Focusing on the evolution of the American ghost story, this book explores its roots in Indigenous traditions, Puritan beliefs, and Enlightenment thought. It highlights the genre's peak during the nineteenth century and examines its ongoing influence in contemporary literature and visual culture, revealing how these narratives have adapted and persisted over time.
Neil Gaiman's 1996 novel Neverwhere serves as an excellent introduction to fantasy and adaptation. Jeffrey Andrew Weinstock's A Critical Companion analyzes the work in the context of the fantasy genre, focusing on themes like the Hero’s Journey and urban fantasy. It concludes with an interview with Gaiman and a bibliography of related scholarly works.
Tim Burton has had a massive impact on twentieth and twenty-first century culture through his films, art, and writings. This book examines how his aesthetics, influences, and themes reflect the shifting social expectations in American culture by tracing his Burton's move from a peripheral figure in the 1980s to the center of Hollywood filmmaking.