2010 edition – Norton Agency 1st edition

(16) JAN HAROLD BRUNVAND –

THE VANISHING HITCHHIKER: AMERICAN URBAN LEGENDS & THEIR MEANINGS (1981)

Jan Harold Brunvand is a retired American folklorist best known as a prolific popularizer of that modern folklore par excellence, urban legends – in a series of books from The Vanishing Hitchhiker: American Urban Legends and their Meanings in 1981 onwards.

“Many urban legends are framed as complete stories with plot and characters. The compelling appeal of a typical urban legend is its elements of mystery, horror, fear, or humor. Often they serve as cautionary tales. Some urban legends are morality tales that depict someone acting in a disagreeable manner, only to wind up in trouble, hurt, or dead.”

“Urban legends will often try to invoke a feeling of disgust in the reader which tends to make these stories more memorable and potent. Elements of shock value can be found in almost every form of urban legend and are partially what makes these tales so impactful. An urban legend may include elements of the supernatural or paranormal”.

RATING:

X-TIER (WILD TIER)