A review by madarauchiha
Last Days by Brian Evenson

dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

✨🌠 my about / byf / CW info carrd: uchiha-madara 🌠✨

β–ͺ How do you know the moment when you cease to be human? Is it the moment when you decide to carry a head before you by its hair, extended before you like a lantern, as if you are Diogenes in search of one just man? Or is it the moment where reality, previously a smooth surface one slides one’s way along, begins to come in waves, for a moment altogether too much and then utterly absent?
Or is it the moment when you begin opening doors, showing each man behind each door the head of his spiritual leader before killing him with the cleaver tucked into your belt?
Or is it the moment when all these dead begin to talk to you in a dull, rumbling murmur? Or is it the moment when these same voices suddenly fade away and stop talking altogether, leaving you utterly alone?

There's a conversation to be had about using disabled bodies in horror specifically because oh no, they're not '''normal''' human body peoples?!?! what hte?!?!??eleven!!?! This book has a lot of that. I don't think I have the experience or tact to really delve into it. 

It's not a horror novel, per se, despite the marketing. It's a noir mystery with religious cult horror. Don't expect cosmic horror, paranormal or supernatural horror.

The noir is present and quite clinical at times. Almost dry, but I'll chalk that up to me not liking noir [or gothic] genre at all.

Was this scary? I guess? It's scary in a gorey way. The disabled bodies were presented as horrifying and I don't think that's kind or respectful of people who are disabled or disfigured. Whether or not the author intended it, there's inescapable ableism present in the book. It was competently written and coherent, in the least.

minor vomit, 

major alcohol, amputation, arson, demolition, injuries, fire, gore, gun violence, kidnapping, medical abuse, murder, police brutality, self harm, sexual content, stalking?, torture, violence

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