The Point Horror Generation
Hands-up who spent their teen years reading Point Horror books??
Point Horror was probably the best education I had with regards to writing and was also the moment where I went “YES-this is what I want to do!!”
I devoured many, many Point Horror books (many of them many times over) in my teen years and there may still be a few on my bookshelves...
For those who fancy a trip down memory lane, or for those who have not yet had the pleasure of reading the great literary pantheon that is Point Horror, here is my summary of my favourite Point Horror moments. Be sure to share yours here as well!
My favourite Point Horror writer, mostly due to the fact that she wrote my favourite Point Horror book-The Lifeguard. I loved the technique of having the killer’s point of view throughout the book. Although you know for a fact that ‘the lifeguard’ is the killer, the book works well as you try to work out which of the three lifeguards is the guilty one! A lot of interesting plot techniques appear throughout. the book Cusick’s book can seem to follow a bit of a formula but I never found this a negative at the time and it showed how you can develop a ‘signature style’ as a writer.
R. L. Stine is the only Point Horror writer who genuinely scared me! As in ‘not sure I can turn the page’ level scared. Beach House was one that really stuck with me! Stine was great at getting to the psychological level of his characters fears and creating that level in his readers. Although there are some ‘death moments’ there is no reliance on gore and instead your imagination usually does a great job of filling in the blanks!
Diane Hoh stuck out to me as a writer due to her ability to write great female protagonists. Although the majority of the Point Horror series featured female main characters, they could sometimes feel a little too reliant on the male main character coming along to rescue her. In Funhouse, Diane gives us a believable ‘I can handle this situation by myself, thanks’ female lead. Girl power!!
I only read 3 books by L. J. Smith but they were more than enough to cement her in my mind as a great writer. The 3 books were the Forbidden Game series (the only trilogy I know of in the Point Horror franchise?) and they were a masterclass in how to write a great trilogy. I actually started out reading book number 2 (I’m not sure why!) and was still able to enjoy and understand the book having not read book number 1. L. J. Smith actually moved me to tears (if you have read book 3 you’ll know what I’m talking about) which is quite something for a Point Horror book!
Are you part of generation Point Horror?? Share your moments below!
