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Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk, aka the guy who wrote/directed the movie fightclub 🤫)
The book is about a bunch of random folks that respond to an ad in the paper about a luxurious writers retreat, where they'll be given the space and sunshine to write their 'great masterpiece.'
Except the peace and quiet is too much pressure, so they decide to wreck havoc and sabotage each other.
Most interestingly, the format of the book is broken into a main-story line, poems, and short-stories from each of the characters as you're introduced to their masterpiece.
It's total hell, totally funny, and gave me all of the unsettling vibes and undercurrents I get from watching White Lotus. Like a bomb is about to go off.
P.S. there is one short-story called 'guts' that is the most diabolically gross writing I've ever read. You can go find that for yourself on the web. (its the 3rd chapter of the book if you want to avoid it)
Jan 9, 2025
Related Recs
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stories over time of a cast of characters loosely linked through the music industry
In a post-modern style like not too dissimilar to vonnegut
each chapter can be seen almost as a stand alone vignette
edit: after re-reading your ask, I’ll admit not the weirdest book, but it’s also definitely not run of the mill narrative fiction.
If you want weird, read Naked Lunch by William Burroughs. One of the most banned books of all time for a reason, grotesque, obscene, challenging, but imo definitely worth the read and I’ll be rereading it sometime. Helps to read along with a study guide to make sure you’re following what’s going on.
Mar 6, 2025
i read this book in early 2022. i saw it on tiktok. im admittedly not a huge reader, and books i do read seriously have to surprise me to keep me entertained. im the same with movies.
i spent months trying to track down a physical copy of this book. tiktok would never reveal too much, it really just appeared in haul videos and the comments would talk about it like a secret club. i wanted in.
i eventually gave up and read it on my phone. i wish i waited.
things have gotten worse since we last spoke is hard to explain. its the most pathetic, entrancing, and unforeseen story i have ever read. i sincerely hope someone has read this and recommends me something even more insane because ive been chasing this high ever since i read it.
the story is told over a length chatlogs shared between two women (more points for lesbians). i dont want to say much because half of the thrill of this book is discovering whats really behind those fucking emails but its a basically psychological thriller romance. dark psychological thriller romance with body horror elements but thats all im telling.
my favorite sentence ever is in from book. what have you done today to deserve your eyes? i think about it once a day. its my bio for like everything.
seriously, read this if your into the macabre. especially gay body horror stuff.
Jan 27, 2025
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great book if you're a freak like me. little horror fiction novel about gay serial killers and their intertwining love lives in 90's new orleans. people call this novel one of the grossest most shocking books of all time, so naturally i had to read it. i devoured the book in the span of three days and loved every second of it (despite how scary it is haha). super interesting commentary about living with aids and fascinating portrayals of the psyche of a serial killer. wouldn't read this one if you are at all squeamish, it's very descriptive in its gore and unflinchingly real. this book reminded me of if an ottessa moshfegh novel had a fucked up gorey baby with a gregg araki movie.
Jan 17, 2025
Top Recs from @booksonbrooklyn
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Short horror stories all involving a mysterious book that drives anyone that reads it insane. This creepy poem arrives at some point in every chapter.
Along the shore the cloud waves break,
The twin suns sink behind the lake,The shadows lengthen
In Carcosa.
Strange is the night where black stars rise,
And strange moons circle through the skies
But stranger still is
Lost Carcosa.
Songs that the Hyades shall sing,Where flap the tatters of the King,
Must die unheard
in Dim Carcosa.
Song of my soul, my voice is dead;
Die thou, unsung, as tears unshed
Shall dry and die
in Lost Carcosa.
Somehow the brilliance is that every time you read the poem in the context of the short story, it's different and more hellishly unhinged.
Now you've read it too.... ;)
Jan 10, 2025
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PARASITE HELPS ME UNDERSTAND HOW TO WIN THE 'CLASS WAR'?
CASTLE IN THE SKY IS A GHIBLI THAT REMINDS ME ITS IMPORTANT TO TOUCH LOTS OF GRASS. AND THAT NOT ALL ROBOTS SUCK.
THE CAT RETURNS IS ALSO A GHIBLI - MY FIANCEE'S FAVORITE MOVIE. WHEN SHE WAS A KID SHE BELIEVED SHE WAS A CAT, AND WOULD MARRY A CAT. I'LL NEVER LIVE UP TO HER EXPECTATIONS...
VHS WAS THE FIRST TERRIFYING COMING ATTRACTIONS THAT I CAN REMEMBER IN THE DARK DARK OF THE MOVIE THEATER. RECENTLY WATCHED AND FACED MY FEARS. GOOD TWISTS AND TURNS.
Jan 10, 2025