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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
First, I liked how both stories were multifaceted commentaries on larger socio-political issues. They were also well written. The first one in particular was good (though I'm not sure why the author invented a country instead of just using Chile), with strong character development. The second one was decent, though I thought it drew on a bit and didn't culminate into a point as well as I would have liked. That said, I enjoyed these two pieces, which I'd describe as a cross between horror and magical realism.
Thanks to the publisher and Goodreads giveaways for a free ARC.
Thanks to the publisher and Goodreads giveaways for a free ARC.
Very subpar and boring.
Borror - adjective
bor-ror also bôrər
: the genre used to describe a horror book that is actually super boring.
Used in a sentence: This was so borror.
Borror - adjective
bor-ror also bôrər
: the genre used to describe a horror book that is actually super boring.
Used in a sentence: This was so borror.
*3.5
The second story is really the star of this show.
The second story is really the star of this show.
I don’t really get the format of this book. It’s two unconnected novellas/novels (one previously in print) sold as a single edition with a new name. It’s not entirely unprecedented, though it’s usually done with long out of print reissues. But, clearly the publisher knew what they were doing because it got on shelves and in my grubby little grippers.
The disadvantage to this format is that it’s hard not to directly compare the two after finishing it. I deeply loved the opening novella, The Sea Dreams It Is the Sky, and I think the short novel, My Heart Struck Sorrow, suffered by contrast based on how much I adored the opener. The reality is that I think they are both bangers.
The Sea Dreams it is the Sky follows an expat from a fictional South American country whose history mirrors the horrors of Pinochet’s Chile, only more of a supernatural affair. As an adjunct professor in Spain, she befriends a notorious poet from her country and ends up tending to his estate. His journals and poetry reveal his history and she is compelled to return.
My Heart Struck Sorrow features another research story where a folk music librarian from the library of congress discovers old acetate records and a journal of an earlier government researcher who is obsessed with a secret mystical origin of the folk song Stagger Lee. Things get wild and cosmic in the past and the present day researcher looks to participate. This is a solid slow burner, and I love how it played out.
Jacobs vibe is poetic, and taps into a deep seated longing. There are so many moments in these pieces where I was struck by just how beautiful the writing was.
Honestly, I can’t recommend this enough for people who love personal soft cosmic horror.
The disadvantage to this format is that it’s hard not to directly compare the two after finishing it. I deeply loved the opening novella, The Sea Dreams It Is the Sky, and I think the short novel, My Heart Struck Sorrow, suffered by contrast based on how much I adored the opener. The reality is that I think they are both bangers.
The Sea Dreams it is the Sky follows an expat from a fictional South American country whose history mirrors the horrors of Pinochet’s Chile, only more of a supernatural affair. As an adjunct professor in Spain, she befriends a notorious poet from her country and ends up tending to his estate. His journals and poetry reveal his history and she is compelled to return.
My Heart Struck Sorrow features another research story where a folk music librarian from the library of congress discovers old acetate records and a journal of an earlier government researcher who is obsessed with a secret mystical origin of the folk song Stagger Lee. Things get wild and cosmic in the past and the present day researcher looks to participate. This is a solid slow burner, and I love how it played out.
Jacobs vibe is poetic, and taps into a deep seated longing. There are so many moments in these pieces where I was struck by just how beautiful the writing was.
Honestly, I can’t recommend this enough for people who love personal soft cosmic horror.
“The only devils are men.”
How fitting to have picked up a double feature pleaser so relative to these trying times: a cosmic horror novella revolving around a fascist political regime silencing educated creatives, and a doomed white savior cautionary tale buried deep, deep in the dirt, of Appalachian blues history. Jacobs exhibits obvious “research to fiction” skill, winding real life history and folklore with modern accessibility and prose. Two compelling stories, a miasma of despair and darkness within each, different enough from each other but the reliable and overarching themes make the pair understandable. Because of specific interests, I was more drawn towards the second story, but the two operate as a couple of “Charlie’s Angels”: back to back and real pretty.
4/5 In my humble opinion, we, collectively, should just start leaving women in the woods alone.
How fitting to have picked up a double feature pleaser so relative to these trying times: a cosmic horror novella revolving around a fascist political regime silencing educated creatives, and a doomed white savior cautionary tale buried deep, deep in the dirt, of Appalachian blues history. Jacobs exhibits obvious “research to fiction” skill, winding real life history and folklore with modern accessibility and prose. Two compelling stories, a miasma of despair and darkness within each, different enough from each other but the reliable and overarching themes make the pair understandable. Because of specific interests, I was more drawn towards the second story, but the two operate as a couple of “Charlie’s Angels”: back to back and real pretty.
4/5 In my humble opinion, we, collectively, should just start leaving women in the woods alone.
Only read the first novella The Sea Dreams it is the Sky. Enjoyed it but had to return it to the library.
If you like Clive Barker, Stephen King, HP Lovecraft, or Laird Barron, you'll love this book! It's not one but TWO novella-length horror tales that are brilliant, original, and horrifying. Enjoy!
This was on every list for horror reads in 2020, I was super stoked
Y'all... no.
This was very slow, long winded and gross. This happened with Wounds actually you will be getting a similar review.
When did we decide that gross equals horror ? It does not.
meh.
Y'all... no.
This was very slow, long winded and gross. This happened with Wounds actually you will be getting a similar review.
When did we decide that gross equals horror ? It does not.
meh.
dark
mysterious
sad
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
The first novella is incredible. The second has high points and then drags, especially towards the end.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes