'Last Days' by Brian B.K. Evenson is a dark and twisted tale following Kline, a detective who is forced to investigate a murder within an underground religious cult that glorifies amputation. The story delves into themes of extreme violence, body horror, and the exploration of religion taken to its most gruesome extremes. Evenson's writing style is described as intense, lean, and haunting, with a plot that unfolds in a chillingly realistic manner that keeps readers on edge.

Characters:

Characters are vividly flawed and often grotesque, with Kline serving as a troubled but central figure in a darkly absurd narrative.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by its minimalistic and highly focused prose, enhancing the disturbing and surreal nature of the story.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot intricately weaves the journey of Kline, a dismembered detective, as he investigates a murder within a gruesome cult, highlighting the absurdity and danger of extreme beliefs.

Setting:

The setting is disturbingly compelling, centered around a cult that vests significance in self-mutilation, enhancing the overall horror.

Pacing:

Pacing varies, with a gripping start that slows down later; however, it maintains a gripping tension through escalating plot developments.

The second time was worse than the first, both because he already knew how it would feel and because of how much thicker an elbow is than a wrist. Still, he managed it, left-handed, despite Borchert's...

Notes:

The novel is set in an underground religious cult focused on self-mutilation.

Kline, the protagonist, is a dismembered detective investigating a murder in the cult.

The story presents a critique of extreme religious beliefs, showcasing the absurdity of literal interpretations of scripture.

Last Days was originally published as a limited edition novella titled The Brotherhood of Mutilation in 2003.

Brian Evenson is a former Mormon, and his experiences influenced the themes of the book.

The writing style is described as terse, creating a surreal and intense atmosphere.

The cult in the story believes that losing body parts brings one closer to God, which ties into a biblical passage about cutting off offending limbs.

The book consists of two connected novellas, delving into themes of violence, survival, and identity.

Readers have noted the blend of dark humor with horror elements in the narrative, making it both unsettling and absurdly funny.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers include graphic violence, body mutilation, cult themes, and discussions of self-harm.

From The Publisher:

The deceptively simple prose keeps the book brisk and even gripping as its puzzles grow more craggy and complex. This is Evenson's singular, Poe-like gift: He writes with intelligence and a steady hand, even when his characters decide to lop their own limbs off.-Time Out New York

When Kline is kidnapped by a dark sect that believes amputation brings you closer to God, he's tasked with uncovering who murdered their leader. Will he uncover the truth in time to save himself, take on the mantle of prophet, or destroy all he sees with a rain of biblical violence?

Ratings (7)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (2)
Liked It (2)
It Was OK (1)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (57):

Read It (7)
Want To Read (41)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (8)

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About the Author:

Brian Evenson: Praised by Peter Straub for going furthest out on the sheerest, least sheltered narrative precipice, Brian Evenson is the author of ten books of fiction. He has been a finalist for the Edgar Award, the Shirley Jackson Award, and the World Fantasy Award and the winner of the International Horror Guild Award, the American Library Association s award for Best Horror Novel, and one of "Time Out New York" s top books. The recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship and three O. Henry Prizes, Evenson lives in Providence, Rhode Island, where he directs Brown University s Literary Arts Program.

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Last Days

Brian B.K. Evenson