Despite Winning A Hugo Award, This 44-Year-Old Stephen King Book Doesn't Get Enough Love
Despite it winning a Hugo Award after its publication, one 44-year-old book by the legendary Stephen King does not get enough love or credit from his vast audiences. Many of Stephen King's upcoming books, such as his highly anticipated thriller Never Flinch, highlight how, no matter the genre, Stephen King is able to create a chilling atmosphere and pair it with a twist-filled plot and memorable characters.Given how many successful books he has written, some of Stephen King's lesser-known works end up falling by the wayside.
Stephen King's most underrated books are largely those that stray from the horror genre. The author, over the years, has shifted his focus from horror to crime novels, which are often compared to his former work. Though both genres are able to let the author showcase his understanding of fear, very few of King's books capture his true thoughts as they are filtered through his varied characters. One of his older books, however, allows audiences to view his newer works in a different light, Danse Macabre.
Stephen King's Hugo-Winning Danse Macabre Deserves More Attention, Even 44 Years Later
Danse Macabre Highlights King's Thoughts On The Horror Genre
Danse Macabre by Stephen King deserves more attention over forty years after its publication as it showcases the author's observations and thoughts on the wider body of horror. Much like Stephen King's Holly Gibney books, Danse Macabre is a departure from horror fiction for him. The 1981 nonfiction book is a collection of Stephen King's teaching notes from the various collegiate courses he taught in the 1970s, broken into a non-linear narrative. That narrative breaks down many of his ideas on the genre through these notes, with Stephen King using several classic and modern horror works to organize it.
While some aspects of the book, such as the media he dissects, show their age, it is still a worthy read for audiences who love Stephen King. The author uses not only iconic stories, such as Dracula and Frankenstein, but his own personal connection to the genre to lead his dissection, allowing audiences into his journey into becoming the author he is today. That look within as well as several other factors is why Danse Macabre is still a worthy read years later, especially as many of his observations can be verified in the horror sphere in 2025.
Why Danse Macabre Is Still Worth A Read In 2025
The Book Gives Strong Insights Into The Horror Genre Today
Stephen King's Danse Macabre is still worth a read today as so much of what was discussed has been played with and elaborated on in modern horror. Several of Stephen King's favorite movies are horror films, which he uses to pinpoint the finer parts of the genre and what makes it effective. His use of subjects such as the vampire allows him to dive deeper into the classic story in ways modern works like 2025's Nosferatu have done, creating new layers and angles for audiences to think about the creature and its many forms.
Danse Macabre is, ultimately, Stephen King at his center, making this a must-read for those who want to know his thoughts on well-known works and what truly drives the King of Horror.
Not only that, but Danse Macabre lets him truly highlight his love of the genre and his thoughts on how it impacts society at large. His thoughts on why and how people consume horror media continue to be both true and poignant, as that desire for catharsis is what drives horror creators, such as himself, to create. Danse Macabre is, ultimately, Stephen King at his center, making this a must-read for those who want to know his thoughts on well-known works and what truly drives the King of Horror.
- Birthdate
- September 21, 1947
- Birthplace
- Portland, Maine, USA
- Notable Projects
- The Shawshank Redemption, The Shining, It, The Stand, Misery, The Dark Tower, Mr. Mercedes, Carrie
- Professions
- Author, Screenwriter, Producer, Director, Actor
- Height
- 6 feet 4 inches
Discover the latest news and filmography for Stephen King, known for The Dark Tower series, The Stand, IT, The Shining, Carrie, Cujo, Misery, the Bill Hodges trilogy, and more.
