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The Routledge Companion to Folk Horror

Robert Edgar editor Wayne Johnson editor

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd

Published:9th Oct '23

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

The Routledge Companion to Folk Horror cover

The Routledge Companion to Folk Horror offers a comprehensive guide to this popular genre. It explores its origins, canonical texts and thinkers, the crucial underlying themes of nostalgia and hauntology, and identifies new trends in the field.

Divided into five parts, the first focuses on the history of Folk Horror from medieval texts to the present day. It considers the first wave of contemporary Folk Horror through the films of the ‘unholy trinity’, as well as discussing the influence of ancient gods and early Folk Horror. Part 2 looks at the spaces, landscapes, and cultural relics, which form a central focus for Folk Horror. In Part 3, the contributors examine the rich history of the use of folklore in children’s fiction. The next part discusses recent examples of Folk Horror-infused music and image. Chapters consider the relationship between different genres of music to Folk Horror (such as folk music, black metal, and new wave), sound and performance, comic books, and the Dark Web. Often regarded as British in origin, the final part analyses texts which break this link, as the contributors reveal the larger realms of regional, national, international, and transnational Folk Horror.

Featuring 40 contributions, this authoritative collection brings together leading voices in the field. It is an invaluable resource for students and scholars interested in this vibrant genre and its enduring influence on literature, film, music, and culture.

The Best Non-Fiction Book in 2023, RUE MORGUE

'[T]his is everything one could possibly want from a book on this subject. . . . [I]t could be summed up as your definitive academic guide to folk horror – extensive in scope, measured in selection of topics, profound in analysis, serious in approach but accessible to general readership' - Dejan Ognjanovic, Rue Morgue, #216, Jan/Feb 2024.

‘This is an excellent book packed full of instructive and informative text.’ - Gordon Rutter, Fortean Times 448, 2024

ISBN: 9781032042831

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 1300g

454 pages