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heatheroakes's review
3.0
2, of what have become some of my favorite horror authors Kealan Patrick Burke with an entry by Jack ketchum. One of burkes earliest works..while this wasn't my fave the writing, as always, is beautiful
howlinglibraries's review
4.0
According to Goodreads' metadata, this is one of KPB's oldest works, currently sitting at 13 years past publication, so I was very curious to see how it would go. I feel like it's always intriguing to pick up early works from authors you love, especially when you're more accustomed to that author's recent titles, but I knew I loved Kealan's writing voice and imagination enough that there was no way this novella would disappoint — and I was right!
Midlisters is narrated by a horror author, which automatically can lead you as the reader to look for autobiographical moments in the story, but Jason presents as a fleshed-out character in such a brief span of pages that I quickly let that go and was able to just enjoy his angry, paranoid, insecure little personality all on its own. I definitely wasn't expecting the catalyst of this story at all, and I loved how it all went down, especially when Jason begins questioning his own narrative. I'm always amazed by how melancholy and twisted Kealan's stories are, and this was no exception!
Midlisters is narrated by a horror author, which automatically can lead you as the reader to look for autobiographical moments in the story, but Jason presents as a fleshed-out character in such a brief span of pages that I quickly let that go and was able to just enjoy his angry, paranoid, insecure little personality all on its own. I definitely wasn't expecting the catalyst of this story at all, and I loved how it all went down, especially when Jason begins questioning his own narrative. I'm always amazed by how melancholy and twisted Kealan's stories are, and this was no exception!
myra_'s review
3.0
This is a very well written novella. I feel like that must be the first thing I say because it comes across very strongly right at the outset. Burke has a way with words that makes you want to keep reading. I recently found out about Burke and thought a novella would be a good way to experiment. I did enjoy this book at the beginning itself.
As the story progressed, it started to get even better. There were some instances where I had to go back and re-read some parts, which in this case was a good thing. It is quite an absorbing story.
I didn't like how it ended, but then again, horror isn't really my genre. I liked how he conveyed despair, in varying degrees and due to various reasons, throughout the book. Be it in Tennant's position as a midlister, just short of the acclaim he craves; the gaps in his relationship with his wife; his envy and probably misdirected fury at Kent Gray - it all comes back to despair, in my opinion.
It is a wonderfully written book but the ending was kind of abrupt for my taste. It is a great insight into the life of a midlister (I'm an aspiring author myself) but the horror aspect of the story was not my thing.
As the story progressed, it started to get even better. There were some instances where I had to go back and re-read some parts, which in this case was a good thing. It is quite an absorbing story.
I didn't like how it ended, but then again, horror isn't really my genre. I liked how he conveyed despair, in varying degrees and due to various reasons, throughout the book. Be it in Tennant's position as a midlister, just short of the acclaim he craves; the gaps in his relationship with his wife; his envy and probably misdirected fury at Kent Gray - it all comes back to despair, in my opinion.
It is a wonderfully written book but the ending was kind of abrupt for my taste. It is a great insight into the life of a midlister (I'm an aspiring author myself) but the horror aspect of the story was not my thing.
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