rock_n_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Here we go again…
I’m here to talk about another story that gave me all the feels. I’ve been stuck in a serious reading rut, and figured that some comfort reads might help. As I scanned my TBR stacks for unread books by favorite authors, I came across this gem of a novella.
If you’ve read work from both authors, then you know that they both excel at this: creating stories which marry the macabre and drab parts of life to those that are beautiful and wondrous. When it comes to books, music, and film, there are few things I find more enticing than a piece of art deliciously dark and haunting, yet soft around the edges. I liken the feeling to being in an abandoned building—there’s something beautiful about the chaos and ruin, and maybe a bit of light creeping among the shadows.
Every piece of fiction I’ve read so far from Boden and Yardley fits this mold. I was not at all surprised to discover that the authors’ voices blended well throughout this story. I adored the figurative language used and found myself reading numerous sentences two or three times in a row to savor the beauty of the words. There are so many quotable lines that beg to be read again, and the sensory experience is strong. I couldn’t always tell who was writing, but I did find several mentions of band t shirts that I’m sure were the work of Boden, and each instance made me smile. The characters are a standout feature in this story. Whenever I find myself empathizing with the protagonist within mere pages, I know I’ve found something special. But it’s not just Det’s story that resonates—I found something to love about his best friend and his love interest as well. The dark characters in this story, both human and supernatural, also left a permanent mark on my mind.
This novella is a short read at under 60 pages, but it packs an emotional punch. If you love a story that will creep you out, possibly break your heart, and leave you with an unsettling book hangover, pick up a copy of Detritus in Love.
I’m here to talk about another story that gave me all the feels. I’ve been stuck in a serious reading rut, and figured that some comfort reads might help. As I scanned my TBR stacks for unread books by favorite authors, I came across this gem of a novella.
If you’ve read work from both authors, then you know that they both excel at this: creating stories which marry the macabre and drab parts of life to those that are beautiful and wondrous. When it comes to books, music, and film, there are few things I find more enticing than a piece of art deliciously dark and haunting, yet soft around the edges. I liken the feeling to being in an abandoned building—there’s something beautiful about the chaos and ruin, and maybe a bit of light creeping among the shadows.
Every piece of fiction I’ve read so far from Boden and Yardley fits this mold. I was not at all surprised to discover that the authors’ voices blended well throughout this story. I adored the figurative language used and found myself reading numerous sentences two or three times in a row to savor the beauty of the words. There are so many quotable lines that beg to be read again, and the sensory experience is strong. I couldn’t always tell who was writing, but I did find several mentions of band t shirts that I’m sure were the work of Boden, and each instance made me smile. The characters are a standout feature in this story. Whenever I find myself empathizing with the protagonist within mere pages, I know I’ve found something special. But it’s not just Det’s story that resonates—I found something to love about his best friend and his love interest as well. The dark characters in this story, both human and supernatural, also left a permanent mark on my mind.
This novella is a short read at under 60 pages, but it packs an emotional punch. If you love a story that will creep you out, possibly break your heart, and leave you with an unsettling book hangover, pick up a copy of Detritus in Love.
charshorrorcorner's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 Stars!
A ghost named Blank with Xs for eyes, and a ghost named Shultz-these are the only friends of Detritus; and they both know the "Opposite" is coming. What a strange, sad and surreal story this was. I'm not quite sure what to make of it, other than that I loved it.
Detritus is a young man who has nothing in life, not even a nice first name. With a meth head for a "mother", (which, believe me is using the term loosely), and whoever her boyfriend is for the week, Det's life in the trailer is barely tolerable. It's really no wonder that he has ghosts for friends.
But time with his spectral buddies is limited because they all know/feel that the Opposite is coming and he's coming for Det. For everything lovely in Det's life the Opposite chalks up something horrible in his life. It's some kind of insane world balance. But the Opposite NEEDS Det, or at least he believes he does, and this is where the story lives.
I want to mention the use of language, it was often just gorgeous. I loved this passage when Det was telling Blank how he felt about her:
"He told her he had a hole in his heart just her size. He told her all those things lonely people long to hear, and they were scented lavender words."
Doesn't that pull on something inside you? It does for me.
I loved this novella, somber and dark though it was, and I urge you to try it out for yourself. It's a surreal, shadowy little treat and even though you might have questions, I bet you'll enjoy it just the same. Sometimes it's best to leave some things to the imagination.
Highly recommended! Buy your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Detritus-Love-Yardley-Mercedes-M-ebook/dp/B01M0I3DQX/chashorcor-20
*I was provided a free e-copy of this novella in exchange for my honest review. This is it. In addition, I do *know* John Boden, (on-line only), and consider him to be a friend. This has not affected the outcome of this review.*
A ghost named Blank with Xs for eyes, and a ghost named Shultz-these are the only friends of Detritus; and they both know the "Opposite" is coming. What a strange, sad and surreal story this was. I'm not quite sure what to make of it, other than that I loved it.
Detritus is a young man who has nothing in life, not even a nice first name. With a meth head for a "mother", (which, believe me is using the term loosely), and whoever her boyfriend is for the week, Det's life in the trailer is barely tolerable. It's really no wonder that he has ghosts for friends.
But time with his spectral buddies is limited because they all know/feel that the Opposite is coming and he's coming for Det. For everything lovely in Det's life the Opposite chalks up something horrible in his life. It's some kind of insane world balance. But the Opposite NEEDS Det, or at least he believes he does, and this is where the story lives.
I want to mention the use of language, it was often just gorgeous. I loved this passage when Det was telling Blank how he felt about her:
"He told her he had a hole in his heart just her size. He told her all those things lonely people long to hear, and they were scented lavender words."
Doesn't that pull on something inside you? It does for me.
I loved this novella, somber and dark though it was, and I urge you to try it out for yourself. It's a surreal, shadowy little treat and even though you might have questions, I bet you'll enjoy it just the same. Sometimes it's best to leave some things to the imagination.
Highly recommended! Buy your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Detritus-Love-Yardley-Mercedes-M-ebook/dp/B01M0I3DQX/chashorcor-20
*I was provided a free e-copy of this novella in exchange for my honest review. This is it. In addition, I do *know* John Boden, (on-line only), and consider him to be a friend. This has not affected the outcome of this review.*
tomunro's review
5.0
A really different kind of story and a totally seamless collaboration between its two authors.
I reviewed it more fully for fantasy faction and also included an interview with the authors!
http://fantasy-faction.com/2016/detritus-in-love-by-mercedes-m-yardley-john-boden-interview-with-the-authors
I reviewed it more fully for fantasy faction and also included an interview with the authors!
http://fantasy-faction.com/2016/detritus-in-love-by-mercedes-m-yardley-john-boden-interview-with-the-authors
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