Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday the 13th

by | May 8, 2011 | Reviews | 0 comments

Yeah I know this book is a few years old, but I noticed two things about it. First, that it was never reviewed here and second, I never read it. So looking to rectify both of those grievous oversights, I present you with this.  So if you grew up watching the Friday the 13th movies, if you’ve ever been terrified by the big man in the hokey mask, or if when you’re in the woods you’ve got “ki-ki-ki, ma-ma-ma” running through your head, then this one is for you.

Beautiful. If I had to use one word to describe this book, that would be it. If I could use a few more words then they would be massive and highly informative.  We’ll start things off with the massive, as that’s the first thing you notice when you see this titanic tome. Ten inches by twelve inches with 320 thick, glossy pages equals nearly five pounds of fantastic Friday the 13th fun.

Now for the highly informative. Crystal Lake Memories covers all of the Friday flicks from the one that started it all, through Jason’s outer space adventures, up to his battle with fellow horror icon, Freddy Kruger. Sure the recent remake isn’t covered, but really, that’s no great loss. As for the coverage of all those movies, well the phrase “no stone unturned” springs to mind. Simply put, it would be far easier to name the people that author Peter M. Bracke didn’t get in touch with to interview for this, than to list the dozens and dozens he did. Writers, directors, actors, stuntmen, special effects guys, producers, journalists, you name it. If someone was even remotely involved with these slasher flicks then chances are they’re in this book and the wealth of behind the scenes info and secrets they share are staggering. Case in point, remember that hitchhiking hippie chick that was on the screen for two minutes eating a banana before getting a knife through the throat in Friday part four?  Yeah, Bracke even managed to track her down.

Lastly we come to that first word I used to describe this book; beautiful. Crystal Lake Memories is chock full of big, beautiful, full color glossy photos. Publicity stills, behind the scenes shots, pics pulled right from the films and more. Even being the huge Friday the 13th fan that I am there were a lot of photos that I had never seen.  With both brains and good looks, for fans of the J Man and all the wonderful murder mayhem he has given to the world for decades, this is THE book to have. Consider it highly recommended.

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