The End Of The World As We Know It

Kurben · October 23

Hedda Gabler said:

I am loving your thoughts, Scott. I like to see how people see things the same as me or completely different. Makes me look closer.

I was also enjoying Kurben’s thoughts, did you set the book aside Kurben?

No, where were I? I have a few left. Right now i am on That Mosque story set in Pakistan which, i admit, i have troubles with. I found it too long and slowpaced. Perhaps it would have worked for me if he had shaved off a few pages. Or if he had built it out to a short novel. There i put the book on hold because of Horror movies!! and then kind of forgot about. thanks for reminding me that there is some stories left to read.

GNTLGNT · October 26

Hedda Gabler said:

The End….

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.

.....so was the death at the end, a metaphor for the Dark Man being vanquished by maternal love?.....

GNTLGNT · October 26

Hedda Gabler said:

The End….

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.

.....unusual choice of protagonists, but damn, this was brilliantly conceived.....methinks that maybe those verdant fields lead to a certain dilapidated shack.....

GNTLGNT · October 26

Hedda Gabler said:

The End….

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.

.....the whole "fingering a mermaid" was to over the top for me.....William Joseph Martin just pushed the envelope into something I didn't care for.....

Hedda Gabler · October 26

GNTLGNT said:

Hedda Gabler said:

The End….

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.

.....the whole "fingering a mermaid" was to over the top for me.....William Joseph Martin just pushed the envelope into something I didn't care for.....

Totally agree on that point. The story didn’t need that at all — but having read numerous stories by Poppy, the writing was skillful. And she /he/they/them toned this down. Yes. This is toned down from previous things so I could appreciate the writing.

While not as graphic (I can’t remember) King having the kid sex shit in It was unnecessary in my mind. Totally. There were other ways to bond them besides an adult act. I have never appreciated that moment, never liked it, but that didn’t take away from the writing or the story.

So, every story, in my mind, can have some redeeming qualities while also containing unnecessary fingering.

🤢🤣

Jmo

Hedda Gabler · October 26

GNTLGNT said:

Hedda Gabler said:

The End….

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.

.....so was the death at the end, a metaphor for the Dark Man being vanquished by maternal love?.....

Excellent thought. It works for sure.

GNTLGNT · October 27

Hedda Gabler said:

GNTLGNT said:

Hedda Gabler said:

The End….

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.

.....the whole "fingering a mermaid" was to over the top for me.....William Joseph Martin just pushed the envelope into something I didn't care for.....

Totally agree on that point. The story didn’t need that at all — but having read numerous stories by Poppy, the writing was skillful. And she /he/they/them toned this down. Yes. This is toned down from previous things so I could appreciate the writing.

While not as graphic (I can’t remember) King having the kid sex shit in It was unnecessary in my mind. Totally. There were other ways to bond them besides an adult act. I have never appreciated that moment, never liked it, but that didn’t take away from the writing or the story.

So, every story, in my mind, can have some redeeming qualities while also containing unnecessary fingering.

🤢🤣

Jmo

....I have read other stories from him /her and agree that this is the best piece of writing I've seen.....

GNTLGNT · October 27

Hedda Gabler said:

The End…

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.

....yeppur, solid effort and bonus points for being based in surroundings I'm quite familiar with.....

GNTLGNT · October 27

Hedda Gabler said:

The End….

Make Your Own Way — Alma Katsu

A horse? Ugh. I guess i have to gird my loins for more animals.

I liked this story about a strong country girl. Kind, good and self-sufficient. She’s a great addition to Mother Abigail’s team.

......the only thing that nagged me (nope, not a horse pun), was the fact that shotgun and rifle were used interchangeably.....easy now, she was given a box of shotgun shells and those won't fit a rifle......

GNTLGNT · October 27

Hedda Gabler said:

Part 2 — The End….

I Love the Dead — by Josh Malerman

I enjoyed this opening to Part 2. Very apropos.

“I will walk alone by the black muddy river
And listen to the ripples as they moan
I will walk alone by the black muddy river.
And sing me a song of my own.”

.....loved this!.....nothing like a fanatic "Truckin'" after Uncle Jerry......

GNTLGNT · October 27

Hedda Gabler said:

Part 2 — The End

Milagros — Cynthia Pelayo

I am trying really hard not to spoil stories. There is so much I want to say about all of them — which me babbling even more? Probably a good thing I keep my comments short. Anything I might write here is all spoilers so all I will say about this story is: fuck me.

Again, I did like reading the Spanish — yes, a few, easy things, but I still understood so I take that as a victory.

Good entry.

....brutal in a good way......

GNTLGNT · October 27

Hedda Gabler said:

Part 2 — The End

The Legion of Swine — S.A. Cosby

Snapshots, moments, memories, a quiet routine and a peaceful beauty in that — until the trash shows up.

We need more pigs, right here and now.

.....I think this was :"Some Pig"!.....soul swine to the boar in Landsdale's entry?.....

GNTLGNT · October 29

Hedda Gabler said:

Oh oh oh — are we jumping territories with Rio’s story? Interesting. Corvid cars were territory, weren’t they? It’s been so long.

Hearts in Atlantis? Low men in Yellow coats ?

Arrrggghhhh my memory!

....the vehicles mentioned "exist" and I think the Corvid was a military application in concept....but the driver?....definitely a nod to both Flagg's familiar and the Taheen of the Dark Tower....good piece.....

GNTLGNT · October 31

Hedda Gabler said:

Part 2 — The End

Across the Pond — V. Castro

Pleasant addition to the continuing journey.

....to be annoyingly blunt, for me, this was a complete squandering of pulp and ink....what a POS......this could have been culled from the collection and not broken my heart.....better themes than drug induced rape and horny female milquetoasts....

GNTLGNT · October 31

Hedda Gabler said:

Part 2 — The End

The Boatman — Tananarive Due and Steven Barnes

I can’t put my finger on this…. Maybe I slept poorly. Maybe I need coffee. All the stories I’ve read so far have given me fear, anxiety, loneliness, a tiny but of hope to varying degrees — this one caught my breath just this side of panic. I’m sitting here trying to figure it out, why this one? It’s a lot more quiet than others, and maybe that’s what makes it feel so dangerous.

Sorry not sorry guys, but this strong little girl gently, carefully micromanaging two walking wannabe alpha douchebags — I felt fear for her. She was doing an intricate dance with the devils in the pale moonlight.

So who comes away saying, “Look at me. Look at me. I’m the captain now.”

.....agreed, the underlying tension was painted with subtle strokes and bombastic joy....

Hedda Gabler · October 31

GNTLGNT said:

Hedda Gabler said:

Part 2 — The End

Across the Pond — V. Castro

Pleasant addition to the continuing journey.

....to be annoyingly blunt, for me, this was a complete squandering of pulp and ink....what a POS......this could have been culled from the collection and not broken my heart.....better themes than drug induced rape and horny female milquetoasts....

😂🤣😂🤣

if you notice, I didn’t have a lot to say, I tried to be nice.

BUT, you just said the quiet part outloud. 🤣🤣🤣 and you’re right.

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