Choosing Novels for a Horror Course

[Syzygy]

Hi Everyone!

Please can you recommend six horror novels that I can teach to undergraduate students?

As it is a course within popular culture, I have chosen to focus on vampires and zombies. It is an introduction to horror.

What do you think of the following selections? Please feel free to make suggestions / changes.

1) Richard Matheson - I am Legend
2) Stephen King - 'Salem's Lot
3) Anne Rice - Interview with the Vampire
4) Max Brooks - World War Z
5) Dean Koontz and Kevin J Anderson - Frankenstein: Prodigal Son
6) Robert Kirkman - The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor

I would really appreciate your guidance.

Thanks.

[Ferox13]

I would include a broader scope in regard to the publications of the book, especially if it is an interduction to horror. I wouldn't ignore everything before the 50's. Is there a reason you avoided the classics like Dracula?

I would include Herbert West–Reanimator by Lovecraft, though it is just a short(ish) story. Some of Lovecraft's attitudes in the book would spark a good discussion.

[MichaelMyers]

I agree with Ferox. Some assignment with a little more meat. Those books are beach reads.

[Syzygy]

Thanks for the responses.

There are many reasons for my choices.

The students have options between streams. They include Romance (50 Shades of Grey), Crime (American Psycho, Dexter, The Silence of the Lambs), Science Fiction and Fantasy (LOTR, GoT).

I have serious competition.

If I attract very few students, then they will cut my stream. This is my only opportunity to teach horror.

I'm guessing that the students will choose books they know have television / film adaptations. They will choose the thinnest books, etc.

If they see my books on a list, then chances are they will know about Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Anne Rice. They may not know who Richard Matheson is, but I am sure that they will say, "Hey! That's a Will Smith movie!"

Bottom Line: I need students before I can start prescribing Thomas Ligotti.

[horcrux2007]

The crime novels would spark probably the most discussion, especially American Psycho.

[Syzygy]

...which is why I need strong choices!

To lure them away from the serial killers.

[Baron Von Marlon]

I think that from a student's point of view a book with lesser pages seems more attractive than a thick book of a couple hundred pages.
Maybe you could start your lessons with short stories and work your way up to thicker books.

-I think Stephen King's Silver Bullet wasn't that long and a good read.
-The Woman In Black by Susan Hill might be good. It isn't that long, the movie adaptation is quite recent and stars Elijah Wood.
-H.P. Lovecraft's longest stories are around 150 pages long. His work contains a lot of fancy and old timey words. But it does seem to appeal to a lot of people and it's classic horror literature.
-The Midnight Meat Train from Clive Barker is a short story turned into a movie with Bradley Cooper. He's a famous actor so that might raise interest.

Good luck...

[horcrux2007]

It stars Daniel Radcliffe, not Elijah Wood.

[neverending]

Meh. Why bother?

[ChronoGrl]

Originally Posted by Syzygy

If they see my books on a list, then chances are they will know about Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Anne Rice. They may not know who Richard Matheson is, but I am sure that they will say, "Hey! That's a Will Smith movie!"

I wonder if they're heard of Dracula... Hmmmmm...

Also, get rid of Koontz. Oy.

Introducing a graphic novel/series (Walking Dead) is an good choice; that will probably get them in seats.

And I second "Herbert West–Reanimator," choosing books that have been adapted to film will be a good pop culture tie-in. Maybe preface it with Frankenstein.