The Best Nonfiction Slasher Books
Numerous nonfiction books have been written about horror films over the years, but relatively few have been written specifically about slashers. Thankfully, some authors have deemed the genre worthy of examination. Here are the top nonfiction slasher books.
Many of the best works focus specifically on the peak eras in popularity for these films (namely the early ’80s and late ’90s) while others take a broad view of the history of the genre. Each book is unique, so I haven’t ranked them against each other. Readers’ enjoyment will depend largely on their interest in the specific niches that these books cover.
Going to Pieces: the Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film by Adam Rockoff
Any book that features Michael Myers on the cover is worth a read, right? Rockoff examines the rise and decline of the initial wave of American slasher movies starting with Halloween in 1978. He discusses the reasons for the genre’s popularity and how critics reacted to the films.
Going to Pieces discusses many of the most popular entries of the ’80s, including Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street, My Bloody Valentine, and The Slumber Party Massacre. Rockoff also provides a brief overview of the slasher resurgence in the ’90s.
The Teenage Slasher Movie Book by J.A. Kerswell
Kerswell’s book takes a broad all-encompassing look at slasher history. He starts with the Italian giallo films of the 1970s, covers the ’80s American slasher boom, reviews the ’90s postmodern movies, and explains how slashers have evolved into the 21st century.
The Teenage Slasher Movie Book is filled with deliciously lurid posters and film images. It discusses numerous titles that even the most hardcore fans may not know. Kerswell manages to include virtually every ’80s slasher, even ultra-obscure fare like Sledgehammer and Blood Lake.
The 1990s Teen Horror Cycle: Final Girls and a new hollywood formula by Alexandra West
How about an author who thinks that ’90s slashers were superior to their older counterparts? West, co-host of the popular podcast Faculty of Horror, is the author of one of the few nonfiction slasher books to focus on the 1990s.
Her book isn’t just about slasher movies. She examines how ’90s horror reflected contemporary society, amid changing social mores and unprecedented economic prosperity.
In the ’80s, slashers were, despite their popularity, widely considered an underground genre with limited mass market appeal. West articulates how the politics and youth culture of the ’90s helped slashers become mainstream.
The increased acceptance of slashers was great for movie theater ticket sales, but their newfound massive popularity led to a backlash from hardcore fans. Many critics, including myself, generally view ’90s slashers as bland compared to their ’80s and ’70s counterparts. West disagrees and provides thought-provoking critiques of these eras.
Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday the 13th by Peter Bracke
Bracke’s comprehensive coffee table tome covers the history of the Friday the 13th franchise, from the original all the way up to Freddy vs. Jason. The book is filled with striking high-quality behind the scenes photographs from each film.
Related: The Friday the 13th Movies Ranked
Crystal Lake Memories features interviews with nearly every significant person involved in the franchise. Bracke performed an impressive amount of research. His affection for the series shines through every page. Crystal Lake Memories contains virtually everything that anyone would want to know about the Friday the 13th series.
