In this episode of ‘Horror Joy,’ hosts Brian and Jeff delve into the 2023 anthology Never Whistle at Night, edited by Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. This collection, featuring indigenous dark fiction, navigates the intersections of horror, colonization, and representation.
We discuss:
· The impact of these stories both in the classroom and as a means of broadening perspectives
· Key stories such as ‘White Hills,’ ‘The Ones Who Killed Us,’ and ‘Navajos Don’t Wear Elk Teeth,’
· The importance of blood and the construction of identity
· The joy and complexity found in these narratives
These stories navigate the tension of imagined and real worlds, mortals and monsters, blood and identity, and community and isolation. They call us to reconsider our preconceptions of the world, and they remind us that all of us (in the United States) occupy stolen lands.
So, keep your lips from whistling and settle into the comfortably uncomfortable worlds of these stories. But don’t lose track of the trail. While this may be an invitation, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe.