A review by zea_d_writing
Dirty Heads by Aaron Dries
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I loved this novella!
The writing is crisp and visual. The Y2K setting gives the story an apocalyptic sense of nostalgia while the chapter count down does an amazing job of building tension and dread.
But I think what really makes this story is how cosmic horror is used to tell it. There are two stories being told in this novella: the reality that is happening around the main character and the cosmic horror story that the main character’s point of view is telling us.
The reality of what is happening is told through secondary character dialogue, actions, and interactions with the main character, along with context clues given to us by the main character’s story.
The main character’s story of realizing he’s gay and how the fear and shame of that realization births a monster lurking in the shadows of his life. And much like how kids blame themselves for their parents divorcing, that monster grows in presence and strength as the family struggles and the main character insists it’s all his fault. And as events unfold we see the main character shouldering the guilt and blame for this monster despite the realization that the monster is not of his making, something that becomes obvious as it destroys the entire family.
The cosmic horror is a way for the main character to view his trauma through a lens he can understand and control.
It’s a brilliantly written story. I’m definitely reading more from this author soon!
The writing is crisp and visual. The Y2K setting gives the story an apocalyptic sense of nostalgia while the chapter count down does an amazing job of building tension and dread.
But I think what really makes this story is how cosmic horror is used to tell it. There are two stories being told in this novella: the reality that is happening around the main character and the cosmic horror story that the main character’s point of view is telling us.
The reality of what is happening is told through secondary character dialogue, actions, and interactions with the main character, along with context clues given to us by the main character’s story.
The main character’s story of realizing he’s gay and how the fear and shame of that realization births a monster lurking in the shadows of his life. And much like how kids blame themselves for their parents divorcing, that monster grows in presence and strength as the family struggles and the main character insists it’s all his fault. And as events unfold we see the main character shouldering the guilt and blame for this monster despite the realization that the monster is not of his making, something that becomes obvious as it destroys the entire family.
The cosmic horror is a way for the main character to view his trauma through a lens he can understand and control.
It’s a brilliantly written story. I’m definitely reading more from this author soon!