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billymac1962's review
3.0
This was a very well written novella.
The story was very enticing, and I flew through it only to hit a finish line that made me stop, look back and wonder: wha?
Look, I'm cool with ambiguities in storytelling, but I'm not cool with "That's it, now YOU figure out what happened and why, ha ha!!!"
No, I paid money for you to tell me a story, pal. That's a freaking cop out as far as I'm concerned and I don't appreciate it.
What saves this from ultimately suffering a one-star rating is the fact that this guy is a talented writer, and some of the imagery and ideas are deliciously unsettling. In fact, I'm still thinking of them a day later. And the fact that I only invested a couple of hours of my life for it.
But, shit. I'm left to make up my own ideas about what this all means and what the hell happened? OK, you got me, ha ha.
I won't buy your books again, ha ha.
The story was very enticing, and I flew through it only to hit a finish line that made me stop, look back and wonder: wha?
Look, I'm cool with ambiguities in storytelling, but I'm not cool with "That's it, now YOU figure out what happened and why, ha ha!!!"
No, I paid money for you to tell me a story, pal. That's a freaking cop out as far as I'm concerned and I don't appreciate it.
What saves this from ultimately suffering a one-star rating is the fact that this guy is a talented writer, and some of the imagery and ideas are deliciously unsettling. In fact, I'm still thinking of them a day later. And the fact that I only invested a couple of hours of my life for it.
But, shit. I'm left to make up my own ideas about what this all means and what the hell happened? OK, you got me, ha ha.
I won't buy your books again, ha ha.
yeah_nahnia's review
2.0
The prose was alright, but it was far too long with very little payoff. Hopefully the movie is better.
eamwilliams504's review
5.0
my review can be found at: https://scariesthings.com/2019/03/14/lizs-book-report-the-visible-filth/
The Visible Filth by Nathan Ballingrud is the story of Will, a New Orleans bartender who finds a cell phone left behind after a bloody bar fight. While he’s waiting to return it to the owner, text messages begin to chime and Will’s curiosity gets the best of him; he checks the phone and upon reading the first message, “I think something is here with me,” his easy going life with his live in girlfriend Carrie, begins to descend into a nightmare.
Ballingrud’s beautiful prose can’t mask the visceral, gross, body horror that saturates the pages of this story. This is horror done right- less than 100 pages crawling with atmosphere and dread. He also gets New Orleans right; beginning with the opening sentence, “the roaches were in high spirits,” the story feels hot, sticky and a little filthy just like the city I call home.
The Visible Filth is the basis for the upcoming horror film Wounds, directed by Babek Anvari and featuring Dakota Johnson (who blew me away in Susperia) and Armie Hammer (who is very handsome). I am one of those people who try to read the book before seeing the movie and boy, am I glad I did. This story is fantastic and I can’t wait to read more by Nathan Ballingrud.
The Visible Filth by Nathan Ballingrud is the story of Will, a New Orleans bartender who finds a cell phone left behind after a bloody bar fight. While he’s waiting to return it to the owner, text messages begin to chime and Will’s curiosity gets the best of him; he checks the phone and upon reading the first message, “I think something is here with me,” his easy going life with his live in girlfriend Carrie, begins to descend into a nightmare.
Ballingrud’s beautiful prose can’t mask the visceral, gross, body horror that saturates the pages of this story. This is horror done right- less than 100 pages crawling with atmosphere and dread. He also gets New Orleans right; beginning with the opening sentence, “the roaches were in high spirits,” the story feels hot, sticky and a little filthy just like the city I call home.
The Visible Filth is the basis for the upcoming horror film Wounds, directed by Babek Anvari and featuring Dakota Johnson (who blew me away in Susperia) and Armie Hammer (who is very handsome). I am one of those people who try to read the book before seeing the movie and boy, am I glad I did. This story is fantastic and I can’t wait to read more by Nathan Ballingrud.
evirae's review
2.0
I was taken off-guard by the ending. I went in blind to how long this story was-- and the abrupt ending was a bit of a let-down. I'm fine with the level of 'gross'-- as in, I can handle it without being negatively affected-- but the final scene left me staring at the next empty page (on Kindle) going, "Wait, that's it?"
Easy to finish in one sitting, so not that much of a loss, but I definitely didn't feel satisfied with the final few pages.
Easy to finish in one sitting, so not that much of a loss, but I definitely didn't feel satisfied with the final few pages.
amyreadsitall's review
4.0
I've given this 4 stars even though I did not 'really like it', because it was a good book. Very well written, I never want to read it again. Deeply disturbing and left me with a horrible feeling! I'm sure it's right up other people's alleys.
kleeble's review
1.0
God this story was so dumb. It was mostly a mellowdrama about a guy who wants to fuck his best friend and then in the last two pages it switches to a body horror that makes no sense.
alexm14's review
5.0
Ballingrud creates a sense of dread and unease throughout the novel, a slow descent into madness. The supernatural elements are woven seamlessly into the story, adding an extra layer of terror to an already chilling tale.
michaellouisdixon's review
5.0
I only have one complaint--why wasn't this a novel? I wanted it to go on and on.
Nathan Ballingrud is a master Horror writer.
I'm hooked for life!
MLD
Nathan Ballingrud is a master Horror writer.
I'm hooked for life!
MLD
pacardullo's review
5.0
Excellent novella/chapbook. Very personal horror. At first, I was sad that it wasn't longer, but then I realized it was just the right size for the story it wanted to tell. Creepy, enigmatic, atmospheric, and disturbing. Good stuff.