A Last Minute 2023 Horror Favourite! | Dark Reviews | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

A book reviewer discusses recent dark fiction reads, including Black Rivered Orchard, Eileen, Moon of the Turning Leaves, The Secret History, Interview with the Vampire, The Vegetarian, Frankenstein in Baghdad.

Key Insights

• 🫠 "Black Rivered Orchard" by Chuck Wendig is a must-read for horror fans, offering gruesome imagery and a unique take on apples.
• 🪭 "Eileen" by an unnamed author may not appeal to fans of traditional thrillers but is still worth checking out for its twisted narrative.
• 🥮 "Moon of the Turning Leaves" by Waubgeshig Rice is a compelling follow-up to "Moon of the Crusted Snow" that explores indigenous perspectives in a post-apocalyptic world.
• 💦 "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt is a popular literary fiction novel with unlikable characters reminiscent of Bret Easton Ellis' work.
• 🧛 "Interview with the Vampire" by Anne Rice is a classic vampire story that may feel cliché to readers familiar with the genre.
• 😅 "The Vegetarian" by Han Kang is a translated weird fiction novel that explores restricted eating disorders, but the horror elements may not be as prevalent as expected.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: What makes "Black Rivered Orchard" by Chuck Wendig a fantastic horror book?

"Black Rivered Orchard" is fantastic because of its gruesome and dark imagery, its well-developed characters, and its unique take on apples, which will forever change readers' perception of the fruit.

Q: Is "Eileen" by an unnamed author a typical thriller?

No, "Eileen" is not a typical thriller as it focuses more on character development and creating a twisted and unlikable protagonist rather than following the beats of a traditional thriller narrative.

Q: How does "Moon of the Turning Leaves" by Waubgeshig Rice compare to "Moon of the Crusted Snow"?

"Moon of the Turning Leaves" is a companion story to "Moon of the Crusted Snow" and follows the same indigenous community after the events of the first book. While it is character-driven and explores the aftermath of the apocalyptic event, it has fewer dark elements and leans more towards contemporary indigenous fiction.

Q: Is "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt similar to Bret Easton Ellis' "Less Than Zero"?

Yes, "The Secret History" does share some similarities with "Less Than Zero" as both books feature unlikable young characters engaging in questionable behavior. However, "The Secret History" focuses more on mystery and suspense rather than the horror elements found in Ellis' work.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The reviewer highly recommends "Black Rivered Orchard" by Chuck Wendig, a gruesome and fantastic horror book with interesting perspectives and a unique take on apples.

• "Eileen" by an unnamed author is a dark and twisted thriller with an unlikable protagonist but may not appeal to fans of more traditional thrillers.

• "Moon of the Turning Leaves" by Waubgeshig Rice is a follow-up to "Moon of the Crusted Snow" and explores a post-apocalyptic world through an indigenous perspective.

• "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt is a popular literary fiction novel that follows a group of students and is reminiscent of Bret Easton Ellis' "Less Than Zero."

• "Interview with the Vampire" by Anne Rice is a traditional vampire story that paved the way for modern vampire novels, although it may feel cliché to readers familiar with the genre.

• "The Vegetarian" by Han Kang is a translated weird fiction novel that explores controversial themes of restricted eating disorders but may not satisfy those seeking a typical horror story.

• "Frankenstein in Baghdad" by an unnamed author is a translated horror book set in Baghdad during the US occupation, offering a nuanced exploration of politics and the horror genre.