Are You Loathsome Tonight?

by Poppy Z. Brite

Other authorsJ. K. Potter (Illustrator)

Hardcover, 1998

Status

Available

Call number

PS3552.R4967 A73

Genres

Horror

All Topics

Fiction

Publication

Gauntlet Pr (1998), Edition: Limited, Signed, 193 pages

Description

Fiction. Horror. HTML: Tales of "fearlessly offbeat" horror from the author of Lost Souls and Exquisite Corpse (Locus). Poppy Z. Brite, an acclaimed horror fan favorite, is known for going to the edge and back�??and this collection of stories, many set against the backdrop of the author's native New Orleans, explores the outermost regions of murder, sex, death, and religion. Featuring titles such as "In Vermis Veritas," "Entertaining Mr. Orton," and "Mussolini and the Axeman's Jazz," as well as collaborations with Christa Faust and David Ferguson, this volume also offers notes on each story by the author, an introduction by #1 NewYork Times�??bestselling author Peter Straub, and an afterword by Caitlín R. Kiernan. Are You Loathsome Tonight? is an edgy, gruesome tour of "the darkness at the heart of things [with] a number of superb stories, powerful in style and characters" (Locus).… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member Telute

A very enjoyable short story collection. The stories range from the comic revisting of old characters to the more usual horror fare of serial killers and ghosts. Brite's characterisation is as strong as always, and while the blood and gore may not be for everyone the writing is beautful.

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LibraryThing member DanaJean

I so want to like Poppy's books. I want to be one of the cool kids. I want to be open-minded. But, this grouping of short stories was way out of my comfort zone. Very graphic and detailed gay sexual encounters that had me wanting to cover my eyes and chant "lalalalalalalalaIcan'thearyou." His

writing is wonderful--and the story I really enjoyed was "Mussolini and the Axeman's Jazz." I also enjoy the little looksee authors sometimes give us into the writing of their stories. Poppy prefaces each entry with a little blurb about it.

Five stars for the language and mechanics. Luxurious use of language, writing skills can't be questioned.

I admit. I'm just an uptight, old bat who can't handle in-your-face erotica. If you are at ease with detailed sexuality in your reading material, then you will enjoy Poppy's stories.

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LibraryThing member blueviolent

This book is worth getting just for the title story. Self-Made Man stars a sort of Dahmer-esque (gay cannibal) villain who somehow remains touching. You can hear the desperate cry for true connection to another human being that leads to his pathology. It is gory and graphic, but it is a lot more

than a gore story. As with a lot of the titles in this collection, and Poppy's writing in general, the characters are emotionally vulnerable and relatable. Depending on how far you are able to extend your empathy and suspension of "real life" morals for fictional tales, you will find something lovable and endearing even in characters who display abysmal behavior.

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