In American Scary, Jeremy Dauber, professor of American Studies at Columbia University, crafts an ambitious and engaging cultural history that traces horror’s evolution in American society from colonial fears to contemporary anxieties. Building on his previous works examining American comics and Jewish comedy, Dauber brings his characteristic blend of scholarly insight and accessible prose to illuminate how horror narratives have both shaped and reflected America’s deepest cultural fears.
Strengths: Weaving America’s Nightmares
One of the book’s greatest strengths lies in Dauber’s ability to draw compelling connections across centuries of American horror. He masterfully demonstrates how colonial-era fears of Native American raids and slave rebellions evolved into Gothic literature, which in turn influenced everything from Edgar Allan Poe’s psychological terrors to Jordan Peele’s social horror. The breadth of his analysis is impressive, encompassing literature, film, television, and even true crime.
Dauber’s prose remains engaging throughout, avoiding academic jargon while maintaining intellectual rigor. He has a gift for finding revealing historical details that illuminate larger patterns, like how the real-life horrors of H.H. Holmes’s “Murder Castle” during the 1893 World’s Fair reflected growing anxieties about urbanization and modernity.
Critical Analysis: The Horror Below
The book’s organizational structure largely works in its favor, moving chronologically while drawing thematic connections across time periods. However, some readers might find the frequent temporal jumps occasionally disorienting. Additionally, while Dauber’s analysis of early American horror is particularly strong, the contemporary era feels somewhat rushed by comparison.
Key strengths include:
- Exceptional historical research
- Clear, engaging writing style
- Compelling connections across different media and time periods
- Strong analysis of horror’s relationship to social issues
Areas for improvement:
- Could have expanded more on contemporary horror
- Some sections feel slightly rushed
- Occasional repetition of certain themes
- Could have included more international context
Cultural Context and Relevance
What makes American Scary by Jeremy Dauber particularly valuable is its exploration of how horror reflects societal anxieties. Dauber convincingly argues that American horror stories serve as a mirror for national fears, from colonial-era anxieties about wilderness and “savagery” to modern concerns about technology and social division.
Research and Methodology
Dauber’s research is impressively comprehensive, drawing from:
- Primary historical documents
- Literary analysis
- Film criticism
- Cultural studies
- Social history
- Personal interviews
- Contemporary media
Writing Style and Accessibility
The author manages to strike a delicate balance between academic rigor and readable prose. His writing is clear and often entertaining, peppered with thoughtful observations and occasional humor. This makes complex cultural analysis accessible to general readers while still providing depth for scholars.
Comparative Analysis
While American Scary shares some territory with other cultural histories of horror like David J. Skal’s The Monster Show or Carol J. Clover’s Men, Women, and Chain Saws, Jeremy Dauber’s focus on specifically American anxieties and his broad historical scope set it apart. The book builds naturally on his previous works exploring American popular culture, though this may be his most ambitious project yet.
Impact and Significance
American Scary by Jeremy Dauber makes a compelling case for horror’s centrality to American cultural expression. By tracing how horror narratives have evolved alongside American society, Dauber reveals their crucial role in processing national trauma and articulating cultural fears. This understanding feels particularly relevant in our current era of social division and technological anxiety.
Detailed Critical Assessment
Notable Achievements
- Historical Scope: The book’s sweeping historical perspective reveals fascinating patterns in American horror.
- Cultural Analysis: Dauber excels at connecting horror stories to their social context.
- Cross-Media Examination: The analysis moves seamlessly between literature, film, and other media.
- Accessibility: Complex ideas are presented clearly without sacrificing depth.
Room for Improvement
- Contemporary Coverage: The analysis of modern horror feels somewhat compressed compared to earlier periods.
- International Context: More comparison with global horror traditions could have been valuable.
- Digital Horror: The examination of internet-age horror could have been expanded.
- Structure: Some sections feel slightly disjointed or rushed.
Target Audience
American Scary will appeal to:
- Horror enthusiasts
- Cultural historians
- Media scholars
- General readers interested in American cultural history
- Students of film and literature
- Anyone seeking to understand horror’s cultural significance
Conclusion
American Scary by Jeremy Dauber is an important contribution to our understanding of horror’s role in American culture. Despite some minor shortcomings, Dauber has created an engaging and insightful work that illuminates how horror stories reflect and shape American anxieties. The book makes it essential reading for anyone interested in American cultural history or the horror genre.
Author Background
Jeremy Dauber is a professor of Jewish literature and American studies at Columbia University. His previous works include Jewish Comedy: A Serious History and American Comics: A History, both of which demonstrate his skill at analyzing popular culture through a scholarly lens.
Recommendation
American Scary is highly recommended for readers interested in:
- Cultural history
- Horror studies
- American studies
- Media analysis
- Social commentary through art
While not perfect, the book offers valuable insights into how horror reflects and shapes American culture, making it a worthwhile addition to any cultural critic’s library.
