Book description
The panoramic story of how the horror genre transformed into one of the most incisive critiques of unchecked American imperial power
The American empire emerged from the shadows of World War II. As the nation’s influence swept the globe with near impunity, a host of evil forces followed—from racism, exploitation,…
Why read it?
1 author picked Dark Carnivals as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
Poole builds off his remarkable 2018 Wasteland to explore the tangled relationship between the American horror film and the empire.
For Poole, the most dangerous films are those that imply that we can overcome any evil if we stick together, put our minds to it, and use a little American muscle and know-how.
Through this framework, a film like Jaws is convincingly read as a movie that makes us feel better about our role as dominators of the world, and the Nightmare on Elm Street sequels fit in perfectly with the callousness and cruelty of the 1980s. And rather than…
If you love Dark Carnivals...
These Blue Mountains
A moving story of love, betrayal, and the enduring power of hope in the face of darkness.
German pianist Hedda Schlagel's world collapsed when her fiancé, Fritz, vanished after being sent to an enemy alien camp in the United States during the Great War. Fifteen years later, in 1932, Hedda…
Want books like Dark Carnivals?
Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Dark Carnivals.
Share your top 3 reads of 2025!
And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.
1,366
readers submitted
so far, will you?
📚 If you like Dark Carnivals, you might also like...
Deadly Revenge
Deputy Jenna Hart has only been working in her sleepy hometown of Pearl Springs for seven months when city officials begin to be targeted by a killer. Twenty years ago, the construction of a dam caused people to lose their land to eminent domain. That wound has not healed with…
The Duty of Memory
Separating the true stories from the myths, The Duty of Memory provides a deeper understanding of the diverse motivations that drove ordinary people to join an underground network of French Resistants despite terrible odds and horrifying consequences.
This book takes the reader inside the true story of men and women…
