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Husk
Classic contemporary horror from the Shamus and Derringer-winning author of Small Crimes.
Charlie is a Husker on the prowl in the New Hampshire wilderness when he falls in love with one of them: a girl named Jill. Loving Jill means leaving the Husk clan, with its gruesome cannibalistic rituals, and that will be far more difficult—and dangerous—than Charlie could have foreseen.
It's only in New York City that the secret to ending his terrible cravings may reveal itself—if it doesn't kill him and everything he has grown to love first.
A darkly imagined tale, all the more frightening for its apparent ordinariness and plausibility, Husk is guaranteed to leave readers shaken, stirred—and chilled to the bone.
Charlie is a Husker on the prowl in the New Hampshire wilderness when he falls in love with one of them: a girl named Jill. Loving Jill means leaving the Husk clan, with its gruesome cannibalistic rituals, and that will be far more difficult—and dangerous—than Charlie could have foreseen.
It's only in New York City that the secret to ending his terrible cravings may reveal itself—if it doesn't kill him and everything he has grown to love first.
A darkly imagined tale, all the more frightening for its apparent ordinariness and plausibility, Husk is guaranteed to leave readers shaken, stirred—and chilled to the bone.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2018
About the author
Dave Zeltserman
92 books169 followersAuthor of the crime noir novel SMALL CRIMES named by NPR as the best crime and mystery novel of 2008, and by the Washington Post as one of the best novels of 2008, and made into a major film (to be released in 2017) starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Molly Parker, Gary Cole, Robert Forster, and Jacki Weaver.
Shamus Award winner for JULIUS KATZ. Ellery Queen's Readers Choice Award winner for ARCHIE'S BEEN FRAMED and ARCHIE SOLVES THE CASE.
PARIAH named by the Washington Post as one of the best books of 2009. THE CARETAKER OF LORNE FIELD (2010) shortlisted by American Library Association for best horror novel of the year and named a horror gem by Library Journal. MONSTER selected by Booklist Magazine for their 2013 list of top 10 horror novels and WBUR for one of the best novels of the year.
OUTSOURCED (2011) and THE CARETAKER OF LORNE FIELD are also currently being developed for film.
Shamus Award winner for JULIUS KATZ. Ellery Queen's Readers Choice Award winner for ARCHIE'S BEEN FRAMED and ARCHIE SOLVES THE CASE.
PARIAH named by the Washington Post as one of the best books of 2009. THE CARETAKER OF LORNE FIELD (2010) shortlisted by American Library Association for best horror novel of the year and named a horror gem by Library Journal. MONSTER selected by Booklist Magazine for their 2013 list of top 10 horror novels and WBUR for one of the best novels of the year.
OUTSOURCED (2011) and THE CARETAKER OF LORNE FIELD are also currently being developed for film.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 22, 2018
There is a simmering danger lurking around every corner; an omnipresent threat of violence and bloodletting bubbling away through each chapter as Charlie Husk, a character like no other, struggles with the person he is and the person he wants to be.
Husk is contemporary horror; more romance, self discipline and discovery over overt scare tactics and gory scenes. The horror is subtle - until it isn't.
Charlie Husk is a cannibal who falls in love with a New York girl after rescuing her from her dead-beat boyfriend. However, his cravings for human meat slowly take over and the all too easy violence steadily escalates towards a conclusion you could see coming but couldn't tear your eyes from.
The steady plot pace and Charlie's modern world naivety suit the style of novel and add to the underlying tension making Husk a hard book to put down.
My rating: 4/5 stars. Whilst I don't enjoy romance novels, I actually liked that element to the story with Charlie and Jill forming a unique bond which compliments the darker plot elements perfectly.
Husk is contemporary horror; more romance, self discipline and discovery over overt scare tactics and gory scenes. The horror is subtle - until it isn't.
Charlie Husk is a cannibal who falls in love with a New York girl after rescuing her from her dead-beat boyfriend. However, his cravings for human meat slowly take over and the all too easy violence steadily escalates towards a conclusion you could see coming but couldn't tear your eyes from.
The steady plot pace and Charlie's modern world naivety suit the style of novel and add to the underlying tension making Husk a hard book to put down.
My rating: 4/5 stars. Whilst I don't enjoy romance novels, I actually liked that element to the story with Charlie and Jill forming a unique bond which compliments the darker plot elements perfectly.
May 6, 2018
Husk is a tender love story that will probably be shunned by most harlequin romance readers. Their loss. It is the story of a stranger in a strange land and there are some amazing parallels to Heinlein's great work. Like Michael Valentine, Charlie Husk has lived outside earth society his whole life, unaware of customs and rituals and his foray into their world is more than just learning a new language. It is learning a new culture, new ways of speaking, new ways of feeling. And, like Michael Valentine, his soulmate is a Jill. And, of course, there is that little matter of cannibalism, which here is not just an odd distorted note, but the center of Husk's experience as a hunter and gatherer of meat. Having made a decision to try to live in regular society, having left his clan back there in the woods, how can Husk survive without giving himself away. As odd and strange as the whole concept sounds, somehow Zeltserman is such a good storyteller that he makes it work and its a story that you actually want to read and Husk is an amazing character to follow through the tale.
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy.
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy.
December 28, 2021
I have about 4 old Netgalley titles left on my dash that I need to clear out and I peeked at the reviews of them trying to decide what I wanted to read next. This one had several comments about it being a horror romance. Lots of folks think that is a bad thing and that’s ok because we’re all different. Horror romance blends are one of my favorite things, however! So I went in hoping they weren’t leading me astray.
Charlie Husk tells this story. He’s a young person (creature?) who is tasked with bringing back meat for his clan. You can guess what the meat is, right? He’s equipped with a van and burlap bags and has his routine down until the moment he witnesses a cute blonde - one of them - arguing with a man who ditches her at a rest stop. It should be easy pickin’s for him but he instantly goes all goo-goo eyed over Jill for some reason and instead of throwing her in a bag, he decides to drive her home and even he is confused as to why he does it. During the ride to NY he falls head over heels in the dreaded (if you’re me) insta-love. Ugh, not the insta-love *forever cries in frustration*. I kind of hate it but occasionally it turns out well and I’m able to go with the flow.
Unfortunately, the romance part of this story did not work for me because we’re told this story through Charlie’s first person POV only and we never get to know what Jill is thinking at all. In fact, she rarely speaks early on. There is zero chemistry, banter or any of that sweet falling in love sort of feeling that I love to experience. Why is he in love? WHO KNOWS. It’s a little creepy and stalkery even though Charlie’s intentions are sweetly old-fashioned and terribly misguided. So as a romance this was a bit of a dud for me but I’ve read a LOT of romances and I’m super picky about them now.
Anyhow, most of this book is about Charlie trying to fit into Jill’s world. Looking for work in a world that demands a social security number and a birth certificate which he doesn’t have because his clan lives off the grid. This story portrays the struggle of an undocumented person very well and you feel for him because he has skills that he cannot use and has to take a shitty job with a shitty boss who cheats him. It’ll make you a little ragey, most likely. It made me a little ragey but I should probably say that a lot of things make me a little ragey right about now..
I contemplated quitting this book at about the halfway mark because to be honest I was finding it too slow, too mundane and the romance too one-sided but then some things started to happen. I’m not going to tell you about these things because SPOILERS. This is not an over the top gory book by any means but there is a strong sense of menace simmering behind many of the interactions that is done incredibly well. I kept going back to it for that reason and because I did find Charlie strangely endearing. Especially because he is not wrong. Some humans do deserve to be stuffed in the burlap bag 😹!
In the end, I ended up liking this book more than I thought I would after the first half or so. It’s worth a read if you want something a little different.
This is a review of my personal reading experience. Yours may differ. Don't be blaming me if it does!
Charlie Husk tells this story. He’s a young person (creature?) who is tasked with bringing back meat for his clan. You can guess what the meat is, right? He’s equipped with a van and burlap bags and has his routine down until the moment he witnesses a cute blonde - one of them - arguing with a man who ditches her at a rest stop. It should be easy pickin’s for him but he instantly goes all goo-goo eyed over Jill for some reason and instead of throwing her in a bag, he decides to drive her home and even he is confused as to why he does it. During the ride to NY he falls head over heels in the dreaded (if you’re me) insta-love. Ugh, not the insta-love *forever cries in frustration*. I kind of hate it but occasionally it turns out well and I’m able to go with the flow.
Unfortunately, the romance part of this story did not work for me because we’re told this story through Charlie’s first person POV only and we never get to know what Jill is thinking at all. In fact, she rarely speaks early on. There is zero chemistry, banter or any of that sweet falling in love sort of feeling that I love to experience. Why is he in love? WHO KNOWS. It’s a little creepy and stalkery even though Charlie’s intentions are sweetly old-fashioned and terribly misguided. So as a romance this was a bit of a dud for me but I’ve read a LOT of romances and I’m super picky about them now.
Anyhow, most of this book is about Charlie trying to fit into Jill’s world. Looking for work in a world that demands a social security number and a birth certificate which he doesn’t have because his clan lives off the grid. This story portrays the struggle of an undocumented person very well and you feel for him because he has skills that he cannot use and has to take a shitty job with a shitty boss who cheats him. It’ll make you a little ragey, most likely. It made me a little ragey but I should probably say that a lot of things make me a little ragey right about now..
I contemplated quitting this book at about the halfway mark because to be honest I was finding it too slow, too mundane and the romance too one-sided but then some things started to happen. I’m not going to tell you about these things because SPOILERS. This is not an over the top gory book by any means but there is a strong sense of menace simmering behind many of the interactions that is done incredibly well. I kept going back to it for that reason and because I did find Charlie strangely endearing. Especially because he is not wrong. Some humans do deserve to be stuffed in the burlap bag 😹!
In the end, I ended up liking this book more than I thought I would after the first half or so. It’s worth a read if you want something a little different.
This is a review of my personal reading experience. Yours may differ. Don't be blaming me if it does!
August 18, 2018
3.0 Stars
I absolutely loved one of Zeltserman's previous novels, The Caretaker of Lorne Field, which I constantly recommend to fellow horror readers. So I was incredibly excited to be offered a chance to read his newest horror novel.
I absolutely loved the premise of a "Husker" who prowls the countryside of victims to eat. The story started out amazing with the dark and ominous narrative. Zeltsterman is such a strong writer.
However, I was personally disappointed to find that this was more of a horror romance with the main character falling in love for his next victim. The majority of the story involved the relationship between Charlie and Jill. There were some interesting details in the narrative about Charlie's clan, but it was simply not suspenseful. I still think the author has writing chops, but this was simply not the kind of horror story I typically enjoy.
I received a digital ARC from the publisher via netgalley.
I absolutely loved one of Zeltserman's previous novels, The Caretaker of Lorne Field, which I constantly recommend to fellow horror readers. So I was incredibly excited to be offered a chance to read his newest horror novel.
I absolutely loved the premise of a "Husker" who prowls the countryside of victims to eat. The story started out amazing with the dark and ominous narrative. Zeltsterman is such a strong writer.
However, I was personally disappointed to find that this was more of a horror romance with the main character falling in love for his next victim. The majority of the story involved the relationship between Charlie and Jill. There were some interesting details in the narrative about Charlie's clan, but it was simply not suspenseful. I still think the author has writing chops, but this was simply not the kind of horror story I typically enjoy.
I received a digital ARC from the publisher via netgalley.
September 1, 2018
I was raised in a tribal situation, among cannibal people. - William P. Young
Charlie Husk grew up in the wilds of New Hampshire with his clan. He has been sent out to collect THEM...human beings that his clan use for their main food source. The problem is, he ends up rescuing one of THEM, a young female, and develops feelings for her that go against everything he's learned and against the whole history of his clan, a species that goes back hundreds of years.
This was a different look at cannibalism with some different elements thrown in that I've never run across before. Charlie comes across as a sympathetic character, even when the reader finds out aspects of his past history.
It is not as gut wrenching as BROTHER by Ania Ahlborn but definitely has its dark moments. It is more of a romantic cannibal story, which is a terrible description because it really is a good story.
I received this book from Severn House through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
Charlie Husk grew up in the wilds of New Hampshire with his clan. He has been sent out to collect THEM...human beings that his clan use for their main food source. The problem is, he ends up rescuing one of THEM, a young female, and develops feelings for her that go against everything he's learned and against the whole history of his clan, a species that goes back hundreds of years.
This was a different look at cannibalism with some different elements thrown in that I've never run across before. Charlie comes across as a sympathetic character, even when the reader finds out aspects of his past history.
It is not as gut wrenching as BROTHER by Ania Ahlborn but definitely has its dark moments. It is more of a romantic cannibal story, which is a terrible description because it really is a good story.
I received this book from Severn House through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
October 10, 2018
Husk is an interesting novel that doesn’t quite deliver in the genre that it is promising but delivers in another genre altogether. I wasn’t quite sure what the marketing people were doing when heading in this direction but it may be doing a disservice to the book and the author.
Firstly, this is a book that does have horror elements but it is more about a love story in a strange futuristic world amongst humanoids. The book’s narrative is well handled and at times there seems to be a lull in the overall action but within the confines of the beautifully written passages, for the avid reader they should be able to devour the book in all its many subtests. For the occasional reader, they may find this a bit harder to get into but this would be their loss.
The story is an original and does follow along the lines of taking a worn out cannibal story and adding a new spring it its step and Zeltserman is able to do this with an incredible awareness and heart. Written on a deeply emotional level, this book ticks all the boxes and more. The clan itself are an interesting lot but are weak compared to the two richly written main characters, Charlie and Jill. It is through their story that this ode to Romeo and Juliet really takes off.
The book will do well when it finds its audience but as this is settled deeply within the foray of different genres, it may not deliver to one specific genre audience. This is a well written, deeply character driven novel which is told in a mix of genres from romantic, horror, science fiction and drama. Part Romeo and Juliet, part The Road, part True Romance, for people who discover this will be well and truly rewarded.
Firstly, this is a book that does have horror elements but it is more about a love story in a strange futuristic world amongst humanoids. The book’s narrative is well handled and at times there seems to be a lull in the overall action but within the confines of the beautifully written passages, for the avid reader they should be able to devour the book in all its many subtests. For the occasional reader, they may find this a bit harder to get into but this would be their loss.
The story is an original and does follow along the lines of taking a worn out cannibal story and adding a new spring it its step and Zeltserman is able to do this with an incredible awareness and heart. Written on a deeply emotional level, this book ticks all the boxes and more. The clan itself are an interesting lot but are weak compared to the two richly written main characters, Charlie and Jill. It is through their story that this ode to Romeo and Juliet really takes off.
The book will do well when it finds its audience but as this is settled deeply within the foray of different genres, it may not deliver to one specific genre audience. This is a well written, deeply character driven novel which is told in a mix of genres from romantic, horror, science fiction and drama. Part Romeo and Juliet, part The Road, part True Romance, for people who discover this will be well and truly rewarded.
August 13, 2018
**Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for a free e-copy in exchange for an honest review.**
Charlie is a Husker who is happy with his cannibalistic ways until he meets Jill. Instead of taking her back to be shared with his clan, he decides to run away from his old life and start anew with Jill. But the clan won't let him go that easily.
This is a great cannibal love story! Yep, you read that right! An entertaining little story with lots of blood.
Charlie is a Husker who is happy with his cannibalistic ways until he meets Jill. Instead of taking her back to be shared with his clan, he decides to run away from his old life and start anew with Jill. But the clan won't let him go that easily.
This is a great cannibal love story! Yep, you read that right! An entertaining little story with lots of blood.
June 15, 2018
Wide, expansive, a classic Western wrapped around a classic vampire story. Creeps into an icky thriller to begin with, before moving more confidently into the spacious territory of modern life in America. Challenging and readable. Thank you to netgalley.com for providing the ARC for review.
July 20, 2022
I expected a new favorite after the first view pages. I'm here for the Frankenstein vibes. After a while it got a bit slow to my liking and the ending felt off.
September 28, 2020
I've loved Zeltseman's books, giving both Killer and The Caretaker of Lorne Field 5 star reviews. They were dark, noirish tales with flawed characters you grew to care for. Alas, Husk wasn't in their league. The characters seemed flat, the dialogue boring, the love affair dumb, and after 100 pages I completely lost interest. I was surprised at all the 5 star reviews, but I suspect this might appeal to younger readers. If you're looking for more credible horror with an odd sense of humor and a proper intro to Dave Zeltserman , I'd suggest checking out Caretaker of Lorne Field.
September 13, 2020
I think this is my first trek into the horror romance genre. It was an easy read, but I didn't really love it. It wasn't horror enough or romantic enough. Although, the end did give me a valid reason why it felt so 'surface-level' I suppose. The end also gives you a lot to think about. At one point our narrator called his first wife Prudence, not Patience...and those kind of errors really stick out to me and nag at my brain.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2022
Ugh..................
I marked this book as to-read in 2018. I don't remember marking this book as to-read but then again I have 900+ books on my to-read shelf so I don't remember a lot of the books I mark as to-read. Especially not after 4 years. Sometimes I use a random number generator to pick my next read and lately this book has been coming up as my next read for about a month and so I finally said fuck it, I'll pick it up and finally read it.
First off, the beginning of this story is promising. I thought it was really interesting how the author frames the cannibalism being committed as a disease and a necessity to these people. There are certain rules about what they can and can't eat and they physically become ill or die if they eat the wrong thing. I feel like I've never seen that spin on cannibalism before and I thought it was a cool concept because then these people aren't inherently the villains. They're just doing what they have to do in order to survive. Okay, I'm there, cool.
Once we get about 50 pages in, the "romance" aspect of this horror-romance genre blend begins. There's a declaration on page 44 that, "as long as there's a chance I could be with Jill, I couldn't leave". Okay, I've read Warm Bodies, I enjoyed it. I'm here for a little horror romance. What follows in Charlie and Jill's relationship is a god damn nuisance. When Charlie and Jill get to NYC so begins their courtship. Except, Charlie doesn't want to court Jill until he has a steady career and living situation. Which is so so so fucking weird. And I get that this guy is from the depths of New Hampshire and is a cannibal but like what fucking sense does this holier-than-thou concept of not being able to "court" (which, in a 98 page span the word "court" or "courting" is used 15 times which is an average of every SIX PAGES or so) someone until you have a job and an apartment come from?
Charlie and Jill are both pretty annoying characters. I didn't really like anything about either of them. Jill is just completely cool with taking this stranger in who picked her up from the side of the road where she was left by her boyfriend of two years and then this guy swoops in and she's like psh yeah fuck that other guy he was so possessive and controlling, you can live with me and be my new boyfriend! Girlie, you just got out of a two year relationship less than 12 hours ago and you're already looking to move on with this *complete stranger* that you know nothing about? It's giving toxicity.... It's giving naivety....It's giving unbelievable.
There's a decent size chunk of this book that's just a summary of what's happened already in the book. Not only that but it's incredibly repetitive. Nothing happens for a good 50-70 pages except the exact same stuff that happened the day before. Charlie goes to work, Charlie goes looking for the other clan member he saw once, Charlie comes home and him and Jill go to dinner or make dinner. Repeat for the next FIFTY pages.
A few specific things that annoyed me,
There's other stuff I could get into but I'm going to stop myself. I've ranted far too long. People seem to enjoy this book. I happen to not be one of those people.
I marked this book as to-read in 2018. I don't remember marking this book as to-read but then again I have 900+ books on my to-read shelf so I don't remember a lot of the books I mark as to-read. Especially not after 4 years. Sometimes I use a random number generator to pick my next read and lately this book has been coming up as my next read for about a month and so I finally said fuck it, I'll pick it up and finally read it.
First off, the beginning of this story is promising. I thought it was really interesting how the author frames the cannibalism being committed as a disease and a necessity to these people. There are certain rules about what they can and can't eat and they physically become ill or die if they eat the wrong thing. I feel like I've never seen that spin on cannibalism before and I thought it was a cool concept because then these people aren't inherently the villains. They're just doing what they have to do in order to survive. Okay, I'm there, cool.
Once we get about 50 pages in, the "romance" aspect of this horror-romance genre blend begins. There's a declaration on page 44 that, "as long as there's a chance I could be with Jill, I couldn't leave". Okay, I've read Warm Bodies, I enjoyed it. I'm here for a little horror romance. What follows in Charlie and Jill's relationship is a god damn nuisance. When Charlie and Jill get to NYC so begins their courtship. Except, Charlie doesn't want to court Jill until he has a steady career and living situation. Which is so so so fucking weird. And I get that this guy is from the depths of New Hampshire and is a cannibal but like what fucking sense does this holier-than-thou concept of not being able to "court" (which, in a 98 page span the word "court" or "courting" is used 15 times which is an average of every SIX PAGES or so) someone until you have a job and an apartment come from?
Charlie and Jill are both pretty annoying characters. I didn't really like anything about either of them. Jill is just completely cool with taking this stranger in who picked her up from the side of the road where she was left by her boyfriend of two years and then this guy swoops in and she's like psh yeah fuck that other guy he was so possessive and controlling, you can live with me and be my new boyfriend! Girlie, you just got out of a two year relationship less than 12 hours ago and you're already looking to move on with this *complete stranger* that you know nothing about? It's giving toxicity.... It's giving naivety....It's giving unbelievable.
There's a decent size chunk of this book that's just a summary of what's happened already in the book. Not only that but it's incredibly repetitive. Nothing happens for a good 50-70 pages except the exact same stuff that happened the day before. Charlie goes to work, Charlie goes looking for the other clan member he saw once, Charlie comes home and him and Jill go to dinner or make dinner. Repeat for the next FIFTY pages.
A few specific things that annoyed me,
There's other stuff I could get into but I'm going to stop myself. I've ranted far too long. People seem to enjoy this book. I happen to not be one of those people.
August 29, 2018
Husk by Dave Zeltserman opens up with a young man on the prowl for some meat to bring back to his clan. Little do we know that the meat he is looking for is that of a living human and he's stalking the rest areas off the interstate. CANNIBALS! Le gasp! But what happens when he unexpectedly falls in love with one of the potential victims and decides to assimilate to a new life void of his clan's diet, background, and rituals?
At the beginning we get lots of uncomfortable talks about how someone looks like there "is not enough meat on the bones" or "how much meat can we trim off them." There are jokes about skinning people alive and more. At this point, the book could go one of two ways: it could become a gore fest of slaughtering/skinning people alive and eating them OR it could go the way it did.
I WAS looking forward to lots of gore, but I actually enjoyed the route the story went. Our protagonist was trying to assimilate to the real world, fight off his cravings, and escape the ways of his clan. He fell in love and it was fun watching him learn about the ways of the real world in the landscape of New York City. There were a couple scenes that gave me enough gore to keep MY cravings at bay!
This book gets 4 out of 5 stars from me and I am thankful to NetGalley and Severn House Publishers for the advance copy. Crittically acclaimed author Paul Tremblay is quoted as saying this about Husk: "Dave Zeltserman’s Husk is a compelling, quirky, twisty, smart, page-turner mix of horror, satire, and even a little romance with (yeah, I’ll say it) bite. A brutal love story perfect for our dark times." And I couldn't agree more!
At the beginning we get lots of uncomfortable talks about how someone looks like there "is not enough meat on the bones" or "how much meat can we trim off them." There are jokes about skinning people alive and more. At this point, the book could go one of two ways: it could become a gore fest of slaughtering/skinning people alive and eating them OR it could go the way it did.
I WAS looking forward to lots of gore, but I actually enjoyed the route the story went. Our protagonist was trying to assimilate to the real world, fight off his cravings, and escape the ways of his clan. He fell in love and it was fun watching him learn about the ways of the real world in the landscape of New York City. There were a couple scenes that gave me enough gore to keep MY cravings at bay!
This book gets 4 out of 5 stars from me and I am thankful to NetGalley and Severn House Publishers for the advance copy. Crittically acclaimed author Paul Tremblay is quoted as saying this about Husk: "Dave Zeltserman’s Husk is a compelling, quirky, twisty, smart, page-turner mix of horror, satire, and even a little romance with (yeah, I’ll say it) bite. A brutal love story perfect for our dark times." And I couldn't agree more!
June 6, 2018
With thanks to Dave Zeltserman, NetGalley and Severn House Publishers for the ARC copy of Husk I received. All views are my own.
Dave Zeltserman’s Husk is a quirky little morsel. Short, sharp and occasionally sweet, it takes us on a journey into our own world through the predatory gaze of outsider Charlie Husk who is on a foraging mission for his family when he helps a little blond damsel in distress from the side of a road.
Abandoning all he’s ever known for gentle Jill, Charlie struggles to adapt to an overwhelming new culture while fighting his own base instincts for survival. Husk is told entirely from Charlie’s viewpoint which can be a little myopic - though there are interesting flashes of seeing his true self reflected in the eyes of those he interacts with in a negative manner.
This short novel is an entertaining and diverting read with enough twists to get the pages propelling forward and for me to speculate on Charlie’s origins and the nature of indoctrination versus actual need.
I’ll be honest, I’m not much of a girl for romance as nicely done as it was, but it does lend a purpose to Charlie’s decisions. Jill is perhaps a little too naive for someone who has lived a long while in New York and is studying psychology, but this is just a minor niggle in a story that ultimately belongs to Charlie.
All in all this is a competent horror story that takes an interesting viewpoint - and references this as such in the reading materials preferred by Charlie himself. Well worth a read.
Dave Zeltserman’s Husk is a quirky little morsel. Short, sharp and occasionally sweet, it takes us on a journey into our own world through the predatory gaze of outsider Charlie Husk who is on a foraging mission for his family when he helps a little blond damsel in distress from the side of a road.
Abandoning all he’s ever known for gentle Jill, Charlie struggles to adapt to an overwhelming new culture while fighting his own base instincts for survival. Husk is told entirely from Charlie’s viewpoint which can be a little myopic - though there are interesting flashes of seeing his true self reflected in the eyes of those he interacts with in a negative manner.
This short novel is an entertaining and diverting read with enough twists to get the pages propelling forward and for me to speculate on Charlie’s origins and the nature of indoctrination versus actual need.
I’ll be honest, I’m not much of a girl for romance as nicely done as it was, but it does lend a purpose to Charlie’s decisions. Jill is perhaps a little too naive for someone who has lived a long while in New York and is studying psychology, but this is just a minor niggle in a story that ultimately belongs to Charlie.
All in all this is a competent horror story that takes an interesting viewpoint - and references this as such in the reading materials preferred by Charlie himself. Well worth a read.
October 25, 2018
This is an example of a book giving me so much more than I expected. And this is saying a lot because I really like this author. CARETAKER OF LORNE FIELD [same author] is one of my all time favorite horror novels. Like HUSK it is literary fiction as much as horror. Zeltserman refers to that book in Husk and I loved that. [My review from when I first read Caretaker: https://raforallhorror.blogspot.com/2...]
But back to HUSK, I'm using the sound bite line for this novel and saying "It's as if Paul Tremblay wrote the DEXTER series." I bet I have your attention now.
The plot summary gives you the basics of what happens. You learn real quickly that Charlie belongs to a race of humans that can only stomach human flesh; they need it to survive. His job for his clan is to bring back bodies, but as the novel opens, he abandons everything for Julie.
But while this novel is a tale of a monster living among us, trying to fit in [clumsily] and Charlie is a boarding romantic hero, the novel is so much more.
First of all Charlie is so likable, yet he is a monster...literally. Talk about flawed protagonist.
Also, this sounds like a far fetched story, but somehow it is utterly original, compelling, and so thought provoking. I don't want to give much away with details because reading it was chilling, and not just because Charlie is a killer. What this story reveals about society, family, human nature, modern life, the trials of being undocumented...is so amazing. And it is all wrapped up in a well paced, compelling storyline.
This is a quick read, but one you will think about for a long time afterwards. Plus, the Husker details are so chillingly realistic. It makes me wonder who else is living off the grid in the woods. Yikes.
There is very little detail of violence here. There is violence and characters do die, but because Charlie is describing it all and he is dispassionate about killing people for food, it is described without much detail or emotion.
Oh yeah, that's important too. All of this book is in Charlie's first person voice. He is telling, us the reader the story, but that is all I will say about that.
Three Words That Describe This Book: anxiety, thought provoking, unreliable narrator
Last line makes the entire book. Seriously brilliant. I was getting worried as the book was coming to a close that there was no way he could finish this book satisfyingly. Well, I was 100% wrong. Just perfect and totally makes the anxiety ratchet up another notch and
Readalikes: Paul Tremblay- because both authors write books that are horror with high anxiety and dread, but not a lot of gore. Their novels are also thought provoking looks at human nature at their cores. High anxiety, literary fiction styles, character focused, with open endings that wrap things up, but leave it up to the reader to decide what to believe.
The Warm Bodies series by Issac Marion is a more literal readalike [sentient zombie who fall in love with a human]
BREATHERS A ZOMBIE'S LAMENT by Browne [which I reviewed here: https://raforall.blogspot.com/2009/06...] is another thought provoking look at a zombie trying to pass in a world of humans. While Charlie is not a zombie, he is a monster.
But the series that most captures the feel of HUSK, how we are drawn to this killer character, and how we are manipulated by the author to sympathize with a monster reminded me of the Dexter series by Lindsay. This is a perfect read alike for people who loved that series [in print or on TV] and are looking for similar reads.
But back to HUSK, I'm using the sound bite line for this novel and saying "It's as if Paul Tremblay wrote the DEXTER series." I bet I have your attention now.
The plot summary gives you the basics of what happens. You learn real quickly that Charlie belongs to a race of humans that can only stomach human flesh; they need it to survive. His job for his clan is to bring back bodies, but as the novel opens, he abandons everything for Julie.
But while this novel is a tale of a monster living among us, trying to fit in [clumsily] and Charlie is a boarding romantic hero, the novel is so much more.
First of all Charlie is so likable, yet he is a monster...literally. Talk about flawed protagonist.
Also, this sounds like a far fetched story, but somehow it is utterly original, compelling, and so thought provoking. I don't want to give much away with details because reading it was chilling, and not just because Charlie is a killer. What this story reveals about society, family, human nature, modern life, the trials of being undocumented...is so amazing. And it is all wrapped up in a well paced, compelling storyline.
This is a quick read, but one you will think about for a long time afterwards. Plus, the Husker details are so chillingly realistic. It makes me wonder who else is living off the grid in the woods. Yikes.
There is very little detail of violence here. There is violence and characters do die, but because Charlie is describing it all and he is dispassionate about killing people for food, it is described without much detail or emotion.
Oh yeah, that's important too. All of this book is in Charlie's first person voice. He is telling, us the reader the story, but that is all I will say about that.
Three Words That Describe This Book: anxiety, thought provoking, unreliable narrator
Last line makes the entire book. Seriously brilliant. I was getting worried as the book was coming to a close that there was no way he could finish this book satisfyingly. Well, I was 100% wrong. Just perfect and totally makes the anxiety ratchet up another notch and
Readalikes: Paul Tremblay- because both authors write books that are horror with high anxiety and dread, but not a lot of gore. Their novels are also thought provoking looks at human nature at their cores. High anxiety, literary fiction styles, character focused, with open endings that wrap things up, but leave it up to the reader to decide what to believe.
The Warm Bodies series by Issac Marion is a more literal readalike [sentient zombie who fall in love with a human]
BREATHERS A ZOMBIE'S LAMENT by Browne [which I reviewed here: https://raforall.blogspot.com/2009/06...] is another thought provoking look at a zombie trying to pass in a world of humans. While Charlie is not a zombie, he is a monster.
But the series that most captures the feel of HUSK, how we are drawn to this killer character, and how we are manipulated by the author to sympathize with a monster reminded me of the Dexter series by Lindsay. This is a perfect read alike for people who loved that series [in print or on TV] and are looking for similar reads.
August 14, 2018
This suspense thriller has a lot of things going for it: a protagonist who some see as a monster struggling to become a normal person and a better one, a man falling in love while hiding terrible secrets, a fish-out-of-water tale about a country boy coping with life in the big city, and a tense story told while we wonder when it will all fall apart. You’ll root for Charlie, despite his background, a neat trick that the author pulls off with wit and style. Echoes in a good way some of what Thomas Harris did with his monster protagonist in later books.
There is so much that requires explanation, but it is all deftly handled within the frame of the story, and we’re in for the ride right from the start. “How’s he gonna pull this one off?” goes for both the protagonist and the author, but it works on all levels. It’s good, making you want more at the end, so maybe it can be expanded into a series.
No spoilers to say there are chilling parts that will make you cringe when you meet some people on the street. A cautionary tale in many ways, but also a tale of redemption, and don’t many of us love that? The suspense gets wound to just the right pitch, and holds us to the end. And there are plenty of Easter eggs for the careful reader that are worth a chuckle. A fine read, and worth your time.
There is so much that requires explanation, but it is all deftly handled within the frame of the story, and we’re in for the ride right from the start. “How’s he gonna pull this one off?” goes for both the protagonist and the author, but it works on all levels. It’s good, making you want more at the end, so maybe it can be expanded into a series.
No spoilers to say there are chilling parts that will make you cringe when you meet some people on the street. A cautionary tale in many ways, but also a tale of redemption, and don’t many of us love that? The suspense gets wound to just the right pitch, and holds us to the end. And there are plenty of Easter eggs for the careful reader that are worth a chuckle. A fine read, and worth your time.
June 21, 2018
Not what I was expecting and kept me guessing until the very last sentence. A what would you do for love from the perspective of someone who has only ever lived on the outskirts of society with little interaction with us. Oh, and he's a cannibal. Excellent pacing and storytelling. I kept waiting to see how Charlie's actions would catch up to him. Listening to Charlie's account of navigating our world and trying to do things our way vs the way he knows kept me glued to the book.
I got a very modern day Beauty and the Beast feel as well. Charley constantly worries how Jill will view him and his actions. He feels like a monster both in his actions and appearance when he shows what he thinks of as his "true self". Jill is beautiful, smart, compassionate and loves to read. Charlie has to figure out a way to be with Jill, hide his past and true nature and adapt to a world he never thought he would have to live in. And hope the crimes he has recently committed never get discovered by Jill.
I found myself on team Charlie even through the things he has done in the past as well as the things he does to remain with Jill. There was no way for me to not like him after seeing his determination.
Thanks to Dave Zeltserman, NetGalley and Severn House Publishers for the ARC.
I got a very modern day Beauty and the Beast feel as well. Charley constantly worries how Jill will view him and his actions. He feels like a monster both in his actions and appearance when he shows what he thinks of as his "true self". Jill is beautiful, smart, compassionate and loves to read. Charlie has to figure out a way to be with Jill, hide his past and true nature and adapt to a world he never thought he would have to live in. And hope the crimes he has recently committed never get discovered by Jill.
I found myself on team Charlie even through the things he has done in the past as well as the things he does to remain with Jill. There was no way for me to not like him after seeing his determination.
Thanks to Dave Zeltserman, NetGalley and Severn House Publishers for the ARC.
January 28, 2020
This was a surprisingly effective horror; bit cheesy in places, and some serious suspension of disbelief required, but it's another one that would make a great film, I think. You know a book is doing a good job when you're (mostly) rooting for the murderous cannibal (in my defence, he loves books and he's otherwise vegan..? Ha).
January 16, 2023
This masterpiece is not just another love story. But it is a great love story, and the plot is a wonderful tease of truths half told and very original material, can't say anymore because you do not want spoilers.
September 13, 2018
Good yarn
October 30, 2018
This was totally different than anything I'd ever read. It was hokey in some parts, horrific in others. It's a quick read and worth the time.
July 22, 2019
Fast read, not much to it.
October 8, 2019
Horror romance....not my thing.
November 15, 2019
The story really kept me guessing as to which direction it was going to take at the end. I thought it was a good horror novel. I will read more by this author.
April 6, 2022
This was good, but it was not what I would classify as horror. It also struck me as quite mundane at times. Still, the story was a unique idea and the ending was beautifully constructed.
February 10, 2023
Interesting idea and setting, storywriting mostly too much telling instead of showing.
June 14, 2024
Good book. Not really horror, A lot of drama though.
January 21, 2025
Brilliant
Crikey that was a really good book. So unusual, I loved it from beginning to end. Had me wishing I could actually see the characters.
Crikey that was a really good book. So unusual, I loved it from beginning to end. Had me wishing I could actually see the characters.
September 6, 2018
I really wanted to like this book much more than I actually did. I blame the marketing, the marketing that promoted this book as a horror novel. It isn’t, it’s a love story with some minor horror tropes. I went into the book expecting something along the lines of The Caretaker Of Lorne Field, it’s not.
Had Zeltserman kept his original title, “Cannibal, A Love Story”, I’d have been less disappointed in the book. Because this is a love story, and although soap opera-ish at times, it works very well. Good book, recommended.
Had Zeltserman kept his original title, “Cannibal, A Love Story”, I’d have been less disappointed in the book. Because this is a love story, and although soap opera-ish at times, it works very well. Good book, recommended.
June 19, 2018
Dave Zeltserman has come up with a pretty good variation on what seems to be a cannibalistic werewolf story. Clans of a people living outside of normal humanity, kidnapping regular humans to feed on ritually to survive. Part supernatural story, and part thriller, it works well and was not what I was expecting, but I felt that the last several chapters rushed to an incomplete ending after a great build up kept it from a 5 star rating. I feel a sequel coming, I hope!
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