Horror Aficionados discussion

I'm posing this question as I'm in the middle of The Summer I Died by Ryan C. Thomas. I picked it up on the recommendation of several people here and while I'm enjoying the writing, I do find myself flinching at the violence and what's occurring.

So my question to others is: Why do you read splatter punk? What's the appeal to read such over the top violence? And for the writers out there, like Wrath James White, who is on some of these boards from time to time, why write this kind of thing?

I've read some of Edward Lee's stuff, again because I think he's actually a talented writer, and I enjoy how he writes, but not always what he writes. I liken this genre to certain genres of metal music (i.e. death or black metal). From little I know about that sort of music, I don't get the appeal... why listen to music so dreadful in topic and feeling?

Is splatterpunk the equivalent in fiction? Why do some read something so dark? Again, I'm not throwing out accusations or trying to be insensitive.... I'm just curious as to what others think the appeal is.

I read splatter punk before I knew it was named splatter plunk.
I just like horror stories, most especially creative, imaginative, well written ones. I got turned on to Clive Barker and read everything he had available at the time. All I knew was that I liked the stories...I didn't know they had a label until last year sometime when a fellow GR member told me. (Thanks, Coax!)

I've only read one Ed Lee book and I did like it, but I'm not actively seeking him out.

Perhaps it's just another form of catharsis or escape. I presume listening to certain types of music would be the same type of thing. I wonder why people listen to country music sometimes-someone is always singing about dreadful topics and feelings in that as well. I love blues music and that's nothing BUT dreadful topics and feelings. But I feel better after I listen to it.
Another reason for reading horror is that it's a genre for outsiders. Horror stories are often about outsiders. I am going to borrow a quote from a fantastic horror writer here at Goodreads-Kealan Patrick Burke. I think he sums it up quite well:

" Horror itself is a bit of a bullied genre, the antagonist being literary snobbery and public misconception. And I think good horror tackles our darkest fears, whatever they may be. It takes us into the minds of the victims, explores the threats, disseminates fear, studies how it changes us. It pulls back the curtain on the ugly underbelly of society, tears away the masks the monsters wear out in the world, shows us the potential truth of the human condition. Horror is truth, unflinching and honest. Not everybody wants to see that, but good horror ensures that it's there to be seen".
-Kealan Patrick Burke

Hi Charlene,

I agree with the what Mr. Burke is saying about horror in general... but splatterpunk is a far extension of what someone like Graham Masterton, or Gary Brandner, or Bentley Little does... Richard Laymon was on the edge with his stuff back in the day, but I don't think he went as far as the current stuff.

I guess it's just a question of why go so far?

Because the most intense art is the best art.

This is how I feel about Bizarro books as well

What Max said.

T Maxim wrote: "BTW: Is splatterpunk now considered being a tad above or below pornography?
What never fails to irk me are interviews where genre writers are asked if they prefer psychological horror or the gross-..."

Well put Max.

Horror in general is still considered a "lesser genre" with splatterpunk being a step lower. It saddens me to see the masses blow their lives away on the latest James Patterson novel every other week when there are an infinite number of better reads out there. I pity the masses who suffer from a lack of imagination.

Splatterpunk elicits an emotional response I never found in any other genre. That is what I value most about it.

M.R. wrote: "the responsibly of those portraying violence in film have an obligation to make it seem as unpleasant as possible so no sane person would think to emulate it."

I like that quote.

11811 (Eleven) wrote: "M.R. wrote: "the responsibly of those portraying violence in film have an obligation to make it seem as unpleasant as possible so no sane person would think to emulate it."

I like that quote."

Me too.

Well I use to read true crime about mostly serial killers back in high school then weird of topic things like Timothy Leary and anarchist cookbook and chuck palinuchuck and bavk then that was wierd to me lol I always.loved horror movies the gorier the cheaper the better like troma movies exp: redneck zombies,class of nuke em high and lots of stephem kimg eventualy i.found Richard laymon Ed lee and Carlton mellick they chamged everything. Im still obsessed with serial killers thats why my fav authors are Blake crouch and jack kilborn