Prior to reading this book my only real experience with gross out fiction was Edward Lee's Brain Cheese Buffet so I was itching at a chance to get my feet wetter with the subject. As he had done the forward for this book I figured that this would be a good place to look. Even the introduction was disturbing and disgusting. If Edward Lee spends 20 pages telling you how messed up somebody's imagination and subject matter is, but at the same time how true he stays to the art of writing and the amount of skill used it should get your attention, it certainly did mine.
Bottom Feeder: I suppose this was exactly what I signed up for. A description of slightly depraved behavior that simply does not stop increasing the direness of the main character's situation. The flashbacks do a good job of placing the experience at the end of a night full of bad life decisions. However nothing had prepared me for the ending, and the image is certainly sticking with me for a while after reading. Disturbing but not too over the top til the end, 3.5/5.
Damaged Goods: First introduction to the notorious pair of Greg and Von, and lets just say that these are two sick cats. I can't really describe anything more without giving away the story but there is definitely a scene of perversity that almost made me nauseous just thinking about it. For gross out value 5/5, for story telling more of 3/5.
Sharing Needles: A heartfelt father son story distorted in a way such that the family resemblance is simply uncanny. A son's efforts to blackmail his father lead to the father outsmarting him in a serious way. Good juxtaposition between files being read and the events of the present. 4/5 and thankfully a little less disgusting than the last one cause genital grinder was next.
Genital Grinder: A snuff film in 5 acts: Act 1, we are reintroduced to Greg and Von fresh off their activities in Damaged Goods, as they assemble an ensemble cast for the creation of the first real life snuff film as the notion of real life killings on cameras remained an urban legend. Act 2, the first scene of the movie begins and some rather unsavory activities revolving around a disgusting disease and vomiting occur. Act 3, the first sex scene set up goes awry because of the presence of something entirely unexpected. Torture shows up as well in ways that by all means sane people probably wouldn't have the capability to envision. I simply hope that I will be able to forget all about it. The ensuing rape and human dismantling really doesn't give any more effect as its already at such a high level of depravity. Act 4, the culmination of the film continued down the territory of the previous installments, acts in direct violation of nature almost seeming passe in comparison, the death scenes a welcome sight. Act 5 simply is the least satisfying conclusion I could've come up with, but in the setting of the story it really fits pretty well. I'd say that this was almost too much for me but definitely held true to the promise of Harding, easy 3.5/5.
Development: A 20something named Alex developing film catches on to a criminal mastermind of the sick and depraved variety. He inserts himself in the situation as some kind of second in command, with blackmail supporting him, and dreams of becoming the top dog. A surprise ending later and the story makes a satisfying close. 4.5/5
Emissary: A bizarre account of a film company famous for shocking real footage of death and destruction grabs the attention of a perverted video store employee. Things escalate rather quickly and it ends in a way that would've been impossible to predict at the beginning. Definitely one of the less disgusting and better stories in terms of narrative its also one of my favorites. 4.5/5
It is at this point that I have decided for my intestinal fortitude to stop reading the stories. They are bloody and visceral and detached. They are the instruments of splatterpunk for sure. But for this reader, it was just a little bit of an overload, the kind that probably won't bother me in a while. All the stories took place in the same area, the same references throughout, and that was a nice touch.
Final grade 4/5
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