Title: Danse Macabre
Author: Stephen King
First published April 20, 1981
400 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780425181607 (ISBN10: 042518160X)
Rating: 3.66
Overview
“Dancing with terror and delving into the supernatural, “Danse Macabre” is the ultimate horror analysis by the one and only Stephen King. With a combination of autobiography and classic horror writing, King takes readers on a spine-chilling journey through the spectrum of horror in popular culture.
From the iconic tales of Dracula and Frankenstein to modern-day horror movies and books, King dissects the art of fear and how he brings it to life in his own bestselling novels. A must-read for anyone brave enough to face the darkness within.”
About the Author
Stephen Edwin King was born as the second child of Donald and Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King. His father left them when Stephen was two years old, and his mother raised him and his elder brother, David.
He spent his childhood in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with his father’s family, and in Stratford, Connecticut. When he turned eleven years old, his mother moved the family back to Durham, Maine, permanently.
Her parents, Guy and Nellie Pillsbury, were old and incapacitated, and Ruth King was convinced by her sisters to care for them physically. Other family members provided a small house in Durham and financial support.
After Stephen’s grandparents passed away, Mrs. King found work in the kitchens of Pineland, a nearby residential facility for the mentally challenged.
Stephen attended grammar school in Durham and Lisbon Falls High School, from where he graduated in 1966. During his sophomore year at the University of Maine in Orono, he wrote a weekly column for the school newspaper, THE MAINE CAMPUS, and was active in student politics, serving as a member of the Student Senate.
He became a supporter of the anti-war movement on the Orono campus, believing that the Vietnam War was unconstitutional. He earned his B.A. in English in 1970 and was qualified to teach at the high school level.
However, a draft board examination after graduation found him 4-F because of high blood pressure, limited vision, flat feet, and punctured eardrums.
Stephen met Tabitha Spruce while both were working as students at the Fogler Library at the University of Maine. They married in January 1971.
Stephen was unable to find a teaching position immediately, so the couple lived on his earnings as a laborer at an industrial laundry and her student loan and savings, with an occasional short story sale to men’s magazines.
Stephen made his first professional short story sale, “The Glass Floor,” in 1967. Throughout the early years of his marriage, he continued to sell stories to men’s magazines, and many were collected into a book or appeared in anthologies.
In the fall of 1971, Stephen started teaching English at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. In his free time, he continued to write and work on his novels.
Editoral Review
Danse Macabre by Stephen King is an enthralling exploration of horror and suspense. As one of the most renowned horror writers of the 20th century, Stephen King has crafted a thrilling masterpiece that delves into the darkest aspects of the human psyche.
The book was first published on April 20, 1981, and since then has become a classic in the genre. Danse Macabre takes place in America during the late 1970s and early 1980s, and it centers around a variety of characters, including a writer, a musician, and a horror movie enthusiast.
The main character of the novel is King himself, who leads the reader through the history of horror and its influence on popular culture. Along the way, King provides insights into the world of horror and the mechanisms that make it so alluring and terrifying.
The novel’s themes include the attraction to the macabre, the psychology of horror, and the impact of horror on society. King’s writing is masterful, and his detailed descriptions and evocative imagery create a sense of palpable dread that permeates the story.
The pacing is excellent, with moments of intense horror interspersed seamlessly with moments of respite that allow the reader to catch their breath before the next terrifying chapter. Throughout the novel, King offers a unique perspective on the horror genre, discussing the various sub-genres that exist and examining the ways in which horror has impacted society.
His analysis of the genre is insightful and thought-provoking, making Danse Macabre an essential read for anyone interested in horror or the broader cultural impact of popular media. While the book’s focus on horror may put off those who are not fans of the genre, King’s brilliant writing and insightful analysis make Danse Macabre an engaging and thought-provoking read.
The book is not without its flaws, with some sections feeling overly long or repetitive. However, these issues are minor and do not detract from the overall quality of the novel.
In conclusion, Danse Macabre is a must-read for anyone interested in horror or the broader cultural impact of popular media. King’s brilliant writing and insightful analysis make this book a fascinating exploration of the genre, and his evocative descriptions and masterful storytelling create a sense of dread that is impossible to shake.
Despite its flaws, Danse Macabre is a captivating and rewarding read that will leave a lasting impression on anyone who picks it up. Overall, we give this book a score of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
