Fans think they know artists when they've followed their work for years. In a way, they do. Every musician, writer, and filmmaker puts their soul into their work. They can't help it. We see the surface, but not the depths.
I knew a little about Wes Craven. I've been a longtime admirer of his films for one thing. From interviews and things I know he was acutely intelligent and had a sly wit. I was aware that Wes was knowledgeable about psychology, sociology, and philosophy.
I also knew that Wes Craven had literary aspirations, but I didn't know how close he came to being a major figure in publishing. Not until I read Joseph Maddrey's The Soul of We Craven.
I met Joe at Authorcon IV. He flattered me by buying my books. He didn't only buy them, he read part of the first one in the con hotel and said he liked it.
I can be a little thick. I like to think I know everything about this stuff, but I didn't put two and two together to realize that Joe is the man responsible for the excellent horror documentary, Nightmares in Red, White, and Blue. Or that he had written and published numerous genre-related books.
Joe told me about his Wes Craven book, which was due a month or so after the convention. Of course I bought a copy. One good turn deserves another.
After reading the first two pages while lying in bed next to my wife, I turned and said "This is good. Really good".
The Soul of Wes Craven is a lengthy, intimate look deep into the life of everyone's favorite nightmare maker. It's long, but never dull. The book is certainly not a dry, academic recitation of the director's life and accomplishments.
Some of the most interesting parts of The Soul of Wes Craven are the early chapters, which detail Wes's turbulent college life and his efforts to become a literary lion. It's a fascinating era, not only of Craven's life, but in American letters. Experimental fiction and poetry was blossoming everywhere. Writers were enjoying a newfound freedom of style and expression. Wes edited a controversial literary journal at his school.
Wes Craven was an instigator, a troublemaker, a prankster, and an ambitious writer. I wish some of his writing could have been included in The Soul of Wes Craven.
As we all know, Wes discovered an inner passion for filmmaking. After some early works, he and Sean Cunningham unleashed Last House on the Left on the world. The movie was his biggest early success and also an albatross that plagued his entire career. Wes Craven would be considered a horror director for the rest of his life.
The Soul of Wes Craven covers all his films. Many books of this kind mainly focus on the high notes. Maddrey gives time for the hits and the misses, which I greatly appreciated. He examines them all with a sober eye, relating the good and the negative aspects of the productions. Unsurprisingly, studio interference was the biggest problem Craven faced in his toils in the screen trade. The bigwigs hire talented people and then refuse to allow them to do their jobs. And when things go south? Guess who gets the blame?
Wes Craven's personal struggles are also documented in the book. Like all of us, Wes had mental and emotional challenges. He faced them with dignity and courage. It's inspiring.
As is so often the case, just as Wes Craven was finding his greatest inner peace, the end was nigh. It seems to be the folly of all our lives.
The Soul of Wes Craven is beautifully written. It's funny, it's thoughtful, and it's even profound. I was deeply moved by this tour through Wes Craven's life. This is one of the best biographies I've ever read, and it's almost certainly the best book I've read about someone in the world of horror.
All fans should read the book. Then we should all go back and re-assess the films with greater insight on their creator.
Written by Mark Sieber
I knew a little about Wes Craven. I've been a longtime admirer of his films for one thing. From interviews and things I know he was acutely intelligent and had a sly wit. I was aware that Wes was knowledgeable about psychology, sociology, and philosophy.
I also knew that Wes Craven had literary aspirations, but I didn't know how close he came to being a major figure in publishing. Not until I read Joseph Maddrey's The Soul of We Craven.
I met Joe at Authorcon IV. He flattered me by buying my books. He didn't only buy them, he read part of the first one in the con hotel and said he liked it.

Joe told me about his Wes Craven book, which was due a month or so after the convention. Of course I bought a copy. One good turn deserves another.
After reading the first two pages while lying in bed next to my wife, I turned and said "This is good. Really good".
The Soul of Wes Craven is a lengthy, intimate look deep into the life of everyone's favorite nightmare maker. It's long, but never dull. The book is certainly not a dry, academic recitation of the director's life and accomplishments.
Some of the most interesting parts of The Soul of Wes Craven are the early chapters, which detail Wes's turbulent college life and his efforts to become a literary lion. It's a fascinating era, not only of Craven's life, but in American letters. Experimental fiction and poetry was blossoming everywhere. Writers were enjoying a newfound freedom of style and expression. Wes edited a controversial literary journal at his school.
Wes Craven was an instigator, a troublemaker, a prankster, and an ambitious writer. I wish some of his writing could have been included in The Soul of Wes Craven.
As we all know, Wes discovered an inner passion for filmmaking. After some early works, he and Sean Cunningham unleashed Last House on the Left on the world. The movie was his biggest early success and also an albatross that plagued his entire career. Wes Craven would be considered a horror director for the rest of his life.
The Soul of Wes Craven covers all his films. Many books of this kind mainly focus on the high notes. Maddrey gives time for the hits and the misses, which I greatly appreciated. He examines them all with a sober eye, relating the good and the negative aspects of the productions. Unsurprisingly, studio interference was the biggest problem Craven faced in his toils in the screen trade. The bigwigs hire talented people and then refuse to allow them to do their jobs. And when things go south? Guess who gets the blame?
Wes Craven's personal struggles are also documented in the book. Like all of us, Wes had mental and emotional challenges. He faced them with dignity and courage. It's inspiring.
As is so often the case, just as Wes Craven was finding his greatest inner peace, the end was nigh. It seems to be the folly of all our lives.
The Soul of Wes Craven is beautifully written. It's funny, it's thoughtful, and it's even profound. I was deeply moved by this tour through Wes Craven's life. This is one of the best biographies I've ever read, and it's almost certainly the best book I've read about someone in the world of horror.
All fans should read the book. Then we should all go back and re-assess the films with greater insight on their creator.
Written by Mark Sieber
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