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billymac1962's review
3.0
The title story just wasn't my bag. Sorry....a lot of people loved it so give it a whirl. If you're really digging the first 20 pages, stick with it. Much more of the same follows to the bitter end.
The short story at the end of this was much better, in my opinion, thus the 3 stars to average things out.
The short story at the end of this was much better, in my opinion, thus the 3 stars to average things out.
szu's review
A waste if time. Pretty much the blandest, most ”I’m an edgy male writer” take on death. Everything from dealing with grief and accepting your own death, just bland bland bland. You enter a middle school creative writing class and this book is what a jaded 14-year-old eno kid who loves watching splatter films would write. Totally unremarkable, and has been done too many times.
Also there was literally no actual good reason for a story to start off with the rape and murder of a young girl and then for her to reference her ”secret parts” hurting multiple times.
If the only way you can make your Jaded Male Protagonist a good guy after all is for him to react to the rapes and murders of his wife and daughter then that’s just really shitty writing in general. If the only reason to write someobe getting raped is to further the male protagonist’s story then that’s just especially misogynist. If the only reason for a woman’s suffering is the furthering of a male character’s agenda, then the woman’s suffering could be left out, just saying.
Also what does it say about the general heterosexual consensus of marriage, if the man only realizes he loved his wife after she gets brutally murdered? Like seriously. Please.
Also there was literally no actual good reason for a story to start off with the rape and murder of a young girl and then for her to reference her ”secret parts” hurting multiple times.
If the only way you can make your Jaded Male Protagonist a good guy after all is for him to react to the rapes and murders of his wife and daughter then that’s just really shitty writing in general. If the only reason to write someobe getting raped is to further the male protagonist’s story then that’s just especially misogynist. If the only reason for a woman’s suffering is the furthering of a male character’s agenda, then the woman’s suffering could be left out, just saying.
Also what does it say about the general heterosexual consensus of marriage, if the man only realizes he loved his wife after she gets brutally murdered? Like seriously. Please.
briandice's review
5.0
Don't let the title fool you - this is not a hymn.
But you should still read it.
Now let us pray.
But you should still read it.
Now let us pray.
lucasm12333's review
2.0
Slow
Just not my cup of tea. Waaaay too much introspection and too much reflecting. I began to skim pages as I waited for something to happen. I suppose if you like literary horror this might be for you. I was just disappointed.
Just not my cup of tea. Waaaay too much introspection and too much reflecting. I began to skim pages as I waited for something to happen. I suppose if you like literary horror this might be for you. I was just disappointed.
paulataua's review
5.0
This is one hell of a read! Fist, an ex-boxer, comes home to find all is not well, and what follows is one of the weirdest of revenge stories. Expect unsettling and unrelenting violence throughout, but be surprised that this little novel goes much deeper than that. A thought-provoking read!
jasonsweirdreads's review
5.0
When We Join Jesus In Hell is an emotional punch to the stomach with a couple of knees to the face for good measure. The word 'Hell' is mentioned in the book's description a few times, and I like to think that that is exactly what this novella is. A sudden decent into grief, rage, vengeance, and then, finally, Hell.
I don't want to go into the plot because it moves quickly and there are a few surprises along the way that will ruin it if I even begin with the set up. One thing I can tell you, however, is that the characters breath with life, the atmosphere is thick, and the prose is lyrical and full of symbolism. It's really quite a startling read that will draw you into its grim, darkly painted world.
Once there, it will no let you go. When We Join Jesus In Hell will haunt you long after you've read it. I finished it almost a month before writing this review, and I still think about it. Highly recommended.
I don't want to go into the plot because it moves quickly and there are a few surprises along the way that will ruin it if I even begin with the set up. One thing I can tell you, however, is that the characters breath with life, the atmosphere is thick, and the prose is lyrical and full of symbolism. It's really quite a startling read that will draw you into its grim, darkly painted world.
Once there, it will no let you go. When We Join Jesus In Hell will haunt you long after you've read it. I finished it almost a month before writing this review, and I still think about it. Highly recommended.
stewie's review
4.0
A beautifully written, heart-wrenching, punch-to-the-gut piece of work. You can read my full review at HorrorTalk.com.
charshorrorcorner's review
5.0
I won this novella during an online Meet the Author event put on by the publisher Darkfuse.
The story starts off with our protagonist named Fist drunkenly making his way home late at night. During his walk home he is musing about the state of his life and marriage. Fist used to be a boxer, (hence the nickname), but gave it up at the height of his career to become the father he believes his family wanted and needed-a man with a stable job, bringing home a paycheck,and home every night. The idea of what a man(and his family) loses when he gives up who and what he IS soon becomes a moot point as Fist walks into his bedroom and his life changes forever.
What follows is one of the most gut-wrenching scenes I have ever read.
I don't want to spoil the story, so I will just say that this is one novella that is going to stick with you. At times, it is actually difficult to continue reading because the pain of Fist is just too much to bear. I'm not ashamed to say that this novella made me cry, it was THAT powerful.
This is another effective work by Mr. Thompson and one you won't soon forget. I know I won't.
The story starts off with our protagonist named Fist drunkenly making his way home late at night. During his walk home he is musing about the state of his life and marriage. Fist used to be a boxer, (hence the nickname), but gave it up at the height of his career to become the father he believes his family wanted and needed-a man with a stable job, bringing home a paycheck,and home every night. The idea of what a man(and his family) loses when he gives up who and what he IS soon becomes a moot point as Fist walks into his bedroom and his life changes forever.
What follows is one of the most gut-wrenching scenes I have ever read.
I don't want to spoil the story, so I will just say that this is one novella that is going to stick with you. At times, it is actually difficult to continue reading because the pain of Fist is just too much to bear. I'm not ashamed to say that this novella made me cry, it was THAT powerful.
This is another effective work by Mr. Thompson and one you won't soon forget. I know I won't.
majesdane's review
1.0
It could have been more intense, but it wasn't. Also, what was with the racism? I know this is a novella but the lead character's descent into madness didn't feel earned -- by which I mean it wasn't developed on enough. It felt really rushed. Bianca the lizard was the best part. I'm glad the cute lizard lived.
But I actually really did like the short story, Beneath th Weeping Willow, that was included with it. I'd give that story a 3.5-4/5.
But I actually really did like the short story, Beneath th Weeping Willow, that was included with it. I'd give that story a 3.5-4/5.
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