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motherhorror's review against another edition
5.0
Confession: I have in me, the potential to fall in love with fictional characters. Like, madly in love with them. I've been reading 90% horror fiction since the Fall of 2017, so falling in love with characters who are likely going to become victims is not easy on my heart.
Jimmy the Freak is the story of an unlikely friendship. A tough, rough around the edges kind of man named Mike is traveling with a man named Jimmy who has special needs. Jimmy is a big fella who exhibits the behaviors of a child. We also learn there's something special about Jimmy--but you don't need to know what.
Jimmy is a sought after commodity. Mike is taking care of his friend by hiding out from some guys who want Jimmy so that they can exploit that specialness. Even though this is a novella, Mark Steensland and Charles Colyott managed to drive the story through strong character development.
The dialog is impeccable. I'm not sure why my brain does this, but oftentimes it will choose actors for me to visualize while I'm reading--Mike was Jason Bateman and Jimmy was Tony Hale (maybe it was something reminiscent of their sibling relationship on Arrested Development). This very vivid visualization only enhanced my reading experience--I could see the scenes playing out in cinematic vibrancy.
I applaud both of the authors for their storyline choices--everything was so carefully planned and well thought out. I enjoyed the different characters that came in and out and their clearly defined motivations for all the decisions they made.
I appreciated how Mike was doing this amazing service of caretaking, a noble act, but he's human; flawed at the same time. Nobody can be anyone's hero 24/7. Especially someone as emotionally and physically demanding as Jimmy--some of the scenes just exhausted me and I had empathy for Mike's situation.
It's my recommendation that everyone needs to read more Mark Steensland. Earlier this year, I read IN THE SCRAPE which was a collaborative effort he did with James Newman and it is easily one of my new favorite novellas.
And now here I am with a glowing review of another novella collab!
My hunch is that there is something special about Steensland's writing and I want to know what it is. I'm eager to read a solo offering.
Recommended for fans of Character-driven, emotional, friendship drama with a supernatural element.
Jimmy the Freak is the story of an unlikely friendship. A tough, rough around the edges kind of man named Mike is traveling with a man named Jimmy who has special needs. Jimmy is a big fella who exhibits the behaviors of a child. We also learn there's something special about Jimmy--but you don't need to know what.
Jimmy is a sought after commodity. Mike is taking care of his friend by hiding out from some guys who want Jimmy so that they can exploit that specialness. Even though this is a novella, Mark Steensland and Charles Colyott managed to drive the story through strong character development.
The dialog is impeccable. I'm not sure why my brain does this, but oftentimes it will choose actors for me to visualize while I'm reading--Mike was Jason Bateman and Jimmy was Tony Hale (maybe it was something reminiscent of their sibling relationship on Arrested Development). This very vivid visualization only enhanced my reading experience--I could see the scenes playing out in cinematic vibrancy.
I applaud both of the authors for their storyline choices--everything was so carefully planned and well thought out. I enjoyed the different characters that came in and out and their clearly defined motivations for all the decisions they made.
I appreciated how Mike was doing this amazing service of caretaking, a noble act, but he's human; flawed at the same time. Nobody can be anyone's hero 24/7. Especially someone as emotionally and physically demanding as Jimmy--some of the scenes just exhausted me and I had empathy for Mike's situation.
It's my recommendation that everyone needs to read more Mark Steensland. Earlier this year, I read IN THE SCRAPE which was a collaborative effort he did with James Newman and it is easily one of my new favorite novellas.
And now here I am with a glowing review of another novella collab!
My hunch is that there is something special about Steensland's writing and I want to know what it is. I'm eager to read a solo offering.
Recommended for fans of Character-driven, emotional, friendship drama with a supernatural element.
charshorrorcorner's review against another edition
5.0
My heart swelled until it exploded. ALL. THE. STARS.
Jimmy fell on his head as a child and his life was never the same after that. He needs someone to keep an eye on him. At times, he's so child-like, he brings that sense of wonder to everyone around him. At other times, he just wants his pizza, (every day), and he can be difficult if he doesn't get what he wants. Jimmy is a hot commodity, though. That fall on his head is credited, (by Jimmy's friend, Mike), for a special ability Jimmy possesses. What is that ability, you ask? You'll have to read this to find out!
JIMMY THE FREAK is my favorite type of dark fiction story. It has complicated, in-depth characters. As a novella, it has to make every word count, so it has brevity. Lastly, (and perhaps most importantly, for me) it has poignancy. I fell in love with Jimmy and I bet you will too.
My highest recommendation!
Get your copy here: https://amzn.to/2PGWHyG
*Thank you to Mark Steensland for the e-copy of this book, in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it!*
Jimmy fell on his head as a child and his life was never the same after that. He needs someone to keep an eye on him. At times, he's so child-like, he brings that sense of wonder to everyone around him. At other times, he just wants his pizza, (every day), and he can be difficult if he doesn't get what he wants. Jimmy is a hot commodity, though. That fall on his head is credited, (by Jimmy's friend, Mike), for a special ability Jimmy possesses. What is that ability, you ask? You'll have to read this to find out!
JIMMY THE FREAK is my favorite type of dark fiction story. It has complicated, in-depth characters. As a novella, it has to make every word count, so it has brevity. Lastly, (and perhaps most importantly, for me) it has poignancy. I fell in love with Jimmy and I bet you will too.
My highest recommendation!
Get your copy here: https://amzn.to/2PGWHyG
*Thank you to Mark Steensland for the e-copy of this book, in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it!*
findingmontauk1's review against another edition
4.0
This was a quick and pretty solid read. It's a perfect read on a chilly day - it helps put you into the story even more. And it makes you want hot pizza and to build a snowman like our protagonist, Jimmy. Jimmy's ability to read minds while also being mentally challenged is something people are desperate to control. But just what happens to him and his friend/caretaker in the span of a couple days that threatens all of that?? Read and find out! And fall in love with Jimmy! 4.5 stars!
brennanlafaro's review against another edition
5.0
This is the second novella I’ve read in the last few months that Mark Steensland had a hand in, the first one being In The Scrape. It’s also the second of the two that I’ve had no compunction about giving five stars to.
Jimmy the Freak has a bit of an Of Mice and Men feel to it, but it only shares a handful of certain beats. Namely the aspect of two men traveling together, one being a bit of a schemer, the other being disabled. After that, this story diverges on its own path.
Mike, the schemer, is paired up with Jimmy, this story’s Lenny, out of necessity on the surface, but we learn there is a bit more to it than that. Mike is a very flawed character, but we find ourselves hoping that all comes out okay in the end anyway. Jimmy also has a particular set of skills that drive the story forward, and although this concept is introduced early on, the way it is done is best discovered by the reader, rather than disclosed by the reviewer.
The story in Jimmy the Freak is good. The characters are great. The characters are alive, and I found myself smiling all too often at their interactions and dialogue. It’s not all sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows for our protagonists. Actually, almost none of it is, but Colyott and Steensland make us care deeply about everything that happens to Mike and Jimmy. Even though we don’t get a traditionally happy ending, I loved the direction it took me in.
Jimmy the Freak has a bit of an Of Mice and Men feel to it, but it only shares a handful of certain beats. Namely the aspect of two men traveling together, one being a bit of a schemer, the other being disabled. After that, this story diverges on its own path.
Mike, the schemer, is paired up with Jimmy, this story’s Lenny, out of necessity on the surface, but we learn there is a bit more to it than that. Mike is a very flawed character, but we find ourselves hoping that all comes out okay in the end anyway. Jimmy also has a particular set of skills that drive the story forward, and although this concept is introduced early on, the way it is done is best discovered by the reader, rather than disclosed by the reviewer.
The story in Jimmy the Freak is good. The characters are great. The characters are alive, and I found myself smiling all too often at their interactions and dialogue. It’s not all sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows for our protagonists. Actually, almost none of it is, but Colyott and Steensland make us care deeply about everything that happens to Mike and Jimmy. Even though we don’t get a traditionally happy ending, I loved the direction it took me in.
spookishmommy's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely delighted to have met Jimmy. Loved everything about this short and sweet novella. Perfect read for a cold winter night.
kiastillreadsandwrites's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
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