Paperbacks from Hell

The Twisted History of ’70s and ’80s Horror Fiction

De: Grady Hendrix, Will Errickson - contributor

Narrado por: Timothy Andrés Pabon

Duración: 5 h y 39 m

Resumen del Editor

Take a tour through the horror paperback novels of two iconic decades...if you dare. Hear 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. Complete with story summaries and artist and author profiles, this unforgettable volume dishes on familiar authors like V. C. Andrews and R. L. Stine, plus many more who've faded into obscurity. Also included are recommendations for which of these forgotten treasures are well worth your listening time and which should stay buried.

©2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc. (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Twisted Indeed!

This is an entertaining overview of the horror paperback boom of the '70s and '80s. I wish it went into a little more depth about certain books and authors but it's fun stuff and a good place to start a horror reading list.

By listened to this as an audiobook I clearly missed out on some of the visual joys the book has to offer. Nevertheless, even without the illustrations, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

fun interesting book, clueless narrator

The book itself is lively and fun (though would be improved with a pdf of book covers) but the reader mispronounces so many words that I had to stop listening. He can’t say “coven” right! Shades of American Movie...

Worth your time

I found it really interesting. Entertaining and informative with a narrator who seemed to enjoy it, which made it even better.

Be Warned.. Your TBR Pile Will Grow!

"If the house you just moved into has a basement stuffed with old mannequins, run. If it has a "toy room" filled with clown puppets, run faster."

Guts, gore, satanic rituals, and evil children!! This twisted look at horrors history is fucking fun and hilarious... if you're a fan of all things creepy crawlie read this book!!

Awesome

This was so well-researched and interesting. I learned a lot about authors and books I had heard of, but also many I had never heard of. Plus, it was super funny!

Devil of Detail

The author took great lengths to research the genre publishers, contextual cultural and legal factors and shares a loving and concise telling of the horror genre over time. If your reading list is too long already, he'll make it far longer. Listen at your peril!

Excellent, fast listen

Extremely entertaining. I just wish the book was longer. I look forward to a follow up. The only downside is that there are long descriptions of cover-art. I had to look online to see the covers described in the text.

Great overview of paperback horror

A great overview of horror writing and publishing in the 60's, 70's and 80's. Your TBR pile will be happy.

The Rosetta Stone of horror schlock

I think this is one of the more interesting finds I’ve come across on audible. For quite some time I had been on a horror jag but had little luck in finding anything sufficiently creepy to hold my attention. Miss after miss, disappointment after disappointment, wasted credit after wasted credit, I had despaired of finding anything that was well-written and unsettling at the same time. Then I found Paperbacks from Hell by Grady Hendrix and contributor Will Erickson.
When I call this book the Rosetta Stone of horror schlock that’s precisely what it is. It will open up an entire world for you of interesting and original horror. With a pinch of wit and humor the author exhaustively catalogues the biggest names and titles of the paperback horror boom that began in the latter half of the 20th century. The authors guide us from obscure authors with absurd and undeniably creative premises to titans of horror like Blatty, Levin, and Harris and always with insight, admiration, humor, and respect. As a connoisseur of horror, even I was impressed by the authors knowledge and found myself writing down title after title that I hadn’t heard of but sounded interesting. This book opened up new avenues to me as a horror fan and I found the authors own love of horror rather contagious. There’s history, humor, and horror here and I can honestly say I recommend it to any book-lover or horror junkie. Give it a listen!

Very interesting, but awful pronunciations

Still giving the book 5 stars because it's so enjoyable.

However, the narration suffers from poor pronunciation throughout.