Laura Hall

Bloodied Bodies, Bloody Landscapes by Laura Hall presents a way to read horror films through a settler colonialism lens. Largely successful with some excellent analysis but hindered by a bit of a hyperbolic voice.

Because films are made within a social, cultural, and political environment they reflect many of the shortsighted ways of understanding the world. Films reflect the sexism, ableism, racism, and so many other aspects of society. So, of course, settler colonialism is included. It show more doesn't mean every horror film was made to support it, or even to speak on it, it is simply a product made during a period of time reflecting that time (and place).

Many people don't think to view movies through this lens which is why a book like this is important, it can help viewers tune in to different ways of understanding their entertainment. Hall does an excellent job of breaking down how these movies not only reflect settler colonialism but can be seen to support and reinforce it. Like many such works, there will be a few places where you might think it went too far, maybe sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

This is where the hyperbole sometimes comes in. Though largely careful not to state explicitly that every movie was made to support settler colonialism, the language comes a close as possible, kinda like some of Trump's attempts at plausible deniability when inciting a riot. Settler colonialism is a valid and important lens through which to understand not just horror films but many films. But it isn't THE way to read them because there is not the level of intentionality Hall often implies.

Recommended for those who want another way to understand how culture, especially pop culture, can both reflect and influence society. Horror fans, even if not particularly interested in the settler colonialism approach will find a lot to think about from Hall's analyses of these films.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via Edelweiss. show less

Wow - what a revelation for a Father's Day!

To eventually let his daughter know that his life would have been perfect without his wife and the birth of his four beautiful kids, Duane Ralph Hall earns zero compassion.

Yes, he endured horrors as a bullied and unprotected child, as well for his arrests, denial of entry into the Navy, forced change of name, and his U.S. Government dictated firing from his job. This does not excuse changing his identity to seduce an innocent girl and so deprive her show more of the possibility of a full life with heterosexual mates while burdening both her and his children with his "secret."

For future editions, editing would be welcome to avoid many serious repetitions
and to add perspectives of husbands, notably the kind professor.

As well, it would be good to have more understanding about why the author did not seek increased therapy for her night terrors and insecurities when she became an adult. She could have built on her father's strength and early open feelings rather than on her mother's ongoing reticence.

More photographs would be welcome! show less

Even though I am not a huge fan of memoirs (I always feel like these kinds of books just drag and drag on).. I was very surprised at the end of reading how much I truly enjoyed reading this book. This is The story of Laura Hall. A girl who in her 20’s is shocked to find out that her father is gay.. and has been closeted all this time. I think it comes at a time where many people can read and relate. Either being gay themselves or possibly having gay parent, it normalizes and makes the show more situation easier to swallow knowing there are others out there going through a similar situation. It’s a very real, raw look at the inside of the conflicting ideals of this family’s life. This book really puts you in the middle of what it feels like to hide who you truly are in a world that may not accept you. What a wonderful way to step into someone’s else’s shoes. This beautiful story set aside I really enjoyed the authors way of writing and felt that the chapters flowed easily and without me noticing. This is huge for me as I’m always flipping to see how many more pages I have left and how much time I have until I need to stop reading. But this book just swept me into another world! show less

This is one of those books that more people should read for several reasons. First, the writing is splendid and really captures the time period and the overall feeling of how LGBT+ people were not quite accepted and were forced to live in secret. This book will put some things in perspective and open your eye to what it could feel like to live a life that is not what you truly want and a life that is expected of you from everyone else. Second, that historical importance is made clear in this show more book as it does set the scene and make you think about acceptance and how hard life must have been then. This is also a pertinent story because it outlines and details the author's father's experience and helps us remember that everyone deserves a happy life, regardless of what their sexual preference may be. Third, this story is so touching and rich with emotion. I loved reading this book and being able to connect to the author and her story, while also being able to read a part of her childhood that she wanted to share.

I'm excited to see what everyone else thinks of this book because I did enjoy it. We need more stories like this one. show less