Queer Screams: A History of LGBTQ+ Survival Through the Lens of American Horror Cinema
Abigail Waldron
(Author)
Description
The horror genre mirrors the American queer experience, both positively and negatively, overtly and subtextually, from the lumbering, flower-picking monster of Frankenstein (1931) to the fearless intersectional protagonist of the Fear Street Trilogy (2021). This is a historical look at the queer experiences of the horror genre's characters, performers, authors and filmmakers. Offering a fresh look at the horror genre's queer roots, this book documents how diverse stories have provided an outlet for queer people--including transgender and non-binary people--to find catharsis and reclamation. Freaks, dolls, serial killers, telekinetic teenagers and Final Girls all have something to contribute to the historical examination of the American LGBTQ+ experience. Ranging from psychiatry to homophobic fear of HIV/AIDS spread and, most recently, the alienation and self-determination of queer America in the Trump era, this is a look into how terror may repair a shattered queer heart.Product Details
Price
$47.94
Publisher
McFarland & Company
Publish Date
August 17, 2022
Pages
237
Dimensions
6.6 X 9.8 X 0.5 inches | 0.7 pounds
Language
English
Type
Paperback
EAN/UPC
9781476687421
Earn by promoting books
Earn money by sharing your favorite books through our Affiliate program.
Become an affiliate
About the Author
Abigail Waldron is a queer historian and horror film scholar whose work can be seen on horror sites such as Horror Press, Gayly Dreadful, and Rue Morgue. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Reviews
"A nuanced understanding of the importance of horror to queer audiences, especially with regards to the politics of representation."--Natasha Patterson, Simon Fraser University
One of the most engaging, well-informed analyses of queer representations in North American horror films."--Rob Cover, professor of Digital Communication
"Waldron, a scholar and queer historian, sees the horror genre as a means of catharsis and reclamation for the community, although representation is still marginalized in the medium. The author shows how political and social events helped influence queer depictions on screen. ...This well-researched and thought-provoking analysis will be a welcome addition to film studies collections.--Library Journal
One of the most engaging, well-informed analyses of queer representations in North American horror films."--Rob Cover, professor of Digital Communication
"Waldron, a scholar and queer historian, sees the horror genre as a means of catharsis and reclamation for the community, although representation is still marginalized in the medium. The author shows how political and social events helped influence queer depictions on screen. ...This well-researched and thought-provoking analysis will be a welcome addition to film studies collections.--Library Journal
