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Without Purpose, Without Pity
"What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas," they used to say here. But nobody had any idea how true that would really come to be.
When Las Vegas fell, it fell in stages. First, the long, slow death by drought. Then financial collapse and mass exodus. Scorched earth and scapegoats thrown to the flames. Finally, it fell from the face of the earth, cut off by a mysterious vortex that churns as relentlessly as the Red Spot on Jupiter, raised by forces we couldn't possibly imagine.
So why had I stayed until it was too late? Easy: I'd spent years covering fights, and all of a sudden they were breaking out all over.
Now, in the aftermath, that's about the only thing that hasn't changed here. People still love to watch a good fight. So I'm lucky, one of the few to have kept his place in the world. Along with the fighters, who fight for the same reasons they always have. For honor, for respect, for the entertainment of a thirsty crowd of people starved for something unpredictable to watch, besides a horizon that will kill them.
But things can always get worse.
It started when one-time heavyweight contender Darius Thurman came back from a desert run a week late. It started with the call from his trainer, telling me how he was beginning to change. It started with the obvious conclusion:
Whatever had been on the outside all this time was finally finding its way in�
When Las Vegas fell, it fell in stages. First, the long, slow death by drought. Then financial collapse and mass exodus. Scorched earth and scapegoats thrown to the flames. Finally, it fell from the face of the earth, cut off by a mysterious vortex that churns as relentlessly as the Red Spot on Jupiter, raised by forces we couldn't possibly imagine.
So why had I stayed until it was too late? Easy: I'd spent years covering fights, and all of a sudden they were breaking out all over.
Now, in the aftermath, that's about the only thing that hasn't changed here. People still love to watch a good fight. So I'm lucky, one of the few to have kept his place in the world. Along with the fighters, who fight for the same reasons they always have. For honor, for respect, for the entertainment of a thirsty crowd of people starved for something unpredictable to watch, besides a horizon that will kill them.
But things can always get worse.
It started when one-time heavyweight contender Darius Thurman came back from a desert run a week late. It started with the call from his trainer, telling me how he was beginning to change. It started with the obvious conclusion:
Whatever had been on the outside all this time was finally finding its way in�
- GenresHorror
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2012
1 person is currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Brian Hodge
148Ìýbooks441ÌýfollowersBrian Hodge, called “a writer of spectacularly unflinching giftsâ€� 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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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 14, 2014
Without Purpose, Without Pity is a post-apocalyptic story about boxing set in Las Vegas, this Las Vegas however is separated from the rest of the world (if a rest of the world actually exists) by something called the vortex, an impenetrable barrier and to top it off we have a serious water shortage that threatens the city.
The story is told first person through the eyes of a boxing commentator whose name we never get to know, a close colleague of boxer Darius Thurman and his trainer Isaak Nolan. Darius is a heavyweight and was consistently ranked among the top 5 contenders until a deliberate head-butt cost him his shot at the titles. Darius goes training out into the desert and doesn't return for a week, when he comes back to the gym he has undergone some alarming physical changes that gets everyone stirred up.
This is a great story, really enjoyed it, the world building stands out with a city on the brink, a compelling cast of characters and a perfect depiction of the warrior spirit found in the boxing fraternity.
A 4.5 Rating
The story is told first person through the eyes of a boxing commentator whose name we never get to know, a close colleague of boxer Darius Thurman and his trainer Isaak Nolan. Darius is a heavyweight and was consistently ranked among the top 5 contenders until a deliberate head-butt cost him his shot at the titles. Darius goes training out into the desert and doesn't return for a week, when he comes back to the gym he has undergone some alarming physical changes that gets everyone stirred up.
This is a great story, really enjoyed it, the world building stands out with a city on the brink, a compelling cast of characters and a perfect depiction of the warrior spirit found in the boxing fraternity.
A 4.5 Rating
July 1, 2012
Darkfuse has done well to publish Brian Hodge... particularly with this very interesting and well delivered story. As a plot shell, we follow a former boxing pundit who has been asked to "witness" a miraculous transformation of a boxer who came back from his sojourn out in the Vegas dessert, having become a changed man (both physically and mentally). While Hodge's stories are of course gripping and engaging, it is the combination of his outstanding character development and sociopolitical thematic exploration that really distinguishes Hodge from many other horror/dark fiction writers.
Regarding thematic exploration, I very much enjoyed his exploration of a political power struggle over fresh water through the lens of potential religious ideological strife. Hodge's approach with this story felt a little like Mike Davis' CITY OF QUARTZ, at least by way of the political intrigue and societal strife. I can see this novella potentially serving as a launching off point to a new set of stories or mythos for Hodge.
The premise that Las Vegas has been cut off from the rest of the world by an unknowable cosmic vortex is a rather interesting one. We are left with the impression that Vegas has become unreachable by the outside world, and neither can anyone trapped in Las Vegas exit the vortex. This ultimately leaves us with a hot and barren setting where Vegas has shed its big city lights and taken on all the characteristics of a barren desert wasteland.
Knowing Hodge and his uncanny ability to invert our basic understandings of these kinds of premises, I would not be surprised that the rest of the world is simply gone and only Las Vegas remains... "protected" by this vortex, perhaps. Anyways, like any great piece of weird fiction, some of these questions go unanswered, at least for now.
Likewise, Hodge is again at his best as he explores the relationship between boxer (Darius) and his trainer (Isaak), in and out of the ring. Hodge paints a wonderfully vivid picture of their interaction which really leads the reader to absolute heartbreak when Isaak willingly enters the watery abyss with Darius so that Darius doesn't have to meet his fate by himself.
Another winner from an under appreciated master of contemporary horror and dark fiction. Highly recommended!!
Note to Darkfuse... more of Brian Hodge would be great.
Regarding thematic exploration, I very much enjoyed his exploration of a political power struggle over fresh water through the lens of potential religious ideological strife. Hodge's approach with this story felt a little like Mike Davis' CITY OF QUARTZ, at least by way of the political intrigue and societal strife. I can see this novella potentially serving as a launching off point to a new set of stories or mythos for Hodge.
The premise that Las Vegas has been cut off from the rest of the world by an unknowable cosmic vortex is a rather interesting one. We are left with the impression that Vegas has become unreachable by the outside world, and neither can anyone trapped in Las Vegas exit the vortex. This ultimately leaves us with a hot and barren setting where Vegas has shed its big city lights and taken on all the characteristics of a barren desert wasteland.
Knowing Hodge and his uncanny ability to invert our basic understandings of these kinds of premises, I would not be surprised that the rest of the world is simply gone and only Las Vegas remains... "protected" by this vortex, perhaps. Anyways, like any great piece of weird fiction, some of these questions go unanswered, at least for now.
Likewise, Hodge is again at his best as he explores the relationship between boxer (Darius) and his trainer (Isaak), in and out of the ring. Hodge paints a wonderfully vivid picture of their interaction which really leads the reader to absolute heartbreak when Isaak willingly enters the watery abyss with Darius so that Darius doesn't have to meet his fate by himself.
Another winner from an under appreciated master of contemporary horror and dark fiction. Highly recommended!!
Note to Darkfuse... more of Brian Hodge would be great.
March 3, 2016
Darius Thurman was one fight away from becoming the best boxer in the world. Now that Las Vegas is a dried up wasteland, he is changing his style. Not of his choice, however. As he evolves, his trainer at Nolan's Gym and a former commentator must try and figure out what is happing to Darius and keep his secrets away from those would use him for their own selfish gains. It’s going to be a fight. Let’s get ready to RUMBLE!!
This one from Brian Hodge packs quite a punch. (Yes, I said it. Bad pun intended.) His characterizations are crisp and his apocalyptic landscape is painted with hopelessness and despair. A cerebral and dark tale that reads much deeper than its page count. Very well done, as usual, from Mr. Hodge. 4 Stars! Highly Recommended.
This one from Brian Hodge packs quite a punch. (Yes, I said it. Bad pun intended.) His characterizations are crisp and his apocalyptic landscape is painted with hopelessness and despair. A cerebral and dark tale that reads much deeper than its page count. Very well done, as usual, from Mr. Hodge. 4 Stars! Highly Recommended.
February 25, 2016
A one sitting, note-perfect novella by Hodge. Highly recommended.
August 18, 2015
Question: What do a nameless narrator, mutating bones, boxing, and a post-apocalyptic Las Vegas have in common?
Answer: Brian Hodge's Without Purpose, Without Pity.
A strongly written and interesting novella that nevertheless never really gets out of third gear, Without Purpose, Without Pity is a peculiar beast that feels more like a set-up to something much larger and more substantial than what is presented here. It follows an unnamed ex-boxing commentator who bears witness to a boxer-friend of his who undergoes a frightening metamorphosis upon his return from a week missing in the desert outside Las Vegas - somewhere between the city's border and the howling dust vortex which surrounds the town. Said vortex completely cuts the town off from the rest of the world, and those within don't even know if there is anyone beyond its borders as those who try to push through meet their demise within sight of onlookers.
A gladiatorial-like fight, power plays, spiritual rumblings, and the usual desperate attempts for power in a post-apocalyptic landscape all feature within Hodge's tale, but for mine, the disparate parts never really come together in a wholly satisfying manner. What works for this novella, however, is some incredibly strong writing. Hodge weaves sentences that are mesmerising in tone and beat, and his word choice is second to none. (If only I could write half as well as this man ...)
So while I wasn't as enamoured with the plot of this one as I was with his novella, , the writing carried me through and was enough to keep me swiping pages regularly.
Therefore recommended to those looking for something more literary or off-beat than the usual post-apocalyptic fare.
3 Thunderous Right Hooks for Without Purpose, Without Pity.
Answer: Brian Hodge's Without Purpose, Without Pity.
A strongly written and interesting novella that nevertheless never really gets out of third gear, Without Purpose, Without Pity is a peculiar beast that feels more like a set-up to something much larger and more substantial than what is presented here. It follows an unnamed ex-boxing commentator who bears witness to a boxer-friend of his who undergoes a frightening metamorphosis upon his return from a week missing in the desert outside Las Vegas - somewhere between the city's border and the howling dust vortex which surrounds the town. Said vortex completely cuts the town off from the rest of the world, and those within don't even know if there is anyone beyond its borders as those who try to push through meet their demise within sight of onlookers.
A gladiatorial-like fight, power plays, spiritual rumblings, and the usual desperate attempts for power in a post-apocalyptic landscape all feature within Hodge's tale, but for mine, the disparate parts never really come together in a wholly satisfying manner. What works for this novella, however, is some incredibly strong writing. Hodge weaves sentences that are mesmerising in tone and beat, and his word choice is second to none. (If only I could write half as well as this man ...)
So while I wasn't as enamoured with the plot of this one as I was with his novella, , the writing carried me through and was enough to keep me swiping pages regularly.
Therefore recommended to those looking for something more literary or off-beat than the usual post-apocalyptic fare.
3 Thunderous Right Hooks for Without Purpose, Without Pity.
April 4, 2012
I won this novella in an author event hosted by Darkfuse.
The story takes place in Las Vegas, but it is not the Vegas that it used to be. All the water is gone. Is a desert city with no water still a tourist attraction? The answer is no. In fact, most Vegas residents have already left.
The story follows a boxer who suddenly has no fights. He's worked all his life to get close to a heavyweight title and now there's no one to fight. He trains by running in the desert where he finds a small trickle of water to slake his thirst.
I don't want to give away anything more about the story. I,(a boxing fan), very much enjoyed it, but I think it's an enjoyable read for a non boxing fan as well. I firmly put this novella into the category of dark fiction. I enjoyed the main characters very much, the strange environment of the new Vegas, and the bit of intrigue that develops throughout.
I also like being left with a few questions.
If you like your stories all neatly tied up in a pretty package, this may not be the story for you. If you like some ambiguity and thinking a bit about the story, I would highly recommend this one.
The story takes place in Las Vegas, but it is not the Vegas that it used to be. All the water is gone. Is a desert city with no water still a tourist attraction? The answer is no. In fact, most Vegas residents have already left.
The story follows a boxer who suddenly has no fights. He's worked all his life to get close to a heavyweight title and now there's no one to fight. He trains by running in the desert where he finds a small trickle of water to slake his thirst.
I don't want to give away anything more about the story. I,(a boxing fan), very much enjoyed it, but I think it's an enjoyable read for a non boxing fan as well. I firmly put this novella into the category of dark fiction. I enjoyed the main characters very much, the strange environment of the new Vegas, and the bit of intrigue that develops throughout.
I also like being left with a few questions.
If you like your stories all neatly tied up in a pretty package, this may not be the story for you. If you like some ambiguity and thinking a bit about the story, I would highly recommend this one.
February 18, 2013
A fantastic, mesmerizing story told in the first person about the decline of the water supply in Las Vegas (a horrific drought in the desert, how fitting) and the dry bone parallel of fearsome boxer, Darius Thurman, who emerges from the desert for that one great last fight. Does Darius have it in him to fight and can we stomach watching what happens both in and out of the ring?
Raw, powerful descriptions permeate the gripping narrative. The author tips the reader off a bit too soon on the awesome ending, but hey, I still love and will happily recommend this to horror reading friends. Almost a perfect novella and among my most favorite stories ever set in Las Vegas (such a great setting for horror fiction, IMO). It's been almost 20 years since I've read Hodge's fiction and I will not stay away for 20 more. 4.75 stars, you bet it's rounded. Highly Recommended.
Raw, powerful descriptions permeate the gripping narrative. The author tips the reader off a bit too soon on the awesome ending, but hey, I still love and will happily recommend this to horror reading friends. Almost a perfect novella and among my most favorite stories ever set in Las Vegas (such a great setting for horror fiction, IMO). It's been almost 20 years since I've read Hodge's fiction and I will not stay away for 20 more. 4.75 stars, you bet it's rounded. Highly Recommended.
March 12, 2013
Great storytelling. An excellent read. A perfect example of what can be achieved in the novella format.
April 25, 2012
Brian Hodge writes some of the most original and honest fiction. Great little novella.
January 7, 2023
Hodge, Brian - Without Purpose, Without Pity
Published in 2012, this has its prophetic moments.
Las Vegas is expiring from an (un)natural catastrophe.
The water supply, as well as the gambling tourist trade, has dried up.
As the city reverts to arid desert, it is encircled by tornado / hurricane / devil winds, denying entrance and exodus. Residents are trapped.
Residents, including boxers, pugilists, and their coaches, who train and combat for ever dwindling purses. Crowds, as ever, roar for blood.
Especially for the fighter who has begun transfiguring into something more, and something less.
In this short novel for the old Delirium Press, Hodge unrolls multiple stories and themes. A few too many, if you ask me, as he is never able to array his threads into a coherent team.
I found this intriguing, especially the boxing angles, for a long time. The conclusion, should you call it that, is the hastily shrugged “good enough� surrender.
Published in 2012, this has its prophetic moments.
Las Vegas is expiring from an (un)natural catastrophe.
The water supply, as well as the gambling tourist trade, has dried up.
As the city reverts to arid desert, it is encircled by tornado / hurricane / devil winds, denying entrance and exodus. Residents are trapped.
Residents, including boxers, pugilists, and their coaches, who train and combat for ever dwindling purses. Crowds, as ever, roar for blood.
Especially for the fighter who has begun transfiguring into something more, and something less.
In this short novel for the old Delirium Press, Hodge unrolls multiple stories and themes. A few too many, if you ask me, as he is never able to array his threads into a coherent team.
I found this intriguing, especially the boxing angles, for a long time. The conclusion, should you call it that, is the hastily shrugged “good enough� surrender.
July 12, 2015
Post-apocalyptic horror? Dystopian pugilism mythos? All attempts to lock down Brian Hodge's novella into a tight box fail. Suffice it to say, the characters make the horror in this story, and that says something given the environment it takes place in.
Without Purpose, Without Pity emerges in a not too far-future Las Vegas, near desolate from the near-complete absence of water. The few who are left try to carve out what life they can, trapped in the center of a gigantic dust vortex of unknown origin. Since it's Las Vegas and some things never change, there's still the sport of box. The story revolves around one boxer who went out for a run and came back...different.
The desolate atmosphere of the Vegas that Hodge creates, as well as the changes one of the key characters endures are horrific unto themselves, but I found the crux of the dread the story creates is in how the people in the story deal with all of it. There are those who are trying to carve out and maintain a sort of rulership in Vegas, you have people dealing with becoming monsters and others dealing with them becoming monsters, you have people trying to fall in love and stay in love. All of these elements weave together in a desolate, chilling story that is incredibly immersive for the short length of it.
It should also be noted that part of the realism of the story comes from Hodge's obviously extensive research into the sport of Boxing itself. This doesn't just come through in his descriptions of matches in the story, but the descriptive mindsets of those involved in the sport in the story as well. It all weaves together into the surreal nature of the world that the story takes place in, and makes it all the more disturbing for it. Hodge has done an incredible job with such a short story, and it's well worth your time.
Without Purpose, Without Pity emerges in a not too far-future Las Vegas, near desolate from the near-complete absence of water. The few who are left try to carve out what life they can, trapped in the center of a gigantic dust vortex of unknown origin. Since it's Las Vegas and some things never change, there's still the sport of box. The story revolves around one boxer who went out for a run and came back...different.
The desolate atmosphere of the Vegas that Hodge creates, as well as the changes one of the key characters endures are horrific unto themselves, but I found the crux of the dread the story creates is in how the people in the story deal with all of it. There are those who are trying to carve out and maintain a sort of rulership in Vegas, you have people dealing with becoming monsters and others dealing with them becoming monsters, you have people trying to fall in love and stay in love. All of these elements weave together in a desolate, chilling story that is incredibly immersive for the short length of it.
It should also be noted that part of the realism of the story comes from Hodge's obviously extensive research into the sport of Boxing itself. This doesn't just come through in his descriptions of matches in the story, but the descriptive mindsets of those involved in the sport in the story as well. It all weaves together into the surreal nature of the world that the story takes place in, and makes it all the more disturbing for it. Hodge has done an incredible job with such a short story, and it's well worth your time.
May 27, 2015
Review: WITHOUT PURPOSE, WITHOUT PITY
by Brian Hodge
One of the most lyrical and poetic stories I have ever read in nearly six decades of reading, WITHOUT PURPOSE, WITHOUT PITY transcends its genres of horror and apocalyptic; to be honest, it surpasses the human condition. I consider this novella genius work.
by Brian Hodge
One of the most lyrical and poetic stories I have ever read in nearly six decades of reading, WITHOUT PURPOSE, WITHOUT PITY transcends its genres of horror and apocalyptic; to be honest, it surpasses the human condition. I consider this novella genius work.
August 1, 2015
Eerie and intense, the perfect Brian Hodge story
The only negative thing I can say about this story is that I desperately want to know what happens next.
With an economy of words, Hodge creates a desolate landscape peopled with fully fleshed out characters that truly touched me.
I highly recommend this and anything else by this author.
The only negative thing I can say about this story is that I desperately want to know what happens next.
With an economy of words, Hodge creates a desolate landscape peopled with fully fleshed out characters that truly touched me.
I highly recommend this and anything else by this author.
December 23, 2014
The question that begs answering is why is Brian Hodge not more widely read?
Without Purpose, Without Pity is another fine example of quality writing from thus author.
An original premise, not some rehashed plot with a new twist.
Highly recommended!
Without Purpose, Without Pity is another fine example of quality writing from thus author.
An original premise, not some rehashed plot with a new twist.
Highly recommended!
July 29, 2016
I'm now two for two with Brian Hodge. A great imaginative story that doesn't let the sci-fi elements overwhelm the human drama. How have I missed this guy for the last 25 years?
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