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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The two novellas contained in this book seen like something I'd have read in class when I got my bachelor's in English (which is not a knock), fascinating but not something I'd have sought out. It was recommended to me based on my love of a podcast, Old Gods of Appalachia, and I understand why. It's heavy prose, and I stopped many times to look things up (a few definitions and songs)
If I wanted I could write essays about this book, dozens of them, but I'm not sure I have the energy to swim these waters enough to do so. I was fascinated but the book weighed on me, just the same. I'm not as interested in being dragged down as Parker and Cromwell are though, so it's unlikely I'll return to this title. I'll keep an eye out for more from this author though
If I wanted I could write essays about this book, dozens of them, but I'm not sure I have the energy to swim these waters enough to do so. I was fascinated but the book weighed on me, just the same. I'm not as interested in being dragged down as Parker and Cromwell are though, so it's unlikely I'll return to this title. I'll keep an eye out for more from this author though
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Child death, Death, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Torture, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'll lead into this one with this: The prose is both diverse and enlightening. Each character maintains a distinctive tone and mastery of voice such that it was easy to tell them apart and entertaining to switch between perspectives. The second story is stronger than the first. Many shining moments of description and metaphor both can be found abundantly in "My Heart Struck Sorrow." Obviously the plot, premise, and prose were enough that I was able to finish the book. It's more literary and speculative than horror.
I find, however, that my praise falls short of my criticisms for these novellas.
On the first story: The main character was rather uncompelling for most of her screen time, which only exacerbates the problem of pacing, which I will get to later. Her counterpart is much more compelling, and I found myself eager to read from his perspective only to have to drag myself through Isabel's sections. However, once the action began in earnest, I began to appreciate her perspective-- even thoroughly engaging myself in her narrative-- which is frustrating because it was so damned short! Though her agency was never in question, to see our dour academic in action was enthralling-- only for it to fizzle out like a firework that's been pissed on, leaving the reader with only questions. It was extremely unfulfilling. The magic in play was both vaguely described and utterly predictable. The truth of the situation felt poorly explained, poorly resolved, and hurried along.
The pacing is atrocious, if that wasn't made evident by my myriad complaints. It felt like riding a bike-- took a while to get to a good clip, but once we were at speed, it kept the pace well enough. Well, until it hit a rock, flung the reader off the seat, and then decided they had reached their destination.
Overall-- this could have easily been another 50 pages. Maybe 100. It felt like an aborted concept, something tacked on to the second story to justify the wordcount. Read it for some interesting narrative on imperialism and colonialism, but don't expect to stay long.
On the second story: A nebulous premise that somehow managed to hook me. I have to admit, I got more and more into this story the longer I read it, so that I was finishing 50 pages at a time by the end. The prose and voice, especially of Harlan's sections, were phenomenal. I really felt like I was following along a journey to uncover some greater truth.
My biggest complaint: The primary modern-day character, Cromwell, is both annoying and a horndog. There was WAY too much gratuitous, edgy sex imagery here, from the feverish sore-covered pr*ck being emphasized for nearly no reason to the excessive commentary on a characters genitals from the perspective of a girl observing him to the repeated attempts at the main character to get off and his lamentations about his sex life or the fantasies he endures. It's gross. The ending felt a bit more earned, but came to a quick and unsatisfying halt in a similar way-- the bike might not have throw off the rider, but it put out it's kickstand early and requested you depart on your own terms.
I felt like Cromwell had more potential as a character that was squandered in making him horny, and that's really one of my biggest complaints. He just plain sucked. His whole angst felt like it boiled down to sex. It rarely feels contributory. I can really tell this was written by a man, and I say that with as much contempt as I can muster (as a man myself, albeit one that is not straight). Tangentially, I really resent the drive to justify literary fiction with sexual fixation. I wish we could move past this roadblock.
All in all, I got my $7 out of this book. (On sale, mind). I probably would have been sorely put-out if I paid over $20 for it. I don't think I will read it again, although I imagine a handful of people who might enjoy reading it even within my own circle. It's fine. I've had better, but I've had much worse, too.
I find, however, that my praise falls short of my criticisms for these novellas.
On the first story: The main character was rather uncompelling for most of her screen time, which only exacerbates the problem of pacing, which I will get to later. Her counterpart is much more compelling, and I found myself eager to read from his perspective only to have to drag myself through Isabel's sections. However, once the action began in earnest, I began to appreciate her perspective-- even thoroughly engaging myself in her narrative-- which is frustrating because it was so damned short! Though her agency was never in question, to see our dour academic in action was enthralling-- only for it to fizzle out like a firework that's been pissed on, leaving the reader with only questions. It was extremely unfulfilling. The magic in play was both vaguely described and utterly predictable. The truth of the situation felt poorly explained, poorly resolved, and hurried along.
The pacing is atrocious, if that wasn't made evident by my myriad complaints. It felt like riding a bike-- took a while to get to a good clip, but once we were at speed, it kept the pace well enough. Well, until it hit a rock, flung the reader off the seat, and then decided they had reached their destination.
Overall-- this could have easily been another 50 pages. Maybe 100. It felt like an aborted concept, something tacked on to the second story to justify the wordcount. Read it for some interesting narrative on imperialism and colonialism, but don't expect to stay long.
On the second story: A nebulous premise that somehow managed to hook me. I have to admit, I got more and more into this story the longer I read it, so that I was finishing 50 pages at a time by the end. The prose and voice, especially of Harlan's sections, were phenomenal. I really felt like I was following along a journey to uncover some greater truth.
My biggest complaint: The primary modern-day character, Cromwell, is both annoying and a horndog. There was WAY too much gratuitous, edgy sex imagery here, from the feverish sore-covered pr*ck being emphasized for nearly no reason to the excessive commentary on a characters genitals from the perspective of a girl observing him to the repeated attempts at the main character to get off and his lamentations about his sex life or the fantasies he endures. It's gross. The ending felt a bit more earned, but came to a quick and unsatisfying halt in a similar way-- the bike might not have throw off the rider, but it put out it's kickstand early and requested you depart on your own terms.
I felt like Cromwell had more potential as a character that was squandered in making him horny, and that's really one of my biggest complaints. He just plain sucked. His whole angst felt like it boiled down to sex. It rarely feels contributory. I can really tell this was written by a man, and I say that with as much contempt as I can muster (as a man myself, albeit one that is not straight). Tangentially, I really resent the drive to justify literary fiction with sexual fixation. I wish we could move past this roadblock.
All in all, I got my $7 out of this book. (On sale, mind). I probably would have been sorely put-out if I paid over $20 for it. I don't think I will read it again, although I imagine a handful of people who might enjoy reading it even within my own circle. It's fine. I've had better, but I've had much worse, too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Torture, Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Pregnancy
challenging
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book comprises two novellas, one vastly superior to the other. The first is a brilliant exploration of the existential horror that totalitarianism and torture inflicts not just on the soul of a victim but on the soul of a people. The second is the story of a guilty widower coming to terms with his own infidelities as his academic work reveals dark truths of the cosmos.
Unfortunately both suffer from a common weakness of the "cosmic horror" genre - the caterwauling fragility of masculine self-confidence. The first tale, The Sea Dreams it is the Sky, confronts that cacophony with much more grace by having an educated woman analyze the narcissist poet who inadvertently drags her into a world of darkness and rage. The second almost immediately begins drowning itself in a sea of sexually self-indulgent pity that I almost couldn't finish.
In short - the prose was beautiful and the language haunting, but I am sick to death of hypermasculine academics narrated by with vocal chords mad of gravel self-actualizing in the face of existential monsters they only had to face because they couldn't be bothered to control their dicks when it counted. Seriously. Guys. Come on.
Unfortunately both suffer from a common weakness of the "cosmic horror" genre - the caterwauling fragility of masculine self-confidence. The first tale, The Sea Dreams it is the Sky, confronts that cacophony with much more grace by having an educated woman analyze the narcissist poet who inadvertently drags her into a world of darkness and rage. The second almost immediately begins drowning itself in a sea of sexually self-indulgent pity that I almost couldn't finish.
In short - the prose was beautiful and the language haunting, but I am sick to death of hypermasculine academics narrated by with vocal chords mad of gravel self-actualizing in the face of existential monsters they only had to face because they couldn't be bothered to control their dicks when it counted. Seriously. Guys. Come on.
The Sea Dreams It Is The Sky: 3,5 Sterne
My Heart Struck Sorrow: 4 Sterne
Ich bin rein zufällig auf das Buch gestoßen und kannte den Autor zuvor gar nicht, bin aber froh um die Entdeckung.
Es ist eines dieser Bücher bei dem ich beim Lesen alles um mich herum vergaß, was generell ein gutes Zeichen ist. Vor allem die zweite Geschichte hat es mir angetan.
In beiden geht es um den Abstieg von Menschen in den Wahnsinn, hervorgerufen von einem undefinierbaren Grauen, das langsam an die Oberfläche kommt, immer unterstützt durch eigene Taten und negative Gefühle.
Die erste Novelle bleibt da relativ klassisch, ein unheimliches altes Manuskript und ein kauziger Autor, der am Versuch, es zu übersetzen, scheitert. Protagonistin ist aber eine junge Professorin, die seine Arbeit übernimmt und selbst in diesen Strudel gerät. Außer dem interessanten Setting (Fiktive südamerikanische Diktatur) hatte die Geschichte aber nicht so viel Neues zu bieten und hatte ihre Längen, daher nur 3,5 Sterne.
Triggerwarnung: Detaillierte Beschreibung von physischer und psychischer Folter
Die zweite Gechichte konnte mich dann schon mehr fesseln. Die Verbindung von amerikanischen traditionellen Folksongs mit elementen kosmischen Horrors war für mich etwas Neues und interessant zu lesen. Hier ist auf jeden Fall einiges an Recherche eingeflossen, wie man an detailreichen Beschreibungen erkennen kann. Der Autor schafft es zudem ausgezeichnet, die Lebenswelt der späten 1930er zum Leben zu erwecken und fokussiert sich dabei besonders auf die Unterdrückung und Diskriminierung der schwarzen Bevölkerung. Diese Geschichte hatte wesentlich mehr Horrorelemente als die erste, braucht aber eine Weile, um in die Gänge zu kommen. Daher 4 Sterne.
Trigger Warnungen: Rassismus, Beschreibung von sexuellen Handlungen
Zum Schluss möchte ich noch besonders hervorheben, dass der Autor es schafft, mit wenigen Sätzen und Beschreibungen interessante weibliche Charaktere zu schaffen. Selbst die, die nur kurz auftreten haben eine Persönlichkeit, die sich allein schon durch ihre Art zu sprechen ausdrückt, und sind nicht nur dekorative Pappaufsteller. Die Geschichte hat zwar sexuelle Komponenten, diese sind aber Teil des "Horrors" und dienen nicht dazu, weibliche Figuren abzuwerten. Das ist keine Selbstverständlichkeit, daher sei dies extra erwähnt.
Fazit: Empfehlenswert und inspirierend, wenn man die Geduld hat, Geschichten ein wenig Zeit zu geben, bis sie ihr Potenzial entfalten
My Heart Struck Sorrow: 4 Sterne
Ich bin rein zufällig auf das Buch gestoßen und kannte den Autor zuvor gar nicht, bin aber froh um die Entdeckung.
Es ist eines dieser Bücher bei dem ich beim Lesen alles um mich herum vergaß, was generell ein gutes Zeichen ist. Vor allem die zweite Geschichte hat es mir angetan.
In beiden geht es um den Abstieg von Menschen in den Wahnsinn, hervorgerufen von einem undefinierbaren Grauen, das langsam an die Oberfläche kommt, immer unterstützt durch eigene Taten und negative Gefühle.
Die erste Novelle bleibt da relativ klassisch, ein unheimliches altes Manuskript und ein kauziger Autor, der am Versuch, es zu übersetzen, scheitert. Protagonistin ist aber eine junge Professorin, die seine Arbeit übernimmt und selbst in diesen Strudel gerät. Außer dem interessanten Setting (Fiktive südamerikanische Diktatur) hatte die Geschichte aber nicht so viel Neues zu bieten und hatte ihre Längen, daher nur 3,5 Sterne.
Triggerwarnung: Detaillierte Beschreibung von physischer und psychischer Folter
Die zweite Gechichte konnte mich dann schon mehr fesseln. Die Verbindung von amerikanischen traditionellen Folksongs mit elementen kosmischen Horrors war für mich etwas Neues und interessant zu lesen. Hier ist auf jeden Fall einiges an Recherche eingeflossen, wie man an detailreichen Beschreibungen erkennen kann. Der Autor schafft es zudem ausgezeichnet, die Lebenswelt der späten 1930er zum Leben zu erwecken und fokussiert sich dabei besonders auf die Unterdrückung und Diskriminierung der schwarzen Bevölkerung. Diese Geschichte hatte wesentlich mehr Horrorelemente als die erste, braucht aber eine Weile, um in die Gänge zu kommen. Daher 4 Sterne.
Trigger Warnungen: Rassismus, Beschreibung von sexuellen Handlungen
Zum Schluss möchte ich noch besonders hervorheben, dass der Autor es schafft, mit wenigen Sätzen und Beschreibungen interessante weibliche Charaktere zu schaffen. Selbst die, die nur kurz auftreten haben eine Persönlichkeit, die sich allein schon durch ihre Art zu sprechen ausdrückt, und sind nicht nur dekorative Pappaufsteller. Die Geschichte hat zwar sexuelle Komponenten, diese sind aber Teil des "Horrors" und dienen nicht dazu, weibliche Figuren abzuwerten. Das ist keine Selbstverständlichkeit, daher sei dies extra erwähnt.
Fazit: Empfehlenswert und inspirierend, wenn man die Geduld hat, Geschichten ein wenig Zeit zu geben, bis sie ihr Potenzial entfalten
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved these two stories, it was such a really great read and the right kind of creepy.