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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
This is not your typical horror book. It’s strangely refreshing just based on the fact that it does have supernatural themes, but is geared more towards the psychology of its characters. It wasn’t at all what I was expecting and I’m thankful for that.
The first story was a 4 star but unfortunately the second story was a 2 star for me
"The Sea Dreams It Is the Sky": 4
"My Heart Struck Sorrow": 5
"My Heart Struck Sorrow": 5
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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
Great stories of horror and madness.
The first story was great focusing on the South American dictatorship and the horrible things they did to all of those they opposed. There is a lot of torture which at times is calm by poetic verses still not for the squeamish type. Sadly the story finishes abruptly with no explanation.
The second one is why I gave this book a 4. The story follows from two perspective on in the present Cromwell, who works for the government in the folk music department who in a case to find out about the life of the war Hero Harlan Parker. From there is the other perspective since Harlan Parker was in a search of illusory song of ”Stagger Lee.” On that quest, we see the horror being described and some of the racial issues of Americans back the era. The maddening crescendo into an ending that will leave pensive and waiting for more.
The first story was great focusing on the South American dictatorship and the horrible things they did to all of those they opposed. There is a lot of torture which at times is calm by poetic verses still not for the squeamish type. Sadly the story finishes abruptly with no explanation.
The second one is why I gave this book a 4. The story follows from two perspective on in the present Cromwell, who works for the government in the folk music department who in a case to find out about the life of the war Hero Harlan Parker. From there is the other perspective since Harlan Parker was in a search of illusory song of ”Stagger Lee.” On that quest, we see the horror being described and some of the racial issues of Americans back the era. The maddening crescendo into an ending that will leave pensive and waiting for more.
Conceptually I really wanted to love these stories, and there are absolutely things to write home about about each of them -- but ultimately I was disappointed. Both stories have terrific setups, involving (respectively) expats from a South American dictatorship who must deal with a strange manuscript and the forces that seek it, and two Library of Congress researchers separated by a gulf of ~75 years as they both explore the recordings of folk music from the South. The cosmic horror potential is great! And both stories do have terrifying turns... that also somehow feel undercut by the prose around them. I was looking for Laird Barron and got something far short; alas.
Both these stories were amazing in different ways. They both had such life to them, darkness that you can really feel!
A 3.5, as I wasn't quite as interested in the second story as I was the first one. Atmospheric and creepy