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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
Maybe more of a 2.5 because I don’t know how to feel about this. It’s so weird and gross. I feel like Eric LaRocca’s writing is hit or miss for me.
Actual rating: 3.5/5 stars
Just when I think things couldn't get any worse, I read shit like this and I actually like it. Could've done without the incest, that really bumped my rating down, unfortunately. Still, LaRocca manages to surprise and delight me with grotesque horror that makes me squeal with disgust aloud!
Merged review:
Actual rating: 3.5/5 stars
Just when I think things couldn't get any worse, I read shit like this and I actually like it. Could've done without the incest, that really bumped my rating down, unfortunately. Still, LaRocca manages to surprise and delight me with grotesque horror that makes me squeal with disgust aloud!
Just when I think things couldn't get any worse, I read shit like this and I actually like it. Could've done without the incest, that really bumped my rating down, unfortunately. Still, LaRocca manages to surprise and delight me with grotesque horror that makes me squeal with disgust aloud!
Merged review:
Actual rating: 3.5/5 stars
Just when I think things couldn't get any worse, I read shit like this and I actually like it. Could've done without the incest, that really bumped my rating down, unfortunately. Still, LaRocca manages to surprise and delight me with grotesque horror that makes me squeal with disgust aloud!
Rating: 4.31 leaves out of 5
Characters: 4.5/5
Cover: 5/5
Story: 3.25/5
Writing: 4.5/5
Genre: Horror/Thriller
Type: Book
Worth?: Yes
Hated|Disliked|It Was Okay|Liked|Really Liked|Loved|Favorited
I saw LaRocca's work on Tiktok from @baker.reads while I was making my list for spooky season and decided to place him on my list.
The first thing I will say is it reads like an A24 film. It is the type of story that really shouldn't be taken for face value. While I was reading it a lot of the time I was like... WTF, but when it really sank in I was like... oh... oh wow. There were times that didn't make sense to me and I guess you could sum it up with you screaming at the screen because the character is dumb and making dumb mistakes. Either way it is a short read and well worth it.
If you don't want to actually think about the book you just read I suggest you move on from here and find something... different.
Now for the spoiler filled review.
At first when I was reading it the I felt so bad for Mara. Her mother is trash... complete trash. Hated her every second in the book and I felt bad Also... when Mara
Characters: 4.5/5
Cover: 5/5
Story: 3.25/5
Writing: 4.5/5
Genre: Horror/Thriller
Type: Book
Worth?: Yes
Hated|Disliked|It Was Okay|Liked|Really Liked|Loved|Favorited
I saw LaRocca's work on Tiktok from @baker.reads while I was making my list for spooky season and decided to place him on my list.
The first thing I will say is it reads like an A24 film. It is the type of story that really shouldn't be taken for face value. While I was reading it a lot of the time I was like... WTF, but when it really sank in I was like... oh... oh wow. There were times that didn't make sense to me and I guess you could sum it up with you screaming at the screen because the character is dumb and making dumb mistakes. Either way it is a short read and well worth it.
If you don't want to actually think about the book you just read I suggest you move on from here and find something... different.
Now for the spoiler filled review.
At first when I was reading it the
Spoiler
bugs and reptiles really threw me off. I thought maybe she just is hallucinating. Then as I went through more of the book I realized they were a freaking gang of cannibals.Spoiler
the newborn boy...Spoiler
finds that picture of her mother and a picture of her dad and she hadn't realized it was him... and that her mom was also her grandmother...
Eric Larocca gives us, with his upcoming novella, an oppressive « behind close dors » whose predominant subjects are mourning and the hell of living in a devastated world (in time of war). The story anchors in a dark fantasy genre. We find several of the favorites themes of the author: the fear of abandonnent, love and the suffering it generates... and finally, death. If the bombardments and external threats can make us think that the danger lies beyond the protective walls of the family home, the reader quickly understands that the worst happens inside of the house. The danger is to face day after day those who share our lives. To love is to put ourselves in danger. Death, often staged, constitutes a deliverance... experienced as a betrayal by the survivors.
.
Metamorphosis (and its many interpretations) is the main subject of the story. The characters change, almost literally. Humans are no longer human, war and death have made them savage, awakened their primary instincts. They take turns inviting each other into Mara and her mother’s house, adding even more uneasiness to this already anxiety-inducing story.
.
Eric Larocca excels in this story, with multiple interpretations and references. Between a Kafka and a Guillermo del Torro, the author once again invites his reader to get lost in the nightmare of his narrator, which only ends with the horrible revelation of the last pages. An author i'll never get tired of recommending to you and who manage to renews himself with each of his writings.
A big thanks to the author for his trust, and this story that left me speechless
Merged review:
Eric Larocca gives us, with his upcoming novella, an oppressive « behind close dors » whose predominant subjects are mourning and the hell of living in a devastated world (in time of war). The story anchors in a dark fantasy genre. We find several of the favorites themes of the author: the fear of abandonnent, love and the suffering it generates... and finally, death. If the bombardments and external threats can make us think that the danger lies beyond the protective walls of the family home, the reader quickly understands that the worst happens inside of the house. The danger is to face day after day those who share our lives. To love is to put ourselves in danger. Death, often staged, constitutes a deliverance... experienced as a betrayal by the survivors.
.
Metamorphosis (and its many interpretations) is the main subject of the story. The characters change, almost literally. Humans are no longer human, war and death have made them savage, awakened their primary instincts. They take turns inviting each other into Mara and her mother’s house, adding even more uneasiness to this already anxiety-inducing story.
.
Eric Larocca excels in this story, with multiple interpretations and references. Between a Kafka and a Guillermo del Torro, the author once again invites his reader to get lost in the nightmare of his narrator, which only ends with the horrible revelation of the last pages. An author i'll never get tired of recommending to you and who manage to renews himself with each of his writings.
A big thanks to the author for his trust, and this story that left me speechless
.
Metamorphosis (and its many interpretations) is the main subject of the story. The characters change, almost literally. Humans are no longer human, war and death have made them savage, awakened their primary instincts. They take turns inviting each other into Mara and her mother’s house, adding even more uneasiness to this already anxiety-inducing story.
.
Eric Larocca excels in this story, with multiple interpretations and references. Between a Kafka and a Guillermo del Torro, the author once again invites his reader to get lost in the nightmare of his narrator, which only ends with the horrible revelation of the last pages. An author i'll never get tired of recommending to you and who manage to renews himself with each of his writings.
A big thanks to the author for his trust, and this story that left me speechless
Merged review:
Eric Larocca gives us, with his upcoming novella, an oppressive « behind close dors » whose predominant subjects are mourning and the hell of living in a devastated world (in time of war). The story anchors in a dark fantasy genre. We find several of the favorites themes of the author: the fear of abandonnent, love and the suffering it generates... and finally, death. If the bombardments and external threats can make us think that the danger lies beyond the protective walls of the family home, the reader quickly understands that the worst happens inside of the house. The danger is to face day after day those who share our lives. To love is to put ourselves in danger. Death, often staged, constitutes a deliverance... experienced as a betrayal by the survivors.
.
Metamorphosis (and its many interpretations) is the main subject of the story. The characters change, almost literally. Humans are no longer human, war and death have made them savage, awakened their primary instincts. They take turns inviting each other into Mara and her mother’s house, adding even more uneasiness to this already anxiety-inducing story.
.
Eric Larocca excels in this story, with multiple interpretations and references. Between a Kafka and a Guillermo del Torro, the author once again invites his reader to get lost in the nightmare of his narrator, which only ends with the horrible revelation of the last pages. An author i'll never get tired of recommending to you and who manage to renews himself with each of his writings.
A big thanks to the author for his trust, and this story that left me speechless
“'What are you afraid of?' he asked. 'Letting go, or being left with nothing to hold?'”
An interesting depiction of a dark, folkloric tale of grief and trauma amid war and neglect. Mara's father left months ago and returns as a corpse. Her mother invites the neighbors over for a wake, but refuses to dispose of the body afterwards. Further distressing to Mara is when her mother invites guests over. But these guests aren't exactly human--one is a large spider who's ready to make a deal that neither of them can say no to.
Whether truly folkloric in animal form, or used as metaphor, the use of spiders, snakes, and lizards all serve to be hugely creepy and symbolic of their characterization. While an intriguing premise, and one that tugs at horror, I do still wonder if some of the scenes--like that of Mara's mother and the spider copulating--are necessary beyond misogynistic shock value.
An interesting depiction of a dark, folkloric tale of grief and trauma amid war and neglect. Mara's father left months ago and returns as a corpse. Her mother invites the neighbors over for a wake, but refuses to dispose of the body afterwards. Further distressing to Mara is when her mother invites guests over. But these guests aren't exactly human--one is a large spider who's ready to make a deal that neither of them can say no to.
Whether truly folkloric in animal form, or used as metaphor, the use of spiders, snakes, and lizards all serve to be hugely creepy and symbolic of their characterization. While an intriguing premise, and one that tugs at horror, I do still wonder if some of the scenes--like that of Mara's mother and the spider copulating--are necessary beyond misogynistic shock value.
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
