Wisconsin Author Explores Existential Horror in Debut Novel “Poltergeist”
A haunting new novel, “Poltergeist,” published in December by Apocalypse Confidential, delves into themes of isolation, identity, and environmental collapse, drawing inspiration from both classic horror films and the unique landscape of the American Midwest. Author Jocelyn Szczepaniak-Gillece, a film professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, crafts a chilling narrative that resonates with a growing appetite for “weird horror.”
Szczepaniak-Gillece, known for her film expertise at Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR), explained her transition to novel writing as a natural extension of her passion for storytelling. “I’m really interested in storytelling in general, whether that’s visual or whether that’s written,” she said. “Movies, as far as I understand them, have kind of infected our subconscious. They’re a part of our history. They’re a part of who we are.” She aimed to bridge the gap between these mediums, creating a work that feels both literary and cinematic.
The novel centers on an unnamed woman who awakens to a desolate, blue-tinged world, her memories fragmented and haunted by echoes of horror cinema. Describing the plot without revealing key discoveries, Szczepaniak-Gillece explained, “It’s about a single figure…who doesn’t know who she is, she doesn’t know where she is, and she finds herself completely alone at what seems to be the end of the world.” But the story, she emphasizes, extends beyond mere survival, questioning the very essence of humanity in the absence of societal connection. “What is somebody’s identity if they’re all alone? And if all of humanity has disappeared, what, then, does being a human being mean at all?”
The genesis of “Poltergeist” stemmed from a vivid dream – an Arctic outpost in a melting landscape. This initial image, Szczepaniak-Gillece shared, served as the guiding force throughout the writing process. Interestingly, the Wisconsin climate played a significant role in shaping the novel’s atmosphere. While the story unfolds in a transformed Arctic, the author’s experience with Wisconsin’s harsh winters, and their increasing irregularity, deeply influenced her portrayal of environmental collapse.
“The Wisconsin landscape has so much to do with this book,” Szczepaniak-Gillece stated. She recalled experiencing increasingly mild winters, noting that “two winters ago we basically had no snow cover whatsoever.” This observation sparked a sense of melancholy that permeated the novel, prompting her to explore the emotional weight of a disappearing natural world. That feeling of the cold, she explained, evokes both isolation and a strange sense of vitality – a duality lost as the ice melts away.
The novel is deliberately steeped in references to classic horror films like “The Thing,” “The Changeling,” and, naturally, the 1982 film “Poltergeist.” However, Szczepaniak-Gillece intentionally avoids explicit naming of these influences. “I tried really hard never to name the film in the book,” she said. “The goal was that they would also ring some distant bells in the reader’s head.” This technique aims to create a subconscious resonance, mirroring the way films have become ingrained in our collective psyche.
Szczepaniak-Gillece defines her work as belonging to the subgenre of “weird horror,” characterized by its refusal to offer easy explanations. “It’s horror that does not explain itself,” she explained. “Some very strange things happen. You’re never going to get the author telling you exactly what it all means.” This ambiguity, she believes, appeals to readers who question the neat narratives imposed on a complex and often inexplicable world.
Readers in the Milwaukee area will have the opportunity to meet Jocelyn Szczepaniak-Gillece at an author event hosted by Boswell Book Company on February 5th at 6:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
