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4.2?
I have no descriptor for this book other than dreamy and elegant horror.
The macabre elements were a slow build.
Initially, with the story about the mother who lost her child and all, it reminded me of the cozy atmosphere and emotion I felt that a book like "Before the Coffee Gets Cold" was trying to achieve (albeit a little unsuccessfully hehe). But soon enough things get stranger and creepier. And the throughline of motifs and the interconnectedness of the short stories gives you an uncomfortable sense of deja vu, like you're wandering from one strange nightmare to another. And the characters are written in such a barebones manner that reading from their pov feels as easy as slipping on a slipper. Usually I wouldn't be a fan of that but here it just works because of the atmosphere it tries to create, of magical realism almost.
And as always I love turns of phrasing that gets creatively creepy while staying beautiful.
I think my favourite short story from in there was "Sewing of the Heart". It gave me similar inexplicable feelings as the short story "Exhalation" by Ted Chiang.
Also, the way we linger in the everyday, the mundane and live so presently in the moment reminds me of the concept of "ma" in Miyazaki films.
And I thought it was interesting and so so good a technique to make use of in horror as well. The space for breathing instead of loading horrible events one after the other with such abandon. So you can revel in the anticipation that comes before the inevitable action.
Also LOL one of the nail removal torture devices reminded me fondly of Higurashi. Great horror anime btw. A lot of the atmosphere and relationship writing between older figures and younger kids in this also reminded me of Kuzhali Manickavel's style.
I read this while I was half asleep so I don't remember much more in terms of detail but I liked it!! I usually like books with just a little more going in terms of plot and making sense but sometimes u just gotta show up for some excellent vibes.
I also got a little sad that I hadn't read much in the last two months but then I realized that I actually did read a shitton of books in like a week in september for work that I don't really feel like logging on goodreads even though i really enjoyed a lot of them. So hey. There's that.
I have no descriptor for this book other than dreamy and elegant horror.
The macabre elements were a slow build.
Initially, with the story about the mother who lost her child and all, it reminded me of the cozy atmosphere and emotion I felt that a book like "Before the Coffee Gets Cold" was trying to achieve (albeit a little unsuccessfully hehe). But soon enough things get stranger and creepier. And the throughline of motifs and the interconnectedness of the short stories gives you an uncomfortable sense of deja vu, like you're wandering from one strange nightmare to another. And the characters are written in such a barebones manner that reading from their pov feels as easy as slipping on a slipper. Usually I wouldn't be a fan of that but here it just works because of the atmosphere it tries to create, of magical realism almost.
And as always I love turns of phrasing that gets creatively creepy while staying beautiful.
Maybe he’s even put the endoscope down her throat. Bet she looks as good inside as out—warm, red, inviting, all those little wrinkles tempting you deeper and deeper …
I think my favourite short story from in there was "Sewing of the Heart". It gave me similar inexplicable feelings as the short story "Exhalation" by Ted Chiang.
Also, the way we linger in the everyday, the mundane and live so presently in the moment reminds me of the concept of "ma" in Miyazaki films.
...a moment that Miyazaki refers to as "ma," meaning emptiness in Japanese. In one of his interviews, Miyazaki describes it as the time between a clap, explaining: "If you just have nonstop action with no breathing space at all, it's just busyness. But if you take a moment, then the tension building in the film can grow into a wider dimension."
And I thought it was interesting and so so good a technique to make use of in horror as well. The space for breathing instead of loading horrible events one after the other with such abandon. So you can revel in the anticipation that comes before the inevitable action.
Also LOL one of the nail removal torture devices reminded me fondly of Higurashi. Great horror anime btw. A lot of the atmosphere and relationship writing between older figures and younger kids in this also reminded me of Kuzhali Manickavel's style.
I read this while I was half asleep so I don't remember much more in terms of detail but I liked it!! I usually like books with just a little more going in terms of plot and making sense but sometimes u just gotta show up for some excellent vibes.
I also got a little sad that I hadn't read much in the last two months but then I realized that I actually did read a shitton of books in like a week in september for work that I don't really feel like logging on goodreads even though i really enjoyed a lot of them. So hey. There's that.