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motherofallbats's review against another edition
5.0
I have an undying appreciation for stories that are creatively unpleasant, and this is easily one of the most creatively unpleasant things I've ever read. The back cover compares it to American Psycho, which made me scoff and roll my eyes before my reading commenced. Now that I've ingested the whole thing, though, it's actually a very astute comparison. I don't think I've ever read a book this wholeheartedly dedicated to exploring such a thoroughly repulsive and irredeemable character since American Psycho. In terms of sexually violent stories it actually eclipses Poppy Z. Brite's Exquisite Corpse, the book I'd previously held as an untouchable benchmark for such literature. Although I still think Exquisite Corpse is the more finely written book, Wilde's novel eclipses it in terms of sheer ballsy nerve.
As the preceding comparisons might have tipped you off, this is the kind of highly positive review that should probably come with a disclaimer. Like, don't read this just because I'm giving it five stars. If spending 230 pages deep in the mindset of a misogynistic necrophiliac serial killer doesn't sound like your thing then you should probably disregard this review. If, though, you have an appreciation for works that serve up artistry and disgust with equal proportion, this might be for you.
As the preceding comparisons might have tipped you off, this is the kind of highly positive review that should probably come with a disclaimer. Like, don't read this just because I'm giving it five stars. If spending 230 pages deep in the mindset of a misogynistic necrophiliac serial killer doesn't sound like your thing then you should probably disregard this review. If, though, you have an appreciation for works that serve up artistry and disgust with equal proportion, this might be for you.
saekoshiro's review against another edition
4.0
This book kept me disturbingly fascinated. I enjoyed the aspect of journal entries, as well as a blend of well portrayed art and poetry. However, I give 4 stars because the entries where he rants about TV shows, politics, etc. would just drrraaagggg oonnnn. Especially towards the end, excited to see what he was going to do, several chapters just has me crawling through the last 15%. Once he finally voiced his next move, suddenly SLAM I read for 30 minutes straight, finished, and enjoyed the hell out of it!
I'd recommend those who enjoyed this to check out Jonathan Santlofer's 'The Death Artist' & 'Colorblind'. Comparible, fantastic, though not quite as demented
I'd recommend those who enjoyed this to check out Jonathan Santlofer's 'The Death Artist' & 'Colorblind'. Comparible, fantastic, though not quite as demented
lauriereadslohf's review against another edition
3.0
3 ½ Stars
The Venus Complex takes an intimate look inside the head of a man with deviant tendencies who decides to act on them and it is horrific and somehow strangely compelling. I felt rather ewww after spending time in his head and had to take breaks but that didn’t stop me from coming back to it. It’s probably not a story for everyone though . . .
A depressed fellow is told to keep a journal by his doctor in order to help with his recovery. He’s been in a terrible accident and his wife has died because he accidentally on purpose drove them off the road after releasing her seat belt. It is soon revealed that this man isn’t at all sad about the loss of his wife and for chapters on end he stews in own misery, raging at the world and hating on women. In his notebook he feels free to share his dreams of cold, blue skinned girls who aren’t mermaids, if you get my drift. These dreams are disturbing as hell and filled with sexual deviance that leave him aching to act out on these dream-fantasies and his thoughts get pervier and pervier by the day (and that is so a word in my world – leave me alone spell-check). Soon sharing these thoughts in a notebook isn’t enough . . .
There is no sugar-coating the fact that this story isn’t an easy one to sit with. This dude is a HORRIBLE, disturbed, revolting, disgusting person, filled with a deep loathing of everyone and everything but especially womankind. He eventually fixates on a woman who he declares his perfect woman and his dream-girl before they ever have a conversation. Really? Anyhow, she becomes the inspiration for his “Venus Project”. He then decides to become an expert in serial killing and we get to come along for the ride whether we’re ready or not.
This is a dark and extreme horror novel that gets a little bogged down at times with the mundane rants made by its protagonist. It’s filled with blood, murder, rape and the blackest of black and hateful thoughts and deeds. Tread lightly if you don’t feel like you are quite ready to read the intimate thoughts of a serial killer who dreams of necrophilia. I’m not sure I was but I finished it despite myself and I feel a little icky for it, if I’m telling the complete and honest truth. Pretty much the same way I felt after reading Poppy Z. Brite’s Exquisite Corpse but that didn’t stop me from having to know how it all ends. Why am I like this? Anyhow, it disturbed me and I’m glad I am no longer in this guy’s head.
Interesting tidbit: Doug Bradley aka Pinhead reads the work most excellently and Barbie Wilde is the actress who played the female cenobite in Hellraiser movie! She has an incredibly disturbing imagination and I will most definitely be reading more of her work. If this book sounds like your thing and you enjoy audiobooks this one is calling your name!
The Venus Complex takes an intimate look inside the head of a man with deviant tendencies who decides to act on them and it is horrific and somehow strangely compelling. I felt rather ewww after spending time in his head and had to take breaks but that didn’t stop me from coming back to it. It’s probably not a story for everyone though . . .
A depressed fellow is told to keep a journal by his doctor in order to help with his recovery. He’s been in a terrible accident and his wife has died because he accidentally on purpose drove them off the road after releasing her seat belt. It is soon revealed that this man isn’t at all sad about the loss of his wife and for chapters on end he stews in own misery, raging at the world and hating on women. In his notebook he feels free to share his dreams of cold, blue skinned girls who aren’t mermaids, if you get my drift. These dreams are disturbing as hell and filled with sexual deviance that leave him aching to act out on these dream-fantasies and his thoughts get pervier and pervier by the day (and that is so a word in my world – leave me alone spell-check). Soon sharing these thoughts in a notebook isn’t enough . . .
There is no sugar-coating the fact that this story isn’t an easy one to sit with. This dude is a HORRIBLE, disturbed, revolting, disgusting person, filled with a deep loathing of everyone and everything but especially womankind. He eventually fixates on a woman who he declares his perfect woman and his dream-girl before they ever have a conversation. Really? Anyhow, she becomes the inspiration for his “Venus Project”. He then decides to become an expert in serial killing and we get to come along for the ride whether we’re ready or not.
This is a dark and extreme horror novel that gets a little bogged down at times with the mundane rants made by its protagonist. It’s filled with blood, murder, rape and the blackest of black and hateful thoughts and deeds. Tread lightly if you don’t feel like you are quite ready to read the intimate thoughts of a serial killer who dreams of necrophilia. I’m not sure I was but I finished it despite myself and I feel a little icky for it, if I’m telling the complete and honest truth. Pretty much the same way I felt after reading Poppy Z. Brite’s Exquisite Corpse but that didn’t stop me from having to know how it all ends. Why am I like this? Anyhow, it disturbed me and I’m glad I am no longer in this guy’s head.
Interesting tidbit: Doug Bradley aka Pinhead reads the work most excellently and Barbie Wilde is the actress who played the female cenobite in Hellraiser movie! She has an incredibly disturbing imagination and I will most definitely be reading more of her work. If this book sounds like your thing and you enjoy audiobooks this one is calling your name!
martinroberts's review
3.0
I read an article recently by author John Skipp entitled 'Why killing the sh*t out of interesting people is clearly the way to go'. With The Venus Complex Barbie Wilde has neatly inverted this idea in that her serial killer, Michael Friday is an interesting person killing the sh*t out of people.
Michael's story is told in the form of a personal journal, with entries running the gauntlet from his sick and twisted sexual fantasies, to his accounts of graphic murders and razor sharp social commentary, with an underlying streak of very dark humour.
What made this truly disturbing to me personally was how easily I found myself agreeing with many of the comments Michael recounts in his journal. Without spoiling it too much for the potential reader there was one 'chapter' where Michael declares his love for a colleague that instantly transported me back to my teenage years when love was this magical yet intense emotional force. Barbie captures this state of mind perfectly, and rightly deserves the full five star review. Truth be told, I have deduct one star so that the author may strive to reach even greater heights in subsequent publications.
I don't really need to point out the sheer volume of books dedicated to the subject of serial killers, What I do wish to do is state that Barbie's début novel stands head and shoulders - decapitated or not - above most titles in this sub-genre.
Not to be missed if you are a fan of pitch black crime / horror novels.
Michael's story is told in the form of a personal journal, with entries running the gauntlet from his sick and twisted sexual fantasies, to his accounts of graphic murders and razor sharp social commentary, with an underlying streak of very dark humour.
What made this truly disturbing to me personally was how easily I found myself agreeing with many of the comments Michael recounts in his journal. Without spoiling it too much for the potential reader there was one 'chapter' where Michael declares his love for a colleague that instantly transported me back to my teenage years when love was this magical yet intense emotional force. Barbie captures this state of mind perfectly, and rightly deserves the full five star review. Truth be told, I have deduct one star so that the author may strive to reach even greater heights in subsequent publications.
I don't really need to point out the sheer volume of books dedicated to the subject of serial killers, What I do wish to do is state that Barbie's début novel stands head and shoulders - decapitated or not - above most titles in this sub-genre.
Not to be missed if you are a fan of pitch black crime / horror novels.
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