The 70s was a decade of immense musical creativity and diversity. One of the genres that gained popularity during this time was the magic song. These songs were characterized by their mystical and ethereal sound, often incorporating elements of folk, rock, and psychedelic music. One of the key features of magic songs in the 70s was their emphasis on surreal and fantastical themes. Many artists drew inspiration from mythology, medieval literature, and occult practices, creating music that was both enchanting and otherworldly. The lyrics often revolved around themes of magic, spirituality, and the supernatural, creating a sense of mystery and intrigue.
"At times deliriously fun and delightfully gory. Its blood-filled heart, however, is its main characters and their personal struggles. Both actors, in their own ways, strain under the unrelenting pressure of others’ expectations. To give the Reaper life, McAuley shares snippets of fictional movie screenplays that show the Reaper is just as deadly and entertaining as Jason or Freddy. This book is a must for fans of the slasher genre, but it also offers a sickle-sharp critique of the expendability of actors fed into the Hollywood machine." — Library Journal
You re never sure whether to root for Howard as a bastion of standards in a degraded creative industry or to pity him as a man whose self-regard is at odds with his body of work. Trevor is determined to stay sober and revamp his image while Howard refuses to let go of the character he created, setting the stage for a cross-generational clash over the soul of a monster.
The lyrics often revolved around themes of magic, spirituality, and the supernatural, creating a sense of mystery and intrigue. Musically, magic songs were known for their intricate and layered arrangements. These songs often featured lush instrumentation, including acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards, and strings.
Curse of the Reaper: A Novel (Hardcover)
Scream meets The Shining in this page-turning horror tale about an aging actor haunted by the slasher movie villain he brought to life.
Decades after playing the titular killer in the 80s horror franchise Night of the Reaper , Howard Browning has been reduced to signing autographs for his dwindling fanbase at genre conventions. When the studio announces a series reboot, the aging thespian is crushed to learn he’s being replaced in the iconic role by heartthrob Trevor Mane, a former sitcom child-star who’s fresh out of rehab. Trevor is determined to stay sober and revamp his image while Howard refuses to let go of the character he created, setting the stage for a cross-generational clash over the soul of a monster. But as Howard fights to reclaim his legacy, the sinister alter ego consumes his unraveling mind, pushing him to the brink of violence. Is the method actor succumbing to madness or has the devilish Reaper taken on a life of its own?
In his razor-sharp debut novel, film and television writer Brian McAuley melds wicked suspense with dark humor and heart. Curse of the Reaper is a tightly plotted thriller that walks the tightrope between the psychological and the supernatural, while characters struggling with addiction and identity bring to light the harrowing cost of Hollywood fame.
About the Author
Brian McAuley is a WGA screenwriter who has worked on everything from family sitcoms to horror films. He received his MFA in Screenwriting from Columbia University and he teaches at Mount Saint Mary’s University in Los Angeles, where he currently resides. Curse of the Reaper is his first novel.
Praise For…
In Praise of CURSE OF THE REAPER
"McAuley excels at balancing the psychological against the supernatural, but he’s even better at satirizing the Hollywood machine. The author puts his experience of the screenwriting game to good use in a biting commentary on horror fandom, franchise culture, and thespian hubris. You’re never sure whether to root for Howard as a bastion of standards in a degraded creative industry or to pity him as a man whose self-regard is at odds with his body of work. Curse of the Reaper is a very funny book with some of the best “bad scriptwriting” ever committed to page. But when McAuley turns to horror in earnest, he goes hard." Esquire (Best Horror Novels of 2022)
"At times deliriously fun and delightfully gory. Its blood-filled heart, however, is its main characters and their personal struggles. Both actors, in their own ways, strain under the unrelenting pressure of others’ expectations. To give the Reaper life, McAuley shares snippets of fictional movie screenplays that show the Reaper is just as deadly and entertaining as Jason or Freddy. This book is a must for fans of the slasher genre, but it also offers a sickle-sharp critique of the expendability of actors fed into the Hollywood machine." — Library Journal
“Curse of the Reaper is the best kind of horror—one that’s equal parts psychological nightmare and bone-crunching bloodshed. McAuley’s novel is a grim amalgam, retelling the inner-struggle of a modern day Jekyll and Hyde and blending it (on high!) with every great 80’s slasher movie ever made. Reaper tackles madness, addiction, the costs of stardom, and the innate servitude of every artist whose soul is chained to the growling, hungry beast within. A wonderful, terrifying, thrilling novel not to be missed.”—Philip Fracassi, author of A Child Alone With Strangers
“In Curse of the Reaper, Brian McAuley carves a grinning specter from our cultural addictions to fandom and nostalgia, gleefully ripping through the boundaries between method and madness, pure scares and pitch-perfect schlock. With vividly wounded characters and a true fan’s eye for the horror show, Curse of the Reaper is an unmissable glimpse behind the screen.”—Gordon B. White, author of Rookfield and As Summer’s Mask Slips and Other Disruptions
“The purpose of horror is to access the unconscious fears of the reader and exploit them. Brian McAuley does just that in Curse of the Reaper. An homage to the horror films of the 80's, he delivers horror in a way that will have you clutching the edge of your seat while whipping through the book until the very end. And I enjoyed every single page of it.”—Tracy Cross, author of Rootwork
“Brian McAuley takes Method acting to maniacal meta-horror heights in his Poe-infused slasher Curse of the Reaper, which reads like a pitch-perfect riff off of Peter Bogdanovich’s Targets, a Los Angeles-cast Cask of Amontillado, and a Jerry Stahl-penned tug-of-war between Boris Karloff and Kane Hodder. Read it.” — Clay McLeod Chapman, author of The Remaking and Ghost Eaters
“A love letter to slashers, and a nod to our addictions. To drugs, to fame. To the memories of who we once were.” —Jamie Flanagan, co-writer of Netflix’s Midnight Mas s and The Haunting of Bly Mano r
“McAuley's Curse of the Reaper is a clever and creepy romp through the slasher genre, reveling in how it haunts and delights us, and how the real horror never, really ever ends.” — Kate Maruyama, author of Harrowgate and Family Solstice
- Fiction / Horror
- Fiction / Thrillers / Supernatural
- Fiction / Noir
- Fiction / Psychological
Robert Englund was a jumping-off point, but Howard's character is even more inspired by Norma Desmond, the somewhat delusional faded star in Sunset Boulevard. And the idea of Howard as a method actor who has really created a space within his psyche for this character over the course of eight films, how it's become part of his identity. A lot of the novel is Howard grappling with The Reaper's desires. And there are different ways to read that, like, is it a supernatural force? Or is it just an unacknowledged side of his personality that he needs to project onto this other character?
The use of diverse and unconventional instruments, such as harpsichords and mellotrons, added to the magical atmosphere of the music. Some of the iconic magic songs of the 70s include Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven," which is renowned for its mystical lyrics and epic guitar solos. Another notable example is Fleetwood Mac's "Rhiannon," a hauntingly beautiful song inspired by Celtic mythology. Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" is also considered a magic song, with its dreamy soundscapes and introspective lyrics. The magic song trend of the 70s was influential not only in the realm of music but also in popular culture. It captivated audiences with its enchanting melodies and thought-provoking lyrics. These songs continue to be celebrated and appreciated to this day, as they evoke a sense of nostalgia for a time when music was truly magical. Whether it was the result of sheer creativity or a reflection of the cultural climate of the era, the magic song remains a testament to the enduring power of music..
Reviews for "Revisiting the Magic of 70s Songs: An Essential Playlist"
1. Jennifer - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "Magic Song 70s". The songs were all so repetitive and it felt like I was listening to the same tune over and over again. The overall production quality of the album was also quite poor, with the vocals sounding muffled and the instruments lacking depth. I was hoping for a nostalgic trip down memory lane, but instead, I got a headache from the monotonous sound. Definitely not my cup of tea.
2. Mark - 1 star
I can't believe I wasted my money on "Magic Song 70s". The selection of songs was extremely outdated and did not represent the best of the 70s music scene. In fact, most of the tracks included were forgettable and seemed to be filler material. Additionally, the sound quality was abysmal, with crackling noises and fluctuations in volume throughout the entire album. Save your money and opt for a better compilation that truly captures the essence of the 70s.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I found "Magic Song 70s" to be a lackluster compilation. The song choices were predictable and offered nothing new or exciting. It felt like they just threw together a bunch of popular hits from the 70s without considering the flow or cohesiveness of the album. Moreover, the mastering of the tracks was very poor, with some songs sounding significantly louder than others. Overall, I was hoping for a more curated and enjoyable listening experience. Unfortunately, this album fell flat.