A review by sunnybopeep
Hair Side, Flesh Side by Helen Marshall

3.0

I’m disappointed with my own reaction to Helen Marshall’s first short story collection. It promised me everything that I could have ever wanted, and it is well-reviewed within the weird horror community. The author’s background in medieval studies and her interest in body horror really SHOULD have culminated in stories that gave me that spine-tingling “made for me” feeling.

I mean, just look at this excerpt from the introduction:

“There is something fleshy about Helen's writing-deliciously, disgustingly, of the skin and bone and messy organs.”

I was supposed to love this!! But… I didn’t. The stories just did not strike a chord with me. They were confusing, too abstract, and even… boring. Were they scary? Yes… but less in the way that makes you scared to pee at night, and more in the way that makes you feel bad about all of your personal relationships. 😔 
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