Titillating tales that exude horror

Selected recommendations for Halloween

Book and movie recommendations for the spooky months ahead

Lily Cole

Editor

Books:

Editor’s choice, Lily Cole:

“Greatest Hits” – Harlan Ellison

In this collection of stories by sci-fi author Harlan Ellison, an eight-time Hugo Award winner, five-time Bram Stoker Award winner and four-time Nebula Award winner, you’ll find a sickening tone of writing. Reading this anthology, you’ll be met with angry gods, lost souls, passages through time and even stories on the “lighter” side. From a boy who stays five forever to a malevolent supercomputer with a taste for revenge, Ellison’s work puts the “O!” in horror. If you’re a fan of horror/sci-fi, give this anthology a read.

Steven Bannow, professor of English at WCC:

“The Lord of the Flies” – William Golding

This novel is “truly a horror show.” Many would not consider this horror, but at the outset of a major, arguably catastrophic war, a group of British boys is put on a plane to be sent to a safe place. The plane does not make its destination. After the crash, the boys, without any adult supervision, are on their own … to survive. The collision of civilization and savage worlds ends up in a tragic and horrifying war of its own.

Ella Mason, early childhood development:

“Tender Is the Flesh” – Agustina Bazterrica

This book was creepy in an American Psycho kind of way. It’s set in a dystopian world in which a virus has taken over. It was quite disturbing in parts, and you couldn’t believe what you were reading.

Movies:

Editor’s choice, Alice McGuire:

“The Tingler” – Vincent Price

I have a deep affinity for the film because buzzers from old WW2 planes were attached to the seats to make [movie theater] patrons think their spines had escaped their bodies. “The Tingler” is literally about peoples’ spines escaping their bodies when they’re scared, and the only way to stop it is to scream.

Hope Bernard, professor of film and theater at WCC:

“The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” – Tobe Hooper

The acting performances are incredibly rich, from the character who never talks but conveys absolute horror through his body movements and guttural noises to the seemingly (but mistakenly) nice, helpful old gas station attendant who never stops talking, even through his murderous acts. The film has top-notch, blood-curdling screams. Great performances all around!

Haley Brown, business administration:

“Coraline” – Henry Selick

Coraline is actually surprisingly interesting for a kids’ movie, and I find it fun to watch. I watched it for the first time with some friends a few years ago and have watched it every year since.