MUMS + SONS: AN EXAMINATION OF THE CHILD/PARENT RELATIONSHIP POCKETBOOK

Exploring familial relationships in new horror analysis pocketbook
Mums + Sons in The Babadook, Hereditary and Psycho ​​

From Rebecca McCallum, Assistant Editor at Ghouls Magazine, contributor to Rue Morgue, Moving Pics Film Club, Dread Central and Grim Magazine
Pre-order available from 15th April 2022 Publish date 6th May 2022

Mums + Sons: An Examination of the Child/Parent Relationship pocketbook

New horror analysis pocketbook from Rebecca McCallum available from 15th April

A new, fresh and intellectual perspective on the relationships between mothers and sons in some of the most popular horror films comes from author Rebecca McCallum in her pocketbook Mums + Sons: An Examination of the Child/Parent Relationship.

This analysis stands apart for its scope, breadth and detailed look at the often-overlooked familial relationships in three landmark films that span across five decades. The pocketbook is available in a slickly designed format with artwork from Ken Wynne (Editor-in-Chief at Attack from Planet B).

Using three stages of life reflected in The Babadook (childhood), Hereditary (teenage years) and finally Psycho (adulthood) to highlight both the difference and similarities of the mother /son dynamic. The work is split into eight chapters that each seek to shine a light on a series of themes. This includes family trauma, the damaging nature of secrets, notions of doubling and duality and, the ultimate taboo, the horror of motherhood.

Published by independent press house, Plastic Brain Press and with accompanying eye-catching artwork by the talented Ken Wynne, Mums + Sons is a must for horror enthusiasts across all platforms and more broadly to anyone with an interest in film analysis.

About the Author

Mums and Sons is the first feature length publication by Rebecca McCallum, writer of horror think pieces which have a feminist leaning and take an analytical approach. She is also Assistant Editor at Ghouls Magazine. Rebecca has a four part series on the Women of the Jack the Ripper films with Women of the Jack the Ripper Films with Rue Morgue and has been published with Dread Central, Evolution of Horror, Jumpcut Online as well as several essays in print on women in horror for Grim Journal and for Hear Us Scream-Horror Anthology, Volume 1. She also has an ongoing series on the Women in Hitchcocks' Films with Moving Pictures Film Club and has written several articles for Ghouls Magazine and Zobo with a Shotgun.

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Advance praise for Mums + Sons:

“Mums and Sons explores the idea that motherhood doesn't always smell of roses through the medium of three well-known horror films. It is an interesting and fresh look at a topic that is not spoken about enough - what if the bond between mother and son is broken, or fails to exist at all? Combining an academic approach with knowledge of these classic horror narratives, McCallum offers an insight into the phenomenon that not all women were born with maternal instincts.”

Janine Pipe - author of Sausages - The Making of Dog Soldiers

"If you think you know all there is to know about The Babadook, Hereditary, and Psycho, think again. In Mums and Sons, Rebecca McCallum examines the relationships between mothers and their sons, taking readers on a journey through three stages of complex emotional development: childhood, teenhood, and adulthood. Crafted with the voice of someone who is deeply reverent to horror's psychological intricacies, and with gorgeous illustrations by Ken Wynne, McCallum proves herself an essential voice in the realm of horror scholarship."

Mae Murray, Freelance writer and Editor of The Book of Queer Saints Horror Anthology

“Insightful, inquisitive and forensic - Rebecca McCallum is an important emerging voice in horror criticism, and Mothers and Sons represents some of her best work to date.”

Tim Coleman, Editor Moving Pictures Film Club

'Mums and Sons is a stunningly cohesive analysis of three of horror’s most devastating and disturbing takes on the terrifying institution of family. Rebecca's passion for genre cinema is palpable in every word of this well- crafted and thoughtful piece. Rebecca has woven relevant thematic strands from all three films into a poignant tapestry that tackles the difficult topics of parental grief and oft-fraught relationships between mothers and sons with sensitivity and detailed understanding.'

Amber T -Ghouls Magazine
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Early copies are available on request (please note limited) for reviews. To request a copy please contact Rebecca McCallum at pumpkinpendle@gmail.com.
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Pre Order from 15th April 2022 https://linktr.ee/plasticbrainpress 

Publish Date 6th May 2022 retailing at £7.00
Contact and links:
Rebecca McCallum | pumpkinpendle@gmail.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PendlePumpkin
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pendlepumpkin/ Linktree: @PendlePumpkin | Linktree 

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