Yeah, yeah, another apocalyptic horror. This one hit harder on many levels. It's a beautifully crafted novel which is packed with emotion and delivereYeah, yeah, another apocalyptic horror. This one hit harder on many levels. It's a beautifully crafted novel which is packed with emotion and delivered in quite an original manner. This one will stick with me for a long time. I know I'm just writing random comments here but I just don't care - I'm emotional OK? Tremblay is the Don! A stunning roller coaster ride and one which I will whole heartedly recommend for years to come!...more
An exceptional take on the social climate of today, all wrapped up in a rip-roaring horror novel.
"What if this is their way into our world? Hear me ouAn exceptional take on the social climate of today, all wrapped up in a rip-roaring horror novel.
"What if this is their way into our world? Hear me out...Demons have been slowly insinuating themselves into our daily lives without us even realizing it."
I'll be honest, I wasn't sure whether to read this or not, due to it delving into political issues, but I decided to listen to the hype and here I am. There are a lot of political commentaries but for me, the biggest thing this novel highlighted for me was our use of social media and how it now sits centrally in a lot of our lives. It's scary, really scary. I just want to add, Clay isn't only aiming at the right wing, if you look deeper he has us all locked in his target.
Now for the fun stuff. Clay Mcleod Chapman has managed to create an absolute monster of a horror novel, he creates such vivid and lush imagery throughout. Combining multiple storytelling methods to develop the plot and giving us different perspectives to look upon events. There are parts told as social media posts, descriptions of videos posted online, 3rd person accounts and even 1st person, using a character's inner monologue to startling effect. The narrative moves along with a steady pace, interlaced with moments of dark humour, graphic violence(which borders on being slapstick at times), a few sordid sexual scene's and also moments which I'm pretty sure all of us can relate to from our day-to-day lives.
"Used to be a Ouija board that brought these devils in... Now all we do is click. By accepting the terms of service, we submit ourselves to these demonic forces."
You know what, I could go on about this book for ages. I have pages on pages of notes and subjects I intended to comment on here. All these are unimportant, what is important is that you WAKE UP and READ THIS BOOK WAKE UP AND READ THIS BOOK WAKE UP AND READ THIS BOOK......more
A gripping, painful, heart rending and captivating novella.
"The sentences we serve, the punishments we perform, are our own form of hell."
Clay has donA gripping, painful, heart rending and captivating novella.
"The sentences we serve, the punishments we perform, are our own form of hell."
Clay has done it again. How he manages to invoke so many thoughts and feelings in so few words is beyond me. An absolute masterclass in writing.
Ultimately this is one man's story of deep grief and our ability to relive and even rewrite history. It's one of those stories which you can interpret in many ways, you can take it as it is or interpret a completely different narrative. I love that. What is truth after all?
"There’s no justice. There has never been justice. The guilty go free. The innocent suffer. The wicked live. This story goes on unfinished, untold."
Never has a book grabbed me so hard and pulled me into itself as hard as this has. Read this on sight but be prepared for an emotional ride!...more
An absolute juggernaut of a slasher, aka the slashers bible! I've spent the 24 hours since finishing reading this book wonder how the hell I can reviewAn absolute juggernaut of a slasher, aka the slashers bible! I've spent the 24 hours since finishing reading this book wonder how the hell I can review this and truly do it justice? The simple answer is that I can't do it justice at all, but I'll still share a few words regardless.
This is a slasher with a difference, yes there is pretty of blood and gore as you'd expect but the real standout feature of this novel is the relationship between Tolly (the main character) and his best friend, Amber. Stephen Graham Jones managed to write such realistic, relatable and authentic interaction between the two, it drove the story onwards and pulled me deeper into the narrative. I could whole heartedly relate to these characters and put myself in their shoes. In fact, this is why I'm having such a hard time writing this review, I'm in absolute awe. Maybe in time I'll add more but right now I don't want to, I don't want to leave any kind of spoilers or lead anyone in any way.
I'd recommend this to anyone and especially to those who enjoyed Billy Summers, The Angel Lake trilogy or even The Colorado Kid. Book of the year so far, Stephen Graham Jones at the very top of his game.
P.s, I'll probably add to this soon and I so wish I'd taken notes as I read. Then maybe my thoughts would be more focused....more
A Head Full of Ghosts is a brilliant, terrifying and emotional horror novel that explores the depths of the human mind.
I often have at least some ideaA Head Full of Ghosts is a brilliant, terrifying and emotional horror novel that explores the depths of the human mind.
I often have at least some idea of what I am going to write when I start writing a review but this book has me so twisted that I am just going to put down what initially comes to mind, and then I can come back and edit when I feel the need.
“Are you good at keeping secrets, Merry?” “I’m better than some.” I pause, then add, “More often than not, they keep me,”
A Head Full of Ghosts tells the story of a family torn apart by a mysterious and horrifying event involving their teenage daughter, who may or may not be possessed by a demon.
'Her hyperactive pitch was layered and schizophrenic, imploding down into a singularity, then going big bang, expanding and exploding all over everything.'
This is one of a rare number of books that after the reading has left me pondering what really happened, is the narrator hugely unreliable or could these events be as they have been portrayed? The novel is cleverly narrated from different perspectives, including the younger sister, a horror blogger, and a reality TV show. It explores themes of mental illness, media, memory and challenges the reader to question what is real and what is fiction. The media aspect of this story left me deeply troubled by the damage which it causes to the family and others around them and also made me think about this from the aspect of modern social media and the damage it could and does cause to users. The characters are exceptionally well-developed and realistic, and I thought the writing style was incredibly engaging and witty. For me, Merry's account of the events was priceless and perfectly fits a character of her age. Merry's perspective was both innocent and unreliable but remains wholly relatable to me. I was once that imaginative, observant and often strong-headed child.
“Ideas. I’m possessed by ideas. Ideas that are as old as humanity, maybe older, right? Maybe those ideas were out there just floating around before us, just waiting to be thought up. Maybe we don’t think them, we pluck them out from another dimension or another mind.”
This book will no doubt haunt me and leave me questioning its events for some time. It had me in fits of laughter, had me terrified at points, and also left me an emotional wreck on occasion. A must-read for fans of horror and suspense, and it will leave you with a head full of questions and chills. Highly recommended!!!...more
Ghostwritten is a superlative collection of four suspenseful novellas all set with a shared world and with a recurring theme, BOOKS! 'There is a historGhostwritten is a superlative collection of four suspenseful novellas all set with a shared world and with a recurring theme, BOOKS! 'There is a history here—the history of us—that is so profound it feels like the air is different, that the colors are brighter, that the smells in this place have the power to transport you to a wholly different dimension.'
Previous to reading this I had only experienced Ronald Malfi's work through listening to audiobooks. Reading his work in print form was a far more immersive and enjoyable experience. I think my enjoyment of these stories was for a large part due to them all connecting with me on some emotional or spiritual level. There was something in each story which I cannot define, yet felt strangely familiar and possibly comforting to me and with this still managed to retain an unsettling or malevolent presence. This book transported me to other dark and mysterious worlds, although some turn out not too dissimilar to the one we live in. These stories explore the dark recesses of the human mind and made me imagine many strange, horrific or magical scenarios. Malfi's writing was exceptional and has now cemented him as one of my favourite authors of the moment. 'Welcome to the Story! Your journey begins NOW!'
Below are my views and rating of each of the four novellas. I hope you enjoy reading these and that they inspire you enough to pick this outstanding collection of stories up.
THE SKIN OF HER TEETH ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A hugely captivating supernatural and psychological tale of possession and obsession. 'Like the rattling chains of Marley’s ghost, McElroy’s voice once again rose up in her head: It wasn’t just physical, he had told her. It was getting in my head, too. Twisting my thoughts. Waging war on an internal scale, like some kind of parasite.'
A twisted story about a cursed novel and its attempts to preserve itself at all costs. This was one of those stories I simply could not get enough of. I am usually a fast reader but something about this work made me take my time and savour every single one of its twisted and malevolent words. I could not help but draw a few comparisons with The Shinning on a few occasions. I guess this is mainly due to some of the themes which are involved in both of the stories. This is by no means a bad thing, in fact, quite the opposite. The only negative I can throw at this novella is that at times I felt I had experienced elements of it before in other works, especially the one scene when the MC talks to a bookshop owner. That said, this didn't detract anything from my reading experience at all. Overall I thought this was a delightfully creepy and hugely engrossing reading experience which ultimately left me wanting more. Malfi's writing is up there with the very best.
'Altering, Gloria thought. It was the word Finter had used, too: Whatever lives inside this book, it wants to remain. That is its sole purpose, do you hear? To remain. She doesn’t want to leave, and she certainly does not want to be altered. She does not want change.' Ultimately my words can't quite describe how much I loved this story.
THE DARK BROTHERS’ LAST RIDE ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A road trip story like no other! 'The shadows were swallowing him up. To Danny, that darkness seemed impossibly dense. He was suddenly overcome with the irrational fear that if his brother took one more step, he’d fall into that darkness and be lost forever.'
This is a curious story about two brothers who are on a mission to deliver a mysterious package. I have to be truthful here, when starting this story I initially thought to myself that this was going to be the one dodgy story in this collection, but it turns out that as the story progressed my initial impressions were massively wide of the mark. This turned into one of the creepiest, most disturbing and psychologically messed up stories I have read in some time, if not ever. This story got under my skin and conjured up such otherworldly and vivid imagery in my mind. It isn't that common for a story to make me feel uncomfortable or uneasy, this did that on numerous occasions, but somehow I can't quite pinpoint why this was the case. I guess my feeling this way is a testament to the quality of Malfi's writing skills within this story. I love a story which really delves deeply into the human mind and our paranoid perceptions of this world and this is most definitely a story which delivers that and so much more.
'"It is more akin to reaching up into the far reaches of space and grabbing yourself a piece of the universe. A piece that creates life? A piece that brings about chaos? A piece to turn back time? Is a dusty old stone really just a stone, or is it one tiny piece of a much greater whole?”' Deep, dark, menacing and completely out of this world. An amazing work of tense and paranoid fiction.
THIS BOOK BELONGS TO OLO ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Wow! I can honestly say that I have never read a story quite like this before. 'A spiral staircase stood in the center of the foyer, an intricate monstrosity that climbed to the shadowed, cobwebbed corners of the house’s second story.'
An incredibly surreal and claustrophobic story about a reclusive boy and his mysterious pop-up book. I have so much to say about this story so I will attempt to keep this short. This Book Belongs To Olo is an exceptional piece of horror/fantasy writing on almost every level. It was one of those stories which would constantly twist and turn, one minute I had empathy for the MC and the next I would be thinking he is a terrible child. It is very rare for me to have such mixed feelings for a character but it says a lot about the storytelling that I have become so emotionally involved in the story. As with the other stories in this book, the writing is quite simply breathtaking at times. Within this story, Malfi's writing borders on feeling almost Lovecraftian on occasions with his superbly atmospheric scene setting and then creating some immensely vivid and maddening thoughts for the characters, all leaving me completely immersed in this story's otherworldly aura. I know, I am just rambling and will no doubt rewrite this soon enough. I enjoyed this story so much that I think it has scrambled my mind. . . or was it from spending too much time in Helix House?
'She kept claiming she’d crawled through a painting and into another dimension. Certainly sounded ridiculous when you said it out loud, but Peyton had no reason to disbelieve her.' I am this novella's number-one fanboy right now!
THE STORY⭐⭐⭐⭐ A great thriller/horror based on the premise of a pick-your-own adventure. 'It makes me sad to take all this in, because it strikes me as clear evidence of a declining humanity, a weakening of spirit, a person on the brink. This apartment is like a blazing neon sign warning someone—anyone—that its occupant is headed for disaster.'
This was my least favourite of the four stories in this book, mainly due to the first-person narrative style in this novella. I felt it lacked the literary flourishes which the other three novellas had in absolute spades. This is by no means me saying this was a bad story, quite to the contrary it was an exceptionally well-written and entertaining piece. I love how the writer Initially gently meanders, giving some background, lightly developing the characters and then all of a sudden POW instant madness. mindfuck!!! This story made me think of movies such as The Ring and various found footage shows that I have seen over the years and had the same elements that I have loved within every one of these four stories, a strong sense of brooding presence lurking in the background and also a feeling of overwhelming madness and claustrophobia. As I am sure I have said, I love stories that delve into the maddening mind, the chaotic, dark and oppressive all-encompassing thoughts. This novella did that with ease.
'The writing explodes from there, boils out, roils out, buckshot all over the walls, along the painted I-beams in the ceiling, scrawled like a mad genius’s mathematical equations on the hardwood floor, A Beautiful Mind gone haywire. A monsoon of words. An obliterating sandstorm of words.' An absolute headfuck of a novella.
'I can climb through, his mind yammered, I can crawl all the way out into the yard and just run and not look back because something is wrong here something is messed up something is akin to the state of human happiness which is a wall impenetrable which is the disposition of mind and not of circumstance which is the little red invitation with a black smiley face which is—
In case I have not managed to express my feelings clearly in all of my writing, I will say this: I fucking LOVED every second of reading this book!...more
One hell of a ride. Maybe the ride of a lifetime. ‘Son, you’re probably too young to look for wisdom in anyone’s words but your own, but I’ll tell you One hell of a ride. Maybe the ride of a lifetime. ‘Son, you’re probably too young to look for wisdom in anyone’s words but your own, but I’ll tell you this: love is the enemy.’ He nodded at me slowly. ‘Yes. The poets continually and sometimes wilfully mistake love. Love is the old slaughterer. Love is not blind. Love is a cannibal with extremely acute vision. Love is insectile; it is always hungry.’
Previous to reading this book I had seen its movie adaptation on multiple occasions and what an enjoyable movie it would is. Because of this, I had been putting off reading this novel due to the fact that I felt like I knew the storyline through and through, how very wrong I turned out to be. This story isn't just about Christine, the famous red and white '57 Plymouth Fury from the movie. It is more of a story about friendship, family and growing up, plus also of deep obsession and yearning. This novel is like a swiss army knife, with so many different tools at its disposal.
'And I think I understood then that what really scares people about growing up is that you stop trying on the life mask and start trying on another one. If being a kid is about learning how to live, then being a grown-up is about learning how to die.'
The story is told in three different parts, mostly narrated by one character throughout. King manages to use this format to absolute perfection, which made this an extremely endearing, personable, authentic and detail-rich experience with which my words can't quite do it justice. There were moments in this book where I felt transported back in time by the writing, I could see what he was describing and sense the nostalgia of the era seeping off the pages. King also managed to conjure up some moments of intense and almost overpowering tension and dread within the pages of this book. Similar things could be said for the exceptional character development and the social commentary which runs throughout this novel, it all comes together to build a bigger and more vivid picture of the times and events within this story. Often during reading a book of this length there are moments where I tend to get bored or even switch off in some ways but this was one of a very small number which had me completely hypnotised and immersed in its world.
'On the far verge of Squantic Lake, some ten miles away as the crow flies, a young man who had gone out for a cross-country ski by starlight heard the sound and suddenly stopped, his hands on his poles and his head cocked. Abruptly the skin on his back prickled into bumps, as if a goose had just walked over his grave, and although he knew it was only a car somewhere on the other side – sound carried a long way up here on still winter nights – his first thought was that something prehistoric had awakened and had tracked its prey to earth: a great wolf, or perhaps a sabre-toothed tiger.'
An absolute stone-cold masterpiece. I didn't just read this story, I LIVED IT!...more
⁷A sequel that towers above its already great predecessor. A masterpiece of slasher lore. 'Clash of the titans indeed. The kind that grinds peons under⁷A sequel that towers above its already great predecessor. A masterpiece of slasher lore. 'Clash of the titans indeed. The kind that grinds peons underfoot.'
This was one of those books that I have been dying to read since it was announced. So when I got accepted to read an ARC copy my excitement went completely off the scale. Often in situations where expectations are so high, the reality of the thing doesn't quite tally with the expectation. I can safely say this novel exceeded my expectations, you could say it hit them out of the park, wrote a new rule book or even set a higher bar. This is My Heart is a Chainsaw after years of bulking up. Getting bigger, faster, stronger, and more efficient, a juggernaut of a novel.
'The next memory is...it's not silence, it's wailing, I guess you could call it. The living crying for the dead and the dying.'
I wrote pages and pages of notes and made just as many highlights about this book. So rather than process them into a condensed filtered version I'm going to just leave a number of them below in their original form. - This book focuses on events four years after My Heart is a Chainsaw and also shines a light on events that transpired within the first book. Sometimes even fills in certain characters' backstories, which helped me build a deeper understanding of their actions and motivations. - The characters' conversations and thoughts are so sharp and witty throughout. An absolute delight. - Stephen Graham Jones' intricate writing and observations are simply breathtaking, and deeply descriptive and the action scenes are both brutal and beautiful. - Much easier to follow than its predecessor (I had moments in the first book where I had to read some passages over and over to make sense of things) but there were still a couple of those moments in this book. I put that mostly down to a lack of cultural knowledge on my part or just the subject matter that was being dealt with. -Told from multiple points of view, using various writing formats. -Must have induced almost every emotion possible from me. - Gory and extremely bloody at times, but still leaving enough to the imagination. -Faster and more evenly paced than My Heart is a Chainsaw. - The relationship between Jade and Hardy was extremely heartwarming and tender at times. - Jade is a legend. I love that girl! - A breathtaking, rip-roaring epic.
"Which . . . does that tell you anything, ex-final girl? Or-you're Velma now, aren't you?" "You're too young to know Scooby-Doo." "I was also too young to see my parents torn to pieces."
Freddie and Jason can finally take their retirement, Dark Mill South is in town.
Thank you to Titan Books and Netgalleyuk for providing me with an ARC copy for review....more
Grady Hendrix treats us to an incredible slice of campy modern horror. A wild, creepy and yet touching read which left me almost lost for words.
'EveryGrady Hendrix treats us to an incredible slice of campy modern horror. A wild, creepy and yet touching read which left me almost lost for words.
'Every childhood home is haunted, and each of us are possessed by our parents.'
I'm already a huge fan of Grady Hendrix and this new novel has exceeded all my expectations of his work. Hendrix has a knack for making the most mundane of day-to-day actions or observations into something sinister or amusing. I had moments where I didn't know whether to laugh, cry or be scared out of my skin. Although many of the events in this book are utterly outrageous they still have a grounding in the real world and are so relatable, especially when it comes to our families and childhood memories. The writing, characters and interactions between characters were so bold, rich, vivid and full of life that you could have believed that these characters and events were real.
'You know, Louise, her dad said, statistically, and there's a lot of variance in these numbers, but in general, from a strictly scientific point of view, everything turns out okay an improbable number of times.'
I have been very conscious not to leave any kind of spoilers or even a synopsis in my review. I believe this book is best experienced without knowing too much about it. That said, I suppose the title itself may give you an idea. I could not rate this title any more highly, this book has something for everyone.
Move over Annabelle, move over Chucky, Pupkin is the new pretender to the crown!
Thank you to Titan Books and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC copy for review....more
This was my second time reading Joe Hill (the first was Heart Shaped Box) and my expectations were more than exceeded.
“Fantasy Wow, what a wild ride!
This was my second time reading Joe Hill (the first was Heart Shaped Box) and my expectations were more than exceeded.
“Fantasy was always only a reality waiting to be switched on.”
This novel is an absolute epic. I think I devoured it within 3 days and still would've liked more. Think Needful Things mixed with Salems Lot with a light dusting of Christine. I can't help but draw these comparisons with his father's writing. Manx felt like a cross between Leyland Gaunt and Barlow to me and was beautifully written, as are all the characters here. The plot itself is complicated to some extent and meanders from character to character but without leaving you confused or having the need to check back on yourself. There is plenty of action and gore to keep you hooked but also there is beauty within those pages.
'The difference between childhood and adulthood, Vic had come to believe, was the difference between imagination and resignation. You traded one for the other and lost your way.'
I do have one issue with this book and it occurred within the last 10 or 20 pages but it was only minor in the grand scale of things. I will leave you to find out what it was by reading.
Yes I think you should read this, wait no MUST read this. Essential horror reading!
“I felt like it needed some color down there, so I painted the walls with the motherfucker.”...more
There are plenty of reviews for this book on here and I have very little to add to what has already been said, so I will keep this relatively short anThere are plenty of reviews for this book on here and I have very little to add to what has already been said, so I will keep this relatively short and sweet.
“And the most terrifying question of all may be just how much horror the human mind can stand and still maintain a wakeful, staring, unrelenting sanity.”
This book is not for the faint of heart, but for those who love a good scare and a gripping story. Pet Sematary explores the dark side of human nature and the consequences of playing with death. The characters are realistic and relatable, and the plot is full of twists and turns. I could not put it down until I finished it. Pet Sematary is a masterpiece indeed! Mr King is the King, long live the King! ...more
'ORSKUSA.COM Wherever you go, Orsk will be there. Always. That’s the Orsk Guarantee. Our website and mobile app provide a one-on-one experience that'ORSKUSA.COM Wherever you go, Orsk will be there. Always. That’s the Orsk Guarantee. Our website and mobile app provide a one-on-one experience that allows Orsk to follow you everywhere. Spend hours or days immersing yourself in our vast digital presence. It’s like entering another world!'
This book is a must-read for anyone who loves horror and satire. Grady Hendrix does a brilliant job of creating a creepy and hilarious atmosphere in the Orsk store, where nothing is what it seems. The characters are incredibly relatable and witty(especially if you have worked within a commercial sales setting), and the plot is jammed full of twists and turns. What a refreshing book, both funny, horrific and hugely captivating. You can just disengage your brain and go along for the ride. I almost felt like I were in an Orsk store at times. One that isn't for all but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I especially loved the parody of the commercial mindset, it had me in stitches. If you're looking for a fun and thrilling read, look no further than this book.
Of the story collections from Stephen King I have read so far, this is possibly my favorite to date. “This had not happened because they were evil peopOf the story collections from Stephen King I have read so far, this is possibly my favorite to date. “This had not happened because they were evil people; it had not happened because the old gods were punishing them; it had happened because they had gotten lost in the woods, that was all, and getting lost in the woods was a thing that could happen to anybody.”
It has almost everything from the revenge thriller of 'Dolan's Cadillac', two Vampire stories 'Popsy' & 'The Night Flier', a full blown zombie arising in 'The End Of the Whole Mess', the comedy horror of 'Chattery Teeth' (which I have to say might well be my favorite Stephen King short story) & 'The Moving Finger' then onto a Lovecraftian effort called 'Crouch End' and many more. The only criticisms I can make about this collection are about the baseball content (simply because I don't understand or like it).
“I ain’t crazy,” he said. “You want to see crazy? Turn on CNN, Bow . . . Howie. You’ll see crazy in living color.”
The sum total is an immensely entertaining and captivating collection of short stories which will make you laugh, cry and maybe give you a sleepless night or two....more
In short, Billy Summers is a fantastic read, it was one of those books that almost makes the characters become people that you know and can practicallIn short, Billy Summers is a fantastic read, it was one of those books that almost makes the characters become people that you know and can practically see. It has a great pace to it and at no point did I feel bored or even that nothing was happening. I had seen a number of reviews saying that the middle of the book was too slow or even boring, but I would have to say this was the part I enjoyed the most as it built the relationship between Billy and Alice, as well as Billy's back story. It was also a pleasure hearing Billy's inner monologue throughout the book, it even gave me a few laugh-out-loud moments. In summary, read Billy Summers, it's a cracker....more
A horror? A thriller? A vampire story or just one about our mortal condition and friendship? I'll let you decide, because I do not know the answer andA horror? A thriller? A vampire story or just one about our mortal condition and friendship? I'll let you decide, because I do not know the answer and I'm happy with that.
'We are our own parasite. We consume our secrets, our thoughts, our memories, our identities. We consume everything and we are consumed by everything.'
What an enjoyable read this was. I've fallen in love with Tremblay's writing already, that's after reading just one book. One written in a very original style too. The development of the relationship between Art and Mercy was the key to my enjoyment of this read. Have you ever had that friend who seems to reappear at times throughout your life, and you gravitate towards each other, yet the friendship has never been a good influence on you? For me, that was the crux of this whole novel and something I found simply captivating and extremely endearing. I hope that doesn't class as a spoiler.
I can see this being one of those 'Marmite' books, you either love it or hate it but to me, it seems to be a hugely underrated novel.
I'm upset that I've finished reading, I'll miss you Art and Mercy!
'If hope is believing there will be one more moment of joy, then despair is knowing the was a final one.'...more
Full Dark, No Stars is an amazing collection of four deliciously dark and deadly novellas. "When it came to the dark fuckery of the human heart, there Full Dark, No Stars is an amazing collection of four deliciously dark and deadly novellas. "When it came to the dark fuckery of the human heart, there seemed to be no limit."
This collection as a whole seemed much darker and more grounded within our own reality than many of Stephen King's previous story collections, with each focusing on the darker side of the human condition. I guess the title tells you all that you need to know!
'For the next ten minutes we talked theology in the green corn while early summer clouds - the best clouds, the ones that float like schooners - sailed slowly above us, trailing their shadows like wakes.'
Below are short reviews of each of the four stories.
1922 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ A deeply harrowing and heavy psychological horror told in the form of a confessional letter. 'I believe that there is another man inside of every man, a stranger a Conniving Man.'
This is Stephen King doing what he does best, delving deep into the human psyche. It is one of those tales that will haunt me for some time. A tale of love, loss, the slow erroding of sanity, murder and most disgustingly for me, lots of rats. But the dead can call across time; I know that now, and from personal experience' Classic Stephen King!
Big Driver ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A stone-cold masterpiece of revenge fiction. 'Easy-as-can-beezy'
Initially, this was one of those stories I found hard to stomach due to its content but as things went on I fell in love. As with the first story, this one will stick with me for more time. It is both disgusting and beautiful at the same time and again similar to 1922 in that it delves deep into the inner workings of the human mind in a simply terrifying yet believable situation. Of all things I loved within this story, it was the pop culture references of 80's horror (Freddie Kruger and Jason Vorhees especially) and also Tessa's 'conversations' with Tom and Fritzy the cat that really stole my heart. 'She wished the wind wasn't blowing so hard, but wish in one hand and shit in the other, see which one fills up first.' I'm repeating myself again, an absolute Classic!
Fair Extension ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An understated slice of dark and disturbed writing. Possibly the most messed up story in this collection. 'Everyone wants an extension Mr Streeter. If you were a young woman with a love of shopping, I'd offer you a credit extension. If you were a man with a small penis - genetics can be so cruel - I'd offer you a dick extension.'
This is the shortest story in this collection and the hardest-hitting of the bunch. What would you do to extend your life? This is one fucked up, disturbing tale, but one that I thoroughly enjoyed. I don't want to write any more about this, just for you to experience it yourself! 'Elvid's smile widened, and Streeter saw a wonderful, terrible thing; the man's teeth weren't just too big or too many. they were sharp.' More top-class storytelling.
A Good Marriage ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A great short and original thriller. 'Secret life. What a poisoned bonbon that phrase was.'
Who would have thought that a tale about a couple's marriage could be so captivating? We never truly know everything about anyone, even ourselves for that matter. I've seen many a review of this story, stating it's the weakest of the bunch but I'd disagree. In my opinion, this is yet another slice of gloriously dark fiction from the master. 'For the first time in years, Darcy Madsen Anderson slipped from her chair onto her knees and began to pray. It did no good. The house was empty except for her.' Yet again, first-class writing from Mr King.
This is top-notch horror fiction, which I would recommend without a second thought. This gets all the stars from me!...more
This novel was not what I had expected but this was not a bad thing. If you're expecting your generic vampire romp then this isn't what you are lookinThis novel was not what I had expected but this was not a bad thing. If you're expecting your generic vampire romp then this isn't what you are looking for but Grady breathes some fresh air into what is on occasion a slightly stagnant sub-genre. The story is full of Grady Hendrix's usual humour, twists, bucketfuls of character, action and not forgetting a fairly large serving of gore. Chances are if you have read Grady Hendrix before you will love this too. Oh and damn rats again, the creatures are stalking me.