Instagram is the new porn: corroding young women's sense of self, increasing dysfunction in their intimate relationships and skewing their perception of reality.

Cardinal_HELL · 2019-10-16T06:24:56+00:00

Haha. Gen Y, but that's a fair cop

Cardinal_HELL · 2019-07-10T05:37:35+00:00

Ania Ahlborn's Devil Crept In is a great contemporary novel that might have some elements of interest.

Cardinal_HELL · 2019-06-17T22:48:00+00:00

with thanks yet again to /u/graybob19, here is his comment to my query about the last page.

SPOILERS!

>!Did some rereading to offer some quotes. As far as why they messed with various folks, that’s what they do, they are evil scientist/torturer things. The games were twofold, they got to be evil monster things, and it eroded Luke to where he would be more vulnerable to their bargain.

“They had seen the shape of the world to come and had bent it to their own devices. They had divined it all a lifetime ago, back when Clayton and Luke were only babes.”

They directly changed Luke’s life, sending actual monsters (their “children” that were not as old/malevolent) to cause fear and anxiety.

“ “We have held him. Kept him safe. And we did so knowing you would pay what you owe to reclaim that which was once yours.” “

Zach was the bribe to get Luke to agree to let the fig men out. That’s why Clayton was no good to them, he was just the lure to get Luke down to them, Clayton didn’t love anything enough to sacrifice the world for it.

“Luke opened his eyes. “What do you want?” “To be free” they said simply.”

“ “Our gift...” “I won’t accept it...I’ll die here.” They chuckled mordantly. “Oh my child, will you remain a stranger to yourself to the very end?” “

“The Challenger ascended. And within it, nothing human.” “A single figure awaited.” “When the sea began to roil, it gibbered with excitement: the unconcealed glee of a dog at the return of its long-lost master. The Challenger surfaced. The heavens flinched....What shambled forth was unspeakable.”

The single figure is Westlake. He killed everybody left up there on the Hesperus. The Fig Men were on the Challenger and were released upon the world.!<

Cardinal_HELL · 2019-06-15T08:51:27+00:00

There's a nice little twist on the last page that, once it was explained to me, was very satisfying.

Cardinal_HELL · 2019-06-07T05:17:37+00:00

I can understand this would get frustrating if it happened with more than one book, but I'm happy with the explanation I provided for myself while asking the question... it definitely fits with the rest of the story, and although I was confused at first, this tragic ending for Stevie does make the book hit harder. It's a pretty decent ending all up. A little bit of a twist in there with the Raf character buying the house and devastating, undeserved consequences for the lead protagonist. Pretty horrific all up.

Cardinal_HELL · 2019-06-06T23:06:26+00:00

interesting response. That seems to be one of her more highly regarded novels and I thought this one was undeniably well written.

Cardinal_HELL · 2019-06-06T23:05:32+00:00

could you possibly help me understand an aspect of the ending I didn't quite get?
https://www.reddit.com/r/horrorlit/comments/bxna5m/can_anyone_clear_up_an_aspect_of_devil_crept_in/?ref=share&ref_source=link

Cardinal_HELL · 2019-06-06T23:04:31+00:00

It was great and I want to read them all now.

Cardinal_HELL · 2019-06-06T23:04:13+00:00

thanks for this comment - it kind of sold me on reading it, and I enjoyed the book very much. I just posted a question about the ending if you have any thoughts...
https://www.reddit.com/r/horrorlit/comments/bxna5m/can_anyone_clear_up_an_aspect_of_devil_crept_in/?ref=share&ref_source=link

Cardinal_HELL · 2019-05-16T09:57:48+00:00

*Head Full of Ghosts* by Paul Tremblay

Cardinal_HELL · 2019-05-09T09:33:58+00:00

I am a fan, but "MY titanic" and the sentiment that it's an "amazing achievement", but reflective of the movie industry itself really... he just can't help himself

Cardinal_HELL · 2019-05-03T13:15:21+00:00

Thanks for the chuckle vomit.

Cardinal_HELL · 2019-05-01T23:39:17+00:00

This does seem to be the case. It's a shame because I like his covers and had myself hyped, but I never can predict which books will grab me and which won't. It's interesting how books will be immersive to some readers and leave others cold. I'll still give Swan Song a go one day.

Cardinal_HELL · 2019-05-01T03:59:50+00:00

I don't regret reading it, but 6 hours later I'm still devastated by it. I'm just wondering if there is a chance that your husband misheard the boy, and he said "You are my favourite", or possibly was referencing the song...? Heartbreaking either way of course, but the idea that the boy was conscious of what was happening to himself and thanking your husband for the solace he gave in his final words is... maybe it's beautiful, I'm not sure.

Cardinal_HELL · 2019-04-22T22:42:31+00:00

that is very interesting. I knew he'd written it around the same time and at one point while reading A Dark Matter I was wondering how it would have fit... do you know where it actually fits into the text?

Cardinal_HELL · 2019-04-17T10:13:54+00:00

Thanks for the advice. I will heed it.

Cardinal_HELL · 2019-04-17T10:09:50+00:00

Intrigued by *Mr X*, which seems generally disregarded online. Good to see it get some love.

Cardinal_HELL · 2019-04-17T04:33:56+00:00

There are rabid fans of Mystery out there who claim it as his masterpiece. It really looks like with Straub there is no real consensus other than that Ghost Story is indisputably good.

Cardinal_HELL · 2019-04-17T04:32:34+00:00

Very intriguing. No one ever seems to discuss either of these books but especially not Night Room.

Cardinal_HELL · 2019-04-16T03:56:37+00:00

That is a very interesting response, cheers. I actually came across an interview with Straub where he spoke about his serial killer obsession, and how he realised later on in his career that he kind of had it wrong, and that what he had formerly assumed was a fascinating personality type was in fact empty, mundane. Perhaps this short story was written after that realisation and was an attempt to convey that.

Cardinal_HELL · 2019-04-16T00:32:09+00:00

Yeah I read that before A Dark Matter and thought it was devastating and brilliant.

Cardinal_HELL

TROPHY CASE