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A review by roadtripreader
Dead Inside by Chandler Morrison
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I hate these characters - this book is horrifically excellent.
Did I really need to read this, to push my boundaries and get out (way way out) of my comfort zone? Probably not. Did I do it anyway? Hell yes? Do I regret it? Emphatically.
It made me wonder at 2am, which wire is glitching to produce a necrophiliac or a cannibal? Like nuerologically, can a doctor pinpoint the thing that's missing or blunted, underdeveloped, crisscrossed ... WHATEVER. Or is this just the depressing black abyss of humam psychiatric mysteries?
Worldbuilding Plot/Storyline/Themes:
I think what makes it uncomfortable (amongst other things) is that the narrator comes across as SANE even in his insanity. He seems almost *shudder* likeable, pardon me ad I throw up. You know, if it were a human craving sex with the undead in a fantasy setting, it would be erotic and practically normal. Instead, the Jimmy Savaillness of necrophilia is just too disgustingly realistic and could be happening right now somewhere on this rotten planet of ours that's home to all sorts of the depraved coexisting next to norms and "normality" and parading as common.
"I imagine her colder, paler. She could be almost perfect, if she wasn’t oozing all that spritely vitality. There is no greater tragedy than beauty needlessly wasted."
Character Development/Favorite Character:
Oh but do I have to look at the nuances of these characters? Whhhhhyyyyyy? I mean they have depth but I hate them so much and I hate that I feel like I can almost empathize not in a sympathy kind of way but understand that the chemistry of their brains is so fucked up they never stood a chance. I can't decide who I hate more, Helen or the guy. I do know who I fear more, it's Helen.
Scenes I hate the most::
●Helen in the abortion clinic with the narrator/necrophiliac/security guard watching.
Let's keep it all the way real - I hated all the scenes. They were so well written but my own conscience keeps reminding me that to love any of this treacherous book is self-condemnation. I would like to sleep at night. I hate Helen.
Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Quotes:
●"You can’t put a label on me. You wouldn’t want to". (PERSON HERE )
●"Her eyes twinkle a little, which repulses me; I wish they’d stay dead-looking. She should take some more pills." (On Helen Winchester)
●"Something has been set in motion. I don’t know what it is, or how I know it, but I am afraid." (On Helen Winchester )
Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Concepts:
That he's not a violent creature. Bullshit.
StoryGraph Challenge: 1800 Books by 2025
Challenge Prompt: 150 HORROR books by 2025
Did I really need to read this, to push my boundaries and get out (way way out) of my comfort zone? Probably not. Did I do it anyway? Hell yes? Do I regret it? Emphatically.
It made me wonder at 2am, which wire is glitching to produce a necrophiliac or a cannibal? Like nuerologically, can a doctor pinpoint the thing that's missing or blunted, underdeveloped, crisscrossed ... WHATEVER. Or is this just the depressing black abyss of humam psychiatric mysteries?
Worldbuilding Plot/Storyline/Themes:
I think what makes it uncomfortable (amongst other things) is that the narrator comes across as SANE even in his insanity. He seems almost *shudder* likeable, pardon me ad I throw up. You know, if it were a human craving sex with the undead in a fantasy setting, it would be erotic and practically normal. Instead, the Jimmy Savaillness of necrophilia is just too disgustingly realistic and could be happening right now somewhere on this rotten planet of ours that's home to all sorts of the depraved coexisting next to norms and "normality" and parading as common.
"I imagine her colder, paler. She could be almost perfect, if she wasn’t oozing all that spritely vitality. There is no greater tragedy than beauty needlessly wasted."
Character Development/Favorite Character:
Oh but do I have to look at the nuances of these characters? Whhhhhyyyyyy? I mean they have depth but I hate them so much and I hate that I feel like I can almost empathize not in a sympathy kind of way but understand that the chemistry of their brains is so fucked up they never stood a chance. I can't decide who I hate more, Helen or the guy. I do know who I fear more, it's Helen.
Scenes I hate the most::
●Helen in the abortion clinic with the narrator/necrophiliac/security guard watching.
Let's keep it all the way real - I hated all the scenes. They were so well written but my own conscience keeps reminding me that to love any of this treacherous book is self-condemnation. I would like to sleep at night. I hate Helen.
Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Quotes:
●"You can’t put a label on me. You wouldn’t want to". (PERSON HERE )
●"Her eyes twinkle a little, which repulses me; I wish they’d stay dead-looking. She should take some more pills." (On Helen Winchester)
●"Something has been set in motion. I don’t know what it is, or how I know it, but I am afraid." (On Helen Winchester )
Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Concepts:
That he's not a violent creature. Bullshit.
StoryGraph Challenge: 1800 Books by 2025
Challenge Prompt: 150 HORROR books by 2025