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In celebration of Independent Bookstore Day, shop our limited-time sale on bestselling audiobooks from April 22nd-28th. Don’t miss out—purchases support your local bookstore!
Shop nowPaperbacks from Hell
The Twisted History of ’70s and ’80s Horror Fiction
Narrator
Timothy Andrés Pabon
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Length
5 hours 39 minutes
Language
English
Take a tour through the horror paperback novels of two iconic decades—if you dare! Hear shocking plot summaries that invoke devil worship, satanic children, and haunted real estate.
Horror author and vintagepaperback book collector Grady Hendrix offers killer commentary and witty insight on these trashy thrillers that tried so hard to be the next Exorcist or Rosemary’s Baby.
Complete with story summaries and artist and author profiles, this unforgettable volume dishes on familiar authors like V. C. Andrews and R. L. Stine, plus many more who have faded into obscurity. Also included are recommendations for which of these forgotten treasures are well worth your reading time and which should stay buried.
Grady Hendrix is a novelist and screenwriter based in New York City whose novels have won wide acclaim. Horrorstör was named one of the best books of 2014 by National Public Radio, and Paperbacks from Hell won the Bram Stoker Award.
Timothy Andres Pabon is an actor and Spanish and English voice-over artist/audiobook narrator from Washington DC. He has over 140 books on Audible.com, one of which was nominated for a 2015 Society of Voice Arts and Sciences Award and another which was awarded an AudioFile Earphones award as part of an ensemble audiobook cast in 2014. His voice-over clients include Gabrielle Giffords, Hillary Clinton, The Sierra Club, NBC, and the 10-episode series Chasing Che on National Geographic. He has been seen on House of Cards seasons 3 and 4 as Mark, a White house press correspondent. He has also been a costar on HBO's acclaimed series The Wire opposite country music legend Steve Earl. As a stage actor he has worked Off-Broadway at the June Havoc Theatre, and his regional credits include Center Stage, the Shakespeare Theatre, Arena Stage, The Hippodrome, Olney Theatre, Rep Stage, and GALA Hispanic Theatre. Tim is a proud father of two children, and a member of AFTRA/SAG and Actor's Equity.
Reviews
“[A] pure, demented delight.”
“A nostalgic treat.”
“Paperbacks from Hell is as funny as it is engaging.”
“The book is a true appreciation of the genre.”
“Horror fiction is alive and well, and Paperbacks from Hell is a grand, affectionate, and informative celebration of the genre.”
“It’s a gorgeous, lurid deep-dive into horror’s heyday and a must-read for any self-respecting horror fan.”
“Hendrix offers thoughtful and compelling discussions of these novels and articulates their enduring appeal. Biographies of authors (some still famous and some lost to the decades) are also provided. While serving as a fine resource for readers—especially those searching for the books of their youth or wanting to pick up ones they missed—this guide is also a joy owing to Hendrix’s infectious enthusiasm.”
“Like some malevolent force in one of his beloved novels, Hendrix’s geeky enthusiasm is infectious.”
“Grady Hendrix has written a hugely entertaining, lightning-paced, and knowledgeable history. I love it!”
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