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Picking the Bones
Dying is easy. Living is hard.
"Step back, back into the world of 1996..."
"Dark fiction so numbing cold and cutting edge you better hold onto your ass with your free hand...There are no simple 'entertainments' or cheap grabs for the throat to be found here. Hodge is deadly serious about presenting a world where the worst punishment is the mere fact that you are aware you will probably live to see another day."
So wrote critic Stanley Wiater about Brian Hodge's renowned first short fiction collection, The Convulsion Factory. Three collections later, nothing has changed.
Well...maybe one or two trifling entertainments. A couple of cheap grabs for some body part or another. But that's about it. There are still plenty of fates worse than death.
"Step back, back into the world of 1996..."
"Dark fiction so numbing cold and cutting edge you better hold onto your ass with your free hand...There are no simple 'entertainments' or cheap grabs for the throat to be found here. Hodge is deadly serious about presenting a world where the worst punishment is the mere fact that you are aware you will probably live to see another day."
So wrote critic Stanley Wiater about Brian Hodge's renowned first short fiction collection, The Convulsion Factory. Three collections later, nothing has changed.
Well...maybe one or two trifling entertainments. A couple of cheap grabs for some body part or another. But that's about it. There are still plenty of fates worse than death.
And the time has now come to advance to the fourth circle of Hell, whose 17 stations include:
The award-winning "With Acknowledgments to Sun Tzu," in which a hardened photojournalist glimpses the face behind the atrocities of war...
"The Passion of the Beast," a report on the arcane origins and tragic premier of the flipside version of Mel Gibson's most famous movie...
"The Firebrand Symphony," which seeds Lovecraftian terrors in the unlikely realms of vintage psychedelia and cinematic sound design...
"Brushed In Blackest Silence," the chapter in the life of Dracula's Van Helsing that reunited Hodge with Dell/Abyss mastermind Jeanne Cavelos...
"Hate the Sinner, Love the Sin," which finds one of the Middle Ages' seven towers of darkest iniquity thriving in modern-day Los Angeles...
Dying is easy. Living is hard. And forces beyond your control have a bone to pick with you.
313 pages, Paperback
First published June 28, 2011
28 people are currently reading
169 people want to read
About the author
Brian Hodge
148books441followersBrian Hodge, called “a writer of spectacularly unflinching gifts� by Peter Straub, is the award-winning author of ten novels of horror and crime/noir. He’s also written well over 100 short stories, novelettes, and novellas, and four full-length collections. His first collection, The Convulsion Factory, was ranked by critic Stanley Wiater as among the 113 best books of modern horror.
He lives in Colorado, where he also dabbles in music and photography; loves everything about organic gardening except the thieving squirrels; and trains in Krav Maga, grappling, and kickboxing, which are of no use at all against the squirrels.
He lives in Colorado, where he also dabbles in music and photography; loves everything about organic gardening except the thieving squirrels; and trains in Krav Maga, grappling, and kickboxing, which are of no use at all against the squirrels.
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January 28, 2018This hardcover edition is one of 750 copies signed by Brian Hodge.
Table of Contents:
007 - "With Acknowledgments To Sun Tzu"
025 - "If I Should Wake Before I Die"
039 - "The Passion of the Beast"
051 - "De Fortuna"
065 - "The Firebrand Symphony"
099 - "Brushed In Blackest Silence"
119 - "Pull"
131 - "An Ounce Of Prevention Is Worth A Pound Of Flesh"
153 - "And They Will Come In The Hour of Our Greatest Need"
169 - "Re: Your Application of 5/5"
173 - "Where the Black Stars Fall"
185 - "When the Silence Gets Too Loud"
199 - "Guardian"
209 - "Hate the Sinner, Love the Sin"
233 - "A Good Dead Man Is Hard To Find"
257 - "Our Turn Too Will One Day Come"
273 - "When the Bough Doesn’t Break"
313 - End Notes (Massively Abridged)
314 - About the Authior
Table of Contents:
007 - "With Acknowledgments To Sun Tzu"
025 - "If I Should Wake Before I Die"
039 - "The Passion of the Beast"
051 - "De Fortuna"
065 - "The Firebrand Symphony"
099 - "Brushed In Blackest Silence"
119 - "Pull"
131 - "An Ounce Of Prevention Is Worth A Pound Of Flesh"
153 - "And They Will Come In The Hour of Our Greatest Need"
169 - "Re: Your Application of 5/5"
173 - "Where the Black Stars Fall"
185 - "When the Silence Gets Too Loud"
199 - "Guardian"
209 - "Hate the Sinner, Love the Sin"
233 - "A Good Dead Man Is Hard To Find"
257 - "Our Turn Too Will One Day Come"
273 - "When the Bough Doesn’t Break"
313 - End Notes (Massively Abridged)
314 - About the Authior
December 5, 2012
Brian Hodge delivers a superb collection of dark fiction shorts. Every single one of these eclectic and haunting stories cuts straight to the core of the darker side of human nature. Hodge’s writing style is crisp and clean. His horror is subtle, so don’t expect explosions of gore. His stories have depth and weight. This was not a quick or easy read for me and I am glad that it was not. You should take your time with this one and savior each tale. Highly recommended!
April 24, 2020
Plague Review 5: Picking the Bones by Brian Hodge
This SS collection is recommended for those who like their dark fiction bleak, disturbing, and engaging. Although he's not deliberately misanthropic as (Hodge's Jesus story is reflective and oddly touching), Hodge will milk the darkness out of every horror trope and situation to present an ugly portrait of the human condition. And you thought you could take a break from the horrors of the real world.
If you want to know if this collection is for you, then read below the mini-discussion of three (3) tales in the collection.
1. With Acknowledgments to Sun Tzu
A war photographer's encounter with a captured high-ranking officer shakes his beliefs in the validity and morality of his work
In this tale, Hodge posits the dilemma concerning the capturing and subsequent immortalization of human misery: does it matter who is holding the camera? The main character painfully realizes the answer and the story ends (rightfully so) with the description of a haunting and somber image.
Hodge's first tale in the collection is haunting (aren't all of them?), introspective, and yet very engaging. You want to know why the Main Character at the start does not want to discuss the worst thing that he saw in wartime. (A clear homage to the opening line in Peter Straub's )
2. De Fortuna
A man is led by his best friend to a scene of a most unusual crime perpetrated by his best friend's wife. What could be a case of a criminal cover-up is compounded by the fact that the Main Character has a strange ability, one that will ultimately reveal the true nature behind the "accidental" crime.
The story seems simple but it may take a lot of readings to digest the elements that Hodge weaved inside it. Hodge combines a crime ripped from the headlines (the same crime is depicted in Stuart Gordon's Stuck (2007)), Fritz Lieber's concept of Locimancy, ritual sacrifice, and a lot of his trademark nihilism. These elements combined may be too much for a short story but Hodge manages to make it all work, although the end product is still very strange
One thing I lament is that we will never know Hodge's true intentions since the book is bereft of his usual endnotes. (see Convulsion Factory, Falling Idols, and Lies and Ugliness). At this point, I can just speculate. I hope Mr. Hodge releases his thoughts on this particular story since I don't even have the luxury of consulting other reviews. (so far, no review has ever discussed De Fortuna)
De Fortuna means "Of Fortune" and I have no concrete idea why Hodge chose that title.
3. Firebrand Symphony
A budding musician's life takes on a strange and dangerous turn when his uncle bequeaths him a strange humanoid skull which may not only be an anomaly but also the first step in the subtle takeover of an alien race.
Brian Hodge is at home with cosmic horror. With his non-stop, Dell Abyss-type nihilism, Hodge is the perfect writer to channel old H. P.'s bleak worldview of the insignificance of humans and how hopeless we are in the face of alien adversity. In this tale, I don't need to tell you who wins. But it was a thrilling ride going there, though.
This SS collection is recommended for those who like their dark fiction bleak, disturbing, and engaging. Although he's not deliberately misanthropic as (Hodge's Jesus story is reflective and oddly touching), Hodge will milk the darkness out of every horror trope and situation to present an ugly portrait of the human condition. And you thought you could take a break from the horrors of the real world.
If you want to know if this collection is for you, then read below the mini-discussion of three (3) tales in the collection.
1. With Acknowledgments to Sun Tzu
A war photographer's encounter with a captured high-ranking officer shakes his beliefs in the validity and morality of his work
In this tale, Hodge posits the dilemma concerning the capturing and subsequent immortalization of human misery: does it matter who is holding the camera? The main character painfully realizes the answer and the story ends (rightfully so) with the description of a haunting and somber image.
Hodge's first tale in the collection is haunting (aren't all of them?), introspective, and yet very engaging. You want to know why the Main Character at the start does not want to discuss the worst thing that he saw in wartime. (A clear homage to the opening line in Peter Straub's )
2. De Fortuna
A man is led by his best friend to a scene of a most unusual crime perpetrated by his best friend's wife. What could be a case of a criminal cover-up is compounded by the fact that the Main Character has a strange ability, one that will ultimately reveal the true nature behind the "accidental" crime.
The story seems simple but it may take a lot of readings to digest the elements that Hodge weaved inside it. Hodge combines a crime ripped from the headlines (the same crime is depicted in Stuart Gordon's Stuck (2007)), Fritz Lieber's concept of Locimancy, ritual sacrifice, and a lot of his trademark nihilism. These elements combined may be too much for a short story but Hodge manages to make it all work, although the end product is still very strange
One thing I lament is that we will never know Hodge's true intentions since the book is bereft of his usual endnotes. (see Convulsion Factory, Falling Idols, and Lies and Ugliness). At this point, I can just speculate. I hope Mr. Hodge releases his thoughts on this particular story since I don't even have the luxury of consulting other reviews. (so far, no review has ever discussed De Fortuna)
De Fortuna means "Of Fortune" and I have no concrete idea why Hodge chose that title.
3. Firebrand Symphony
A budding musician's life takes on a strange and dangerous turn when his uncle bequeaths him a strange humanoid skull which may not only be an anomaly but also the first step in the subtle takeover of an alien race.
Brian Hodge is at home with cosmic horror. With his non-stop, Dell Abyss-type nihilism, Hodge is the perfect writer to channel old H. P.'s bleak worldview of the insignificance of humans and how hopeless we are in the face of alien adversity. In this tale, I don't need to tell you who wins. But it was a thrilling ride going there, though.
May 14, 2011
When I read Hodge's "World of Hurt", I was absolutely floored by the tragedy contained in the novella. The descriptions of pain, betrayal, and inhuman acts elicited such a level of pathos. What gripped me the most about the story was the mythos that Hodge has created. World building is never an easy thing, and when I find an author that has such a flawless touch to this art, I am totally sold!!
In this exquisite collection of short stories, Hodge has provided 17 windows into his dark dark world. While I can't say all 17 stories worked for me (I really wasn't fond of "A Good Dead Man is Hard to Find"), all but the one were just amazing. I think perhaps my discontent with "A Good Dead Man..." was that it seemed a bit incongruous with the overall theme of this collection. In most of the stories, I was left with a sense that a greater cosmic (and perhaps malevolent) presence was creeping through the pages of each story... always lurking in the background... challenging the reader to look over his shoulder in search of that fleeting shadow. The last story ("When the Bough doesn't break") probably had the most direct link to the mythos found in "World of Hurt". It left me wondering how related the Maia character was to the Manon character from WOH.
There were so many interesting themes explored in this collection of short stories. "With Acknowledgement to Sun Tzu" might have been the collection's crown jewel. The foreshadowing in this story left the reader with a clear sense of where we were headed, but even still, the ending was no less a gut punch to the solar plexus. I found myself so invested in the characters... such tragedy.
"Firebrand Symphony" was another one of my favorites, nearly equal to "Sun Tzu". I found the subtle hints at a secret lost predatory race to be highly unnerving. The anthropological referrences were highly engaging and left the reader wondering if there was a kernel of truth to the story.
"Guardian" had another similar tragic feel to WOH and questioned what role or side the guardian angel really played in this story. Similarly, "An ounce of prevention..." was another story with the WOH feel to it. I loved the themes explored in this story and the characterization was SO well done.
I highly recommend this collection of short stories. Brian Hodge continues to be one of my favorite contemporary writers.
In this exquisite collection of short stories, Hodge has provided 17 windows into his dark dark world. While I can't say all 17 stories worked for me (I really wasn't fond of "A Good Dead Man is Hard to Find"), all but the one were just amazing. I think perhaps my discontent with "A Good Dead Man..." was that it seemed a bit incongruous with the overall theme of this collection. In most of the stories, I was left with a sense that a greater cosmic (and perhaps malevolent) presence was creeping through the pages of each story... always lurking in the background... challenging the reader to look over his shoulder in search of that fleeting shadow. The last story ("When the Bough doesn't break") probably had the most direct link to the mythos found in "World of Hurt". It left me wondering how related the Maia character was to the Manon character from WOH.
There were so many interesting themes explored in this collection of short stories. "With Acknowledgement to Sun Tzu" might have been the collection's crown jewel. The foreshadowing in this story left the reader with a clear sense of where we were headed, but even still, the ending was no less a gut punch to the solar plexus. I found myself so invested in the characters... such tragedy.
"Firebrand Symphony" was another one of my favorites, nearly equal to "Sun Tzu". I found the subtle hints at a secret lost predatory race to be highly unnerving. The anthropological referrences were highly engaging and left the reader wondering if there was a kernel of truth to the story.
"Guardian" had another similar tragic feel to WOH and questioned what role or side the guardian angel really played in this story. Similarly, "An ounce of prevention..." was another story with the WOH feel to it. I loved the themes explored in this story and the characterization was SO well done.
I highly recommend this collection of short stories. Brian Hodge continues to be one of my favorite contemporary writers.
November 7, 2015
PICKING THE BONES is Brian Hodge's fourth collection of short stories, and much like...well, anything he's written, this doesn't disappoint. Contents listed below (starred ones are standouts for me):
With Acknowledgements To Sun Tzu*
If I Should Wake Before I Die*
The Passion Of The Beast
De Fortuna
The Firebrand Symphony*
Brushed In Blackest Silence
Pull
An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth A Pound Of Flesh*
And They Will Come In Our Hour Of Greatest Need*
Re: Your Application of 5/5
Where The Black Stars Fall*
When The Silence Gets Too Loud*
Guardian*
Hate The Sinner, Love The Sin
A Good Dead Man Is Hard To Find
Our Turn Too Will One Day Come*
When The Bough Doesn't Break*
It took me a while to read this, but it's because I like to read his stories slowly, taking in every word and nuance. Within these pages, Hodge introduces us to a myriad assortment of characters who find themselves in dark situations, showing that no matter where you are in the world - whether it's a war-torn country, the backwoods of Minnesota, Los Angeles, Ireland, Scotland, the mountains of Colorado - evil is out there in many forms, and it will find you somehow. I'm in awe of his talent and command of language, and I love the story titles too.
As with all of Hodge's work, giving the highest possible recommendation for this book.
With Acknowledgements To Sun Tzu*
If I Should Wake Before I Die*
The Passion Of The Beast
De Fortuna
The Firebrand Symphony*
Brushed In Blackest Silence
Pull
An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth A Pound Of Flesh*
And They Will Come In Our Hour Of Greatest Need*
Re: Your Application of 5/5
Where The Black Stars Fall*
When The Silence Gets Too Loud*
Guardian*
Hate The Sinner, Love The Sin
A Good Dead Man Is Hard To Find
Our Turn Too Will One Day Come*
When The Bough Doesn't Break*
It took me a while to read this, but it's because I like to read his stories slowly, taking in every word and nuance. Within these pages, Hodge introduces us to a myriad assortment of characters who find themselves in dark situations, showing that no matter where you are in the world - whether it's a war-torn country, the backwoods of Minnesota, Los Angeles, Ireland, Scotland, the mountains of Colorado - evil is out there in many forms, and it will find you somehow. I'm in awe of his talent and command of language, and I love the story titles too.
As with all of Hodge's work, giving the highest possible recommendation for this book.
July 2, 2011
This is one of the best collections I've read in years. Each tale is satisfying, with some of the cleanest prose you'll ever encounter. The characters are vibrant and interesting, the storylines gripping and exciting. The emotions are palpable and real. Among my favorite: With Acknowledgments to Sun Tzu, Brushed in Blackest Silence, Pull, An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Flesh (a classic in the making if you ask me), When the Silence Gets Too Loud, Hate the Sinner, Love the Sin, and A Good Dead Man is Hard to Find.
June 24, 2019
Трети пореден сборник от Брайън Ходж (трети за мен, четвърти който е издал) не мога да повярвам, че един автор може да запази такова ударно високо качество на прозата си и такова внимание към всяко едно произведение.
Ходж има няколко любими теми, които преливат една в друга из разказите му, но все пак успява във всяка своя компилация да изкара напред нещо силно обединяващо между разказите. Тук играта на думи в заглавието дава обещание на сто процента изпълнено в разказите. Дали ще приемем, че героите разравят старите кости на миналото си или им е потърсена разплата за прегрешения, извършени понякога поколения назад, няма значение. Възмездието се носи от съвсем нормални обстоятелства, но и от неща древни и мистични, а понякога всичко се прелива неузнаваемо и недоизказаното жили по-силно от написаното на листа.
With Acknowledgements To Sun Tzu � Екстремен фотограф обикаля с години бойните полета на двадесети век в търсене на кадри. Не знае какво точно го привлича в тази морбидна професия, докато един конфликт на Балканите не му надигне леко завесата за причините зад човешкия стремеж към самоунищожение и не му кравира урока в костите завинаги.
If I Should Wake Before I Die � Краят ба човечеството е близо, когато епидемия от помятания залива света. Една от първите жертви и от последните задържали плода си ще получи знание, по-страшно от всичко, което си е представяла.
The Passion Of The Beast � Филм за Страстите Христови, изцяло от гледна точка на Сатаната, с неизвестен продуцент и малък екип ще разбие представите на човечеството. Страстите ще се разразят още преди да стъпи по кината, а самият филм...
De Fortuna � Автомобилен инцидент, уж класически ще изкара на яве характерите на участниците в него. Гледката не е приятна, във всеки от нас, независимо какъв е, дреме по едно малко манипулативно чудовище.
The Firebrand Symphony � Музикант, правещ предимно саундтраци и филмови ефекти, получава древен артефакт, който произвежда странна музика. В търсене на източника на древния предмет, пича ще открие собствените си минало и настояще, което е невероятно травмиращо.
Brushed In Blackest Silence � Когато ван Хелзинг е повикан в старата къща на Франциско Гоя, няма представа колко по-различна от обичайните си задачи ще получи. Невероятен поклон към единият от тримата велики художници на ��спания и към Стокър, естествено.
Pull � Иключително човешка история за едно отлагано завръщане към корените. Родното място остава като подсъзнателен спомен за пъпна връв и винаги сме свърззани с него и хората с които сме израстнали.
An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth A Pound Of Flesh � Дали травмите от детството се преживяват? Или остават някъде във всекидневните ни действия и могат да бъдат заразни за по-податливите?
And They Will Come In Our Hour Of Greatest Need � Една коренно различна история за бомбардировките над Дрезден. Един немски пропаганден фотограф ще стане свидетел на мистично проявление, отвъд представите на човешкия разум.
Your Application of 5/5 � Положителен отговор на интервю за доста особена работа, изключително цинично и безкрайно достоверно.
Where The Black Stars Fall � Ходж в най-добрата си форма � мрачно еротичен, безсъввестен и дълбоко мистичен.
When The Silence Gets Too Loud � Група бащи водят синовете си в гората за едно приключение по мъжки, но никой не предполага, че ще отключи в хлапетата нещо от зората на човечеството.
Guardian � Настървен самоубиец е спасяван многократно от своя „пазител�, но животът му се скапва все повече и повече. Накрая човека осъзнава, че не е модерния Йов, изпитателят му определено не е Бог, а пазителят му далеч не е ангел.
Hate The Sinner, Love The Sin � Най-въздействащото произведение в подборката. Насред Лос Анджелис има древен култ, чиито последователи се опитват да ускорят идването на Второто пришествие.
A Good Dead Man Is Hard To Find � Тук кокалите са по-скоро за класиците. Ходж смесва няколко произведения (като започнем още от заглавието) и исторически личности в мрачен ноар. Е, не е Зелазни или Блох, но е доста приятно за четене.
Двама братя бродяги се изхранват с продажба на трупове на студентите по медицина (във Викториански Лондон, не в съвремието ни), като често си доставят пресните трупове без да се налага да копаят. Една странна поръчка ще ги поизпоти и ще ги накара да осъзнаят неща, които за дълбоко забравени през отминалите животи.
Our Turn Too Will One Day Come � Може би най-класическото хорър изпълнение в книгата. Едно семейство от поколения предава мистична тайна на женската част от линията си. Сега един от мъжете ще е достатъчно глупав да се набута между шамарите на тайната.
When The Bough Doesn't Break � Много силно, развиващо се в Ирландия и свързано с „World of Hurt� от предишния сборник разкази. Две хлапета тръгват по следите на черния светец, за езическо поклонение, което не разбират по никакъв начин. След нелепа трагедия, успяват да отключат древно зло (въпреки че са малко неяни понятията тук) и само Сестрите от Троицата могат да помогнат за овладяването му.
Обичам когато някой автор задълбае в изграждане на собствени митогеми и то така, не особено натрапчиво. А митологията усукваща се около „Сестрите� и цялата тежест, която носи върху авторовата визия за проявлението на Бог е точно по ирландски потресаваща.
Май е време да посегна към някой роман от автора, защото ако прочета още една перфектна компилация разкази, съвсем ще ме хване страх да проверя дали е добър и в по-дългата форма, за да не си разваля мнението за него.
Ходж има няколко любими теми, които преливат една в друга из разказите му, но все пак успява във всяка своя компилация да изкара напред нещо силно обединяващо между разказите. Тук играта на думи в заглавието дава обещание на сто процента изпълнено в разказите. Дали ще приемем, че героите разравят старите кости на миналото си или им е потърсена разплата за прегрешения, извършени понякога поколения назад, няма значение. Възмездието се носи от съвсем нормални обстоятелства, но и от неща древни и мистични, а понякога всичко се прелива неузнаваемо и недоизказаното жили по-силно от написаното на листа.
With Acknowledgements To Sun Tzu � Екстремен фотограф обикаля с години бойните полета на двадесети век в търсене на кадри. Не знае какво точно го привлича в тази морбидна професия, докато един конфликт на Балканите не му надигне леко завесата за причините зад човешкия стремеж към самоунищожение и не му кравира урока в костите завинаги.
If I Should Wake Before I Die � Краят ба човечеството е близо, когато епидемия от помятания залива света. Една от първите жертви и от последните задържали плода си ще получи знание, по-страшно от всичко, което си е представяла.
The Passion Of The Beast � Филм за Страстите Христови, изцяло от гледна точка на Сатаната, с неизвестен продуцент и малък екип ще разбие представите на човечеството. Страстите ще се разразят още преди да стъпи по кината, а самият филм...
De Fortuna � Автомобилен инцидент, уж класически ще изкара на яве характерите на участниците в него. Гледката не е приятна, във всеки от нас, независимо какъв е, дреме по едно малко манипулативно чудовище.
The Firebrand Symphony � Музикант, правещ предимно саундтраци и филмови ефекти, получава древен артефакт, който произвежда странна музика. В търсене на източника на древния предмет, пича ще открие собствените си минало и настояще, което е невероятно травмиращо.
Brushed In Blackest Silence � Когато ван Хелзинг е повикан в старата къща на Франциско Гоя, няма представа колко по-различна от обичайните си задачи ще получи. Невероятен поклон към единият от тримата велики художници на ��спания и към Стокър, естествено.
Pull � Иключително човешка история за едно отлагано завръщане към корените. Родното място остава като подсъзнателен спомен за пъпна връв и винаги сме свърззани с него и хората с които сме израстнали.
An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth A Pound Of Flesh � Дали травмите от детството се преживяват? Или остават някъде във всекидневните ни действия и могат да бъдат заразни за по-податливите?
And They Will Come In Our Hour Of Greatest Need � Една коренно различна история за бомбардировките над Дрезден. Един немски пропаганден фотограф ще стане свидетел на мистично проявление, отвъд представите на човешкия разум.
Your Application of 5/5 � Положителен отговор на интервю за доста особена работа, изключително цинично и безкрайно достоверно.
Where The Black Stars Fall � Ходж в най-добрата си форма � мрачно еротичен, безсъввестен и дълбоко мистичен.
When The Silence Gets Too Loud � Група бащи водят синовете си в гората за едно приключение по мъжки, но никой не предполага, че ще отключи в хлапетата нещо от зората на човечеството.
Guardian � Настървен самоубиец е спасяван многократно от своя „пазител�, но животът му се скапва все повече и повече. Накрая човека осъзнава, че не е модерния Йов, изпитателят му определено не е Бог, а пазителят му далеч не е ангел.
Hate The Sinner, Love The Sin � Най-въздействащото произведение в подборката. Насред Лос Анджелис има древен култ, чиито последователи се опитват да ускорят идването на Второто пришествие.
A Good Dead Man Is Hard To Find � Тук кокалите са по-скоро за класиците. Ходж смесва няколко произведения (като започнем още от заглавието) и исторически личности в мрачен ноар. Е, не е Зелазни или Блох, но е доста приятно за четене.
Двама братя бродяги се изхранват с продажба на трупове на студентите по медицина (във Викториански Лондон, не в съвремието ни), като често си доставят пресните трупове без да се налага да копаят. Една странна поръчка ще ги поизпоти и ще ги накара да осъзнаят неща, които за дълбоко забравени през отминалите животи.
Our Turn Too Will One Day Come � Може би най-класическото хорър изпълнение в книгата. Едно семейство от поколения предава мистична тайна на женската част от линията си. Сега един от мъжете ще е достатъчно глупав да се набута между шамарите на тайната.
When The Bough Doesn't Break � Много силно, развиващо се в Ирландия и свързано с „World of Hurt� от предишния сборник разкази. Две хлапета тръгват по следите на черния светец, за езическо поклонение, което не разбират по никакъв начин. След нелепа трагедия, успяват да отключат древно зло (въпреки че са малко неяни понятията тук) и само Сестрите от Троицата могат да помогнат за овладяването му.
Обичам когато някой автор задълбае в изграждане на собствени митогеми и то така, не особено натрапчиво. А митологията усукваща се около „Сестрите� и цялата тежест, която носи върху авторовата визия за проявлението на Бог е точно по ирландски потресаваща.
Май е време да посегна към някой роман от автора, защото ако прочета още една перфектна компилация разкази, съвсем ще ме хване страх да проверя дали е добър и в по-дългата форма, за да не си разваля мнението за него.
August 8, 2012
This was absolutely one of the best single author anthologies that I have ever read, on par with superb Peaceable Kingdom by Ketchum. I vaguely recall reading a novel of Hodges years ago that left no impression, so I wasn't sure what to expect from this collection and it started off stylized and interesting but lacking that awesomeness factor that came during the middle of the book and stayed throughout. The writing was consistently strong and moving and the stories dealt both with horror one can find in mundane everyday things and supernatural variety with such imagination and power and exquisite grace. The premises were so excellent and strong that they could have easily merited a novel, particularly The Firebrand Symphony, which was my favorite story. Another honorable mention for Guardian, which is quite possibly the bleakest darkest saddest and scariest story I've ever read. Not by any means a light or easy or quick read, but so worth it. Highly recommended.
November 17, 2018
The first thing that attracted me to B. Hodge was his writing style. His descriptions and storytelling style are alluring and vivid.
However I can't rate this anthology with 5 stars because the ending of so many stories wasn't satisfying, and it actually didn't felt like there was an ending. He also has a habit of leaving some things unexplained, like in the very first story you'll read. And I can feel the potential in those little leftovers of becoming something grand.
As in any story collection there will be stories you like and don't enjoy so much, but this one is worth reading.
However I can't rate this anthology with 5 stars because the ending of so many stories wasn't satisfying, and it actually didn't felt like there was an ending. He also has a habit of leaving some things unexplained, like in the very first story you'll read. And I can feel the potential in those little leftovers of becoming something grand.
As in any story collection there will be stories you like and don't enjoy so much, but this one is worth reading.
January 30, 2013
This intelligent, hard-hitting dark fiction collection from the trippy mind of Brian Hodge had me gasping out loud more than a few times. Hodge is so good at putting you in the same world as his characters, I often found myself wondering if he'd ever served in a war, lived in Sweden, or been pregnant. There is something far too real about the black, uneasy places he visits. In the opening paragraph, a soldier talks about a question he's often asked: "What's the worst you've ever seen?" His answer? "You don't want to know." But somehow, though the possibility of hearing more really scares me, I read this and find myself wanting to know! Thus begins the deliciously troubling journey that is Picking the Bones. What unfolds in something unforgettable, shocking, and wildly unique. Highly recommended!
January 24, 2013
Powerful writing in this one. Hodge definitely has a sublime sense of horror. Lots of great stories in this collection that cover a wide range of subjects. Although a little too wordy at times this book is a thought provoking read from a talented author.
March 5, 2021
This collection was OK. I liked some of the early stories, but the further into it I went, I found I just couldn't get into several of them for some reason. 2.5*
May 18, 2020
Some great writing that's at times pulled down by poor timing and idea realization and, at others, soars in perfect harmony. An average rating for a book that ranges from terrible to terrific stories.
January 19, 2016
Fantastic collection of short stories. of the 17 here, there was only one that i did not enjoy...a dark look at humanity, beautifully written, and enjoyable to read...an average of 4.15 stars for me...rounding up b/c the majority were 4.5 or 5 stars...
With Acknowledgements To Sun Tzu: A look through the eyes of a wartime photographer...dark, vivid, and well written...4 stars
If I should wake before I die: letter written from mother to unborn child...takes place at a time when there is a plague of misscarriages...beautiful, interesting, and thought provoking...4.5 stars
The Passion of the Beast: what if a movie was made that showed Christ's last day from the Devil's point of view? what would it be like? how would people react? powerful, fascinating read...5 stars
De Fortuna: bizarre situation involving an unusual motor vehicle accident and unlikable characters...dark and unpleasant for me to read...1 star
The Firebrand Symphony: A musician is given a strange artifact that could change his life...and possibly much more.....creepy....fantastically creepy...4.5 stars
Brushed in Blackest Silence: Van Helsing investigates strange goings on at the abandoned home of the late Francisco Goya and gets...noticed...this one started a bit slow, but i was really into it by the end...4 stars...
Pull: A man returns home after 10 years to find his highschool friends still there with no ambitions....but then things change...or do they.......i really liked this one a lot...may have even shed a tear...Hodge at his best (in my opinion)...6 stars!!
An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Flesh: woah...that was...unsettling....3.5 stars
And They Will Come in the Hour of Our Greatest Need: another wartime photographer. this time in a bombed out german city during the war...about the power of a photograph and...something more....great story....4.5 stars
RE: Your Application of 5/5: I could see this happening, if it has not already...4.5 stars
Where the Black Stars Fall: hmmm.....3.5 stars
When the Silence Gets too Loud: 8 men and their 10 adolescent boys have a weekend in the woods to in touch with their manliness...4 stars
Guardian: a man keeps trying to commit suicide, but keeps getting thwarted by a mysterious man that tells him life has another purpose....4 stars
Hate the Sinner, Love the Sin: a group of individuals trying to bring about the Second Coming....4 stars
A Good Dead Man is Hard to Find: a dip into some classic literature...fascinating read...4.5 stars
Our Turn Too Will One Day Come: sometimes you don't really want to know just where your family comes from....5 stars
When the Bough Doesn't Break: two longtime friends travel to ireland in search of the shrines of a priest who committed several murders...then things take a turn....4 stars
With Acknowledgements To Sun Tzu: A look through the eyes of a wartime photographer...dark, vivid, and well written...4 stars
If I should wake before I die: letter written from mother to unborn child...takes place at a time when there is a plague of misscarriages...beautiful, interesting, and thought provoking...4.5 stars
The Passion of the Beast: what if a movie was made that showed Christ's last day from the Devil's point of view? what would it be like? how would people react? powerful, fascinating read...5 stars
De Fortuna: bizarre situation involving an unusual motor vehicle accident and unlikable characters...dark and unpleasant for me to read...1 star
The Firebrand Symphony: A musician is given a strange artifact that could change his life...and possibly much more.....creepy....fantastically creepy...4.5 stars
Brushed in Blackest Silence: Van Helsing investigates strange goings on at the abandoned home of the late Francisco Goya and gets...noticed...this one started a bit slow, but i was really into it by the end...4 stars...
Pull: A man returns home after 10 years to find his highschool friends still there with no ambitions....but then things change...or do they.......i really liked this one a lot...may have even shed a tear...Hodge at his best (in my opinion)...6 stars!!
An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Flesh: woah...that was...unsettling....3.5 stars
And They Will Come in the Hour of Our Greatest Need: another wartime photographer. this time in a bombed out german city during the war...about the power of a photograph and...something more....great story....4.5 stars
RE: Your Application of 5/5: I could see this happening, if it has not already...4.5 stars
Where the Black Stars Fall: hmmm.....3.5 stars
When the Silence Gets too Loud: 8 men and their 10 adolescent boys have a weekend in the woods to in touch with their manliness...4 stars
Guardian: a man keeps trying to commit suicide, but keeps getting thwarted by a mysterious man that tells him life has another purpose....4 stars
Hate the Sinner, Love the Sin: a group of individuals trying to bring about the Second Coming....4 stars
A Good Dead Man is Hard to Find: a dip into some classic literature...fascinating read...4.5 stars
Our Turn Too Will One Day Come: sometimes you don't really want to know just where your family comes from....5 stars
When the Bough Doesn't Break: two longtime friends travel to ireland in search of the shrines of a priest who committed several murders...then things take a turn....4 stars
September 30, 2012
Brian Hodge is one of those wrtiers that amazes and continues to put out incredible creations!!! His imagination is wicked beautiful!!!
November 18, 2013
I loved this book. The stories grabbed and hooked me, I started reading and could not stop. Great dark fiction, I only wish he would write a novel but I will read anything by him from now on.
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