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ruesparks's review
*NOTE: I read the audiobook version*
I wasn't quite sure what I was getting into when I pressed 'play' on Bang to Begin. That's probably for the best, because nothing I would have imagined would have prepared me for the reality.
The opening story started innocuous enough, though with an eerie atmosphere that left me supposing all was not well. Sure enough, everything soon became disjointed and frail at its seams, taking an intense and catastrophic turn in the story "After the End" that deftly clinched this title into its 'horror' genre. Each subsequent story a new terror, until about halfway through, the tells started to take shape. Like a slow revealed blueprint, a picture takes form that ties all the disparate tales together.
I'll be blunt: if you're squeamish, this is not the book for you. There's gore, disturbing images, kidnapping, murder, assassinations ... but an ending that oddly sets a tone that almost erases that which comes before. That said, in order to get to the end, you do have to get through a lot of darkness, so be prepared.
As far as the writing itself, it's quite a strange combination of sparse and detailed. It takes some getting used to in a few of the stories that are more disjointed. Because of that, as well as the plot, this isn't a set of stories that you can tune in and out of and be able to follow along. I'd dedicate some time to listen to this in small spurts rather than binging it.
Overall, if you're a fan of horror, dark fantasy, or science fiction with a twilight zone twist, I'd take a chance on this audiobook.
I wasn't quite sure what I was getting into when I pressed 'play' on Bang to Begin. That's probably for the best, because nothing I would have imagined would have prepared me for the reality.
The opening story started innocuous enough, though with an eerie atmosphere that left me supposing all was not well. Sure enough, everything soon became disjointed and frail at its seams, taking an intense and catastrophic turn in the story "After the End" that deftly clinched this title into its 'horror' genre. Each subsequent story a new terror, until about halfway through, the tells started to take shape. Like a slow revealed blueprint, a picture takes form that ties all the disparate tales together.
I'll be blunt: if you're squeamish, this is not the book for you. There's gore, disturbing images, kidnapping, murder, assassinations ... but an ending that oddly sets a tone that almost erases that which comes before. That said, in order to get to the end, you do have to get through a lot of darkness, so be prepared.
As far as the writing itself, it's quite a strange combination of sparse and detailed. It takes some getting used to in a few of the stories that are more disjointed. Because of that, as well as the plot, this isn't a set of stories that you can tune in and out of and be able to follow along. I'd dedicate some time to listen to this in small spurts rather than binging it.
Overall, if you're a fan of horror, dark fantasy, or science fiction with a twilight zone twist, I'd take a chance on this audiobook.
chronodendron's review
5.0
Cloud Atlas meets Black Mirror
I was given a free audible code by the author in exchange for an honest review and had no idea what to expect (one shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth, after all). I have to admit; I was not prepared for this.
What immediately caught my attention was the writing. It's not just good, it's great. First person present is my favourite perspective, but few writers manage to get it right. Weyman does. His writing is witty, sharp and concise. There's never a dull moment between sentences. And the stories are brilliant! The different genres and the way they fit together got me praising and cursing the author in equal amounts.
Definitely the most original read of the year for me.
I recommend this book to anyone who appreciates a complex and well-written story.
I was given a free audible code by the author in exchange for an honest review and had no idea what to expect (one shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth, after all). I have to admit; I was not prepared for this.
What immediately caught my attention was the writing. It's not just good, it's great. First person present is my favourite perspective, but few writers manage to get it right. Weyman does. His writing is witty, sharp and concise. There's never a dull moment between sentences. And the stories are brilliant! The different genres and the way they fit together got me praising and cursing the author in equal amounts.
Definitely the most original read of the year for me.
I recommend this book to anyone who appreciates a complex and well-written story.
perrywolfecastle's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
4.5
Bang to Begin is an excellent collection of short stories that effortlessly build into a much larger overarching piece of fiction. Weyman is a master of the concise, yet meaningful and descriptive narrative flow. Every time a story bounces into a new genre it feels natural and the stories remain tight. Each has a purpose, even if the reader can never quite figure out what that purpose is until much later in the collection. Each story is good on its own, but together is where they really shine.
For a full review of Bang to Begin as well as many other books go to: https://perrywolfecastle.com
For a full review of Bang to Begin as well as many other books go to: https://perrywolfecastle.com
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