If you're looking for a new read and haven't yet tried Folk Horror as a sub genre, Lizzy is here to explain why you should and where you can start.
I love reading horror because just like any other genre there are so many small niches or sub-genres out there to discover, and I'm having so much fun finding new favourites (yI wrote about some of my other favourite sub-genres of horror over here!). Folk Horror is a wonderful little niche of horror stories because they can be almost fairy-tale like, a little supernatural, full of the natural world as well as the people within. One of my favourite books of last year I believe sits right in this, but you'll have to read on to find out what it is.
What makes something folk horror?
As with any attempt to categorize novels, this is just my interpretation of books that often straddle many genres. Folk Horror to me is where horror is situated in the isolated, away from modernity and from civilization, where outsiders live with strange rituals or superstitions, often Pagan inspired. Nature is key to this genre, the natural world is a powerful force and life is tied to the seasons of the planet as well as the local beliefs about the ecology around them. These books can have a fairy tale feel, but often much darker and gorier. Through this genre you still get a lot of variety, but the strong sense of place and atmosphere and themes of isolation and superstition are key for me.
The Lamb by Lucy Rose
This debut novel by Lucy Rose blew me away, and really introduced me to the idea of feminist folk horror (and was another in my weird collection of horror books about cannibalism that I love, a strange list but there are some excellent books on it!).
'The Lamb' is about Mama and Margot, living in the forest isolated from the local community, driven by Mama's hunger and the strays who knock on their door when they get lost. It's disturbing, visceral, and also incredibly beautifully written. The strangest coming of age story I've ever read, and one that I won't ever forget - this is the perfect introduction to folk horror - a bloody love story between Mother and daughter, and a tale of feminine anger and rage. I absolutely loved it.
Other Folk Horror Novels to Try!
There is a beautiful special edition coming out later this year of 'Slewfoot' by Brom, a beautiful example of folk horror about an ancient spirit that awakens in the woods who is both savior or monster depending on who you are and your role in the pious village next to the forest. If you read only one book only to demonstrate the wonderful qualities of this genre, this would be a great choice.
I love anything T. Kingfisher does, and they write across so many weird and wonderful genres. The most recent novel 'Wolf Worm' is a great addition to the folk horror genre - set in 1899 where a scientific illustrator is working with a reclusive Dr in an isolated manor house in North Carolina, surrounded by his vast collection of bugs. With dark things at work, animals acting strangely, and parasitic maggots involved in monstrous experiments - this is such a fascinating and wonderfully creepy read.
A new release coming out very soon which I am reading currently inspired me to write this post because it beautifully sits within this genre of horror that is both beautiful and unsettling, dark and tender. 'Fawn' by C. N. Vair is set in the isolated hills of Appalachia, and is a viscerally written story about a century-old witch who is bound to her land through an ancient bargain for survival, threatended by the Devil each autumn. It's a novel about the land itself, feminism, and witchcraft and I can't wait to sink my teeth into it.
Sidebar: My New Obsession with Wicker
I think we'll see more and more folk horror, it feels like an antidote to modernity with it's return to often very ancient stories with roots that go deep into the earth. An example that I am SO excited for, outside of novels, is the movie that has us all a little too excited, Wicker, where Olivia Colman plays a lonely fisherwoman who commissions a husband made of wicker which then comes to life. It's folk horror as something new - a modern reimagination that is somehow both erotic as well as incredibly weird. I can't wait to go along when it comes out, but I also can't wait for more traditional folk horror to be given a modern spin and a new life.
Folk Horror is worth trying because it's like the quieter, more subtle sibling within the horror genre. It overlaps so magically with other genres like fantasy and romance, tackles huge subjects like spirituality, climate change, feminism, religion but with a subtlety that is so cleverly done. It's full of beautiful writing, interesting people, and my favourite thing - the natural world.
So - are you going to give folk horror a try? Do you have any recommendations for me as I expand my TBR? I would love to know!
Lizzy makes sure the Book Hero bookstore is an integral part of our local Hobsonville community, welcoming readers of all ages with a genuine kindness and love of books. The Fantastic Mr Fox ignited her passion for books as a child, and now she’s read thousands of books and loves matching the right book to the right reader - both in our bookstore and online. When she’s not recommending her next favourite read, she’s enjoying life’s small joys with her husband, Edd, and their chaotic but lovely child.
