Dearest Juan, the service you provide by finding the gold among the feces of horror fiction cannot be understated. I mean it unironically, I derive tremendous value by you reading all these books and telling me about them.
Oh wow, thank you so much! I have to admit the way you phrased it made me laugh out loud. 😂 Don’t get me wrong. I do derive a lot of pleasure from certain scatological horror trash, but even that has its measure of taste and curating. I’m really happy you get value from these videos! That’s why I make them. ❤️
This explains why I don’t like a lot of extreme metal perfectly. I like some of it, I completely understand the appeal, and I love metal in general. When you’re not put off by the metal sound you just kinda look at it and go “that’s it? Can I get a melody? Some dynamics? Just like every few minutes? Can you throw me a bone here?” I honestly admire people who can handle non stop blasting because I usually can’t.
I agree! It’s all a matter of taste, and it’s difficult to find something that rides that subtle line right between all-out brutality and more tasteful, literary styles. Thankfully Clive Barker and a few others exist!
The world is ugly, and the human mind and conscience can be even worse. But just because an author delves into this doesn’t mean they can disregard style. They’re still writers. They should still respect the craft. Get good at what you do. And I feel like that’s what separates the good horror from the bad. Good writers have read tons, written tons, and thrown most of it away. And they bring to us audiences only the things that hold up, that make them squirm. And they put in manuscripts where every word has been scrutinized. In art especially, the aesthetics and the style matter. And a lot of extreme stuff just isn’t up to par. That’s not a critique of the morality (though some of those are apt too). Rather, that is taking those works seriously as pieces of art and inviting them to the table to get criticized like art does. If they want us to be big boys who play in the muck, they better be big boys who can take the criticism that their control of prose and plot may not be up to snuff.
As you probably gleaned from this, I generally agree! I forgot to mention a very important element to this discussion, which is that I actually do enjoy a lot of trash! 😂 I feel like when a subpar work of art is unshackled from the serious artistic endeavor it pantomimes, it can be delivered to us as an enjoyable, campy, cheesy affair. However, I’ve found that a lot of extreme horror lacks in even that “so bad it’s good” flavor precisely because I feel like “good trash” still has a level of sophistication to its execution which trash connoisseurs can still pick up on, whereas indie extreme horror is so often devoid of any substance that it even fails in that regard.
I always find that for me I have no issue with extreme horror or extreme subject matter but I'm always there for a story. For example don't have a lot of interest in something that is JUST gross out horror but I adore the Jack Ketchum books I've read. The Girl Next Door still haunts me but it was a great, challenging, experience. So I am on the same page as you. Clive Barker has the ability to gross me out to the extreme but he has such wonderful characters living in a wonderful story. No judgement to anyone like you said, just I personally fall more in line with you. Interested in This Symbiotic Fascination! Great review!
Yeah, it’s honestly compelling and fascinating that there are “gorehounds” who are only there for the violence. I can enjoy brainless violence just fine, but maybe as a diversion. Definitely not as the core of what I hope to get out of literature. But absolutely, no judgment, only intrigue!
I purchased this book about a month ago, but I had it on my tbr for a while now since the bookubus mentioned it during her extreme reading vlog. She definitely sold that book and with your stamp of approval I’m sold and need to bump this up on my list. It sounds like such a unique story. I can’t wait to pick it up.
Dude your extreme horror scene example had me absolutely dying with laughter. I'm so glad I found your channel, not only for the unique books you review, insightful and intelligent commentary, and great descriptions of stories without spoiling too much, but also because you can take the most disturbing and disgusting topics from these books and add an element of humor to your discussions of them, which cuts the tension and unrelenting nature of the themes in just the right amount. I've become a huge fan of your channel since I discovered it a couple weeks back, keep up the great work!
Thank you so much!!! 😭 I’m really happy that you are enjoying the videos. I always choose to include humor, because I think it’s needed to offset the turmoil that would otherwise maybe become too dull or excessive. Plus, I’m talking about poop! How could one not laugh? I truly, truly appreciate your support and kind words.
I'm so excited I found your review of this book. I bought it blindly today while I was scrolling through eBay. I knew nothing about it. I cannot wait to read it! I should get it sometime next week.
I'm so glad you liked it. It was so much fun to read this. I too am in debt to the Bookubus for exposing me to great titles over the years. You really hit the nail on the head. Extreme horror can have shocking violence and graphic imagery but what really sets the good extreme horror apart is that it isn't there just to be cruel and mean to our characters. I never felt that with Symbiotic.
Alex always covers the best of books! And yes, while the ballistic explosions of meat puppets of the usual extreme fodder can be good pulpy fun, the kind of extreme horror that usually sticks with me is when the body is given a convincing emotional heft to it. This was certainly a winner!
Your take on extreme horror tropes calls to mind the phrase "good concept, poor execution". I haven't read much of the subgenre myself, but it sounds like many of those books have a solid premise that has the potential to be interesting, but ultimately crashes and burns due to the author not knowing the proper direction to take it in. It's a problem with the cosmic horror subgenre as well, from what I've seen. Anyway, just subscribed a little bit ago after watching a few of your reviews, and I love how you approach controversial concepts with eloquence and an artistic point of view. Fabulous work, my dude!
Yes, I think that’s exactly it, and it sucks extra hard because even if the mission statement is just to shock (which I personally have no problems with), the bad writing fails to achieve that as well. :( Thank you so much for subscribing! I really appreciate the support and the kind words. ❤️
This Symbiotic Fascination is such an underrated gem. That scene with the video tape is AMAZING. Unfortunately, my #1 pick for great splatterpunk is an Itallian novel that was (for some strange reason) only translated to Greek, called Pizzeria Inferno. Which is an over the top trangressive splatter commedy
I am always frustrated by these foreign splatterpunk titles that I can’t read! Especially since they always seem to be precisely in line with what I seek. I anxiously await the English translation of Jelinek’s Children of the Dead.
Huh... I've had that book for literally decades and haven't read it. I used to buy just about everything Leisure put out, so that was one of them. I piled 'em up and only read a few of them, so they're all still just sitting there, because I'm so over-swamped in things to read. Thanks for cluing me in as something I should probably pay more attention to... I'll move it up in the to-be-read stack (okay, it's more like a mountain at this point, but still...)
I’ve been waiting for your review ever since you posted a pic on Instagram . I just knew you would love it!!! Most extreme horror novels are not going to be as compelling as this one ☹️unfortunately. I will certainly let you know if I ever come across one. This one has given me one of my favorite quotes ever: “life is a series of wearing shackles, bleeding into the blunt links of the chains, of screaming into the feudal bonds, then breaking them to pass them down from one to another”. Yikes that was dark !!!! But listen to me, I could babble on forever about this one!!! Take care Juan, I look forward to the next one 👍
Thank you for watching, and yes! This was quite incredible, arresting, and beautifully ornate. It’s sad that authors with those talents often have no interest in writing extreme horror. 😂 I think my favorite quote came from the moment where one of the video tape’s victims describes eating a weeks-old cake that was for his deceased son’s birthday, and describing how he only wanted to taste the sweet nature of childhood that it represents. 😭 So beautiful and tragic.
I always love watching your videos - they bring me so much joy in my day! I am wanting to get into more extreme horror but am finding I am getting pigeon holed due to most 22 year old females reading New Adult or Romance. It's fun seeing the looks other people give you in book stores, libraries and thrift stores when I am either in the horror section or read the back of a horror book. I remember when I was 18, I went into the library and asked them if they had any books with the plot being about child grooming and pedeophiles - one of my favourite topics to read about in books and the librarian looked at me shocked. Most of my friends around that time were readers too and couldn't understand why I would prefer to read about graphic children abduction and not fluffy romance novels like they were. For the longest time, I thought I was strange and that I was the only one who reads these types of books. So glad to find this little part of a TH-cam community who also reads things I do. The Symbolic Fascination sounds really really good and I've added it to my ever growing TBR 😊
It sounds like you have stumbled into the right place, and I’m happy to have you here on the channel! I always did have these same morbid curiosities and fascinations, and I cannot fully explain where they came from. They definitely make others uneasy, and that may well be part of it. But more than wanting to scare others, I think I seek to comfort myself, by having such horrid subject contained in the written form, where it can’t harm per se, but can still haunt and twist the mind. I also ask myself, especially for extreme horror, what makes authors write such things, why they unsettle people, and more importantly-more vertiginously-why they might not unsettle others. It’s a fascinating world that definitely deserves merit!
Sold. This sounds incredible. Also, that little tale you crafting in the beginning of the video… I think you’ve got the beginnings of a future masterpiece there.
Definitely going to pick this up! It's actually available on Amazon by another publishing house. I appriciate your thoughts on the extreme horror zeitgeist, I wish all of them could be that high quality of literature, but I feel like books like "exquisite corpse" come close, most are more pulpy for pulp sake. Can't wait to check this out!
Oh, nice! I’m happy to hear this book’s still in print! Now don’t get me wrong. I can dance with pulpy trash just fine, but I feel like when it comes to a genre whose entire premise is relentless violence, there’s little to capture the imagination when things get repetitive. That was one of my main issues with Talia. However, I will say, Edward Lee and Richard Laymon have a certain brand of unhinged zaniness that makes up for some of the subpar writing. 😂
I tend to agree, but I do feel that certain audiences can forgive crap writing, or in fact, can even grow to relish or appreciate it when it comes to certain pulp and horror. I know I have certainly enjoyed a lot of trash in my time, and the violent set pieces are usually enough to satisfy certain readers. For me, however, I do tend to look for that “something else” that splatterpunk is often missing.
I’ve just discovered your channel, and want to thank you for your videos. You’re very erudite. I appreciate your tastes in literature, and wish you continued success with your channel.
Excellent discussion, Juan. I'm not that into extreme horror, but I read a few extreme books a year just to test myself. LOL! Always enjoy your videos.
Thank you so much, Regina! And I really do think this is a useful and important utility for extreme horror in a lot of ways: If anything, it helps us decide the limits of our taste.
Alex is the best! I think you will really enjoy it, especially since I just saw you really liked Exquisite Corpse. Very similar artistic philosophy here!
Haha, I'm trash for Talia and Billy Silver! But I haven't read a ton of extreme books. You sold me on this one just bought it on kindle! Love Thomas Pynchon, my only literary tattoo is from The Crying Lot of 49 😅
There’s no shame in being trash for certain titles or authors! I will always love trashy horror pulp from the 70s and 80s, subpar writing and dodgy politics be damned. I hope I haven’t oversold it, especially since you love Pynchon so much! But hopefully you’ll also see that similar taste in there.
This one sounds super interesting, and combined with how you feel about it I'll definitely have to add it to my extremely short list of extreme horror books I'm confident to read lol. As I said in the Discord, I might be trying to do Survivor with y'all if I can get my stomach re-assembled after Off Season. Reading The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires right now as a palate cleanser. Wig!
Thank you so much for watching, king! It always makes my day hearing from you. This is definitely extreme horror of a compelling kind, which is extremely, extremely rare lmao. Unfortunately, Survivor is already off to a shit start, but if you still want to read along for the lolz, of course, it would be a blast! I really need to get to Grady Hendrix one day.
It makes me so happy to see that you enjoyed this one! It really blew me away and I believe it was her first published novel which is quite the achievement. Loved hearing your thoughts on the novel and the extreme horror discussion! While I do like a bit of mindless gore, if there is also meaning and some kind of connection then it's going to stand out to me much more. I'm really looking forward to reading more of Charlee Jacob's work! Oh and yeah I'm really getting tired of you mentioning me in your videos and being so flattering and supportive HOW DARE YOU!
Thank you so much again for bringing this fantastic book to the attention of so many of us! I cannot wait to read her other book, Haunter. Of course, I love mindless gore as much as anyone, but I think you’ll agree even within mindlessness and trashiness, there’s a certain level of taste we set for ourselves. As Susan Sontag said, though it’s all trash, there’s definitely good trash and bad trash! Lmao, I guess I just meant tagging you in my description if I so much as utter your channel’s name. 😂 But point taken! Being mentioned anywhere is always fun!
Hi Juan. I just finished reading Open Season by Jack Ketchum the other night, and I think it is a great example of really well-done extreme horror and splatterpunk. It caused a lot of controversy back in the day and was labelled by the press as violent pornography. The barbecue and cave scenes are among the most brutal I have read so far. I'm planning on reading The Girl Next Door soon, gulp! wish me luck.
Off Season and The Girl Next Door are two sides of the same coin. I didn’t find The Girl Next Door as graphic as others claim it is, but all the same, the sheer brutality of its subject matter is enough.
I too have a very distinct taste as far as horror is concerned. I’m writing a novel that falls within the purview of horror, but I come from a literary fiction background, got an MFA, and have very specific taste in horror-like you, I don’t shy away from the extreme or disturbing, so long as it’s presented in a way that strikes a chord with me. I’m not looking to be disgusted or terrified when I read horror novels or watch horror cinema; rather I’m just interested in the genre itself, the aesthetics, and what can be done to confront its conventions. In short, I get concerned that my novel is too overtly horror for the high brow folks and too high brow for the salt-of-the-earth horror fans.
Firstly, please do let me know if this novel of yours is ever available to the public! And I really feel your concerns. There’s definitely ways in which horror and non-horror fans are settled, and then there’s us who often don’t know which way to lean. I hope you at least find comfort in knowing there’s a considerable audience in the same camp as us! Many have found this channel, and that makes me happy.
I have always been a fan of the more extreme horror movies. And read Stephen King, Clive Barker. But literally went straight in at the deep end recently regarding disturbing reading. Big head. All I can say is, it has left a need for more.
The Bighead is definitely one of the most violent books I’ve ever read, even if it was to a comical degree. It reminded me a lot, stylistically and fundamentally, to Peter Jackson’s Dead Alive. If you need something like the Bighead, try Matthew Stokoe’s Cows if you haven’t yet!
I put this book on my Thriftbooks wishlist after watching the first half of this video (cuz no spoilers!) and luckily got it a few days after that. I started it a week ago and just finished it tonight. It’s been a HOT minute since I’ve gotten through a book in that time. Now I’m back to see what you had to say about it!
@@PlaguedbyVisions Of course! I feel like the story could’ve been carried out a bit longer. I wanted a bit more from the Ugly Man and Detective Cross subplots, and I’m glad that the story of Arcan’s brother turning into Shiva gets continued in Haunter. Overall, I like the scene the story ended on, but I wish the subplots hadn’t come together so abruptly just to give it an ending. I guess what I’m getting at is I liked it enough that I wanted to keep reading it!
I think Volpe is a talented storyteller. I don't always need a polished wordsmith. I'm looking forward to his Only Psychos due out in a few days. But I do like (love!) more literary extreme horror books, too, like The Radiator Boy And The Holly Country by Zoltan Komor and Grind Your Bones to Dust by Nicholas Day. I enjoyed your analysis of This Symbiotic Fascination. It sounds, well, fascinating.
I definitely don’t think one can garner such a dedicated fanbase without some talent! And also I’ve only read Talia by Volpe, which I’ve been told is some of his weaker work. I definitely enjoy straightforward, almost iconoclastic writers who use words as only stepping stones towards something cruel and vile (Ketchum and Selby, Jr. are my favorites in that regard). Ah, thank you so much for those recommendations! And trust that this one fits the bill of “literary extreme horror” as well!
You've introduced me to Charlee with this book, and I'll be tracking a copy down. As for horror that I've enjoyed, there's a short story I absolutely love, called PILGRIMS TO THE CATHEDRAL by Mark Arnold, that was published in David J. Schow's SILVER SCREAM, that I would absolutely love to take my last years on earth and trade for the chance to assemble a team, gather a serious budget, and produce as an extreme horror motion picture, just to let this beast live.
I’ve seen that anthology floating around! I wish I would’ve gotten a copy of it while I could. 😭 I’ll definitely keep an eye out for it. Thank you for the recommendation!
I feel pretty similarly about extreme horror. Truthfully, I'm not drawn to much of it, and it just strikes me as sort of puerile, which I suppose is the point. Like you eloquently stated, I'm fine with shocking levels of violence and gore, but if it hasn't got the underpinnings of a good story, or compelling characters, than what is the point? Isn't a scene of horrific violence that much more captivating, if I care about the character that it is happening to? Isn't a point hammered home all the more powerfully if the author has structured their story in a way that when those moments arrive, it becomes truly provocative? Which is why I haven't even tried Beauregard or Shaw. I am sometimes curious about these books, but I'm mostly turned off by them. Contrarily, I am more open to certain authors - at least trying them. I enjoyed the one Kristopher Triana book I read, though I didn't think it was "extreme". I will try Volpe's Left to You and see if he's a writer I'm interested in. I got some enjoyment out of Lee's The Bighead, but that's because it was so over the top, that it became darkly comedic. Overall, it's not a corner of the genre that I'm overly interested in, but as your review points out, there are always exceptions.
Yes, absolutely, I think gore and extreme violence can be effective ASPECTS of a horror story, but oftentimes they don’t make for a good foundation. I do also agree: The redness of blood stands out more against a white background. When they are unexpected, or jarringly in contrast with the rest of the story, graphic depictions of violence hold so much more power. The Bighead really exemplifies, however, that even trashy titles like this hold some value when they quench our hunger for a delightfully campy, brainless trash fest. 😂 I can’t wait to read Gone to See the River Man by Triana!
i discovered your channel the other day, and if you're interested in weird/disturbing/absurd fiction, i recommend you check out the works of harlan ellison. i wouldn't describe his work as transgressive, but pretty much all of it is just him going out of his way to offend as many people as possible - kinda in the same realm as frank zappa, alice cooper, and gg allin. the book of his i think you might find the most fascinating is angry candy
I'm not sure if this actually qualifies as "extreme" horror, but I found "Haunted" by Chuck Palahniuk quite horrific in parts. And, I just bought the Kindle edition of the Charlee Jacob book for $2.99 on Amazon. Okay, that's three books I've bought in the past week based upon your recommendations. This has got to stop! LOL
I feel very similar to the lack of better STORY in splatterpunk. I have been enjoying Kristopher Triana a lot, especially Full Brutal, Toxic Love and Gone to See the River Man. Duncan Rolstan's Woom was also interesting. I find Aron Beauregard books badly written with unengaging characters.
I'm honestly not into splatter punk or extreme horror I guess. I don't mind violence. I like psychological stuff. Demons? Absolutely. Haunted houses?. Let me at them. No feces please. But I respect your reviews and enjoy them!
“No feces please” is not too much to ask. You’re not the weird one for setting that limit, believe me. 😂 I should’ve probably included a content warning of some sort for this review. My apologies!
I do think that this perspective is inescapable. But I’d argue that even the basest of exploitation has at its core a survivalist philosophy, or an exploration of the body, as spectacle, as parody even. But yes, I think it all depends on what particular messages we are hoping to draw out.
So I get that being "disturbed" by literature is highly subjective. But is not extreme horror disturbing just for being what it is? If I were to read a couple of paragraphs to a member of my Mum or wife's church congregation, more likely than not they will feel a sense of shock and disgust. Is that not being disturbed? Or does it literally need to make the reader temporarily lose sleep and any apetite?
I think this is absolutely true. It’s why the “shock for shock’s sake” argument doesn’t hold up. Something shocking can be frivolous and tasteless to some, but leave a deep mark upon others. It’s all up to interpretation! And of course, all up to what one hopes to get out of literature. Some people seek only that shock and jolt, and that’s why there’s literature that seeks to deliver only that.
There was one I read recently that just really annoyed me and I guess it could be considered low level extreme but, the sleepover massacre. It had some of the weirdest little tangent sentences that would turn into paragraphs and run on into nothingness and come completely out of nowhere and ruin what was essentially just a trashy slasher anyway. A genuinely GOOD modern extreme horror author is David sodergren, all of his books are good. Literally all of them, now which ones you will like best will completely depend on you as a person but I found dead girl blues entirely compelling due to the plot and absolutely grueling atmosphere.
I added Dead Girl Blues to my Goodreads! Any suggestion of good extreme horror, I need to check out! It’s a true rarity, sadly. Brian Bowyer’s Sinister Mix is a modern one I really enjoyed. Just brief, prickling sentences all throughout. I burned through it in a day.
@@PlaguedbyVisions yeah dead girl blues is great and it's not all rape and nastiness it just has a grim tone it's not as extreme as others but we'll worth it. Sometimes Brian keene borders onto extreme and he's really good also!
Have you read Knockemstiff byDonald Ray Pollock?? It's not horror, but as transgressive as it can get. This is actually a real town in Ohio that, alot like my own, has been ravaged by drugs and violence. If you've already mentioned this one my bad, but if not I know you'll love it. Your fantastic, thank you for your awesome content.
I’ve only read The Heavenly Table by Pollock, which I thought was pretty good! This one has definitely been thoroughly recommended to me as well. I’m sure I’ll read it eventually. Thank YOU so much for watching and for your support!
The extreme just for the sack of being extreme doesn't work for me. I honestly can read a book if it's bad written just because there's some gore on it. I get that some people like the gore, but I like books. And if they have gore, it's ok. Using a example from your shelf, Mo Hayder writes really gross scenes and she's an amazing writer. Her books are well written and I can enjoy the story. I can't with books that exist just to make you feel sick. I loved the expression "grocery list of atrocities" lol You are right, anyone can do that! Something like "the woman grabbed the baby and cut it in half. the baby was still alive, making baby sounds (lol) as the woman ate it". Ok, but what's the point? I have this same reaction to books/movies where a character dies just to make the audience sad. No reason, no purpose in the story. Just chock value. One writer that I like is Raphael Montes. I think he has only one book in EN. Chuck Palahniuk is also great.
I think I generally with your assessment. In regards to someone like Mo Hayder, definitely, an engrossing story where violence is not the focus can make the violence feel that much more potent. I like to think of it as this: Red blood stands out much more when it’s against a white background. When there’s other elements at play, and violence flowers in a naturalistic or unforeseen way, it shocks a lot more than when it’s the centerpiece. I have Perfect Days by Montes! I look forward to reading it!
Off Season and The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum! Exquisite Corpse by Poppy Z. Brite. If we want to include Clive Barker, the Books of Blood are truly masterpieces.
Thanks so much! I read Books of Blood when they came out and they were so cool! I think ill revisit them! Im so glad you said Off Season, ive been so curious about that book. With you giving it a 5 star, its my next read! Man, im so scared to read Girl Next Door. Im afraid it will make me cry and hurt my heart. i cant take harm to animals or innocent young people. Unless they then get total bloody revenge. Maybe ill try it slowly. Thank you!
I dislike most extreme horror I read Jon Athan and matt shaw and Chandler Morrison I wish I could unread them all not great bighead by Edwards Lee . I enjoyed for its outlandishness like John Waters I found it funny more than anythingelse ....I do have similar tastes to your channel I like transgressive philosophical leaning books extreme with some writing structure and actual substance . I have read this book it was good except the odd bit of cheese slipping in with the vampire descriptions etc .Also really did enjoy Poisoning eros by Monica o' Rourke and Wrath James White again odd horror genre cheese like a character named vlad slipped through but I did think it was a good book I particularly enjoyed the first section that read like a Hurbert Selby jnr story morphing into Dantes inferno for part 2 . Anyway I would check that out maybe might be your taste .
I'm with ya. I love the horror genre, but EH (or splatterpunk) is really hit and miss. Splatterpunk by real writers (Clive Barker, Poppy Z. Bite), but too much of it appears to have been written by edgy middle-school kids. (Be aware Survivor is one of the lame ones)
You know what, i feel the same way about porno. I like the sex ok usually, but the people cant or dont act. And the scripts are stupid anyway. Can you imagine a porno with great sex that actually had a real plot with good acting? I think that would be cool
Hahaha, this comment legit made me laugh out loud! But yes, you touch on a fascinating distinction: Is what you describe not the difference between porno and erotica? It’s often that audiences look for a different kind of gratification. Erotica has its aestheticized pleasures, but porno is an adrenaline shot straight to the crotch. Up to preference and need? 😂
Ha, as soon as i typed this up i then thought, hey erotica! And i remember a few erotica movies that do come closer to how i meant it. But also you are right, porno is more of a wham bam. So id like to see a real porno with like an erotica plot and acting! Wow!
L + RATIO + FILTERED! Juan BTFO by EXTREME book that is TOO EXTREME for his SOFT SENSIBILITIES and it DOESN'T MATTER that this book has a BAD PLOT or NO CHARACTERS or BAD PROSE because this is WCW WHERE THE BIG BOYS PLAY! -DipperGoesToTacoBellFan69
Dearest Juan, the service you provide by finding the gold among the feces of horror fiction cannot be understated. I mean it unironically, I derive tremendous value by you reading all these books and telling me about them.
Oh wow, thank you so much! I have to admit the way you phrased it made me laugh out loud. 😂 Don’t get me wrong. I do derive a lot of pleasure from certain scatological horror trash, but even that has its measure of taste and curating. I’m really happy you get value from these videos! That’s why I make them. ❤️
This explains why I don’t like a lot of extreme metal perfectly. I like some of it, I completely understand the appeal, and I love metal in general. When you’re not put off by the metal sound you just kinda look at it and go “that’s it? Can I get a melody? Some dynamics? Just like every few minutes? Can you throw me a bone here?” I honestly admire people who can handle non stop blasting because I usually can’t.
I agree! It’s all a matter of taste, and it’s difficult to find something that rides that subtle line right between all-out brutality and more tasteful, literary styles. Thankfully Clive Barker and a few others exist!
The world is ugly, and the human mind and conscience can be even worse. But just because an author delves into this doesn’t mean they can disregard style. They’re still writers. They should still respect the craft. Get good at what you do. And I feel like that’s what separates the good horror from the bad. Good writers have read tons, written tons, and thrown most of it away. And they bring to us audiences only the things that hold up, that make them squirm. And they put in manuscripts where every word has been scrutinized. In art especially, the aesthetics and the style matter. And a lot of extreme stuff just isn’t up to par. That’s not a critique of the morality (though some of those are apt too). Rather, that is taking those works seriously as pieces of art and inviting them to the table to get criticized like art does. If they want us to be big boys who play in the muck, they better be big boys who can take the criticism that their control of prose and plot may not be up to snuff.
As you probably gleaned from this, I generally agree! I forgot to mention a very important element to this discussion, which is that I actually do enjoy a lot of trash! 😂 I feel like when a subpar work of art is unshackled from the serious artistic endeavor it pantomimes, it can be delivered to us as an enjoyable, campy, cheesy affair. However, I’ve found that a lot of extreme horror lacks in even that “so bad it’s good” flavor precisely because I feel like “good trash” still has a level of sophistication to its execution which trash connoisseurs can still pick up on, whereas indie extreme horror is so often devoid of any substance that it even fails in that regard.
I always find that for me I have no issue with extreme horror or extreme subject matter but I'm always there for a story. For example don't have a lot of interest in something that is JUST gross out horror but I adore the Jack Ketchum books I've read. The Girl Next Door still haunts me but it was a great, challenging, experience. So I am on the same page as you. Clive Barker has the ability to gross me out to the extreme but he has such wonderful characters living in a wonderful story. No judgement to anyone like you said, just I personally fall more in line with you.
Interested in This Symbiotic Fascination! Great review!
Yeah, it’s honestly compelling and fascinating that there are “gorehounds” who are only there for the violence. I can enjoy brainless violence just fine, but maybe as a diversion. Definitely not as the core of what I hope to get out of literature. But absolutely, no judgment, only intrigue!
I purchased this book about a month ago, but I had it on my tbr for a while now since the bookubus mentioned it during her extreme reading vlog. She definitely sold that book and with your stamp of approval I’m sold and need to bump this up on my list. It sounds like such a unique story. I can’t wait to pick it up.
Isn’t Alex amazing! Always digging up the most compelling stuff! I hope you enjoy it if you end up reading it sooner or later. ❤️
Dude your extreme horror scene example had me absolutely dying with laughter. I'm so glad I found your channel, not only for the unique books you review, insightful and intelligent commentary, and great descriptions of stories without spoiling too much, but also because you can take the most disturbing and disgusting topics from these books and add an element of humor to your discussions of them, which cuts the tension and unrelenting nature of the themes in just the right amount. I've become a huge fan of your channel since I discovered it a couple weeks back, keep up the great work!
Thank you so much!!! 😭 I’m really happy that you are enjoying the videos. I always choose to include humor, because I think it’s needed to offset the turmoil that would otherwise maybe become too dull or excessive. Plus, I’m talking about poop! How could one not laugh?
I truly, truly appreciate your support and kind words.
I'm so excited I found your review of this book. I bought it blindly today while I was scrolling through eBay. I knew nothing about it. I cannot wait to read it! I should get it sometime next week.
I'm so glad you liked it. It was so much fun to read this. I too am in debt to the Bookubus for exposing me to great titles over the years. You really hit the nail on the head. Extreme horror can have shocking violence and graphic imagery but what really sets the good extreme horror apart is that it isn't there just to be cruel and mean to our characters. I never felt that with Symbiotic.
As soon as I was done reading this I immediately went to Alex’s channel to thank her I was so grateful !
@@Jessica-xn4bk That's great! i love the converstions that are happening around these awesome books!
Alex always covers the best of books! And yes, while the ballistic explosions of meat puppets of the usual extreme fodder can be good pulpy fun, the kind of extreme horror that usually sticks with me is when the body is given a convincing emotional heft to it. This was certainly a winner!
Any recommendations ? I like strange unusual books .
@@Jessica-xn4bk I buddy read Gabriel by Lisa Tuttle with Alex, and it was very weird and disconcerting!
Your take on extreme horror tropes calls to mind the phrase "good concept, poor execution". I haven't read much of the subgenre myself, but it sounds like many of those books have a solid premise that has the potential to be interesting, but ultimately crashes and burns due to the author not knowing the proper direction to take it in. It's a problem with the cosmic horror subgenre as well, from what I've seen.
Anyway, just subscribed a little bit ago after watching a few of your reviews, and I love how you approach controversial concepts with eloquence and an artistic point of view. Fabulous work, my dude!
Yes, I think that’s exactly it, and it sucks extra hard because even if the mission statement is just to shock (which I personally have no problems with), the bad writing fails to achieve that as well. :(
Thank you so much for subscribing! I really appreciate the support and the kind words. ❤️
This Symbiotic Fascination is such an underrated gem. That scene with the video tape is AMAZING.
Unfortunately, my #1 pick for great splatterpunk is an Itallian novel that was (for some strange reason) only translated to Greek, called Pizzeria Inferno. Which is an over the top trangressive splatter commedy
I am always frustrated by these foreign splatterpunk titles that I can’t read! Especially since they always seem to be precisely in line with what I seek. I anxiously await the English translation of Jelinek’s Children of the Dead.
This thumbnail freaks me out every time I scroll past it 😱
I feel the same about yours.
@@PlaguedbyVisions cruel 😂😂😂
@@CriminOllyBlog You insulted my beautiful face first! 🥺
Huh... I've had that book for literally decades and haven't read it. I used to buy just about everything Leisure put out, so that was one of them. I piled 'em up and only read a few of them, so they're all still just sitting there, because I'm so over-swamped in things to read. Thanks for cluing me in as something I should probably pay more attention to... I'll move it up in the to-be-read stack (okay, it's more like a mountain at this point, but still...)
I’ve been waiting for your review ever since you posted a pic on Instagram . I just knew you would love it!!! Most extreme horror novels are not going to be as compelling as this one ☹️unfortunately. I will certainly let you know if I ever come across one. This one has given me one of my favorite quotes ever: “life is a series of wearing shackles, bleeding into the blunt links of the chains, of screaming into the feudal bonds, then breaking them to pass them down from one to another”.
Yikes that was dark !!!! But listen to me, I could babble on forever about this one!!!
Take care Juan, I look forward to the next one 👍
Thank you for watching, and yes! This was quite incredible, arresting, and beautifully ornate. It’s sad that authors with those talents often have no interest in writing extreme horror. 😂 I think my favorite quote came from the moment where one of the video tape’s victims describes eating a weeks-old cake that was for his deceased son’s birthday, and describing how he only wanted to taste the sweet nature of childhood that it represents. 😭 So beautiful and tragic.
I always love watching your videos - they bring me so much joy in my day!
I am wanting to get into more extreme horror but am finding I am getting pigeon holed due to most 22 year old females reading New Adult or Romance. It's fun seeing the looks other people give you in book stores, libraries and thrift stores when I am either in the horror section or read the back of a horror book.
I remember when I was 18, I went into the library and asked them if they had any books with the plot being about child grooming and pedeophiles - one of my favourite topics to read about in books and the librarian looked at me shocked. Most of my friends around that time were readers too and couldn't understand why I would prefer to read about graphic children abduction and not fluffy romance novels like they were.
For the longest time, I thought I was strange and that I was the only one who reads these types of books. So glad to find this little part of a TH-cam community who also reads things I do.
The Symbolic Fascination sounds really really good and I've added it to my ever growing TBR 😊
It sounds like you have stumbled into the right place, and I’m happy to have you here on the channel!
I always did have these same morbid curiosities and fascinations, and I cannot fully explain where they came from. They definitely make others uneasy, and that may well be part of it. But more than wanting to scare others, I think I seek to comfort myself, by having such horrid subject contained in the written form, where it can’t harm per se, but can still haunt and twist the mind. I also ask myself, especially for extreme horror, what makes authors write such things, why they unsettle people, and more importantly-more vertiginously-why they might not unsettle others. It’s a fascinating world that definitely deserves merit!
@@PlaguedbyVisions I whole heartedly agree with you! I also find comfort in reading morbid things because I know that cannot harm me.
Sold. This sounds incredible. Also, that little tale you crafting in the beginning of the video… I think you’ve got the beginnings of a future masterpiece there.
Alex really discovered a gem for us all to enjoy! My first novel, Eating Poop and Loving It, is coming out next month!
@@PlaguedbyVisions Can’t wait! 😂
Sold! I’m adding this to my list. Great analysis as always. I can almost forgive the thumbnail
Can you possible hold off buying it until you finish your 100 book challenge?! 🙄
@@PlaguedbyVisions yes
Definitely going to pick this up! It's actually available on Amazon by another publishing house. I appriciate your thoughts on the extreme horror zeitgeist, I wish all of them could be that high quality of literature, but I feel like books like "exquisite corpse" come close, most are more pulpy for pulp sake. Can't wait to check this out!
Oh, nice! I’m happy to hear this book’s still in print! Now don’t get me wrong. I can dance with pulpy trash just fine, but I feel like when it comes to a genre whose entire premise is relentless violence, there’s little to capture the imagination when things get repetitive. That was one of my main issues with Talia. However, I will say, Edward Lee and Richard Laymon have a certain brand of unhinged zaniness that makes up for some of the subpar writing. 😂
Ok I’m definitely looking out for this one.
Crap writing and bad story plot is a deterrent across all genre. I love extreme horror but not at the cost of all else. Yes, I want it all.
I tend to agree, but I do feel that certain audiences can forgive crap writing, or in fact, can even grow to relish or appreciate it when it comes to certain pulp and horror. I know I have certainly enjoyed a lot of trash in my time, and the violent set pieces are usually enough to satisfy certain readers. For me, however, I do tend to look for that “something else” that splatterpunk is often missing.
Excellent, thoughtful review. I will have to find a copy of this one.
Thank you for watching, Michael! I’ve been told this is easily available on ebook, so there you go!
Sold! I just picked this book up on Kindle. Your review was enough for me 😀
Awesome! I hope you love it as much as I did, and thank you for watching!
You had me at “Hellbound Heart by Zadie Smith and Thomas Pynchon”!!!
Hopefully it’s not too tall an order. 😂 It definitely has tastes of it, though!
I’ve just discovered your channel, and want to thank you for your videos. You’re very erudite. I appreciate your tastes in literature, and wish you continued success with your channel.
Thank YOU for all your kindness and support!
Excellent discussion, Juan. I'm not that into extreme horror, but I read a few extreme books a year just to test myself. LOL! Always enjoy your videos.
Thank you so much, Regina! And I really do think this is a useful and important utility for extreme horror in a lot of ways: If anything, it helps us decide the limits of our taste.
Thank you for this video!
Thank YOU so much for watching!
Beautifully done, as always. I'm really looking forward to reading this and Haunter.
Thank you! I’m really looking forward to reading Haunter now, too!
sounds pretty cool! i love cursed video tapes!!
Yeah, this is definitely very unique! Cursed tapes and pervert vampires and people exploding into a million critters. Something for everyone!
This is on my list because of Alex’s video too. Hope to get to it at some point! Really enjoyed this video. 💜
Alex is the best! I think you will really enjoy it, especially since I just saw you really liked Exquisite Corpse. Very similar artistic philosophy here!
@@PlaguedbyVisions Oh good. Yeah I really loved EQ!
This video is great! Keep it up!!
Thank you so much!
Haha, I'm trash for Talia and Billy Silver! But I haven't read a ton of extreme books. You sold me on this one just bought it on kindle! Love Thomas Pynchon, my only literary tattoo is from The Crying Lot of 49 😅
There’s no shame in being trash for certain titles or authors! I will always love trashy horror pulp from the 70s and 80s, subpar writing and dodgy politics be damned. I hope I haven’t oversold it, especially since you love Pynchon so much! But hopefully you’ll also see that similar taste in there.
This one sounds super interesting, and combined with how you feel about it I'll definitely have to add it to my extremely short list of extreme horror books I'm confident to read lol. As I said in the Discord, I might be trying to do Survivor with y'all if I can get my stomach re-assembled after Off Season. Reading The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires right now as a palate cleanser. Wig!
Thank you so much for watching, king! It always makes my day hearing from you. This is definitely extreme horror of a compelling kind, which is extremely, extremely rare lmao. Unfortunately, Survivor is already off to a shit start, but if you still want to read along for the lolz, of course, it would be a blast! I really need to get to Grady Hendrix one day.
It makes me so happy to see that you enjoyed this one! It really blew me away and I believe it was her first published novel which is quite the achievement. Loved hearing your thoughts on the novel and the extreme horror discussion! While I do like a bit of mindless gore, if there is also meaning and some kind of connection then it's going to stand out to me much more. I'm really looking forward to reading more of Charlee Jacob's work! Oh and yeah I'm really getting tired of you mentioning me in your videos and being so flattering and supportive HOW DARE YOU!
Thank you so much again for bringing this fantastic book to the attention of so many of us! I cannot wait to read her other book, Haunter. Of course, I love mindless gore as much as anyone, but I think you’ll agree even within mindlessness and trashiness, there’s a certain level of taste we set for ourselves. As Susan Sontag said, though it’s all trash, there’s definitely good trash and bad trash!
Lmao, I guess I just meant tagging you in my description if I so much as utter your channel’s name. 😂 But point taken! Being mentioned anywhere is always fun!
RIP Miss Charlee!! Plagued by Visions: Eating Poop and Loving It!™️ Really gorgeous set of words you’ve pulled together here once again ❤️
Miss Charlee!!! No one could be so iconic. RIP.
Hi Juan. I just finished reading Open Season by Jack Ketchum the other night, and I think it is a great example of really well-done extreme horror and splatterpunk. It caused a lot of controversy back in the day and was labelled by the press as violent pornography. The barbecue and cave scenes are among the most brutal I have read so far. I'm planning on reading The Girl Next Door soon, gulp! wish me luck.
Off Season and The Girl Next Door are two sides of the same coin. I didn’t find The Girl Next Door as graphic as others claim it is, but all the same, the sheer brutality of its subject matter is enough.
I too have a very distinct taste as far as horror is concerned. I’m writing a novel that falls within the purview of horror, but I come from a literary fiction background, got an MFA, and have very specific taste in horror-like you, I don’t shy away from the extreme or disturbing, so long as it’s presented in a way that strikes a chord with me. I’m not looking to be disgusted or terrified when I read horror novels or watch horror cinema; rather I’m just interested in the genre itself, the aesthetics, and what can be done to confront its conventions. In short, I get concerned that my novel is too overtly horror for the high brow folks and too high brow for the salt-of-the-earth horror fans.
Firstly, please do let me know if this novel of yours is ever available to the public! And I really feel your concerns. There’s definitely ways in which horror and non-horror fans are settled, and then there’s us who often don’t know which way to lean. I hope you at least find comfort in knowing there’s a considerable audience in the same camp as us! Many have found this channel, and that makes me happy.
Thanks for the awesome video! Hope you're doing okay. 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
Thank you! I’m doing alright. Same to you!
I have always been a fan of the more extreme horror movies. And read Stephen King, Clive Barker. But literally went straight in at the deep end recently regarding disturbing reading. Big head. All I can say is, it has left a need for more.
The Bighead is definitely one of the most violent books I’ve ever read, even if it was to a comical degree. It reminded me a lot, stylistically and fundamentally, to Peter Jackson’s Dead Alive. If you need something like the Bighead, try Matthew Stokoe’s Cows if you haven’t yet!
I put this book on my Thriftbooks wishlist after watching the first half of this video (cuz no spoilers!) and luckily got it a few days after that. I started it a week ago and just finished it tonight. It’s been a HOT minute since I’ve gotten through a book in that time. Now I’m back to see what you had to say about it!
Thank you so much for coming back, and I hope you enjoyed!
@@PlaguedbyVisions Of course! I feel like the story could’ve been carried out a bit longer. I wanted a bit more from the Ugly Man and Detective Cross subplots, and I’m glad that the story of Arcan’s brother turning into Shiva gets continued in Haunter. Overall, I like the scene the story ended on, but I wish the subplots hadn’t come together so abruptly just to give it an ending. I guess what I’m getting at is I liked it enough that I wanted to keep reading it!
I think Volpe is a talented storyteller. I don't always need a polished wordsmith. I'm looking forward to his Only Psychos due out in a few days. But I do like (love!) more literary extreme horror books, too, like The Radiator Boy And The Holly Country by Zoltan Komor and Grind Your Bones to Dust by Nicholas Day. I enjoyed your analysis of This Symbiotic Fascination. It sounds, well, fascinating.
I definitely don’t think one can garner such a dedicated fanbase without some talent! And also I’ve only read Talia by Volpe, which I’ve been told is some of his weaker work. I definitely enjoy straightforward, almost iconoclastic writers who use words as only stepping stones towards something cruel and vile (Ketchum and Selby, Jr. are my favorites in that regard). Ah, thank you so much for those recommendations! And trust that this one fits the bill of “literary extreme horror” as well!
You've introduced me to Charlee with this book, and I'll be tracking a copy down. As for horror that I've enjoyed, there's a short story I absolutely love, called PILGRIMS TO THE CATHEDRAL by Mark Arnold, that was published in David J. Schow's SILVER SCREAM, that I would absolutely love to take my last years on earth and trade for the chance to assemble a team, gather a serious budget, and produce as an extreme horror motion picture, just to let this beast live.
I’ve seen that anthology floating around! I wish I would’ve gotten a copy of it while I could. 😭 I’ll definitely keep an eye out for it. Thank you for the recommendation!
Omg that thumbnail screen was scary!!!
Good! 😈😂
I feel pretty similarly about extreme horror. Truthfully, I'm not drawn to much of it, and it just strikes me as sort of puerile, which I suppose is the point. Like you eloquently stated, I'm fine with shocking levels of violence and gore, but if it hasn't got the underpinnings of a good story, or compelling characters, than what is the point? Isn't a scene of horrific violence that much more captivating, if I care about the character that it is happening to? Isn't a point hammered home all the more powerfully if the author has structured their story in a way that when those moments arrive, it becomes truly provocative? Which is why I haven't even tried Beauregard or Shaw. I am sometimes curious about these books, but I'm mostly turned off by them. Contrarily, I am more open to certain authors - at least trying them. I enjoyed the one Kristopher Triana book I read, though I didn't think it was "extreme". I will try Volpe's Left to You and see if he's a writer I'm interested in. I got some enjoyment out of Lee's The Bighead, but that's because it was so over the top, that it became darkly comedic. Overall, it's not a corner of the genre that I'm overly interested in, but as your review points out, there are always exceptions.
Yes, absolutely, I think gore and extreme violence can be effective ASPECTS of a horror story, but oftentimes they don’t make for a good foundation. I do also agree: The redness of blood stands out more against a white background. When they are unexpected, or jarringly in contrast with the rest of the story, graphic depictions of violence hold so much more power. The Bighead really exemplifies, however, that even trashy titles like this hold some value when they quench our hunger for a delightfully campy, brainless trash fest. 😂 I can’t wait to read Gone to See the River Man by Triana!
i discovered your channel the other day, and if you're interested in weird/disturbing/absurd fiction, i recommend you check out the works of harlan ellison. i wouldn't describe his work as transgressive, but pretty much all of it is just him going out of his way to offend as many people as possible - kinda in the same realm as frank zappa, alice cooper, and gg allin. the book of his i think you might find the most fascinating is angry candy
Do you have a copy of The Mud Ballad? It's my fav extreme horror. I'll be happy to order a copy for you if you'd like.
I do not! I have never even heard of it!
I'm not sure if this actually qualifies as "extreme" horror, but I found "Haunted" by Chuck Palahniuk quite horrific in parts. And, I just bought the Kindle edition of the Charlee Jacob book for $2.99 on Amazon. Okay, that's three books I've bought in the past week based upon your recommendations. This has got to stop! LOL
I think “extreme horror” overlaps a lot with “transgressive fiction” fundamentally, so I’d say, yeah, why not! Haunted counts! And I will never stop!
So you like well written psychological splatterpunk?
I mean, who doesn’t?! 😉 But I also enjoy trash. Make no mistake. 😂
@@PlaguedbyVisions yeah i love psychological pov on everything pretty much
I feel very similar to the lack of better STORY in splatterpunk. I have been enjoying Kristopher Triana a lot, especially Full Brutal, Toxic Love and Gone to See the River Man. Duncan Rolstan's Woom was also interesting. I find Aron Beauregard books badly written with unengaging characters.
I'm honestly not into splatter punk or extreme horror I guess. I don't mind violence. I like psychological stuff. Demons? Absolutely. Haunted houses?. Let me at them. No feces please. But I respect your reviews and enjoy them!
“No feces please” is not too much to ask. You’re not the weird one for setting that limit, believe me. 😂 I should’ve probably included a content warning of some sort for this review. My apologies!
@@PlaguedbyVisions that's alright lol. Great thing about horror. It's very broad and can have something for everyone
In response to 3:24 …read Hogg by Samuel R. Delany
I have! I’ve talked about it multiple times on my channel.
Every work of fiction must offer some answer to the question of what it is like to be human, no matter the genre.
I do think that this perspective is inescapable. But I’d argue that even the basest of exploitation has at its core a survivalist philosophy, or an exploration of the body, as spectacle, as parody even. But yes, I think it all depends on what particular messages we are hoping to draw out.
@@PlaguedbyVisions Yes, all fiction connects to a primal need to some degree, but good fiction does it clearly and articulately.
So I get that being "disturbed" by literature is highly subjective. But is not extreme horror disturbing just for being what it is? If I were to read a couple of paragraphs to a member of my Mum or wife's church congregation, more likely than not they will feel a sense of shock and disgust. Is that not being disturbed? Or does it literally need to make the reader temporarily lose sleep and any apetite?
I think this is absolutely true. It’s why the “shock for shock’s sake” argument doesn’t hold up. Something shocking can be frivolous and tasteless to some, but leave a deep mark upon others. It’s all up to interpretation! And of course, all up to what one hopes to get out of literature. Some people seek only that shock and jolt, and that’s why there’s literature that seeks to deliver only that.
There was one I read recently that just really annoyed me and I guess it could be considered low level extreme but, the sleepover massacre. It had some of the weirdest little tangent sentences that would turn into paragraphs and run on into nothingness and come completely out of nowhere and ruin what was essentially just a trashy slasher anyway. A genuinely GOOD modern extreme horror author is David sodergren, all of his books are good. Literally all of them, now which ones you will like best will completely depend on you as a person but I found dead girl blues entirely compelling due to the plot and absolutely grueling atmosphere.
I added Dead Girl Blues to my Goodreads! Any suggestion of good extreme horror, I need to check out! It’s a true rarity, sadly. Brian Bowyer’s Sinister Mix is a modern one I really enjoyed. Just brief, prickling sentences all throughout. I burned through it in a day.
@@PlaguedbyVisions yeah dead girl blues is great and it's not all rape and nastiness it just has a grim tone it's not as extreme as others but we'll worth it. Sometimes Brian keene borders onto extreme and he's really good also!
Have you read Knockemstiff byDonald Ray Pollock?? It's not horror, but as transgressive as it can get. This is actually a real town in Ohio that, alot like my own, has been ravaged by drugs and violence. If you've already mentioned this one my bad, but if not I know you'll love it. Your fantastic, thank you for your awesome content.
I’ve only read The Heavenly Table by Pollock, which I thought was pretty good! This one has definitely been thoroughly recommended to me as well. I’m sure I’ll read it eventually.
Thank YOU so much for watching and for your support!
The extreme just for the sack of being extreme doesn't work for me. I honestly can read a book if it's bad written just because there's some gore on it.
I get that some people like the gore, but I like books. And if they have gore, it's ok. Using a example from your shelf, Mo Hayder writes really gross scenes and she's an amazing writer. Her books are well written and I can enjoy the story. I can't with books that exist just to make you feel sick.
I loved the expression "grocery list of atrocities" lol You are right, anyone can do that! Something like "the woman grabbed the baby and cut it in half. the baby was still alive, making baby sounds (lol) as the woman ate it". Ok, but what's the point? I have this same reaction to books/movies where a character dies just to make the audience sad. No reason, no purpose in the story. Just chock value.
One writer that I like is Raphael Montes. I think he has only one book in EN. Chuck Palahniuk is also great.
I think I generally with your assessment. In regards to someone like Mo Hayder, definitely, an engrossing story where violence is not the focus can make the violence feel that much more potent. I like to think of it as this: Red blood stands out much more when it’s against a white background. When there’s other elements at play, and violence flowers in a naturalistic or unforeseen way, it shocks a lot more than when it’s the centerpiece.
I have Perfect Days by Montes! I look forward to reading it!
Talia was sooo good 😭 extreme horror and transgressive are the best
To each their own, of course!
Is there any extreme horror you give 5 stars?
Off Season and The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum! Exquisite Corpse by Poppy Z. Brite. If we want to include Clive Barker, the Books of Blood are truly masterpieces.
Thanks so much! I read Books of Blood when they came out and they were so cool! I think ill revisit them! Im so glad you said Off Season, ive been so curious about that book. With you giving it a 5 star, its my next read! Man, im so scared to read Girl Next Door. Im afraid it will make me cry and hurt my heart. i cant take harm to animals or innocent young people. Unless they then get total bloody revenge. Maybe ill try it slowly. Thank you!
I dislike most extreme horror I read Jon Athan and matt shaw and Chandler Morrison I wish I could unread them all not great bighead by Edwards Lee . I enjoyed for its outlandishness like John Waters I found it funny more than anythingelse ....I do have similar tastes to your channel I like transgressive philosophical leaning books extreme with some writing structure and actual substance . I have read this book it was good except the odd bit of cheese slipping in with the vampire descriptions etc .Also really did enjoy Poisoning eros by Monica o' Rourke and Wrath James White again odd horror genre cheese like a character named vlad slipped through but I did think it was a good book I particularly enjoyed the first section that read like a Hurbert Selby jnr story morphing into Dantes inferno for part 2 . Anyway I would check that out maybe might be your taste .
Thank you for the rec, and I loved your comparison between Lee and John Waters! Totally agree.
I'm with ya. I love the horror genre, but EH (or splatterpunk) is really hit and miss. Splatterpunk by real writers (Clive Barker, Poppy Z. Bite), but too much of it appears to have been written by edgy middle-school kids.
(Be aware Survivor is one of the lame ones)
Since this video I did read Survivor and it is one of the worst books I have ever read. ☺️
@@PlaguedbyVisions Told ya.
You know what, i feel the same way about porno. I like the sex ok usually, but the people cant or dont act. And the scripts are stupid anyway. Can you imagine a porno with great sex that actually had a real plot with good acting? I think that would be cool
Hahaha, this comment legit made me laugh out loud! But yes, you touch on a fascinating distinction: Is what you describe not the difference between porno and erotica? It’s often that audiences look for a different kind of gratification. Erotica has its aestheticized pleasures, but porno is an adrenaline shot straight to the crotch. Up to preference and need? 😂
Ha, as soon as i typed this up i then thought, hey erotica! And i remember a few erotica movies that do come closer to how i meant it. But also you are right, porno is more of a wham bam. So id like to see a real porno with like an erotica plot and acting! Wow!
L + RATIO + FILTERED! Juan BTFO by EXTREME book that is TOO EXTREME for his SOFT SENSIBILITIES and it DOESN'T MATTER that this book has a BAD PLOT or NO CHARACTERS or BAD PROSE because this is WCW WHERE THE BIG BOYS PLAY!
-DipperGoesToTacoBellFan69
None of these words are in the Bible.