 

Take a look inside the stunning new illustrated history of horror, "The Art of Horror" by Stephen Jones. | spookylittlehalloween.com

 

Take a look inside the stunning new illustrated history of horror, "The Art of Horror" by Stephen Jones. | spookylittlehalloween.com

 

Take a look inside the stunning new illustrated history of horror, "The Art of Horror" by Stephen Jones. | spookylittlehalloween.com

 

Here is the official description of the book:

 

There has never been a book quite like The Art of Horror a celebration of frightful images, compiled and presented by some of the genre’s most respected names. While acknowledging the beginnings of horror-related art in legends and folk tales, the focus of the book is on how the genre has presented itself to the world since the creations of Bram Stoker and Mary Shelley first became part of the public consciousness in the 19th century. It’s all here: from early engravings via dust jackets, book illustrations, pulp magazines, movie posters, comic books, and paintings to today’s artists working entirely in the digital realm. Editor Stephen Jones and his stellar team of contributors have sourced visuals from archives and private collections (including their own) worldwide, ensuring an unprecedented selection that is accessible to those discovering the genre, while also including many images that will be rare and unfamiliar to even the most committed fan. From the shockingly lurid to the hauntingly beautiful including images of vampires, werewolves, zombies, ghosts, demons, serial killers, alien invaders, and more every aspect of the genre is represented in ten themed chapters. Quotes from artists/illustrators, and a selection from writers and filmmakers, are featured throughout.

 

Sound like your kind of book?

Good – because you have a chance to win it!

 

Take a look inside the stunning new illustrated history of horror, "The Art of Horror" by Stephen Jones. | spookylittlehalloween.com

 

“The Art of Horror” Giveaway [CLOSED]

I’m giving away one copy of “The Art of Horror” to one of my lucky email newsletter subscribers! Want to be entered to win? All you have to do is join the list for Spooky Little Extras. I don’t send Spooky Little Extras emails more than once a full moon (but it’s more like once every six weeks).

Hit the big orange button to sign up:

 

Enter the giveaway on spookylittlehalloween.com

 

When you subscribe, you’ll receive a confirmation email that finalizes your subscription – make sure to click the link to be 100% subscribed and officially entered in the giveaway!

 

The Rules:

You must subscribe to my email list by 11:59 p.m. CST on Friday, December 4, 2015. The winner of my previous Jamberry giveaway will be disqualified for this contest only. All other current subscribers are eligible, so if you’re already subscribed you’re set to go! A winner will be drawn and announced via the email list no later than Sunday, December 6, 2015 at 11:59 p.m. CST. Winner has 48 hours to reply with their mailing address or a new winner will be drawn. The winner will receive one copy of “The Art of Horror” via mail.  This contest is only open to U.S. residents.

 

Good luck,

Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween

Miranda is the Houston-based writer, blogger, and Halloween lover behind Spooky Little Halloween, the blog celebrating October 31st all year long. Her favorite Halloween things include pumpkin guts, chocolate bars in her trick-or-treat pail, real haunted houses (including the one she lives in!), and historic cemeteries.

6 Comments

  1. Reply

    Spooky Vegan

    November 24, 2015

    This is so cool! I’ve been lusting after this book for a long time! If I’m already subscribed to your list, am I automatically entered?

  2. Reply

    Lisa

    December 23, 2015

    OMG – I won! This is a great book! I also am a weenie and aren’t into blood & gore, but this is a very pleasant surprise! I haven’t read the whole thing yet, but I spent an enjoyable evening admiring pictures and reading the bits about each one.

    As soon as I opened the cover, I gasped. The front endcover is a painting by Hieronymus Bosch called the Garden of Earthly Delights, but one section of it, called Hellscape, kept me and several of my friends busy (many moons ago) for days in a high school humanities class – it’s one of those things you keep looking at it and seeing something new and different. It also made an impression and I clearly haven’t forgotten it!

    Thanks so much, Miranda!

  3. Reply

    Lynn

    August 1, 2020

    Thanks for posting photos of the book insides. You did not lie! It is a knock out! I make collage and mixed media art and usually start working on Halloween pieces in July. So, this book is going to really help inspire me. Well, it already has, thanks to your share. Mmmwahahaha!

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