Feeding the Monster
A really fabulous book on something I thought I had no interest in: horror movies.
I've made a discovery. The optimal membership of a book club is two. You avoid all the tiresome dynamics and practicalities of a group, but you get the advantages- discussion of interesting things, and reading books you would not normally consider.
I've always had an aversion to horror movies. I've always told myself that this is somehow high-minded- something between not wanting to get enjoyment from suffering, or seeing enough fear and misery while working for the NHS… but Feeding the Monster has done a rare thing, and changed my mind completely.
Anna Bogutskaya’s book has managed the trick in two ways. One is by presenting a really quite compelling argument. I say argument: the book is too subtle to adhere to the typical ‘here’s why X is what you should think’ form of non-fiction. Instead, what emerges is a set of reflections that point to horror being an expression of our societal fears, and the experiencing of it therefore being a profound experiencing of those fears, and a learning about them, in a controlled ‘safe’ environment. But not just our fears, but our desires. This latter point is made by perhaps the strongest chapter in the book, on cannibalism. The thesis isn’t as basic as ‘cannibalism=sex’ but Bogutskaya points out the parallels between romantic obsession and cannibals with great skill, while describing some pretty gruesome stuff in prose which is clear but never prurient. Because haven’t we all wanted to be consumed by someone?
The second way in which the book is persuasive is authorial presence. Bogutskaya is a very charming, personable guide through these wilds, and her pedigree as a podcaster really shows- it’s a ‘leaning into the microphone' kind of authorial voice. She also puts just enough of her own experience in the narrative to humanise it without at any time the book being about her. So she might allude to episodes of self-harm, or her Russian heritage, but only to illustrate a point. The reason this works is not because her life and experience is not interesting, but because keeping them somewhat in the background encourages the reader to think about their own vulnerabilities and fears in relation to these films.
And that’s what persuaded me, really- it’s implicit in Feeding the Monster, but was put succinctly by Tom, my book club partner. He made the point that in action films, you are rooting for the powerful- in horror, you are (generally) rooting for the vulnerable. Viewed through this lens we are not enjoying the suffering of horror protagonists but doing something more complex and empathic, which Feeding the Monster explores deftly.
One final plus point- this book is exactly as long as it needs to be. Bogutskaya is as respectful of the reader’s time as of our experience, and it is much appreciated.
So, am I going to start watching horror movies? No- but I am starting to view my aversion not as high-minded, but as a species of emotional avoidance. There are things in the genre that it would genuinely do me good to watch. One day. Another one to add to the therapy to-do list, I guess….
It’s been lovely to get some more subscriptions recently- welcome! This is usually the bit where I recommend some music: here is a 2024 round up to catch you up.
I also urge you all to listen again and again to Ethel Cain’s American Teenager because it’s amazing.