Overview
Theology and Wes Craven explores the religious themes in the movies, television shows, and other works of the man who redefined the horror genre with such landmark and notorious films as The Last House on the Left (1972), The Hills Have Eyes (1977), A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988), The People Under the Stairs (1991), and Scream (1996). This volume provides a retrospective for his entire career, and then spotlights his most theologically intriguing works in chapters devoted to revealing Craven's narrative intent. This collection brings together established scholars and new emergent voices in academia, including feminist and LGBTQ+ perspectives, who explore Craven's vision in relation to contemporary political, social, and economic issues, especially as they related to children, visible minorities, the excluded, and the disenfranchised. This volume is sure to be appreciated both by academics and horror enthusiasts everywhere.
Full Product Details
Author: David K. Goodin ,
Federico Andreoni ,
Amy Beddows ,
David L. Dickey
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Imprint: Lexington Books/Fortress Academic
Dimensions:
Width: 15.80cm
, Height: 1.80cm
, Length: 23.70cm
Weight: 0.485kg
ISBN: 9781978714700
ISBN 10: 197871470
Pages: 206
Publication Date: 08 August 2023
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
Professional & Vocational
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Manufactured on demand
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.
Reviews
Theology doesn’t really cover what is contained in this collection as it is a rollercoaster ride of all-things Craven crammed into its sparkling roster of insightful essays that leaves the reader wanting more. -- Simon Bacon, editor of The Evolution of Horror in the 21st Century, and Faith and the Zombie With topics ranging from Craven’s well-known films such as Nightmare on Elm Street and Last House on the Left, to some of his lesser-known work, including the novel Noah’s Ark: Diary of a Madman (1964), the essays in this collection are impressive in both scope and analysis. Thorough careful and sustained theological enquiry and engaging close-readings, the collection as a whole provides an invaluable reassessment of Craven’s horror beyond shock value, highlighting the religious questions raised by Craven’s work. The study is timely, contributing to new theological approaches to the study of Gothic and horror media. -- Madeline Potter, University of York This collection of astute, surprising, and creative essays shines a light on the full range of Craven’s creative output (including his unpublished novel!), and looks into all of the dark corners of his work to uncover often-overlooked connections with theology and religion. These essays are a testament to an artist who looked the monstrous aspects of religion square in the eye – but also found grace and beauty in unexpected places. -- Brandon R. Grafius, Ecumenical Theological Seminary This book looks at how theology is incorporated into Wes Craven’s filmography, offering new analyses and arguments for scholars of theology and horror, as well as Craven film fans. The book presents a timely exploration of topics including intergenerational trauma, on-screen violence, and intersectional feminism through the unique lens that is the intersection of religion and horror. -- Sean Travers, independent scholar, University College Cork
Author Information
David K. Goodin is a lecturer for the McGill School of Religious Studies in Montreal and Professeur Associé at the Université Laval, Institut de Théologie Orthodoxe de Montréal.
