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A review by biblizo
The Dangers of Smoking in Bed by Mariana Enríquez
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
NB: I was gifted a copy of this book for review from the publisher, Random House Publishing, via NetGalley. All the thoughts below are my own.
This collection called my name. I love horror writing, and I love short story collections. Enriquez delivered with a collection of dark and mysterious fiction.
It's certainly possible that many North American readers might discount this collection as "not scary enough" due to the ways in which we are desensitized to overt gore and crashing scores in horror films. However, this collection is, in all the best ways, deeply scary. It isn't overt, but rather so subtle. There are stories that end so abruptly that one is left to question what really happened, and it is in that reflection that the stories haunt you.
This was a quick read, and a beautiful piece of translated work. I can't imagine that any of the original artistry was lost in this translation to English, and if it was, what a gift to native speakers to be able to enjoy this book in its original form.
CW for this book include sexual assault, drug addiction, suicide, cannibalism, and transphobia.
This collection called my name. I love horror writing, and I love short story collections. Enriquez delivered with a collection of dark and mysterious fiction.
It's certainly possible that many North American readers might discount this collection as "not scary enough" due to the ways in which we are desensitized to overt gore and crashing scores in horror films. However, this collection is, in all the best ways, deeply scary. It isn't overt, but rather so subtle. There are stories that end so abruptly that one is left to question what really happened, and it is in that reflection that the stories haunt you.
This was a quick read, and a beautiful piece of translated work. I can't imagine that any of the original artistry was lost in this translation to English, and if it was, what a gift to native speakers to be able to enjoy this book in its original form.
CW for this book include sexual assault, drug addiction, suicide, cannibalism, and transphobia.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Blood, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Gore, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, Incest, Kidnapping, and Pedophilia
Minor: Transphobia