darkmark's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
emiliosandoz's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
khakipantsofsex's review against another edition
dark
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Child death, Sexual assault, Body horror, Racism, Self harm, Abortion, Death, Sexual content, and Gore
Moderate: Racial slurs and Drug use
Minor: Incest
mythmagicsteel's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bunnicula_'s review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
myweereads's review against another edition
5.0
“You hold onto what you have; you do not give it up easily, even when you know it is poisoning you.”
Wormwood by Poppy Z Brite is a collection of short stories which were previously known as Swamp Foetus. These tales will take you on a journey fuelled in horror and sensuality.
I have read a few books by Poppy Z Brite, my favourite being Exquisite Corpse. In her signature style, these story weave between lives dancing with the macabre and disturbing to bring these tales to life. If you have read Lost Souls then some familiar characters will appear in two of the stories.
Where the author is known to be quite explicit in her writing, she manages to write some raw stories which do stand on the edge of being visceral and unsettling. Some of my favourites included the two featuring Ghost and Steve from Lost Souls, “His Mouth Will Taste Of Wormwood” and of course the unique zombie story “Calcutta, Lord Of Nerves”.
Brite’s writing is maybe dark and macabre but it’s also sensual and raw. These stories are written in this style making this horror collection a pleasure to read and one I would recommend.
Wormwood by Poppy Z Brite is a collection of short stories which were previously known as Swamp Foetus. These tales will take you on a journey fuelled in horror and sensuality.
I have read a few books by Poppy Z Brite, my favourite being Exquisite Corpse. In her signature style, these story weave between lives dancing with the macabre and disturbing to bring these tales to life. If you have read Lost Souls then some familiar characters will appear in two of the stories.
Where the author is known to be quite explicit in her writing, she manages to write some raw stories which do stand on the edge of being visceral and unsettling. Some of my favourites included the two featuring Ghost and Steve from Lost Souls, “His Mouth Will Taste Of Wormwood” and of course the unique zombie story “Calcutta, Lord Of Nerves”.
Brite’s writing is maybe dark and macabre but it’s also sensual and raw. These stories are written in this style making this horror collection a pleasure to read and one I would recommend.
horrortino's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
kaiihuniverse's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
verkisto's review against another edition
4.0
Brite's early fiction (which is all of his I've read) walks this weird line of having beautiful prose but horrible imagery. It's an odd dissonance, but works well in these short stories, some of which are more about the imagery than the story itself. Still, Brite knows how to unsettle, which is my favorite kind of horror.
Because these are short stories, there are good stories, and there are stories that don't do much for me. Also, do I rate the book based on how many good stories there are to the rest, in a kind of artistic ratio, or do I rate it based on how good the best story is? I tend to lean toward the latter, and besides, there's all his wonderful prose to consider.
Because these are short stories, there are good stories, and there are stories that don't do much for me. Also, do I rate the book based on how many good stories there are to the rest, in a kind of artistic ratio, or do I rate it based on how good the best story is? I tend to lean toward the latter, and besides, there's all his wonderful prose to consider.