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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
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Am seeing this sobering book with two novellas listed as horror and gothic fiction, but perhaps a more accurate definition might be 'chilling stories' that are a work of literature.
The first story of political coups does include horror, but it is the all too real horror of war and interrogation techniques. No doubt it will leave a sense of unease. Author uses the tragic loss of eyesight as a motif of symbolic significance. He also identifies the roles of art and literature as voices of protest.
The second story, set in the American South, reveals again how awfully African Americans have been treated in this country. Most Americans are likely to be more familiar with the issues of slavery and also the 1960s onward. That period between 1900-1950s though is not as often written about or discussed. Because I read an award-winning nonfiction book on this subject recently, it is clear the author did his research. This also highlighted the valuable roles of librarians and archiving. The focus on musicology and why history must be documented is laudatory. This story could be labeled as psychological horror as the main character grapples with issues of death.
Both stories start in contemporary times and then dip back into recent history. It is almost like the current characters are being led to learn about and understand the transgressions of the past very gradually. This slow unveiling of evils creates the tension.
This is masterful writing. While this is not my favorite type of book to read, this is truly excellent.
The first story of political coups does include horror, but it is the all too real horror of war and interrogation techniques. No doubt it will leave a sense of unease. Author uses the tragic loss of eyesight as a motif of symbolic significance. He also identifies the roles of art and literature as voices of protest.
The second story, set in the American South, reveals again how awfully African Americans have been treated in this country. Most Americans are likely to be more familiar with the issues of slavery and also the 1960s onward. That period between 1900-1950s though is not as often written about or discussed. Because I read an award-winning nonfiction book on this subject recently, it is clear the author did his research. This also highlighted the valuable roles of librarians and archiving. The focus on musicology and why history must be documented is laudatory. This story could be labeled as psychological horror as the main character grapples with issues of death.
Both stories start in contemporary times and then dip back into recent history. It is almost like the current characters are being led to learn about and understand the transgressions of the past very gradually. This slow unveiling of evils creates the tension.
This is masterful writing. While this is not my favorite type of book to read, this is truly excellent.
Although I would say this book isn’t quite the “cosmic horror” it is advertised at, its two stories are very good. The Sea dreams it is the Sky hints in its first parts more of Borges or Garcia Marquez than of Lovecraft (although it falters towards the end with some out of place action sequences), and imagines links between the tortuous regimes of Latin America and evil presences in other worlds. My Heart Struck Sorrow and its pursuit of the dark origins of the folk song Stagger Lee is mesmerizing and incredibly well written.
And the audio book version has some of the best narrators I’ve heard in a long time. A pleasure to listen to.
And the audio book version has some of the best narrators I’ve heard in a long time. A pleasure to listen to.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Murder
Moderate: Racial slurs
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
The two stories are enjoyable if confusing in parts. Well written and plotted.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
Overall, some well written existential horror. While I wish the parameters of the horror had been more defined, the overall universe was so absorptive.