I would love to read the updated edition of this because I know that there are a few things in it that Mr King feels differently about now. Which is only natural, given that it was written more than half his life ago. What it is, though, is an autobiography of King’s writing: all the influences that created the writer that took the world by storm and pretty much owned a genre for more than a decade. He focuses mainly on the period 1950-80, or the things he grew up on or was aware of. He pushes backwards in history a few times and discusses some classical horror literature and themes but he focuses mostly on what was published post-war/ during his life up-till-then.

It is written with a confidence that borders on arrogance: however, King appears to know his stuff here so I can forgive the more-than-occasional broadside or the occasional inaccuracy. What I really enjoyed about this book, though, was the sense that King loves Horror. He talks with authority and knowledge about films, shows and, most importantly, books, but he also talks with love. He talks about watching hours and hours of terrible films just to find a well-done scene, or a great shot, or a great line (a lesson many fans of all genres could relearn these days).

King writes as a fan: a fan who knows his topic (and who has taught it at a tertiary level) and remains that wide-eyed kid in the library or the bookshop or the front row who can’t wait for the next thrill to arrive.