Various — Folk Horror Revival: Field Studies (book)
The term Folk Horror has only really been used as a label since the early 2000’s, and it started as been used as a way of describing British horror films of the late 60’s/ early 70’s such as Witchfinder General, Blood On Satan’s Claw, & The Wicker Man. But has gone onto be a overriding label for all manner of horror/supernatural themed legends, dark folk music & related sonic fare, darker art with a nature themes. Dark & horror themed fiction with folk leanings, films from other counties with a darker legend based feel, and beyond.
This weighty paperback tome came about due to the Folk Horror Revival facebook group, and it sees members of the group contributing a variety of different types of non-fiction texts. In all we have over 50 separate articles on offer here, and they cover a huge amount of subjects about & related to the folk horror. We move from discussions about the imagery & music from The Wicker Man( by British folk music artists Sharron Kraus), onto a brief history of British Public information films. Though to investigations into British medieval legends such as the Green Children Of Woolpit. Onto pieces about films such as japan's ghost cinema, those based around the works of M.R James, and Czech folk horror. Onto interviews with artists, writers, and figures whose work touches down in folk horror, or is closely related. Though to musical discussions, which go from reviews of folk horror film soundtracks, though to very interesting primers discussing the work of modern folk horror musical projects such as brilliant The Hare & The Moon.
Writing style wise it’s fairly varied- going from quite approachable & light, through to a little bit more academic- though it never really becomes too stuffy or dull. With each of the articles pulling you in, and really I’ve found it’s a book best to dip in & out of. And slowly but surely investigate to it all over time.
The book is a print-on-demand venture & can only be purchased direct from here . It comes in around £15.00, which really is not bad considering the amount of scope, information, and variety covered in the book. Also all of the books profits go towards local Uk nature based charities , which is good to hear. Seemingly there is now planned a series of books/releases related to the Folk Horror group, with already a second book just released- Folk Horror Revival: Corpse Roads, which is 564 page book that takes in a huge selection poetry & illustrations focused in on the folk horror theme.