Scream Deconstructed: An Unauthorized Analysis



Scream Deconstructed: An Unauthorized Analysis is a 2011 unofficial, nonfiction book written by Scott Kessinger. The book is a critical film analysis about the Scream series. Its marketing claims it is the first book about all four Scream films.

Content and Subjects
Scream Deconstructed is split into four parts, one for each Scream film. Each part has multiple chapters that cover a variety of topics and themes. The book breaks down much of the symbolism of the events and characters in each film, as well as the significance of each movie's killer and his or her motive. Some of the book's major theories are that the Scream films take place in "the real world" and that the murders are attempts by the killers to impose the "rules" of movies on the real world, and that the original Scream trilogy represents an on-going battle of the sexes while Scream 4 is a battle of the generations. Another chapter breaks down the opening scene of Scream 2.

Development
In an interview with Examiner, author Scott Kessinger explained that he was inspired to write Scream Deconstructed after articles that he wrote for the website Scream-Trilogy.net received a positive reaction from readers. He described Scream Deconstructed as "the book I'd always wanted to read but no one ever published." He also hoped the book would serve as a defense of the Scream films from an infamous harsh critical analysis from the website And You Call Yourself a Scientist.

Kessinger went on to explain that he discovered there were many other people had tried to write a book about the Scream films but were turned down by both book publishers and the studio behind the films. Because of this Kessinger decided to write the book as unauthorized, resulting in the book's subtitle, and he went with independent company Stinger Books rather than pitch the book to major publishers.

Release
Scream Deconstructed: An Unauthorized Analysis was initially released exclusively on Amazon on October 25, 2011. Later, on December 26, 2011, the book was released in digital format for Kindle and Nook, and its print version became available from other book stores such as Barnes & Noble shortly after.

Reception
According to a press release, Scream Deconstructed debuted at #1 on Amazon's Film History & Criticism best sellers chart after the book's release in October 2011 and stayed in the top 10 through January 2012 before falling off.

Although the book apparently hasn't been sent to professional critics, Scream Deconstructed has received a positive reception from fans. The book's website collects quotes from the editors of Hello Sidney, Scream-Trilogy, and Examiner praising the book. The book also enjoys four-star or higher ratings from readers on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, and Good Reads.