There’s a large amount of focus on Renfield, Dracula’s minion, across all four issues of this series. You might get the impression that this mini-ser There’s a large amount of focus on Renfield, Dracula’s minion, across all four issues of this series. You might get the impression that this mini-series is about him, but you’d be wrong about that. After all the iterations of the Dracula legend in film and comics, by focusing on the point-of-view of Renfield writer Tyrion injects new blood (ahem) into this genre.
In the text afterword to Issue #1 Tynion explains that he prefers to work with his own creations, but accepted the assignment to write an adaptation of the Universal film version of Dracula because it made a lasting impression on his young developing mind.
While this new series respectfully recreates the feel and look (thanks to amazing Simmonds art) of that film, Tyrion’s script is a breath of fresh (not foul) air. He’s really bringing this legendary icon to new life and anyone who is a fan of the film, the novel, or the vampire genre should be checking this series out.
As he did so well on the DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH series, Simmonds again both illustrates, inks and colors his work in a painted style that bring more clarity than I’ve ever seen from him before. The images are incredible. Tynion wisely hasn’t scripted one word of dialogue for Dracula, just letting the visuals communicate the power and menace behind the character. Also, I’ve never seen Renfield imagined and portrayed as creepy as he is here.
The introduction of the main characters (Harkness, Van Helsing, etc) and build up to the first victim to mingle blood with Dracula (Lucy) is dramatized perfectly.
The ending is inevitable but satisfying. I could have been fine with two more issues.This book is a winner. ...more
ART BRUT the graphic novel merits some comparison to ART BRUT the former art-punk rock band, which came first. The band had a loyal following which adART BRUT the graphic novel merits some comparison to ART BRUT the former art-punk rock band, which came first. The band had a loyal following which adored them while equal numbers deplored them. I was somewhere in that middle ground, appreciating the quirkiness and differences in their musical approach (mostly the song subjects and lyrics) and a singer that enunciated lines in an offhand way as well as shouted/recited as much as he sang. ART BRUT the band also made me laugh at the ridiculous nature of some of their songs, elevating issues of maturation that would seem to be more mundane and of less life importance. I enjoyed ART BRUT the graphic novel for pretty much the same reasons. For me, both are pleasant diversions - - but in the bigger picture, no big deal.
ART BRUT the graphic novel has received much critical acclaim, perhaps because of how different it is from the normal comics fare, but also because of the possible underlying commentary on the nature of art and its' affect on modern culture/life. I'm not totally buying into that. Maybe this just provided an interesting subject/theme for the creators to play around with. This is a fast-paced, page-turner of a novel that spans several genres and presents it's storyline in a kooky way that is thoroughly enhanced by the equally quirky art. The creative team is a good partnership. I gave this a Four Star rating because it's different enough that it deserves more attention.
I like the two premises presented here, and both remind me of other works. The ability to walk into a piece of art and immerse yourself in that world is a neat concept, and Prince chooses some cool classic landscapes and portraits to have madcap Arthur stride into. There was a long-ago DOOM PATROL comic book story by Grant Morrison that had the team enter into a painting. I also like the paranormal ability of some characters to draw a dramatic scene/incident and have it matched in the real world. That reminds me of DUMA KEY, Stephen King's 2008 novel.
Good stuff, and I'll probably give ART BRUT a second spin just to see what I might have missed on the first listening, I mean viewing....more
My usual practice when reading anthologies is to comment on the stories as I go, sharing my impressions and an individual rating before averaging the My usual practice when reading anthologies is to comment on the stories as I go, sharing my impressions and an individual rating before averaging the collection as a whole for a final rating.
BESTIARY OF BLOOD is so dense, with 56 entries including stories, flash fiction and poetry. If I commented on each of those, this review would be so long as to be intimidating and no one would want to spend the time to read it. So, I'm only going to comment on the stories that impressed me more than others.
I do like the theme as stated in editor Jamal Hodge's introduction. (Hodge's contribution to this collection is significant, as he has authored six of the entries.) He speaks of the animal kingdom: "the merging and shifting, giving and taking in nature . . . this strange horror and frightening beauty of life, using death, to give life. . . . . . "Surely, I could find correlations - metaphors - in their experiences that would explain the truths in ours. As Aesop had so masterfully achieved all those centuries before, but darker still, infused with the vibrance of horror. . . Silence of the Lambs meets Aesop's Fables."
Wow, that's an ambitious premise. Had I read that introduction while browsing in a bookstore, that would have been all I needed to prompt me to purchase this. We'll see if the challenge is met by the authors included in this collection. Hodge mentions that the book is divided into five sections with five themes. However, when I review the table of contents it appears that there are seven distinct sections.
There's a wide diversity of themes within, and the grouping of them within sections makes sense because the stories seem to share similar themes. (Violence, sex, family, loyalty, etc). However, there is not a single story featuring the same animals. Also, the range of animals featured is wide enough to keep things fresh: standard animals, unusual animals, plus insects and aquatic life - even microbial life. There are also some factoids about these creatures included that provide interesting asides. The stories range in length, and the anthology also features poetry.
This was an interesting anthology, although not what I normally come to expect from Crystal Lake Publishing - - which is usually straight-up horror. These are fables for the most part, the majority of them providing a moral - - and that doesn't always make for a horror story. For that reason, this may be the weakest anthology (in my opinion) in the Crystal Lake stable of great works. Still, it's worth checking out.
Here are some reading notes . . . . . .
September 17: I'm currently reading in the first section labeled A DEATH FOR LOVE. "Best Mother Ever" by Edward Martin III takes place inside a barn and features a young spider, also a first-time mother, anxiously awaiting the emergence of her children from the egg sac. It's short and sweet, and very vicious. FOUR STARS.
September 18: In the next section labeled HUBRIS & HUMILITY the standout story (which reflects the section theme perfectly) is "Cypress Whispers" by Lee Murray wherein some decisions regarding reincarnation need to be made more carefully.
September 26: The final story in HUBRIS & HUMILITY reflects the main premise of the anthology perfectly. "Eye of Mirrors" by Patrick Thompson is an Aesop's fable-like story of a fox consumed by his vanity. It has a moral and a dark touch in the ending.
September 28: The sole story in the PROTECTORS & TRUTH SEEKERS section that caused me discomfort (and therefore had an impact) was "The Revelation Of Dogs" by Edward Martin III. It deals in brutality towards dogs (so be forewarned if you can't stomach that) and ends in an equally brutal but justifiable way.
I was provided a digital advance review copy of this anthology by the publisher without obligation. I wrote this review because I wanted to....more
This is better than a three-star graphic novel, but more deserving of a 3.5 star rating. HIGH MOON is notable for being one of the first webcomics ad This is better than a three-star graphic novel, but more deserving of a 3.5 star rating. HIGH MOON is notable for being one of the first webcomics adapted to graphic novel format (and presented in landscape format, like the original web series), as well as the winner of several awards. HIGH MOON is a neat blend of western and horror, very ambitious with plenty of eye-candy scenes. But, it fails in execution. What starts out as a simple story deviates from the main introductions, introduces many new characters and side plots, enough to make the whole thing confusing. I began to doubt who the main character was about half-way through and couldn't determine where this was going. I probably would have shelved this as Did-Not-FInish except the art was some compelling that I just kept going. Some editorial guidance would have helped this story and probably elevated it to a higher rating. Unfortunately, I believe subsequent editions did nothing to alter or correct and this also spawned two sequels. As much as I admire the art of Steve Ellis, I think I am done....more
Maybe because I'm used to the format, but I enjoyed this and though it was a big improvement over YEAR ZERO VOLUME 1. The format is the same - - four Maybe because I'm used to the format, but I enjoyed this and though it was a big improvement over YEAR ZERO VOLUME 1. The format is the same - - four individuals in different parts of the globe coping with the zombie pandemic. The difference here is that some time has elapsed. In Volume 1, the characters were learning about and experiencing the first wave of the zombie invasion. In Volume 2, the pandemic is already established and these characters are all survivors. They were also more interesting than the characters in Volume 1. Finally, the inclusion of Juan Jose Ryp makes a big difference. Very detailed, very graphic, very violent, very expressive. While each story has a conclusion, nothing further is explained regarding the cause of the plague or how it might end. So, that leaves the door open for a Volume 3 - and I would welcome that....more
An anthology of comic stories based on the themes of Edgar Allan Poe, featuring humorous adaptations and alterations of classic Poe tales with an occaAn anthology of comic stories based on the themes of Edgar Allan Poe, featuring humorous adaptations and alterations of classic Poe tales with an occasional departure into all-original material and a spin on a classic Robert Lewis Stevenson novel. Often, Poe himself is inserted into the story, or serves as introductory narrator similar to the Crypt-Keeper in Tales From The Crypt. I found most of the stories very clever and amusing. I read this in the monthly single issue comics, and list my favorites here: Issue #1: "The Tell-Tale Black Cask of Usher" by Dean Motter and Alex Ogle is a shrewd pastiche of several Poe classics, and not just the ones inserted into the title. Nevermore, indeed. Issue #2: "The Leprechaun King" by Mark Russell and Peter Snejbjerg. Issue #3: "The Pit And The Pendulum" by Paul Constant and Alan Robinson, which maintains the torture device of the title only in an original tale about ar reluctant U.S. special intelligence agent duped into hazardous assignments until the day he rebels against his handler. Issue #4: This also takes the themes of "The Black Cat" and creates something entirely different (although a black cat plays a fateful role). A D.C. lobbyist who wines and dines and bribes lawmakers has a D.U.I. accident and is assigned a smart car: self-driving, solar powered, containing an artificial intelligence who befriends the lobbyist but constantly gets him in trouble. Issue #5: "The Man That Was Used Up" by Rick Geary and Andy Troy featuring Poe as the main character/narrator infatuated and jealous of a brigadier general who is not all that he seems. Issue #6 The final issue in this volume contains my two favorite stories of the entire anthology. In "The Purloined Letter" by Carol Lay a woman of loyalty is insulted by a "fat" reference and takes things too far in order to get revenge on the gentleman who made the comments. Things go awry in an ending that is both absurd, disturbing, and darkly comedic. "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (by Robert Lewis Stevenson) is adapted and altered almost beyond recognition by Paul Cornell and Steve Yeowell. In this version, Dr. Henry Jekyll takes his experimental formula in order to "indulge my . . .secret vices . . . in complete anonymity. Instead of a monstrous alteration, he sports a mustache and proceeds to outrage the English royalty by his ill table and social manners, violating the rules of cricket, and plagiarizing from Oscar Wylde. Shocking! And very funny....more
When I heard the creative team behind THE SIXTH GUN was going to work together again on a horror comic featuring classic monsters of the silver scree When I heard the creative team behind THE SIXTH GUN was going to work together again on a horror comic featuring classic monsters of the silver screen - that was more than enough to whet my appetite. This is obviously a tribute to the Universal Monsters, with a couple of additional features to keep it interesting. Dr. Frankenstein has now placed his brain inside the Frankenstein monster, so he's a thinking and calculating brute. Dracula has bitten the Wolfman, turning him into a necro-wolf (half vampire, half werewolf). The Mummy brought his hounds along. The Creature From The Black Lagoon becomes The Dweller, with Lovecraftian eldritch overtones. Despite the viciousness of the monsters and many bloodbaths, this wasn't scary at all. I expected a trip down nostalgia lane with some familiar monster faces, and I wasn't disappointed by Bunn and Hurtt's interpretations. More deserving of a 3.5 star rating, if such a thing was possible here. ...more
Although it might seem to straddle several genres, BURY YOUR GAYS is first and foremost a horror novel, and a very clever and symbolic one - - and difAlthough it might seem to straddle several genres, BURY YOUR GAYS is first and foremost a horror novel, and a very clever and symbolic one - - and different enough from traditional horror novels to make this fresh in comparison.
In the beginning chapters it seemed as if this was delving into black comedy, but that notion is quickly dispersed as the horrific elements ramp up and things get much more serious and frightening. Weird, strange and quirky, the video horror characters created by screenwriter Misha seemingly come to life and torment him as he considers a decision whether to cave into studio demands and rewrite the finale of a television script featuring gay characters that he created.
Things become all too real in the middle and final chapters, as the blood and gore are front and center, before Tingle puts another spin on the storyline and ventures into the realm of science fiction and artificial intelligence.
I've got some criticisms of the storyline, but to detail them would only serve to spoil things so I'll save them in the hidden spoilers with The Spoiler Alert Book Club, with whom I participated in a group read of this novel.
The root of this novel is the acceptance and/or rejection of gay themes in modern movies, as well as the underlying threat of artificial intelligence to screenwriters. Very symbolic, BURY YOUR GAYS has a lot to say and provides underlying commentary/observations on Hollywood culture and large movie studios that cater to special interest groups whenever they see a monetary opportunity. To tilt things one way or the other is too extreme, as the novel highlights. Moderation is the key....more
An extremely powerful novel that I highly recommend to everyone. Be prepared to be saddened, and maybe even tearful, but this is worth the experience.An extremely powerful novel that I highly recommend to everyone. Be prepared to be saddened, and maybe even tearful, but this is worth the experience. THE REFORMATORY is brilliant historical fiction mixed with supernatural elements (ghosts/haints/spirits) relating the true horror of abuse of non-whites at a 1950's reform school for boys.
Due is very skilled writer and will wring several emotions from you. In the final two sections of the novel she demonstrates a strong ability for suspense/thriller. It's a nail biter that made me worry and fear for the characters.
I'm read this in a group with the HORROR HAVEN community and share my comments/observations here:
JULY 12: I started this morning, and finished Part One (McCormack Road). Very powerful writing. From the synopsis I knew what would happen to Robbie, but I couldn't help worrying for him before I finished Chapter One.
At the tender age of 11 in 1963 my family took a trip from PA to Florida, and I experienced segregation for the first time and had difficulty understanding why "coloreds" weren't allowed to use the same entrances or restrooms as "whites". Due's writing here brought back those memories. I'm happy we are not still living in those times, although more progress needs to be made.
JULY 15: I'm only at Page 123, just finished "The Reformatory" section. While the "haints" aren't necessarily horrifying, they are plenty disturbing - - in my opinion. I agree that the real horror here is the treatment of students/inmates at the school, not too mention the treatment of blacks by the entire state of Florida.
JULY 17: I just finished Part 3, The Funhouse. Now at Page 185. Despite the not-scary presence of "haints" and the absence of horror elements, this has been an engrossing read for me. The story is sad, but it's excellent in portrayal. I really feel bad for the "inmates" at Grace Manor.
JULY 23: I finished Part 4, The Court this morning. This chapter has some moments of traditional horror, but the true horror is the very real abuse and prejudicial treatment of fellow human beings, all based on skin color. While I grew up in the North in the 1950's (born 1952), I witnessed prejudice against blacks, even among my family members and learned to bite my tongue. Never did I imagine how bad it actually was in the Southern states. The more I read here, the more upset I become. Credit Tananarive Due for an authentic, compelling portrayal. This section was the saddest of them all so far.
JULY 23: The horror theme returns in Part 5: Haint Catcher in a creepy way. Then two chapters in there is a twist and a turn that I didn't see coming. That puts Robbie in-between a rock and a hard place. I believe things are beginning to ramp up, even though the ride has been engrossing so far without it.
JULY 25: Finished Part 5: Haint Catcher today. I've been on the fence about whether to classify THE REFORMATORY as full-blown historical fiction and drop it from the horror shelf. Part 5 establishes that this is truly a deft blend of horror and historical fiction. The evidence is all here in this section. Creepy....more
I'm a fan of Cullen Bunn, especially his original horror and weird western comics. I'm less of a fan when he's writing licensed property superhero fa I'm a fan of Cullen Bunn, especially his original horror and weird western comics. I'm less of a fan when he's writing licensed property superhero fare. While LUCKY DEVIL provides an entertaining (sometimes humorous and gross/violent) past time, this is not his best work. If you are reading Bunn for the first time, I would not recommend this. The story centers on an exorcism of a demonic possession that goes wrong. The demon is expelled, but stays in close proximity to the main character - - who now possesses all the supernatural powers of the demon. Neat idea, but the execution of the storyline left me indifferent to this tale. There are two reasons: 1) Too much set-up that took too long to get there. The final issue's conclusion/resolution, while satisfactory, comes as a big disappointment. 2) I don't like the main character, which is necessary to fully invest me in a story. I felt empathy for him during the first issue, which quickly diminished as the story progressed. I didn't care what happened to him....more
That Goodreads synopsis does a very good job of indicating what's in store for readers who pick up THE GATHERING. There's not much I can add without That Goodreads synopsis does a very good job of indicating what's in store for readers who pick up THE GATHERING. There's not much I can add without giving away some of the many surprises in store, just the usual plot twists that Tudor has become so good at. At its core this is a very well-done detective-mystery-thriller within a horror novel. Tudor puts her own spin on vampires and makes them less ferocious in some respects and still frightening but also deserving of empathy. There's plenty of symbolism here, and the colony could easily stand in for any group in our modern world that is feared, hated and demonized. The characters are very memorable, especially Detective Barbara Atkins, who I suspect Tudor may just feature in another novel. Definitely worth your time, for which you will be rewarded with an engaging, entertaining story....more
“May the leaves always fall on the right side of the fence.” I read this in the individual single monthly issues.
Sometimes, I’ll read a debut issue “May the leaves always fall on the right side of the fence.” I read this in the individual single monthly issues.
Sometimes, I’ll read a debut issue so impressive that I give it a Five-Star Rating. Later, as the series progresses, it fails to live up to the initial promise and ends up with an overall Four-Star or lower rating. Rarely, does the reverse happen. THE AUTUMNAL is the exception.
I read the first three issues with increasing interest but rated each of them Four Stars. When I returned to this title (after stock-piling the remaining issues for a rainy day) everything started to click. By the time I paged through Issue #5 I was thoroughly hooked and this series ends up being a FIVE-STAR read for me. It builds creepiness slowly issue by issue until after the mid-point things get out of control and this goes bat-shit crazy (in a good, entertaining way). I’m not going to give away what happens later in this series; but if you pick it up and stay with it those final issues will reward you tenfold.
In just two words, chilling and unsettling. That final issue and resolution is a giant grab-by-the-shirt-collar-and-punch-in-the-face. If you like stories of small-town horror and dreadful secrets, this is the book for you.
Main character Kat and her middle-school daughter Sybil are both troubled and struggling on her meager income, but bond together when they try to adjust to the New England town of Comfort Notch as they try to settle her deceased mother’s estate but decide to stay and live there.
Her mother seems to have an unsavory reputation in the town, and neighbors are very panicky about touching any leaves outdoors as fall is just beginning. Sybil makes friends easily and learns a weird nursery rhyme while playing hopscotch. Is there a local legend and an ancient curse behind it?
Neighbors and strangers are friendly and helpful up to a certain point, but exhibit strange behavior. “Don’t hang around the park after dark.” When Kat rakes the yard, encouraging her daughter to invite some boys to have fun jumping into piles of leaves, a neighbor panics and gets abusive.
Kat is trying her best to fit in, but has to leave town one day (to get away and contemplate) and ends up at a seedy bar that doesn’t end well. She gets sage advice from an unlikely source, the owner of a tattoo removal service, who later becomes a confidant and lover. Creepy images of Clementine Briggs (a treelike wraith of a woman of local legend) keep showing up in Comfort Notch in strange places. A good samaritan neighbor dies and Kat finds herself being blamed by his unfriendly wife.
The art overall is spot-on and looks like a fall montage (warm, brown and orange earth tones) and just adds to the foreboding atmosphere. That brings us to the aforementioned Issue #4 which is where I’m going to stop describing scenes so as not to interrupt your own suspense/fear for these characters. Pick this one up if you’re so inclined....more
This has a Hound of the Baskervilles vibe all over it due to the inclusion of a monster dog, the Victorian era setting on a wealthy estate, and the hThis has a Hound of the Baskervilles vibe all over it due to the inclusion of a monster dog, the Victorian era setting on a wealthy estate, and the historical Duke of Wellington investigating in Sherlock Holmes fashion. It also made me curious about the popular LORE podcasts and story collections, which I now plan to check out. LORE creator Aaron Mahnke takes some Northern England folklore regarding the Barghest (a monster dog) and expands it into a demonic, Satan-like adversary.
Mahnke obviously does a bit of research and keeps the Duke of Wellington true to the historical figure, a despicable smug aristocrat and military veteran who distinguished himself against Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo.
WELLINGTON purports to tell the secret history and origin tale of the Duke as a monster hunter (and a mostly inept one). This does end in a conclusion of sorts, but it's just the beginning and leaves the door open for another volume. Four years later that seems in doubt. Perhaps the audience for WELLINGTON was not large enough to merit a sequel.
Creator Aaron Mahnke came up with the story idea, but this is scripted by Delilah S. Dawson, a writer of horror fiction that I respect. (Check out THE VIOLENCE by her, a brilliant spin on a pandemic). After this, I'm kind of lukewarm towards her comics work.
This type of story, mood, and atmosphere is done so much better in the worlds of Mike Mignola's Hellboy Universe. Think of this as an appetizer. Makes me want to re-read some of those Hellboy stories....more
I'm a fan of Garth Ennis' gritty comics work and had high expectations for this one. It started out very strong in both premise and visuals (definitelI'm a fan of Garth Ennis' gritty comics work and had high expectations for this one. It started out very strong in both premise and visuals (definitely not for the squeamish) and then began to disappoint me in little ways. I thought some of the ideas would have benefited from further clarification, and their vagueness diminishes the full effect.
Ennis has written about crooked cops before, and problems with law enforcement, and this follows the same pattern - although Detective Amy Sun is a very strong character and very conflicted - - her issues are well defined throughout the dialogue and long, sometimes philosophical conversations with other characters. Ennis makes some strong points about injustices but really doesn't do anything beyond bringing them up. No real solutions are offered, except for the supernatural spirit of vengeance that deals out punishment in the form of skin shedding like ribbons, until the victims are skinless, and totally eviscerated. Artist Jacen Burrows does not disappoint when it comes to depicting gore (my second warning to the squeamish).
While I wouldn't go so far as to say the story is padded out, it didn't truly require eight issues to make its' points. If you really want to read how good Ennis can craft a crime/supernatural story, seek out A WALK THROUGH HELL. That one stays with you....more
What a great blend of horror, romance and humor! It also serves as a humorous treatise on the perils (and horrors) of modern dating and using apps to What a great blend of horror, romance and humor! It also serves as a humorous treatise on the perils (and horrors) of modern dating and using apps to find a partner. The brief dating experiences of widowed mother Risa are quite funny.
At its heart, Tobin scripts a warm and fuzzy story despite all the monsters and mayhem. The tale is illustrated with great expression and dynamic scenes by Andy MacDonald. If not for the light-hearted presentation at the root of this story, it could appear quite horrific, violent and gory as many of these monsters as envisioned by MacDonald are truly frightening - - none more so than the Kabuki-mask wearing Chub.
The government created the problem, and is doing their best to fix it with unusual methods. They tried to keep people from experiencing nightmares and releasing monsters into the world by doing whatever to make them happy - - money, fame, pleasure, etc. When that became too expensive and unwieldy, scientist Risa invents a capsule called Blanket, which needs to be consumed daily to prevent the nightmares. When another child in daughter Machi's middle-school class fails to take Blanket and falls asleep during class, it allows Chub to enter the classroom and soon bring along a horde of monsters.
Perhaps because of the trauma Machi and Risa experienced witnessing the murder of her fellow scientist/husband who created the problem by trying to weaponize the nightmares for the government, their nightmares are harder to suppress. Machi won't be happy until her mother finds a new partner, and the government efforts to assist are so over-the-top and wacky.
While the ending is satisfactory, it doesn't resolve everything. It's open-ended and leaves with the possibility of more story, which i would be glad to read.
I read this in the single monthly issues. Issue #1 is a bonafide FIVE-STAR read, a perfect debut that showcases that brilliant and creative premise. There are several equally wonderful moments in the succeeding issues, especially the budding romantic relationship for Machi, but the ending dropped my rating to an overall FOUR STARS....more
King deals with death, grief and the sometimes irrational behavior that arises from it in a big, big way in PET SEMATARY. W"Sometimes dead is better."
King deals with death, grief and the sometimes irrational behavior that arises from it in a big, big way in PET SEMATARY. While I've seen the original film adaptation, it did not do full justice to the novel and didn't adequately prepare me for what King does within the pages of this novel - - this is ten times more powerful than the film. This one may stay with you. Possibly the most frightening of all King novels (at least those that I've read).
My reading notes . . . . . .
May 25: Wow, I thought MISERY was compulsive reading, especially the final third of the novel. I just started reading a little before bedtime last night, and now up to Page 110 this morning. In that brief span (about 18% into the story) I have been 1) disturbed, 2) concerned, 3) horrified, and 4 frightened. (view spoiler)[ 1) Visit to the backwoods pet cemetery, 2) Ellie's questions about death, 3) Louis' first day on the new job, and 4) Louis' sleepwalking nightmare. (hide spoiler)]
May 26: I have only seen the first film adaptation of PET SEMATARY, and that was many years ago. I don't recall picking up the book until now. It seems to me that the novel is quite a bit scarier than the movie was. I also love the character development, especially the family members. King really knows how to create empathy and pull readers in.
May 27: Finished Part One today, and diving into Part Two. Near the tail end of Part One there are some great scenes where young daughter Ellie asks father Louis questions about death - - really well done and heart-warming. Even later in the story, some memorable words when Rachel confesses to a certain fear: "Louis Creed was no psychiatrist, but he knew that there are rusty, half-buried things in the terrain of any life and that human beings seem compelled to go back to these things and pull at them, even though they cut. Tonight Rachel had pulled almost all of it out, like some grotesque and stinking rotten tooth, its crown black, its nerves infected, its roots fetid." I knew the awful thing that was going to happen later (since I saw the film) but the opening of Part Two was devastating to read. The scenes of grief and out-of-sorts reactions are realistic. (view spoiler)[ I could even visualize funeral parlor arguments/fights as actually happening. (hide spoiler)]
May 28 Now 70% completed. This is so sad. I've read a lot of King but I don't recall the subject of death and grief taking up this much of the story before. This is having a strong effect on me. This may just turn out to the most powerful as well as frightening King book in my humble reading experience.
May 29 I finished the last 150 pages of this novel between last evening and this morning. Wow, what an ending! I couldn't see this ending any other way, and I'm satisfied but not entirely happy about it. (view spoiler)[I believe I can figure out what King intended for the ending, but he does make it vague enough that some readers could imagine a more happier outcome even though I didn't. (hide spoiler)]...more
What can I say about this great novel that hasn't already been said? King is just a master storyteller and writer (in spite of what his character Pau What can I say about this great novel that hasn't already been said? King is just a master storyteller and writer (in spite of what his character Paul Sheldon says about the difference between the two); and this early work exhibits many of the skills that he would later hone so well.
I don't recall reading this before, although the memory of the film is still fresh. (Annie Wilkes is such a frightening, unforgettable character - in the movie, and even more so in the novel). Thanks to the Horror Haven community for making this a May 2024 group read. That was all the incentive I needed to finally get to this.
Some of my notes in the group read: MAY 12 - - Just started reading today. It will be fun to compare and contrast King's writing style then (Misery, 1978) with today (Holly, 2023). I can already see some differences. Not that it matters, because I'm appreciative of both. He's always been able to capture everyone's fears, then and now. Such a creative and imaginative mind.
I recall seeing the movie once or twice and being thoroughly engaged. Kathy Bates was a great choice for Annie. I think I got behind on reading King several decades back (and never really caught up) and have only seen the movie before.
I believe King was still honing his craft at this point in his career. I've come to expect some drawn-out scenes and narratives in his writing and have a good tolerance for them. He manages to get away with them, where other writers would not. It's a skill.
MAY 14 - - - One of the many things I admire and appreciate about King's writing: the more his characters internalize, the more realistic they become. Chapter 14, where Paul adds taglines to describe the various feelings he is experiencing, is brilliant: "King of Pain. Pretty Thirsty. I Got The Hungries. " . . . and he began to feel like nothing more than a slice of living tissue on a microscope slide or a worm on a hook --something, anyway, twisting endlessly, and waiting only to die."
I"m enjoying this so much I only read a few of these short chapters at a time. My appreciation is growing, while at the same time I can understand why others don't feel it or flat-out don't care for it.
MAY 18 - - - Still on my slow read of MISERY, one or two short chapters at a time.
Another highlight for me: In Part 2, Chapter 5 Paul Sheldon reflects on writing insights, ideas and inspiration, and breaking writers' block and does it by way of related anecdotes. A neat, tight way to get into his character and also share some writer tips and tricks....more
Vampires as super-heroes? Also, as one character mentions in the final issue - - a vampire story with a happy ending. Is that enough to set this apartVampires as super-heroes? Also, as one character mentions in the final issue - - a vampire story with a happy ending. Is that enough to set this apart from standard genre fare? Like a guilty pleasure, this is entertaining but not memorable. When it comes to new works from prolific Mark Millar, the bar has been set pretty high. This is not up to his usual high standards and fell below my expectations. Still, at $1.99 per issue this is a bargain. How is it different from other Millar fare? He has a reputation for gratuitous violence in his series, and it's toned down quite a bit here. This also features a trio of teen protagonists, but this is no KICK-ASS. The story feels like it's aimed at a young adult audience, as well as a template for a Netflix series (who bought all the rights to Millar's works). One thing in common with most of his work, the villains here (a motorcycle gang of vampires led by a Civil War veteran) are despicable. Also a nice touch was to pay a nod to the Bloody Mary urban mythology, and make her a scary vampire dangerous enough to be locked in a basement. More like a 3.5 star rating, but Goodreads doesn't accommodate fractions....more
I recently read a news article in Locus magazine on the 2023 nominees for the Phillip K. Dick Award which focuses on genre fiction originally publisheI recently read a news article in Locus magazine on the 2023 nominees for the Phillip K. Dick Award which focuses on genre fiction originally published in paperback. I picked three of the nominees to read, based on the synopsis which grabbed my attention. I was unfamiliar with S. L. Coney before this. Here's the most important thing to say about this: S.L. Coney is a promising new writer with a lot of potential, and I will most likely seek out whatever they write after WILD SPACES, if only to make up my mind. Perhaps the synopsis and early reviews/blurbs raised my expectations beyond what this quick reading novella could deliver to me. Also, the comparisons to renowned authors like Robert McCammon and H.P. Lovecraft, while somewhat appropriate, also led to expectations that were not met. Page 32: "The sea always rushes in, greedy for the land. His father says that one day -- a bazillion years ago -- a fish grew legs and walked on land for the first time. And as funny as he thinks a fish with legs would look, he wonders how the sea felt when her inhabitants started walking away. He wonders if maybe that's why she keeps eating away at the land, trying to take back what it stole." There are several memorable passages like that one. However, if only there were more and I felt a consistent voice throughout the story I might have rated this higher. The foreshadowing in the early chapters allowed me to figure out the ending too early, and that made the emotional moments less heart-breaking or heart-warming for me. But, based on this novella I definitely want to revisit S. L. Coney. If you're looking to discover new promising writers, this short novella may reward you without sacrificing much of your reading time. This could easily be read at one sitting. ...more
A quick, suspenseful read. Malerman puts his stamp on the scary campfire story, making it seem familiar while adding some flavoring to make it differeA quick, suspenseful read. Malerman puts his stamp on the scary campfire story, making it seem familiar while adding some flavoring to make it different. I enjoyed the monster and his peculiarities, but found the ending a little confusing. Try not to think about it too much or it will raise too many questions that will minimize the mystery. Malerman does something near the end that makes me suspect a twist is coming, and then leaves it hanging and me wondering....more
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