Scan barcode
A review by deathmetalheron
Dead Inside by Chandler Morrison
challenging
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Not for the fainthearted, to put it lightly. The prose and approach to character is phenomenal. It goes without saying that the major themes of this book are cannibalism and necrophilia, and the author does not shy away from visceral descriptions of both acts.
This is my first splatterpunk book, and even though the majority of themes are met with revulsion the vast majority of character dynamics/situations negotitate with the severity in an appropriate matter, that is to say--appropriate for their subject manner. The protagonist is quite unlikable, and while there are dips in moments whereas you wonder whether the dislikability is intentional or just potentially reflective of an acidic actual personality of the author it mostly fits the story.
That is to be said, the most grotesque scene in this book (if you've read it, it's very obvious, the one about 2/3 to 3/4 through the book) is very clearly written to offend and due to its nature comes across more as shock jock tomfoolery than necessary revulsion. The last action taken in the scene by the characters is far too meta but for a book that is so meta-aware the text does nothing to indicate it understands that angle at this point in the story. As it stands, the concept of exploring humanity's dark psychological recesses is certainly possible but it will always reek of tryhardism if we simply rely on weak, ineffectual shock without any existential consequence.
This is my first splatterpunk book, and even though the majority of themes are met with revulsion the vast majority of character dynamics/situations negotitate with the severity in an appropriate matter, that is to say--appropriate for their subject manner. The protagonist is quite unlikable, and while there are dips in moments whereas you wonder whether the dislikability is intentional or just potentially reflective of an acidic actual personality of the author it mostly fits the story.
That is to be said, the most grotesque scene in this book (if you've read it, it's very obvious, the one about 2/3 to 3/4 through the book) is very clearly written to offend and due to its nature comes across more as shock jock tomfoolery than necessary revulsion. The last action taken in the scene by the characters is far too meta but for a book that is so meta-aware the text does nothing to indicate it understands that angle at this point in the story. As it stands, the concept of exploring humanity's dark psychological recesses is certainly possible but it will always reek of tryhardism if we simply rely on weak, ineffectual shock without any existential consequence.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Cannibalism, Body horror, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Death, Rape, and Blood
Moderate: Medical trauma, Medical content, and Murder
Minor: Infidelity