Question of the Week
Question of the Week #3: Which books scare you?
Halloween is here! It's my favorite holiday, so I'm very excited to ask this week's question.
What book or story truly scares you? Or, if you're too tough to be frightened now, what scared you when you were young? Why?
For bonus points, share your favorite literary Halloween costumes: ones you've seen, been, or would like to be. If you're getting dressed up this year, who/what will you be?
My most terrifying childhood story was The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. I'm not sure why; something about an approaching horse in the dark woods really got to me. The short animated movie of the story is also quite scary--anyone else remember that?
The best literary Halloween costume I've seen (for sale) is "Sexy Hester Prynne." It's a sexy Puritan outfit, which is apparently very popular--one website has sold out of the costume. The irony is almost too much to bear.
I'm dressing up as a vampire this year, and I've been reading Dracula to prepare (very spooky!).
Replies (16)
Posted by
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Parts of It are pretty scary. Also, the scene in Red Dragon (Thomas Harris) where Will Graham is walking through a house where a whole family was killed.... scary, the first time you read it.
I really want to dress up as Cyrano de Bergerac. But I want to take the time to make the costume look amazing, so I hope to do it another year. This year I'm going to be a character from an anime series.Oct 27, 2008 12:13 pm
by emilyyoung -
When I was in sixth grade, I stayed up late reading The Amityville Horror. I had to leave the light on when I finished the book, and I was sure I was never going to get to sleep.
I dressed as Lady Godiva one year. Does that count as literary?
This year, I'll be dressing as a crazed NaNoWriMo participant waiting for the clock to tick over so she can begin writing. Or, wait--that's real life, not a costume!Oct 27, 2008 4:44 pm
by EHartshorn -
I agree with Emily: Stephen King's It scared me. But I loved The Ghost Writer by John Harwood.
Oct 27, 2008 8:16 pm
by danahuff -
The scariest book I have read is a tie between Stephen King's the Shining and Pet Semetary.
by emem555 -
@EHartshorn: Of course Lady Godiva counts as literary! And I guess for you, the scariest thing you could see would be someone dressed up as December 1, right?
@danahuff, emilyyoung: Clearly I need to put "It" on my reading list. Thanks for the tip.
The more I think about literary Halloween costumes, the more I realize how tricky it is. You've must select someone who is instantly recognizable through just one or two references. There aren't too many characters whose presence in pop culture is large enough that you can dress as them and still avoid explaining who you are all night. Plus, it's tricky to find characters whose identities you can (sort of) distill into a dress or a prop. It might work to be Hamlet and hold a skull all night--and when you're asked "Trick or Treat," you can reply: "To be or not to be, *that* is the question." And then laugh nerdily.
by MaggieH (admin) -
It wasn't Halloween, but last year I dressed up as Emily Dickinson for a Purim celebration at the school where I teach English (Purim is a Jewish holiday not too unlike Halloween in my experience). She's really recognizable because of the all-white dress and bun hairstyle.
by danahuff -
I should have mentioned that I tried to do Ophelia for Purim a few years before, and no one got it. Not even the guy who teaches the Shakespeare elective.
by danahuff -
Some parts of Dean Koontz's "Phantoms" were scarey. And of course, "The Exorcist". Cormac McCarthy's "The Road" was really frightening, but not in a cool Halloween kind of way. In a 'the end is near' kind of way. And yeah, Stephen King rules.
Oct 29, 2008 11:03 am
by rlhiebert -
I'm not the type to pick out a scary book, myself, but I was suitably chilled by a compilation of Poe short stories I had as a gift back in middle school - "The Telltale Heart" of course leaving the most lasting impression.
Oct 30, 2008 10:20 am
by karen.giangreco -
Definitely the Shining. I've still never finished it.
Nov 2, 2008 10:48 am
by wlighty -
Okay, so I am late to this but...
Judith Hawkes - Heart of a Witch. Not the "turn on the lights so you can make sure the corners are empty" kind of scary, but if you have ever thought about delving into witchcraft, her experiences seem so personal it makes it psychologically scary.
"From a Buick 8" was kinda scary.
anyone?Nov 27, 2008 3:51 am
by SirCharlsO -
Stephen King's "Salem's Lot" really creeped me out. I'm also reading "Shock Doctrine" right now, which is very scary nonfiction.
by spawnder -
1984. Oddly enough, it scared me more than the Phantom of the Opera or The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
by saturntv -
Skeleton Creek and the Ghost in the Machine. Both books are written by Patrick Carman. They are innovative in that they rely on print and video.
by sfillner -
The Shining and Salem's Lot. The only books that ever gave me the creeps.
Oct 13, 2009 9:48 am
by Golem100 -
I second the vote for 1984. The evil omnipotent Big Brother is a lot scarier (and more plausible) than a headless horseman!
Oct 13, 2009 11:17 am
by Lolabean