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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
I've figured out why I have to read everything Max Booth III writes.
It's because he's an amazing writer.
Some writers are born to write and Max is one of those. His writing reminds me of Raymond Carver, but with a sharper edge. My only disappointment with this collection is that there is no introduction. Max's introductions are usually my favorite part of his books. The intro to The Nightly Disease blew me away.
But I can't complain! The first story in Abnormal Statistics is a semi-biographical novella called Indiana Death Song, and it's probably the best thing I've read this year.
Get this amazing collection ASAP and then read everything in Max's catalog.
It's because he's an amazing writer.
Some writers are born to write and Max is one of those. His writing reminds me of Raymond Carver, but with a sharper edge. My only disappointment with this collection is that there is no introduction. Max's introductions are usually my favorite part of his books. The intro to The Nightly Disease blew me away.
But I can't complain! The first story in Abnormal Statistics is a semi-biographical novella called Indiana Death Song, and it's probably the best thing I've read this year.
Get this amazing collection ASAP and then read everything in Max's catalog.
The initial stories were more impactful than the latter half, but wow, what an incredible entry point to the twisted mind of Booth^3.
Practically every tale is written plainly but effectively and habituated around underserved adolescence and the tragic liberties it offers. A lot of kids die. A lot. In horrific and unnecessarily brutal ways. But so goes horror I reckon.
Kids and teeth. Kids and teeth are how I’d describe this collection. And props for the first story I’ve read writ in the style of Wikipedia edits! Very Tremblay-like. Tremblesque? Tremblish.
Practically every tale is written plainly but effectively and habituated around underserved adolescence and the tragic liberties it offers. A lot of kids die. A lot. In horrific and unnecessarily brutal ways. But so goes horror I reckon.
Kids and teeth. Kids and teeth are how I’d describe this collection. And props for the first story I’ve read writ in the style of Wikipedia edits! Very Tremblay-like. Tremblesque? Tremblish.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
fast-paced
"indiana death song" absolutely rocks but none of the other stories really held my attention
For me, anthologies are the hardest thing to rate, so I just won't.
I mainly felt the need to write a review in praise of the opening novella, 'Indiana Death Song', which is partially based on the author's own life during age 13-16 and is one of my favorite reads this year. Please note that this whole collection is made up of bleak familial horror stories, so if you're not a fan of bleak horror or prefer to stay away from material about toxic/abusive families, you probably won't enjoy this one. The abusive dynamics in Indiana Death Song are not typical or brutal, but sad nonetheless.
For how creepy Indiana Death Song gets (there were a couple of lines that made my jaw drop), it also has heart. You can tell the story comes from a real place and you can't help but feel immense empathy for the protagonist. The author also writes with such a powerful sense of empathy, vulnerability, and self-compassion (while again, never losing out on the creepy factor) that by the end we feel like we've just been lucky enough to witness a profound and cathartic piece of art unfold.
I mainly felt the need to write a review in praise of the opening novella, 'Indiana Death Song', which is partially based on the author's own life during age 13-16 and is one of my favorite reads this year. Please note that this whole collection is made up of bleak familial horror stories, so if you're not a fan of bleak horror or prefer to stay away from material about toxic/abusive families, you probably won't enjoy this one. The abusive dynamics in Indiana Death Song are not typical or brutal, but sad nonetheless.
For how creepy Indiana Death Song gets (there were a couple of lines that made my jaw drop), it also has heart. You can tell the story comes from a real place and you can't help but feel immense empathy for the protagonist. The author also writes with such a powerful sense of empathy, vulnerability, and self-compassion (while again, never losing out on the creepy factor) that by the end we feel like we've just been lucky enough to witness a profound and cathartic piece of art unfold.
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
slow-paced
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Thank you to BookSirens for providing a review copy.
Abnormal Statistics is one of the best short story collections I've read. Max Booth III really knows how to write about fucked up family dynamics.
Indiana Death Song ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You Are My Neighbor ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Blood Dust ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fish ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
In the Attic of the Universe ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Disintegration is Quite Painless ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Scraps ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Boy Takes After His Mother ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Every Breath is a Choice ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Munchausen ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Abduction (Reprise) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Video Nastie ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
List of Familicides in the United States (By Decade) ⭐⭐⭐.5
Abnormal Statistics is one of the best short story collections I've read. Max Booth III really knows how to write about fucked up family dynamics.
Indiana Death Song ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You Are My Neighbor ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Blood Dust ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fish ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
In the Attic of the Universe ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Disintegration is Quite Painless ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Scraps ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Boy Takes After His Mother ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Every Breath is a Choice ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Munchausen ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Abduction (Reprise) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Video Nastie ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
List of Familicides in the United States (By Decade) ⭐⭐⭐.5