Paperbacks From Hell: The Twisted History Of '70s And '80s Horror Fiction

Description

Take a tour through the horror paperback novels of the 1970s and '80s . . . if you dare. Page through dozens and dozens of amazing book covers featuring well-dressed skeletons, evil dolls, and knife-wielding killer crabs! Read shocking plot summaries that invoke devil worship, satanic children, and haunted real estate! Horror author and vintage paperback book collector Grady Hendrix offers killer commentary and witty insight on these trashy thrillers that tried so hard to be the next Exorcist or Rosemary's Baby. It's an affectionate, nostalgic, and unflinchinglyafunny celebration of the horror fiction boom of two iconic decades, complete with story summaries and artist and author profiles. You'll find familiar authors, like V. C. Andrews and R. L. Stine, and many more who've faded into obscurity. Plus recommendations for which of these forgotten treasures are well worth your reading time and which should stay buried.

Author description

Grady Hendrix's first novel, Horrorstor (Quirk, 2014), an illustrated story about a haunted IKEA, was named by NPR as one of the best books of 2014. He is also the author of My Best Friend's Exorcism (Quirk, 2016). A diehard horror fiction fan, he lives in New York City.