Eight stories of literary dark fiction from a master storyteller. Exploring the shadow side of love, these are tales of grief, obsession, control. Intricate examinations of trauma and tragedy in raw, poetic prose. In these narratives, a woman imagines horrific scenarios whilst caring for her infant niece; on-line posts chronicle a cancer diagnosis; a couple in the park with their small child encounter a stranger with horrific consequences; a toxic relationship reaches a terrifying resolution…
Originally published under the title The Strange Thing We Become and Other Dark Tales, this is a much-praised collection of deeply unsettling, painfully dark tales.
Expertly crafted tales of the macabre, dwelling on the gruesome side of the human psyche. There is a sprinkling of the grotesque stirred in to season the mix of mostly psychological terror. The writing is crisp and sharp enough to cut glass.
My favorites were The Strange Thing We Become in which a cancer diagnosis is chronicled in online messages. In the same vein as Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke the postings become increasingly darker and unnerving.
You're Not Supposed To Be Here is the prophetic title of a story in which a weird couple intrudes on a family outing, If only they had picnicked somewhere else. If only they hadn't been there.
Where Flames Burned Emerald As Grass is another story that spirals into terror when a stranger intrudes, this time on a single father vacationing with his young daughter and contemplating his future with a new love.
Bodies Are For Burning showcases a different kind of intruder. This time it's not a person but a woman's own thoughts that intrude on her everyday life and ability to function.
These were my favorites but every tale is a gem. I don't think Eric LaRocca could write a bad story if he tried.
5 out of 5 stars
My thanks to Titan Books.
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