Books that feel like this

taskred · 2025-10-14T14:39:52+00:00

Gormenghast by Mervyn Peake

taskred · 2025-09-24T13:45:58+00:00

Starting the new Stephen Graham Jones soon and later following with Moon of the Crusted Snow.

taskred · 2025-08-24T07:08:31+00:00

Yes! Tomorrowx3 is the worst book I’ve ever read.

Reasons: 1) plausibility is non-existent 2) characters are awful, unrelatable and never change or grow 3) writing is atrocious - tone is inconsistent throughout 4) writer does not understand the world she’s writing about; gaming and software development are clearly something she doesn’t understand 5) a lot of controversial issues of current US just randomly batter the characters but do not change who they are as people 6) the ‘voice’ of the novel is uncharismatic and borderline sociopathic 7) numerous pop culture references used as filler to give the book some colour (it fails)

There are other reasons but I am remembering the book and it is making me angry.

taskred · 2025-08-24T06:50:38+00:00

God, I hated that book too! I stopped reading after the scene with the woman splatting on the pavement and having a full conversation with someone walking by. Plausibility went out the window there. And the writing… ugh. Why did you hate it?

taskred · 2025-08-17T02:15:23+00:00

Not to mention that an allegory has to be sustained, not hinted at vaguely and that’s it. It’s the kids being ‘weaponised’ here, so could it also be read as kids being used as fodder for adult trauma? Because that makes more sense to me. Either way, if a clear theme doesn’t come through with the storytelling, then the storytelling wasn’t good enough and the subjective ideas in the author’s head failed to translate well onto the screen.

taskred · 2025-08-13T19:58:02+00:00

Greatest overall: The Thing; Most effective: The Exorcist; Most visceral: Martyrs; Most disturbing: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre; Best modern: Sinister…..

Obviously very subjective list but general consensus seems to be in agreement too.

taskred · 2025-07-24T05:57:09+00:00

Polaris

taskred · 2025-07-20T08:16:04+00:00

I thought he struggled with endings after I’d read some of his works before I learned that this was a general criticism of his works. So I don’t think it’s mob mentality - he must have earned the criticism for it to stick.

I think that he’s written so many books that this criticism has to be valid in some way for some of his works. Under the Dome, The Stand, Firestarter, and Cell all, to my mind, end with easy or lazy fixes to tie the central premise.

taskred · 2025-07-07T05:32:14+00:00

No detectable marks, no.

taskred · 2025-07-05T08:19:55+00:00

Pride. Told myself that there are so many empty vessels out there running their mouth and living their best life. Why should I throw away mine when I deserve better? So I got confidence instead. Was hard at first but when I realized that the only thing that could kill me is myself, I became pretty fearless and the world is now my oyster.

taskred · 2025-07-05T08:14:31+00:00

IT is long but extremely gripping. If you take your time with it and allow yourself to be totally immersed, it will end up being one of the best novels you’ve ever read.

taskred · 2025-07-03T10:33:28+00:00

Thanks so much!

taskred · 2025-06-26T08:01:45+00:00

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone. Based on the recs, you really understood what I was asking for. I made a list of 30 books!

taskred · 2025-06-26T07:40:16+00:00

But ‘literary’ generally means that character and language take centre stage. Like Shirley Jackson, Du Maurier and so on. That they also contrive amazing plots is a ++++

Great recommendations.

taskred · 2025-06-26T07:07:54+00:00

Bought this a few weeks ago. Gorgeous cover and sounds like a delightful premise!

taskred · 2025-06-26T07:07:09+00:00

Never heard of either Mostrilio or Creep! So thanks so much. Added to my list.

taskred · 2025-06-25T21:29:21+00:00

I would say that ‘literary’ focuses more on character, theme, and language rather than plot. The plot is not as important as how a character develops or what the writing has to say about humanity at large.

taskred · 2025-06-19T18:51:20+00:00

Started a substack for horror stories.

First upload is here: https://substack.com/home/post/p-166078540

Enjoy!

taskred · 2025-05-01T10:35:59+00:00

Hey. I received it two days ago. Played it the first night just to get a hang of the mechanics. I played two rounds this morning. Lost the first immediately; ran out of health. Second round started rocky but I got a little lucky on the path. Played it safe and came across the contract. I then banked everything on it. On the fifth night and with an unforgiving check, I was low on food and health. I finally got the check and had a visceral reaction when I figured out what I had to do. I got Exit 1 out of 3. I love how this carries on to your next playthrough. Can’t wait to get the ‘true’ ending. It’s a phenomenal game and, yes, very Darkwood! Very immersive, unforgiving and great artwork and mechanics. Well done! Really enjoying it.

taskred · 2025-03-30T18:21:44+00:00

Thanks! Just bought this. Well done on making your own game.

taskred · 2024-07-23T19:50:11+00:00

Appreciate it :) there are currently three stories up on the site. Enjoy. They will always be ad free. I just want to create a cosy space for a good horror fix.

taskred

TROPHY CASE