[How it Works](https://ashreadshorror.binderybooks.com/how-it-works/) [Bookshop](https://ashreadshorror.binderybooks.com/books/bindery/) [Publishing](https://ashreadshorror.binderybooks.com/publishing/) [Team](https://ashreadshorror.binderybooks.com/team/) [Contact](https://ashreadshorror.binderybooks.com/contact/) Log in or Sign up Men, Women, and Chain Saws: Gender in the Modern Horror Film - Updated Edition (Princeton Classics) Carol J. Clover Save to Your Books [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/Ashreadshorror/9780691166292) [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/0691166293?tag=pagesandash-20) 100% of affiliate revenue supports ash.reads.horror From its first publication in 1992, _Men, Women, and Chain Saws_ has offered a groundbreaking perspective on the creativity and influence of horror cinema since the mid-1970s. Investigating the popularity of the low-budget tradition, Carol Clover looks in particular at slasher, occult, and rape-revenge films. Although such movies have been traditionally understood as offering only sadistic pleasures to their mostly male audiences, Clover demonstrates that they align spectators not with the male tormentor, but with the females tormented—notably the slasher movie's “final girls”—as they endure fear and degradation before rising to save themselves. The lesson was not lost on the mainstream industry, which was soon turning out the formula in well-made thrillers. Including a new preface by the author, this Princeton Classics edition is a definitive work that has found an avid readership from students of film theory to major Hollywood filmmakers. Show more Get the Bindery app * * * Posts about this title from ash.reads.horror [ash.reads.horror\\ \\ ash\\ \\ • May 16](https://ashreadshorror.binderybooks.com/) \\ \\ Welcome back to another author interview! Today I'm joined by author Mikayla Randolph as we talk about her debut novel, Not Your Final Girl.\\ \\ \\ \\ 1\. I always use this first question as a chance for you to introduce yourself. Say as much or as little as you want.\\ \\ > Hello! I’m an author based out of California who writes horror, fantasy, and thrillers. My favorite stories blend genres, invert tropes, and feature complicated characters, all while being a bloody good time. Beyond writing, I love adding too many books to my TBR pile, reading while cuddling with my dogs, and waffling between wanting to travel the world and wanting to never leave the house.\\ \\ 2\. Your debut book Not Your Final Girl released May 5th. How have you been feeling? Excited? Overwhelmed? Everything in between?\\ \\ > Yes! Absolutely everything, and it changes by the second. I’m frazzled, but mostly I’m feeling incredibly grateful. It’s a lifelong dream coming true, and I’m blown away by the support I’ve received. Close friends, family, former teachers, authors I've never even met, and so many members of the horror community, like you, have been so kind. The generosity and camaraderie have been astounding, and I appreciate it all so much.\\ \\ 3\. What made you choose a slasher for your debut novel?\\ \\ > A slasher has been on my bucket list for a long time. My first stab at it was in college, and I think it frightened my poor roommate, who was not a horror fan. Since then, I’ve written a few other novels, from a post-apocalyptic story to a western, but once this idea clicked, there was no turning back. It was such a smooth writing process, too; it bled right out of me.\\ \\ 4\. Any specific films or media that helped influence your novel?\\ \\ > There were so many influences, and most don't seem like they belong together. Thomas Hardy’s _Tess of the D’urbervilles_ was a primary inspiration, with this being a partial retelling. Beyond that, _Scream_, _Heathers_, _And Then There Were None_ by Agatha Christie, and _Men, Women, and Chainsaws_ by Carol J. Clover. Plus every slasher novel, movie, show, or game that I’ve enjoyed since I was far too young for them to be appropriate.\\ \\ 5\. What was your favorite scene to write? The hardest? \\ \\ > Oh, that is difficult to answer and remain spoiler-free! For my favorite, I’ll say there is a scene with a shed, a wheelbarrow, and a surprise that was a lot of fun to write. The hardest was most likely the opening pages because I wanted to immerse the readers in that epic Final Girl climactic moment while introducing new characters.\\ \\ 6\. Who was your favorite character to get inside the mind of? \\ \\ > I loved them all, and bouncing between them was such a fun experience. It felt like I got to write five books in one! If I had to choose, I'd say Ashley because she challenged me the most. She is so confident and unrelenting that writing her perspective made me question how I phrase things and second-guess myself. I hope a bit of her spirit has stuck with me.\\ \\ 7\. Are you currently working on any other projects at the moment? If so, can you drop us any hints?\\ \\ > I’m currently querying my next novel, which I think of as a witchy _X-Men_ horror noir. I'm also revising an "Eat the Rich" haunted house novella.\\ \\ 8\. Tell us what you've been reading lately? Your favorite 2026 book? What books are on your backlist?\\ \\ > I finally caught up on _Something is Killing the Children_ and am enjoying _Look What You Made Me Do_, the Taylor Swift inspired horror anthology from Sobelo Books. My favorite book thus far is probably _King Sorrow_ by Joe Hill. Sadly, I have far too many on my backlist, like _Little Eve_ by Catriona Ward, _The Buffalo Hunter Hunter_ by Stephen Gr _a_ ham Jones, and _Writhe_ by Abby Vail. I'm a terribly slow reader and can't seem to stop buying more books. But I refuse to feel bad about it because even if I can never read them all, they look pretty on my shelf, and I’m supporting those authors and publishers.\\ \\ 9\. What books are you looking forward to releasing this year? How about movies?\\ \\ > I’m so excited for _Worry Box_ by Chris Panatier, _Fabulous Bodies_ by Chuck Tingle, and, of course, _Kiss Slay Replay_ from Rachel Harrison, who is an autobuy author for me. Movie wise my most anticipated was _Ready or Not 2_ and I loved it! I’m also looking forward to _Supergirl_ though _Woman of Tomorrow_ wrecked me at times.\\ \\ 10\. Did you have a playlist that you listened to when writing your book?\\ \\ > Yes, and I have a Spotify playlist available for it here. In particular, Chvrches’ _Screen Violence_ album features a lot.\\ \\ Thank you again, Mikayla, for allowing me to do this interview! You can follow Mikayla on Instagram at mik\_randolph.](https://ashreadshorror.binderybooks.com/item/hpT2JVTsc25eJQ6nRMiO/) [AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Mikayla Randolph](https://ashreadshorror.binderybooks.com/item/hpT2JVTsc25eJQ6nRMiO/) * * * 13 books 2 Posts about this book from across Bindery [ash.reads.horror\\ \\ ash\\ \\ • May 16](https://ashreadshorror.binderybooks.com/) [AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Mikayla Randolph](https://ashreadshorror.binderybooks.com/item/hpT2JVTsc25eJQ6nRMiO/) * * * 13 books 2 [Boozhoo Books\\ \\ Naomi\\ \\ • Sep 7 2025](https://boozhoo.binderybooks.com/) Join for free [Horror NonFiction To Add To Your TBR](https://boozhoo.binderybooks.com/item/ihASSSYEqDR9enxoiBJm/) Here is a list of Horror and Horror Adjacent nonfiction ,inspired by @mother.horror ‘s non fiction list yesterday, Have you read any of these? And can guess the special interest that I’m doing research on? ( No, it’s not gardening!) * * * 15 books 4 [Celestial\\ \\ Steph\\ \\ • Mar 17 2025](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/) Join for free [Hi friends,\\ \\ I had SUCH a fun time chatting with Aubrei, Naomi, Natalie, and everyone who joined us for our Women in Horror chat. \\ \\ Thank you so much to the Celestial friends who stopped by, but if you missed it, I don't want you to miss out! Natalie (superstar notetaker that she is) jotted down all the books mentioned, and we also recorded the Zoom.\\ \\ First, you should 1000% be following the three of them if you're not already:\\ \\ **Aubrei** ( _earlgreypls_): https://egp.binderybooks.com/\\ \\ **Naomi** ( _fromthemixedupdesk_): https://boozhoo.binderybooks.com/\\ \\ **Natalie** ( _weirdobookclub_): https://boneyardpicnic.binderybooks.com/\\ \\ Second, **click here** for that YouTube recording!\\ \\ And third, here's the beautifully long list of books we discussed (some were recommendations and others were books that we're looking forward to) (also a few non-women snuck in; forgive us):\\ \\ 01. And Then She Fell by Aligia Elliot\\ \\ 02. Infested by Angel Luis Colon\\ \\ 03. Brother by Ania Ahlborn\\ \\ 04. Seed by Ania Ahlborn\\ \\ 05. The Shuddering by Ania Ahlborn\\ \\ 06. Within These Walls by Ania Ahlborn\\ \\ 07. Men, Women and Chainsaws by Carol J Clover\\ \\ 08. Ghost Eaters by Clay McLeod Chapman\\ \\ 09. Wake Up and Open Your Eyes by Clay McLeod Chapman\\ \\ 10. Delicate Condition by Danielle Valentine\\ \\ 11. Bloom by Delilah S. Dawson\\ \\ 12. Guillotine by Delilah S. Dawson\\ \\ 13. Jackal by Erin E. Adams\\ \\ 14. One of You by Erin E. Adams \\ \\ 15. Diavola by Jennifer Marie Thorne\\ \\ 16. The Blonde Dies First by Joelle Wellington\\ \\ 17. Their Vicious Games by Joelle Wellington\\ \\ 18. Hungerstone by Kat Dunn\\ \\ 19. House of Psychotic Women by Kier-la Jannise\\ \\ 20. Bat Eater and Other Names For Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker\\ \\ 21. Sick Houses: Haunted Homes and the Architecture of Dread by Leila Taylor\\ \\ 22. Delicious Monsters by Liselle Sambury\\ \\ 23. Lakewood by Megan Giddings\\ \\ 24. The Women Could Fly by Megan Giddings\\ \\ 25. Shy Girl by Mia Ballard\\ \\ 26. Sugar by Mia Ballard\\ \\ 27. Feast While You Can by Mikaella Clements\\ \\ 28. Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant\\ \\ 29. Feed by Mira Grant\\ \\ 30. Overgrowth by Mira Grant\\ \\ 31. The Eyes are the Best Part by Monika Kim\\ \\ 32. Tantrum by Rachel Eve Moulton\\ \\ 33. Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison\\ \\ 34. Come Closer by Sara Gran\\ \\ 35. Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey\\ \\ 36. Eat the Ones You Love by Sarah Maria Griffin\\ \\ 37. Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia\\ \\ 38. The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia\\ \\ 39. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia\\ \\ 40. Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia\\ \\ 41. The Tiger Came to the Mountains by Silvia Moreno-Garcia\\ \\ 42. The Lover by Silvia Moreno-Garcia\\ \\ 43. The Beautiful Ones by Silvia Moreno-Garcia\\ \\ 44. The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia\\ \\ 45. The Good House by Tananarive Due\\ \\ 46. The Reformatory by Tananarive Due\\ \\ 47. The Between by Tananarive Due\\ \\ 48. Blood in the Water by Tiffany D. Jackson\\ \\ 49. Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson\\ \\ 50. The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson\\ \\ 51. White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson\\ \\ 52. Green Fuse Burning by Tiffany Morris\\ \\ 53. Goddess of Filth by V Castro\\ \\ 54. Immortal Pleasures by V Castro\\ \\ 55. The Queen of the Cicadas by V Castro\\ \\ 56. Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by VE Schwab\\ \\ 57. The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas\\ \\ 58. Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas\\ \\ 59. The Possession of Alba Diaz by Isabel Cañas\\ \\ \\ Thanks, folks, and we can't wait to do this again sometime!!!\\ \\ Join for free or login](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/item/Ynh3e373WnJLKY5amDuH/) [Women in Horror (60 recs!) \| recording & thank you](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/item/Ynh3e373WnJLKY5amDuH/) * * * 24 books 2 [Boozhoo Books\\ \\ Naomi\\ \\ • Mar 16 2025](https://boozhoo.binderybooks.com/) Join for free [Hello Friends, \\ \\ I had a great chat earlier with fellow tastemakers about women in horror, our favorite reads and upcoming releases we are looking forward to (I tagged many of them in this post!)\\ \\ If you weren't able to make it, you can check it out on Youtube here\\ \\ Follow the other tastemakers on Bindery here:\\ \\ Aubrie\\ \\ Natalie\\ \\ Steph\\ \\ We had so much fun and hope to get together again soon! If you have any topics you'd love to hear us discuss, drop your suggestions below!\\ \\ **BOOKCLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS**\\ \\ As you know Women in Horror and Good Day To Read Indigenous (book clubs found on Discord here have their books picked out through May! \\ \\ Next week, I will be planing the reads for the remainder of the year. $12 and $25 subscribers get to nominate books, so look out for that post tomorrow!\\ \\ Quiet Time Book Club will meet tomorrow at 5pm PST/8pm EST on Zoom.](https://boozhoo.binderybooks.com/item/IguMEsnQYCKyqE0en6TP/) [RECORDING: Women In Horror Panel](https://boozhoo.binderybooks.com/item/IguMEsnQYCKyqE0en6TP/) YouTube link to Women in Horror Celebration, all of the (most of the) books discussed, info about our Discord bookclubs * * * 62 books 2