writing.reader

Unique premises with subtle and clever execution

Revisado: 09-17-24

This was my first Todd Keisling book but won’t be my last. As someone who reads a lot of short story collections—most of which are horror themed—there is an art to putting together a strong story collection. Not every author gets it right. But Todd Keisling does.

John Langan writes an insightful and helpful introduction and clues you in to the kind of writer you’re about to experience. I found Keisling’s tales to be exactly what Langan promised: a bit of Ligotti, Bradbury, Barker, King, and more. One of the most impressive aspects, to me, was how successfully Keisling pulls you in with the first few lines to every story. It’s difficult to weave opening sentences together in a way that piques the reader’s interest and sets up certain ideas and themes, yet in this collection Todd Keisling does so effortlessly and it always goes down smooth.

The last bits to mention are how satisfying his endings are and what, if any, my complaints would be. As noted before, I consider myself well versed in the (sub?) genre of short horror collections—especially modern/newer ones. Perhaps because of this I found most of these tales resolving how I figured they would after the first few pages or so, but this is not a major issue. Instead I think it’s a testament to how well they are crafted and how gifted Keisling is as a storyteller. As I said, I was not familiar with his work before other than being aware some of his novels are quite popular. But now I’m sold and will be checking out his other work. I hope you give this collection a try because it’s one of the most pleasant surprises I’ve encountered in a while. Cheers.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

An great story with eerily socioeconomic commentary.

Revisado: 02-24-22

There are layers to all of Hedrix’s work, and not just in the usual way that any author worth their salt should be able to achieve in addition to knowing how to tell each story just right AND have it all MEAN SOMETHING (that makes sense!) with respect to whatever themes are being explored.

Hendrix is also gut-achingly HYSTERICAL. Like most of Horror’s best storytellers, (in film and/or literature), Grady Hendrix never fails to take find those [plausible] comedic aspects to terrifying situations and make you feel uneasy for laughing when the most gruesome and disturbing events are depicted in brutal detail.

Then there’s the fact that he also is one of the rare Horror authors who is aware of the fact that ALL MONSTERS ARE HUMAN; that isn’t to say that he doesn’t (sometimes) write about supernatural entities that don’t exist in reality, but rather he uses fictional ghouls, vampires, ghosts, monsters etc., to punctuate the notion that even IF such things did exist, (which they do not, sorry to break it to all you Bigfoot believers or anyone who thinks they saw a ghost or whatever), those fictional entities wouldn’t ever be A FRACTION as terrifying or dangerous than any real person on this earth.

Last but not least, Hendrix accomplished the impossible with this book. He wrote a book where vampires exist without the story instantly becoming awful. (Vampires & Zombies are the least interesting recent trends in mainstream Horror and need to be immediately snuffed out without mercy. As to whether or not our protagonists succeed in overcoming their VERY BLOODY and DISTURBINGLY GRAPHIC encounter against a vampire…well…you’ll just have to wait and see for yourself.)

But make no mistake: this story is ruthlessly visceral at certain parts that pulls no punches when it comes to depicting scenes of abject Body Horror & Gore. 4.5/5.0

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

As usual, Adam L. G. Nevill delivers the goods.

Revisado: 01-07-22

It’s hard to believe this is Adam Nevill’s first short story collection, given his the several (rather lengthy) novels he’s written in the last decade alone. Nevill’s novels, by the way, were the best kept secret among modern Literary Horror works until very recently; the first film adaptation of one of his books, “The Ritual,” [Netflix] was an instant success celebrated by critics as well as audiences who streamed it from all over the world. Consider for a moment the number of Horror films you’ve watched on Netflix in your life…if you’ve anything like me, it’s a big number, (and embarrassingly big number). Now how many produced/made by Netflix? My guess would be ~30% of their entire Horror catalogue were made by Netflix, but here’s my point(!): Of those films, how many were any good? Do you ever re-watch them or recommend them to your friends? My guess is that it is rare for someone to watch a Horror film made by them – or ANY major steaming service – that ends up being so good, you’re instantly curious about who wrote the story, or in this case, who wrote the novel that was adapted until such an unusually great horror film. I know you don’t understand (yet) what any of this has to do with this collection of short stories, but fret not, baby birds – I’m about to feed you.

Each of the short stories contained in, “Some Will Not Sleep,” are original, (something the Horror genre has always been thoroughly lacking: originality), in their conceit and masterful in their execution. I’ll spare you all that trite blurb you’ve probably seen a hundred times on a book’s cover about how, “[This author] is the British Stephen King!” (or some variation of that pathetic & misguided marketing tactic). But I am serious, in fact deadly serious, when I say that Adam Nevill is NOT “England’s answer to Stephen King,” because that would imply Stephen King is a very talented writer of Horror Fiction. Spoilers: Stephen King’s so-called “Horror” oeuvre is better suited for younger kids who have outgrown R. L. Stine, but are not ready to experience actual terror. Okay, I’ll stop bashing King since I’m certain most folks enjoyed his books as a gateway into the genre, so no offense intended. I just don’t understand how such mediocrity and lack of imagination is so ridiculously popular…as if to prove my point: Unless you're already a fan of the modern Weird Fiction revival of the 21st century, chances are you don’t know Adam Nevill or any of his stuff. So let’s rectify this unfortunate situation. Buy this book and leave every single expectation at the door. You’re entering unfamiliar territory at night. You cannot see your hand in front of your face – that’s how pitch black this place is. There are sounds in the distance; twigs snapping, fallen leaves crunching, a cacophony of predatory animals in the distance howl & cackle as they alert you of their encroachment…all you can do is push forward into the darkness. The unknown.

Adam Nevill is your guide this evening. Hear you me, he’s one of the best in the business.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Deftly walks the line…

Revisado: 07-23-21

LaRocca’s debut novella is a massive achievement, and cause for celebration among the literary horror community. (A short story collection is already available for pre-order & will be out this September!).

What the author manages to accomplish with such a seemingly thin premise is nothing short of jaw dropping. There’s a very particular control a storyteller has to possess in order to pull over this kind of high wire balancing act; there needs to be sincere cause for the reader to care about BOTH main characters in this story, (though you’ll find yourself often siding with just one at a time most likely). This is achieved in ways that exceeded my wildest expectations. The other issue that would easily cause problems if left up to a less talented storyteller is making sure all of the events are grounded in reality & never betray the emotional logic of the two main characters.

All of these words of praise mean nothing, I’m afraid, as you just cannot begin to understand what you’re missing unless you’ve read this novella TO THE VERY LAST PAGE(!). If there are any reviews on here where someone says they “stopped” or “quit reading” at a certain point, I hope you do the right thing and not pay attention to such people — as their opinion on a book they didn’t have the guts to finish reading has forfeited their right to join the discussion with those of us who honored the informal contract that was drawn up the moment we cracked this book’s cover.

Things have gotten pretty great since I started (and completed) reading this book. What about you, though?

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Believe the hype

Revisado: 06-07-21

If you’ve looked up what this story is about, chances are that you most likely found your way to this title because you heard about it on a podcast (like lovecraft ezine or this is horror); This also means you’ve likely heard/read that one of the main reasons this story was re-published as a stand-alone item in both digital & print format is because of the insanely high praise it received from one the best editors of Weird Fiction & Cosmic Horror working today: Mike Davis (yes, the same one from the lovecraft ezine podcast, keep up).

I was cautiously optimistic about this one when I read that Mike Davis declared it one of the best stories he’s EVER read. Full stop. Not that I don’t love a lot of the same literary horror titles that Mike Davis does, I do. But I definitely disagree with so many of his opinions towards all kinds of modern horror fiction — from film to TV to the obnoxiously large amount of new Lovecraft-obsessed-anthologies every other day.

So my point is that for someone who loves weird fiction & cosmic horror — but usually doesn’t share the same affection for a lot of the content in those literary landscapes as Mike Davis aka this book’s biggest fan & the guy who made it possible for us to enjoy it in this newly formatted release — I was surprised to discover that it’s everything you’ve heard it is AND MORE.

Believe the hype.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Brian A. Hopkins is the most underrated author of 21st century weird fiction

Revisado: 05-19-21

In Early 2021, a new Horror anthology featuring some of the best names in modern Weird Fiction & Cosmic Horror was released, “Voices in the Darkness,” (edited by David Niall Wilson).

While only featuring six stories from as many authors, (Nadia Bulkin, Kathe Koja, Elizabeth Massie, Cassandra Khaw, Nick Mamatas, and Brian A. Hopkins), that collection is one of the most potent assortment of weird tales I’d read in a while. I mean, not a single page in a single story drags — which is quite a statement if you’re familiar with each of those author’s distinct styles…

The only author I wasn’t familiar with when I read that anthology was Brian A. Hopkins. (Yes, we’re almost at the part where I discuss THIS collection of stories, hang on…). The novella that Brian A. Hopkins penned for, “Voices in the Darkness,” was judiciously assigned as the collection’s closer — and to put it mildly: it left an impression on me. Hopkins’s “La Belle Époque” is a whopping 60% of that anthology’s total page count, and yet I repeat: not a single page in that book was anything less than amazing.

So, you’ve just finished reading an amazing new anthology, and the final entry was written by an author you’ve never read before & also happened to be kind of impossible to stop thinking about for days after reading it; what do you do?

Well. In my case, you search for any/all Brian A. Hopkins short story collections immediately & begin reading the first one you purchase. Then you take your take. Reading (almost) every story two times before moving on to the next one, (because they are legitimately THAT entertaining). And when you’re done reading this collection, “Salt Water Tears,” you make sure to write a review that captures the overwhelming excitement that one feels after discovering a writer for the first time & are eager to get back to reading the next book on the list.

So if you don’t know — now you know. Better late than never to the Brian A. Hopkins party, (what? Everyone’s saying it…)

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Without question 2021’a best Horror Anthology (so far…)

Revisado: 05-11-21

It shouldn’t surprise anyone familiar with the work of the authors involved in this project that it this collection is nothing short of a masterpiece. And yet here I am, still feeling as though I couldn’t believe it was as amazing as I’d hoped, but it exceeded every expectation I had and then continued to impress.

This is a must read for any Horror fan ASAP.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Or of the funnier Brian Evenson stories

Revisado: 03-06-21

Brian Evenson, is, without a shadow of a doubt, the most effective literary Horror author on the planet — which is even more impressive of a statement when you read everything he’s ever written and realize that he never resorts to the genre trappings, the cliches & tropes, or anything within a country mile of the rote narrative frameworks we, (as in we the horror fans), have become so pathetically willing to slop up, (as if maybe *the next* book by Stephen King or [insert Best-Selling author’s name here despite neither them nor King deserving any credit as good Horror authors]).

Brian Evenson is basically the literary David Lynch, but like, with a brutal & relentless obsession with ontological. Not quite Ligotti, and FAR from Lovecraftian (which is nice for a change in the world of horror fiction published in the last 60 years or so); Evenson weapons our relationship with the most banal, routine, (and often subconscious), moments of our lives, then proceeds to his existential crisis canon straight into your mind...until you’re left sitting alone for several hours, asking yourself how you’d never read his work until now?

More than that, you’ll be left helplessly thinking, “How do I begin to describe everything Evenson’s stories made me feel without sounding like I’ve gone completely mad?” (Fun fact: this story is basically a meta-textual story that explores this inability to communicate with, well, ANYONE, when the issues plaguing your mind only feel crystallized, but in reality are slipping through your grip every time you attempt to convey those thoughts to anyone else...but I’m sure you picked up on that by now).

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

Ellen Datlow always delivers. Always.

Revisado: 10-22-20

It’s difficult to imagine the sheer tonnage of fiction — submitted by thousands of writers over the past three decades (and counting) — from which Ellen Datlow has been able to immediately sort out the best short stories each and every year, for over thirty years...

Not only that, but just considering the meticulous & thorough process that she employs for putting together just ONE of these collections or anthologies is impressive enough to earn such distinction; However, this collection (for example) is FAR from Ellen Datlow’s first rodeo. I feel the need to emphasize the monumental impact she’s had among the speculative fiction & literary horror communities because to picture how literary landscape might look today without the decades of her unrivaled influence as an editor is what I personally consider to be frightening. Now of course there are scores of fantastic editors who’ve had their own unique impact on the same genres as Ellen Datlow in the last few decades — and I know that she’s not the singular force that has been responsible for the often-labeled “golden age” of modern cosmic horror & weird fiction that’s been in bloom from the early 2000’s and to this day continues to thrive with so many new voices being discovered — but to assume we’d still have been able to enjoy the likes of Laird Barron, John Langan, Caitlìn R. Kiernan, Adam Nevill, Nathan Ballingrud, Simon Strantzas, Gemma Files, and so, so, so, SO many other authors who were either largely assisted in getting their work into the proper hands or perhaps had enjoyed modest success but were finally able to punch through to that higher level of achievement, in no small part because of Ellen Datlow’s particular eye for talent.

Nobody becomes the best of the best in their line of work and is able to sustain such quality in career without genuinely loving their contributions to the world. I want to thank Ellen Datlow for the several years of hard work that’s been instrumental in the creation of the modern literary landscape with respect to speculative & flash fiction, cosmic horror, dark fantasy, and every subgenre & genre-adjacent niche area I didn’t mention.

What a wonderful collection in an overwhelmingly wonderful series; as of my writing this review, there are 12 volumes in this series to date, and each one is deserving of sitting on every horror fan’s bookshelf.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

JRJ delivers (as usual).

Revisado: 10-19-20

Here’s a list of everything that’s been good about the year 2020:

— The Hamilton film’s release (was slated to not come out until late 2021 initially...)

— Stephen Graham Jones’s, “The Only Good Indians” (Because duh, everything SGJ writes is better than whatever lame titles are all over your highly personalized amazon home page for ebooks/books listed as recommended content based on your browsing & shopping history...no matter who you are. Stephen Graham Jones’s fiction is always better than anything else you’ve read or plan to read. Facts.)

— JRJ’s long-awaited new novel, “The Loop.” This book’s narrative couldn’t feel more timely & relevant if JRJ literally used a time machine to travel to the future in order to release such an an easily-believable glimpse into a future that’s likely to be sooner than later.

“The Loop” is very much the Jeremy Robert Johnson book you’ve been longing for ever since you got tired of re-reading Entropy in Bloom & Skullcrack City dozens of times. The signature touches of JRJ fiction appear early & often: grotesque body horror that would make David Cronenberg blush, shady government activity, (aka “government”), vivid descriptions from characters that are experiencing a psychedelic-drug-induced fever dream — but most important of all, “The Loop,” boasts an abundance of clever social commentary that never feels preachy or unnecessary with regards to the story being told.

We find Johnson back right where he left off — a younger author who had already earned the acclaim & respect of a literary grandmaster when it comes to modern speculative fiction. While the story is hardly one you’ve never heard before, it’s far more fresh, original, and masterfully constructed than the likes of which it’s being likened to, (ex: “Stranger Things”). The Duffer Brothers WISH they had half the creativity & knack for unique character development that JRJ can dish out seemingly without even trying.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 9 personas