In American Scary, Jeremy Dauber, a Columbia University professor and cultural historian, presents a fascinating journey through the dark corridors of American horror, from colonial fears to contemporary anxieties. Following his acclaimed works on American Comics and Jewish Comedy, Dauber brings his characteristic blend of scholarly insight and engaging narrative style to illuminate how horror has been both a mirror and a lens for American society.
The Haunted Foundations of American Horror
Dauber begins his exploration in colonial America, where he skillfully demonstrates how the earliest American horror stories emerged from very real terrors: the fear of divine punishment among Puritans, the dread of Native American attacks among settlers, and the horrific realities of slavery. His analysis of Mary Rowlandson’s captivity narrative and Cotton Mather’s writings on witchcraft reveals how these early texts established patterns that would echo through centuries of American horror.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is Dauber’s ability to draw connections between seemingly disparate elements. He shows how the Salem witch trials, for instance, weren’t just about supernatural fear but about societal control and the horror of false accusation—themes that would resurface in everything from The Crucible to modern political horror.
Literary Evolution and Social Commentary
The author’s examination of the Gothic tradition’s transformation on American soil is particularly insightful. Through careful analysis of works by Charles Brockden Brown, Edgar Allan Poe, and Nathaniel Hawthorne, Dauber shows how American writers adapted European Gothic conventions to address uniquely American anxieties about identity, morality, and progress.
Strengths
- Deep historical context and cultural analysis
- Engaging writing style that balances academic insight with accessibility
- Comprehensive coverage of both well-known and overlooked contributors to the genre
- Thoughtful connections between historical events and their horror manifestations
- Strong examination of how horror reflects societal fears across different eras
Areas for Improvement
- Occasionally becomes too academic in tone, potentially alienating casual readers
- Could have dedicated more space to international influences on American horror
- Some contemporary horror creators receive relatively brief treatment
- The final chapter feels somewhat rushed compared to earlier sections
- Could have included more visual elements to support the text
The Modern Monster
Dauber’s analysis truly shines when he reaches the 20th century, expertly dissecting how atomic age anxieties, civil rights struggles, and technological fears birthed new forms of horror. His examination of how Night of the Living Dead revolutionized both horror cinema and social commentary is particularly compelling.
Innovation in Structure
The book’s organization deserves special praise. Rather than following a strictly chronological approach, Dauber weaves thematic threads that connect different eras, showing how similar fears manifest in different ways across time. This approach helps readers understand how horror evolves while fundamental anxieties remain constant.
Contemporary Relevance
The final sections of American Scary by Jeremy Dauber bring us to the present, with intelligent analysis of how filmmakers like Jordan Peele use horror to address contemporary social issues. Dauber convincingly argues that horror remains our most effective genre for processing societal trauma and confronting uncomfortable truths.
Critical Analysis
While American Scary is overwhelmingly successful in its ambitious scope, there are moments where Dauber’s academic background leads to passages that might be too dense for casual readers. Additionally, some readers might wish for more extensive coverage of certain contemporary horror creators.
Comparable Works
Readers interested in American Scary might also enjoy:
- Men, Women, and Chainsaws by Carol J. Clover
- Danse Macabre by Stephen King
- The Philosophy of Horror by Noël Carroll
Final Verdict
American Scary by Jeremy Dauber is a masterful examination of horror’s role in American culture. Dauber has created an essential text for understanding how our fears shape our stories and how those stories, in turn, shape us. While occasionally academic in tone, the book’s insights and connections make it invaluable for anyone interested in horror or American cultural history.
Who Should Read This Book
- Horror enthusiasts seeking deeper understanding of the genre
- Students of American cultural history
- Writers and creators working in horror
- Anyone interested in how social anxieties manifest in popular culture
- Academics studying the evolution of American literature and film
Impact and Legacy
American Scary seems destined to become a cornerstone text in the study of horror and American cultural history. Dauber’s ability to connect historical dots while maintaining narrative momentum makes this book both important and enjoyable.
Conclusion
Jeremy Dauber has created a compelling argument for horror’s central role in American cultural expression. American Scary by Jeremy Dauber isn’t just about what scares us – it’s about who we are as a nation and how we process our collective traumas and fears. While not perfect, it’s an essential addition to any serious horror fan’s library and a valuable contribution to American cultural studies.