Okay, I have the first criticism of this book. It doesn't fit the standard Brodart covers!!! :arg:
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Okay, I have the first criticism of this book. It doesn't fit the standard Brodart covers!!! :arg:
Sooo... you're saying there will be other print runs that I will need to buy for my collection as well? That I need to buy a new book shelf to begin a collection of IMC editions? Someone get started on the Dolso...
I'll second all of that. I self-published a book called "Non-Euclidean Geometry for Babies"; I didn't even spring the $10 that it costs to change the publisher from "CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform". Other than listing it on Amazon, I have essentially spent no money and put no effort into marketing the book. Where has that got me? I have the #1 best selling book on Non-Euclidean Geometry on Amazon right now:
http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/...psc976b3c9.jpg
PMing you, Fred Carlson.
I've read Mr. Scratch's Murder Circus (I don't have the book with me right now, so apologies if I have the title slightly off), The Receptionist, and Train Graveyard so far. I liked them all. I thought there was maybe just a little bit too much back story with the receptionist, but loved the ending and the concept. Once I read Jean's review about how the backstory overload was necessary to lull the reader into a sense of false security, it didn't bother me anymore.
I really liked Train Graveyard. It was sad and poignant - and really captured that "coming of age" moment. Well done, Ari. :)
RF's "I ate my cat" etc is by far the most disturbing story in the book, IMHO I mean that as a compliment!! LOL
I finished the entire anthology this week. A very good collection! I'm a little OCD when it comes to collecting and reading, and I read a LOT of anthologies (horror, sci-fi, speculative, pulp/weird) and to keep track of everything I use a spreadsheet for anthologies and short stories. Author/editor, title, main characters, plot summary, and of course a star rating from 1 to 4. It's a pretty massive spreadsheet, but it helps me keep track of what I've read and what I've liked, loved, or hated.
Of the 15 stories/poems I rated in In Mint Condition, I tagged 5 with 4 stars and 5 with 3 stars. That's pretty damn good for any anthology!
My comments on the "4 star" stories are below. I don't want to ruffle any feathers so I'm not going to specify any of the others (except for one 3-star story that just must be commented on.) Sure, a few of the pieces did nothing for me, but all that is subjective and what I didn't care for might be someone else's favorite.
So, here goes, in order of appearance. My "best of the best" as it were.
The Train Graveyard: Stories about childhood and loss of innocence always strike a nerve with me. King does this well of course (The Body, It, "The Last Rung on the Ladder," etc.). I don't have a brother close in age but I do have a sister who is 2 years younger than me and I was always protective of her. This was a very affecting story. The last line was the clincher, but even without that it would be a 4 star story. Thanks, Ari.
Excelsior!: Hmmm. There's not too much I can say without spoiling it for those who have not read it. Let's just say that the subject matter is one that is near and dear to my heart, and the reveal caught me off guard. The story really made me smile. I read it like three times in a row just to get the warm fuzzies and to relish in the craft of the writing. A gem of a tale nestled in amongst the horror or more disturbing stories. A breath of fresh air. Great job, Jean.
My First Book. Such a simple little story but it packs a wollop. The horror is hinted at, edged up to sideways by the author, but not blasted in your face. The nuance is what really makes this story work. The last line says oh so much without really saying anything explicit. The reader is left to his/her own conjecture of exactly what this little girl's home life is, and it is powerful. Excellent job of writing something with depth, using just a child's limited perspective and grasp of language. Kudos, Jeannine.
The Rule of Three. Most of the stories in the book focus on just one person (mine included). Nothing wrong with that of course, sometimes a short story can only handle one main character. Here, the author fleshes out no less than 5. Sure, we're not talking about novel-level characterization, but you've got the three mates, the girl, and the narrator who is a character as well. These did not feel like cardboard characters and the plot was interesting. I did have a couple of quibbles but I was so impressed with the author's ability to make this story work (and keep me interested!) that 4 stars it is. Way to go Thomas.
On Monday, I ate my cat. I believe this one has been mentioned by quite a few others, and I can see why. It's just so unnervingly weird (and funny!) that it was a joy to read. Very clever, Jerome.
Ok, the one that didn't quite make the 4-star cut that I want to comment on is Tabula Rasa. I liked it a lot. But what I'm hoping is that the author is somehow planning on continuing the story as a novel. The story is a perfect case of "right in the middle" as in I want to know more! I want to know the backstory of the experiment, and more about the Agent and the doctor, and the protagonist. And I certainly want to know "what happens next"! What about the baby? Was the farmhouse guy's vision accurate? Stuff like that. Any author who can leave me wanting more has done a very good job. Give me more, Hannah!
I think it best to stop there. If I didn't mention your story that didn't mean I didn't like it. There were other very good ones in there.
Thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts, Dave. I just ordered my copies and this makes me look forward to reading everything even more :) I got the chance to read Thomas's story before publication and I really liked it. I'm curious to see if I end up liking the same stories as you.
Thanks for the nice feedback, it's just great that people are reading my story tbh
thank you Dave!!! you've made bears so happy!
It's funny. With all the excitement over this book and apparent interest throughout this forum community, there have been only a few people commenting on the stories themselves. Maybe 3-4 in this thread? I find this ...surprising.
I just mentioned this in another thread, but I would say that we have less than 50 active members right now. "Active" as in ... posts at least once a week.
I am planning to review all the stories and poems one by one, in detail, as I've already done for the first poem and the first story. I am away from my computer now, will be back only in a week.
I really really hope more people will write reviews after they've gotten the book and read the poems/stories. I don't think many have yet.
Thanks, yo! I appreciate the feedback. I had actually started this story as a novel idea, but it ended up being a long story instead. The novel might come some day. But maybe not.
I also wanted to add a quick note about Jean's story: Excelsior!
I thought it was super cute. It was such an intelligent story and then the end is the best thing ever. I absolutely loved it. I read it twice because after I read the ending I had to read it again with the ending in mind.
Jean, your writing required careful reading. It reminded me of the written version of the food the dude's mother serves in Rant by Chuck Palahniuk. She puts paper clips and tacks and stuff in it so people will have to chew it carefully and enjoy it. Your story was like that, but in a good way. You had to read carefully and really pay attention and absorb the words. Loved it.
wow guys, you've made this bear so happy!!!!!!!!!!
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k2...thankyou14.gif
I am slowly relishing the stories now, one by one... loving them immensely, and making notes for the new reviews (as unbearably long as the first was)
Finished the book earlier today. Great little collection. There were a few standout stories for me.
Tabula Rasa - My absolute favorite in the collection. I loved how it just plopped you right down in the middle of things. It starts off with action and just sends you a ride with the main character, going from a bad situation to a worse one. You start to fight for her to win, only to be thrown a curve ball and maybe you hesitate on your decision. In the end I was still routing for her. And I am dying to know what happens next.
The Receptionist - It almost reminded me of an episode of the Twilight Zone. You think it's going in one direction only to take a twist and go off somewhere you never thought of. Really enjoyed it.
The Train Graveyard - It had that summer childhood loss of innocence feel to it, which I love.
Brothers - Honestly I'm not a huge fan of poems, but this one really struck a cord with me.
"The Receptionist - It almost reminded me of an episode of the Twilight Zone." My thoughts exactly.
Guess what's on the front page of the Famous Monsters of Filmland website!
http://famousmonsters.com/
I apologize in advance if I am miles off from what the author intended. The below is my view that may be very different from that of the others, because I am going to speak from within a very different cultural context.
The Train Graveyard is easily one of the most depressing stories I’ve read in years. The worst about it is that it’s written very well, totally achieving what King called “a hole in the page”: I, a 49-old bear who’s never lived in a small American town, read it in a big old Russian city in the middle of winter, and felt as if that American small-town teenagers’ summer, with its smells and tastes and texture, was right around me.
The more horrifying the story was.
I’ll spoilerize the rest of the review, because I am going to talk about the content, not the form.
Spoiler:
Very sad story. 01-29-2014 09:31 AMdivemasterThanks for that review, Jean. As you know from a previous post, "The Train Graveyard" was in my "top 6" or whatever for this anthology. I appreciate your thoughts and perspective on it. You've introduced a few new angles for me to consider. 02-04-2014 04:21 AMJeanthank you! I had hoped there would be more reviews (I still hope there will be). I would so love to know if anyone else saw that story in this light.