Books matching: grotesque imagery
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The Complete Stories of Leonora Carrington is a collection of surrealistic short stories that read like fairy tales. The stories are atmospheric, eerie, and sublime, filled with fantastic images and bizarre occurrences. Carrington's writing style is described as fantastical, dreamlike, and surreal, evoking a sense of the ominous and absurd. The plots involve strange worlds where animals speak, the unspeakable is eaten, and characters transform into various forms, creating a feast for the imagination.
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Save:The New Weird is an anthology exploring the genre movement known as the New Weird. It includes a variety of short stories from well-known authors like China Mieville, Clive Barker, and Michael Moorcock, mixed with critical essays and discussions on the definition and importance of the genre. The book delves into themes of horror, sci-fi, and fantasy, presenting a collection of stories that are dark, extreme, and often grotesque, appealing to readers interested in weird fiction.
The anthology is divided into four segments: Stimuli, Evidence, Symposium, and Laboratory, each offering a unique perspective on the New Weird genre. The stories range from impressive to hit or miss, with some readers enjoying the vivid scenes and emotional resonance created by the authors. The book also includes non-fiction essays debating the existence and significance of the New Weird movement, adding depth and context to the stories presented.
But Miéville wasn't alone. By the time Harrison posited his question "What is New Weird?" it had become clear that a number of other writers had developed at the same time as Miéville, using similar s... - #3
Save:Little Marek, the abused and delusional son of the village shepherd, never knew his mother his father told him she died in childbirth. One of life's few consolations for Marek is his enduring bond with the blind village midwife, Ina, who suckled him as a baby, as she did so many of the village's children. Ina's gifts extend beyond childcare she possesses a unique ability to communicate with the natural world. Her gift often brings her the transmission of sacred knowledge on levels far beyond those available to other villagers, however religious they might be. For some people, Ina's home in the woods outside of the village is a place to fear and to avoid, a godless place. Among their number is Father Barnabas, the town priest and lackey for the depraved lord and governor, Villiam, whose hilltop manor contains a secret embarrassment of riches. The people's desperate need to believe that there are powers that be who have their best interests at heart is put to a cruel test by Villiam and the priest, especially in this year of record drought and famine. But when fate brings Marek into violent proximity to the lord's family, new and occult forces upset the old order. By year's end, the veil between blindness and sight, life and death, the natural world and the spirit world, civility and savagery, will prove to be very thin indeed.
The bandits came again on Easter. This time they slaughtered two men, three women, and two small children. Some smelting tools were stolen from the blacksmith, but no gold or silver, as there was none... 'Tombs' in the series 'Collections' by Junji Ito is a compilation of existing work that showcases the maestro of horror manga's exceptional ability to plunge readers into the darkest depths of human fears and unearth the most disturbing aspects of the human psyche. The stories within the anthology are described as creepy, mind-bending, and bizarre, with Ito's art capturing fine details effectively. While some stories are repeated from previous books, readers find the collection to be a gripping read that is perfect for horror enthusiasts.
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Save:The Red Laugh by Leonid Andreyev is a powerful and subversively influential work of Russian literature that delves into themes of horror, madness, and the senselessness of war. The novel presents a nightmarish account of an unnamed war, where the soldier narrator is engulfed in chaos, carnage, and insanity. Through a grotesque and darkly comical writing style, Andreyev paints a vision of war that is both horrifying and prophetic, with a focus on the mental toll rather than just the physical aspects. The lack of compassion in the narrative sets it apart as a compassionless anti-war diatribe, exploring the consequences of conflict on both the individual and society.
I felt it for the first time as we were marching along the road—marching incessantly for ten hours without stopping, never diminishing our step, never waiting to pick up those that had fallen, but lea... - #6
Save:'The Woodwitch' by Stephen Gregory is a dark and disturbing novel that delves into the mind of Andrew Pinkney, a man who retreats to a remote cottage in the Welsh countryside after an incident with his girlfriend leaves him feeling emasculated. The plot revolves around Andrew's obsession with cultivating a phallic-shaped mushroom, symbolizing his impotence and descent into madness. The writing style is described as elegant, full of vivid and grotesque descriptions that paint a picture of both the majestic and decaying elements of nature, particularly in the Welsh landscape.
However, for the whole of that autumn afternoon she had been lying in the long grass, in a patch of sunlight which fell through the branches of the silver birch, watching the man at work with his bow-... - #7
Save:'The Republic of Wine' by Mo Yan is a dark comedy, detective novel, and an existential exploration of China's transformation over the past thirty years. The book weaves together multiple threads, including the story of an investigator sent to Liquorland to investigate reports of babies being eaten, an exchange of letters between Mo Yan and a Doctor of Liquor Studies in Liquorland who is also an amateur writer, and the stories the amateur writer sends to Mo Yan. These threads culminate in a hallucinatory ending that leaves many aspects unresolved, creating an immersive and bizarre narrative experience. Mo Yan creates the world of Liquorland, a province characterized by extreme gluttony, alcoholism, and grotesque practices, utilizing absurd scenes filled with humor, horror, and satire to explore complex themes through the lens of food and drink.
Special Investigator Ding Gou’er of the Higher Procuratorate climbed aboard a Liberation truck and set out for the Mount Luo Coal Mine to undertake a special investigation. He was thinking so hard as ... Gyo by Junji Ito is a horror manga that follows the story of Tadashi and his girlfriend Kaori as they encounter a strange fish with crab-like legs that attacks them during their vacation. The horror escalates as more sea creatures with mechanical legs invade Japan, causing chaos and destruction. The plot explores themes of phobias, commitments, and human cruelty, with a touch of grotesque imagery and surreal horror that keeps readers engaged till the end.
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Save:'The Troop' by Nick Cutter is a horror novel that follows a group of five 14-year-old Scouts and their Troop Master who are dropped off on an island for a weekend of hiking and survival skills. The story takes a terrifying turn when a starving man infected with worms arrives on the island, leading to a series of gruesome and horrifying events. The book is praised for its compelling storytelling, detailed descriptions of horror, and the use of interspersed news accounts and transcripts to enhance the narrative.
The plot of 'The Troop' is described as a mix of 'Lord of the Flies' and 'The Ruins', with a focus on the boys' struggle for survival in the face of unimaginable terror. The writing style is noted for its vivid and clinical imagery, complex metaphors, and the ability to evoke discomfort and fear in readers. The book delves into themes of plausible horror, unethical experimentation, and the dark side of human nature, creating a chilling and suspenseful atmosphere throughout the story.
The man was wet from the spray that kicked over the gunwale. The outline of his body was visible under his drenched clothes. He easily could have been mistaken for a scarecrow left carelessly unattend... The Infernal Desire Machines of Doctor Hoffman by Angela Carter is a surreal and dense novel that explores the concept of a war against reality. The story follows a bureaucrat named Desiderio who gets involved in a city where reality is in flux due to the machinations of Dr. Hoffman. The book delves into bizarre and meandering narratives, filled with illusions and deep mysteries, as Desiderio embarks on a journey that takes him through circuses, pleasure houses, and strange fantasy lands.
I cannot remember exactly how it began. Nobody, not even the Minister, could remember. But I know it started well after my abysmal childhood was mercifully over. The nuns who buried my mother fixed me...
