Home       Subscribe       Index       Archives      
The Book Barn 

 
 Reviewed by: The Rev 6th Jan 2004 
 


Are You Loathsome Tonight

Poppy Z. Brite
Purchase this title at B&N

I've read some of Poppy Z. Brite's novels over the course of the last ten years, but have somehow not read any of her short stories until now. Perhaps, judging by the reviews, this wasn't the best place to start. If so, I can't wait to get to the other collections I have lined up.

Most fans (and professional reviewers) seem to consider this one a weaker piece of output. While some of the criticisms are justified (not knowing some of the characters are from previous novels, for example, may confuse), they don't take away from the writing in general. And it's the quality of the writing in this collection that makes it worth reading. It's rather like Caitlin R. Kiernan's From Weird and Distant Shores; the subject matter may not be what the more plot-centric fans were hoping for, but the style is unmistakable, and wonderful. Probably the best book I've read in the past three weeks (and that's not as left-handed a compliment as it sounds, since that encompasses some twelve books).



See also
Exquisite Corpse by Poppy Z. Brite reviewed by Stephanie
Liquor by Poppy Z. Brite reviewed by The Rev
Plastic Jesus by Poppy Z. Brite reviewed by The Rev
Prime by Poppy Z. Brite reviewed by The Rev
Wormwood by Poppy Z. Brite reviewed by The Rev
Wrong Things by Poppy Z. Brite & Caitlin R. Kiernan reviewed by The Rev
Candles for Elizabeth by Caitlin R. Kiernan reviewed by The Rev
From Weird and Distant Shores by Caitlin R. Kiernan reviewed by The Rev
In the Garden of Poisonous Flowers by Caitlin R. Kiernan reviewed by The Rev