Horror Genre

We will be reading a short story written by Stewart O'Nan called "Summer of 77". Keep the following characteristics of horror stories in mind while reading it:

Horror fiction has these common elements:
Highly improbable and unexpected sequences of events that usually begin in ordinary situations and involve supernatural elements

Contrast the oddness of these events with the minutiae of daily life so readers identify with the characters

Explores the dark, malevolent side of humanity
Main characters are people we can understand and perhaps identify with although often these are haunted, estranged individuals

Lives depends on the success of the protagonist

Mood is dark, foreboding, menacing, bleak and creates an immediate response by the reader

Setting may be described in some detail if much of the story takes place in one location

Plot contains frightening and unexpected incidents
Violence, often graphic, occurs and may be accompanied by explicit sexuality
Most stories are told in the third person
The style is plain

The key ingredient in horror fiction is its ability to provoke fear or terror in readers, usually via something demonic.. There should be a sense of dread, unease, anxiety, or foreboding. Some critics have noted that experiencing horror fiction is like reading about your worst nightmares.
There is some debate as to whether "horror" is a genre or, like "adventure" an aspect that may be found in several genres. Horror is a certain mood or atmosphere that might be found in a variety of places.

Traditionally, horror was associated with certain archtypes such as demons, witches, ghosts, vampires and the like. However, this can be found in other genres, especially fantasy. If horror is a genre, then it deals with a protagonist dealing with overwhelming dark and evil forces.