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The End Of The World As We Know It
Okay, I am going to drop my thoughts on each story because doing that will keep me focused and reading. Feel free everyone to do the same. I’d loved to know what each of you thinks about the stories.
Comments
Story One: Room 24 by Caroline Kepnes
Whoa. A powerful, in-your-face opening to The End….
I am not familiar with Caroline’s work so I went a-googlin’ to check what she has out there.
What an unsettling main character she gives us here. Wonderful writing.
Dear God, Spaghetti Monster, et al — please can I have one decent idea and write it this good?
This, for me, was beyond The Stand. This stepped into the here and now. We have a Walking Dude and he’s infecting the brains of half of America. A mental illness that is full of snot and fever. This is where we’re headed and I keep hoping a Mother Abigail is going to make this right.
The one thing that gave me the smallest smile was Vicks VapoRub. My grandma, my mom and even me — got a cold? Vicks will fix you up. Rash? Put some Vicks on it. Cancer? Yep, try the Vicks. But I don’t think there’s enough VapoRub in the whole world to cure this mental infection.
This story made me sad. Thanks James. Thanks a lot. You did your job. Well done.
The pace of this story starts with the dial at 11 and keeps the heat on (pun intended). What Meg did here and why I love it, she moves us succinctly through scenes, quick but detailed. Her use of language masterful.
My focus these days isn’t the best, I stutter my way through movies, tv shows, books. These hold-my-breath scenes of people, places and circumstances demand my attention. I’m with her, she’s got me. The humor so expertly dropped here and there — love it!
Meg is one of my favorite authors and Eleanor, perched on her Rascal, smoking a cig and dropping coins in the slots while the world burns around her is my new spirit animal.
Dear God blah blah one idea blah blah write this good. Please. 🤣
Every Dog Has Its Day — Bryan Smith
What’s that Bryan? Lassie’s in a well? Fuck me. No spoilers, but man oh man, animal stories are nerve-racking.
Don’t want to say too much but nice job.
Strong Midnight Mass, Storm of the Century and The Lottery energy, Bev’s story captures that small island mentality— Good? Bad and ugly for sure. But necessary?
In A Pig’s Eye — Joe R. Lansdale
I would not mess with a pig, especially one with babies. Personal experience.
Bwahahaha !
Anyway, good story, smoothly written.
Perhaps I’ll say it to parents who look like they have some coin. Punch me in the throat, score!
Lenora — Jonathan Janz
Aw hell. Another animal story. Like the others, very well written but tough to read.
Sigh.
The Hope Boat — Gabino Iglesias
It’s interesting to think about the strength some people have in them to keep going, despite all the Job-like shite piling on compared to the people who give up quickly.
I put myself in this story and really wondered: which type of person would I be?
Hopeless or hopeful?
Wrong Fucking Place, Wrong Fucking Time — C. Robert Cargill
A family man, 2 oddballs and a store filled with videos. How long would it take to re-wire someone when the world goes tits up? Reminded me of Alex in Clockwork Orange.
What conditions would it take to make someone change their nature, or reveal their true nature?
Can things stay static? No. Nothing can stay the same. You can’t step in the same river twice. And most important, “Can’t all be butt stuff.”
Good story.
Prey Instinct — Hailey Piper
Ooooo. Very clever story. Great use of visuals, metaphors, similes. It's all right there if you pay attention to the language.
Nicely done.
Grace — Tim Lebbon
Loved the change of scenery with this one. No getting out of this, so now what?
Claustrophobic and doomed, I don’t know enough about the science of space to understand what the hell all that blood and bodily fluid is doing to control panels and buttons. Did it matter? Nope.
Can a hatch slam in space? It’s all relative, isn’t it? Can a fight break out that conveys urgency while floating in slow motion? Yes. I say yes. I was anxious as all get out.
Terrifying to think about every aspect of this story.
Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do
I'm half crazy all for the love of you….
Moving Day — Richard Chizmar
A suburban, slice-of-life type of writer, Richard delivers another hometown snapshot, but a little gooier.
The opening paragraph was a nice homage (whether intended or not) to one of my favorite stories, Secret Window, Secret Garden.
Were our campers Rita and Larry? I think so.
Quiet story. Good job.
Brian and Christopher just tapped friends?
I am surprised by some contributors inclusion and not others.
La Mala Hora — by Alex Segura
Hell hath no fury like a mother whose child needs her. While this can apply to anyone who has a special, loving relationship with a kid, in this case it was mom. And boy this story cranked up the fear.
As an aside, there was some Spanish sprinkled here and there— easy stuff — but after finishing my Duolingo course, I felt pretty damn good knowing what it said before being told.
Well done Alex.
The African Painted Dog by Catriona Ward
For the love of God, please tell me this is the last animal story. So difficult to read but skillfully written. My little heart can’t take anymore.
Till Human Voices Wake Us, and We Drown — Poppy Z. Brite
I’ve read a lot of Poppy. I’ve tried really hard to like Poppy’s writing. I’ve never been able to — until this. Still not a story for everyone, the writing here is very good. The idea is creative. While I believe many of Poppy’s writings are for shock value, Jmo, I can’t deny talent.
I find this story and the characters lonely but honest.
Bravo.
Kovach’s Last Case — Michael Koryta
I like detective/cop shows so this was a nice surprise in this group of stories.
Always good writing from Koryta.
We were given a limit of 6000 words, I believe, but some writers didn't notice or pay attention to that! The editors contacted a few of us when they were getting ready to pitch the project to see if we were interested in participating so they'd have some names to attach to the proposal.
When I found out about the book, I reread The Stand and prepared a day-by-day timeline of events to use for continuity. I did it for myself, but then I gave it to the editors so they could make sure contributors didn't do things that conflicted with the timeline.