The Five Senses of Horror — Occult Philosophy

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🕯️ Occult Philosophy

The Five Senses of Horror

Name: The Five Senses of Horror
Price: 34.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781949491043

✍️ Eric J Guignard, Jessica Bayliss, Nils Bross

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$34.95

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

This groundbreaking anthology, *The Five Senses of Horror*, masterfully explores how our most fundamental perceptions—sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste—are exploited to craft truly immersive and unsettling narratives. Featuring fifteen dark fantasy and horror tales from acclaimed authors like Poppy Z. Brite and Ramsey Campbell, it’s not just a collection of stories. Alongside each chilling piece, editor Eric J. Guignard and psychologist Jessica Bayliss offer insightful commentary, dissecting the physiological and psychological mechanisms that make sensory horror so potent. It's a journey into both the craft of fear and the science behind our screams.

Guignard, Eric J; , Bayliss, Jessica; , Bross, Nils

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🕯️

Occult Philosophy

🏛 Dark Moon Books 📅 2018 📖 310 pages 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9781949491043

Fun Fact

This anthology is a revelation, providing both a thrilling read and an intellectual deep dive into the mechanics of fear. It excels in its unique dual structure, offering potent fiction alongside illuminating psychological insights. While it might disappoint readers looking for a straightforward, unanalyzed collection of scares, those who appreciate a thoughtful, genre-bending exploration of horror's visceral power will find it indispensable. It firmly carves out a niche as a definitive guide to sensory storytelling in dark literature.

📝 Description: The Five Senses of Horror

Hearing, sight, touch, smell, and taste: Our impressions of the world are formed by our five senses, and so too are our fears, our imaginations, and our captivation in reading fiction stories that embrace these senses. Whether hearing the song of infernal caverns, tasting the erotic kiss of treachery, or smelling the lush fragrance of a fiend, enclosed within this anthology are fifteen horror and dark fantasy tales that will quicken the beat of fear, sweeten the flavor of wonder, sharpen the spike of thrills, and otherwise brighten the marvel of storytelling that is found resonant! Editor Eric J. Guignard and psychologist Jessica Bayliss, PhD also include companion discourse throughout, offering academic and literary insight as well as psychological commentary examining the physiology of our senses, why each of our senses are engaged by dark fiction stories, and how it all inspires writers to continually churn out ideas in uncommon and invigorating ways. Featuring stunning interior illustrations by Nils Bross, and including fiction short stories by such world-renowned authors as John Farris, Ramsey Campbell, Poppy Z. Brite, Darrell Schweitzer, and Richard Christian Matheson, amongst others. Intended for readers, writers, and students alike, explore THE FIVE SENSES OF HORROR!

📑 What's inside

"Preface: The Five Senses of Horror" by Eric J. Guignard
"Introduction: Why Do Horror Stories Work? The Psychobiology of Horror" by Jessica Bayliss, PhD
"Thoughts About the Sense of Touch" by Jessica Bayliss, PhD
"Heading Home" by Ramsey Campbell
"Soft" by Darrell Schweitzer
"Feel the Noise" by Lisa Morton
"Thoughts About the Sense of Hearing" by Jessica Bayliss, PhD
"In the Cave of the Delicate Singers" by Lucy Taylor
"Sounds" by Kathryn Ptacek
"Malleus, Incus, Stapes" by Sarah Totton
"Thoughts About the Sense of Taste" by Jessica Bayliss, PhD
"His Mouth Will Taste of Wormwood" by Poppy Z. Brite
"Cassilago's Wife" by Sarah Singleton
"Sweet Subtleties" by Lisa L. Hannett
"Thoughts About the Sense of Sight" by Jessica Bayliss, PhD
"The Beholder" by Richard Christian Matheson
"In the Porches of My Ears" by Norman Prentiss
"The Impression of Craig Shee" by David McGroarty
"Thoughts About the Sense of Smell" by Jessica Bayliss, PhD
"Shem-el-Nessim: An Inspiration in Perfume" by Chris Bell
"The Scent" by John F.D. Taff
"The Odor of Violets" by John Farris
"Understanding and Incorporating the Five Human Senses into Modern Horror Short Fiction Writing" by Eric J. Guignard
"Afterword: Sensation and Perception" by K. H. Vaughan, PhD
"Suggested Academic Reading for Further Study" by Eric J. Guignard
"A Brief Reading List of Modern Fiction Short Stories with Relation to the Senses (1940-2015)" by Eric J. Guignard

💎 Expert review

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💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Guignard and Bayliss deliver a compelling exploration of sensory horror that appeals primarily to those interested in the mechanics of fear. The dual structure of fiction and analysis makes it valuable for writers and psychologists alike. However, readers seeking pure, unadulterated plot-driven narratives may find the interstitial commentary disruptive or overly academic. It is not suited for casual readers looking for quick thrills without intellectual effort. The anthology succeeds in its goal to illuminate the craft, but its niche appeal means it may feel dense to those unfamiliar with literary analysis or psychological theory regarding sensory perception.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This book is an essential companion for writers seeking to deepen their craft and readers who crave a visceral, intellectual engagement with horror. By dissecting the physiological and psychological underpinnings of sensory terror, it offers unique insights into how fear operates on both a narrative and biological level. The inclusion of commentary alongside fifteen distinct tales allows you to appreciate not just the story, but the architecture of the scare itself. Whether you are an author looking to enhance your descriptive power or a horror enthusiast fascinated by the science behind the scream, this collection provides a rich, immersive experience that bridges the gap between artistic expression and psychological reality.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you are a connoisseur of dark fiction seeking a deeper understanding of its power, or a writer eager to refine your craft, this book is for you. Prepare to have your perceptions sharpened and your assumptions about horror challenged. It's an intellectual and visceral feast.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Guignard and Bayliss deliver a compelling exploration of sensory horror that appeals primarily to those interested in the mechanics of fear. The dual structure of fiction and analysis makes it valuable for writers and psychologists alike. However, readers seeking pure, unadulterated plot-driven narratives may find the interstitial commentary disruptive or overly academic. It is not suited for casual readers looking for quick thrills without intellectual effort. The anthology succeeds in its goal to illuminate the craft, but its niche appeal means it may feel dense to those unfamiliar with literary analysis or psychological theory regarding sensory perception.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Unlike typical anthologies, this volume pairs fifteen original dark fiction stories with insightful psychological and literary commentary, dissecting how sensory engagement amplifies the horror within each tale.

The collection features dark fantasy and horror tales, ranging in intensity. While designed to provoke and engage the senses, readers should anticipate themes and imagery typical of mature horror fiction.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Sensory Immersion in Dread

The anthology meticulously demonstrates how authors can leverage the five senses to deepen a reader's experience of horror. By focusing on specific sensory details—the scent of decay, the chill of an unseen touch, the taste of betrayal—the narratives transcend mere plot, drawing you into a visceral world where fear is felt, not just described.

Psychology of Fear

Beyond the fiction, expert commentary delves into the scientific basis of fear, explaining why certain sensory inputs trigger such profound reactions in us. This academic insight illuminates the biological and psychological underpinnings of our responses to horror, offering a unique dual perspective on what makes dark fiction truly effective.

The Craft of Dark Storytelling

This collection serves as a masterclass for writers and readers alike, showcasing diverse approaches to crafting compelling dark fiction. It highlights how seasoned authors consciously weave sensory threads into their narratives, inspiring new ideas and demonstrating innovative techniques for evoking wonder, revulsion, and suspense through the careful manipulation of perception.

📜 Historical context

While horror anthologies are a time-honored tradition, *The Five Senses of Horror* pushes the boundary by integrating academic psychological analysis directly alongside the fiction. It situates itself within a lineage of works that explore the mechanics of fear, from Poe's psychological terror to modern body horror, but adds a unique, interdisciplinary dimension that makes it a significant contribution to the genre's critical discourse.

📚 Glossary

Anthology
Dark Fantasy
Sensory Horror

📔 Questions to reflect on

Which of your senses do you find most susceptible to fear, and how might that be used to craft a personal horror narrative?
Reflect on a moment of genuine fear you've experienced. Can you identify which sensory details made it so impactful and memorable?
How do authors manipulate your sensory perceptions to build tension or evoke revulsion without explicitly describing gruesome events?