A review by plagued_by_visions
Peel Back and See by Mike Thorn

4.0

Mike Thorn’s Peel Back and See was an excellent short story collection. It really hit those crucial points of cohesion and bountiful surprises that I look for in every collection, along with a captivating backdrop of emotional depth that shrouded everything in a bleak texture of grief and ennui. This definitely feels more mean-spirited and darker than Darkest Hours (I guess these are the darkest, darkest hours), and I really enjoyed the confessional tones to some of the stories, paired with horrid pessimism. The theme of emotional heft becoming a physical calamity was prevalent, and one which explored totally unique depictions of viscerae and body horror that were ravishing and arresting. I am really, really excited to see what else Mr. Thorn will bring us in the future.