I absolutely loved this – highly recommended. The stories are compelling and genuinely creepy. The panels are clean and uncluttered, but still containI absolutely loved this – highly recommended. The stories are compelling and genuinely creepy. The panels are clean and uncluttered, but still contain masses of detail about the characters and their world. There's great diversity in the characters in terms of gender, sexuality, ethnicity, economic background and age, but this is never signposted; it's just an organic part of the story, which is great. Horror can definitely do with more diversity.
I really can't fault this book – it's my favourite horror graphic novel since Emily Carroll's 'Through the Woods'.
Small caveat: if you like the kind of horror where the monster is defeated and order is restored at the end – you probably won't like this. In all but one of the stories, the haunted/menaced protagonist is left just as haunted/menaced at the end. But hey, I like grim horror that leaves its hooks stuck in you, so it worked for me. ...more
Rotting little ghosts, heartbeat fetishes, curses and witches and meat: each of these stories is a luscious, bewitching nightmare. Each one builds up Rotting little ghosts, heartbeat fetishes, curses and witches and meat: each of these stories is a luscious, bewitching nightmare. Each one builds up a steady, thrilling dread – until the final lines, when the true horror is revealed. ...more
This is a book I'll be returning to again and again. Possibly the best I've read in 2020. This is a book I'll be returning to again and again. Possibly the best I've read in 2020. ...more
You know sometimes you finish a book and just think: WOW? The sort of book that casts a shivering, glittering spell over you? The sort you feel right You know sometimes you finish a book and just think: WOW? The sort of book that casts a shivering, glittering spell over you? The sort you feel right in your bones? The sort you’re so consumed by that you literally can’t look away in the last chapters? The Fire Starters is that book....more
This is the most important and mind-expanding book I've read this year, and I don't exaggerate when I say it's a must-read for everyone, and particulaThis is the most important and mind-expanding book I've read this year, and I don't exaggerate when I say it's a must-read for everyone, and particularly white people. Yes, every white person. No, you're not the exception.
It's relevant not only to race, but to so many of the debates online at the moment (it could easily be called Male Fragility or Cis Fragility and all the same points would apply). Read it now. ...more
I love rambling, well-researched, personal books by smart people. The sort of thing that says it'll talk about one thing (eg. labyrinths) and ends up I love rambling, well-researched, personal books by smart people. The sort of thing that says it'll talk about one thing (eg. labyrinths) and ends up wandering labyrinth-like through several other topics connected to the author's life and interests (eg. Greek myth, the English Midlands, the colour red, the anatomy of the inner ear, the London Underground, Borges, the brothers Grimm, forests) while actually telling you a lot about labyrinths too. I'd read Charlotte Higgins on basically any topic. ...more
Personal essays; I know, I know. But these ones are actually good. Not only are they beautifully written and observed, they're actually about somethinPersonal essays; I know, I know. But these ones are actually good. Not only are they beautifully written and observed, they're actually about something. Some essay collections feel like the writer thought 'need to write an essay, hmm, what can I write about...'; Emilie Pine seems to approach it from the other way. Each of these essays feel vital, like she had to write them. I loved this book and I can't wait to read more from Pine. ...more
LOVE THIS BOOK. Well-paced story, interesting characters, lovely artwork, strong emotional punch at the end. It leans right into the surreal central cLOVE THIS BOOK. Well-paced story, interesting characters, lovely artwork, strong emotional punch at the end. It leans right into the surreal central concept – the title isn't a metaphor, and though the story can be read as an allegory for an 'opposites attract' relationship, it's also literal. I also liked that it doesn't flinch at the logical conclusion that Nora and the bear would have a sex life (even mentioning periods). I liked this a lot, and will be buying a copy when it's out.
If you read The Gracekeepers and shipped North and the bear, this is the book for you. ...more
It took me a long time to read this, although the entire book is short and each story within it very short. It’s just so repulsive - I felt genuinely It took me a long time to read this, although the entire book is short and each story within it very short. It’s just so repulsive - I felt genuinely sick reading each story. The characters are spiteful, petty, cruel, and I bet they haven’t showered or brushed their teeth for a while. I often read while eating, and this book is absolutely not recommended for that. If this sounds like I didn’t enjoy the book - quite the opposite. I loved it and have dogeared just about every page. Hunter has an incredible and awful mind, and I look forward to reading more from her. I’ll just be sure to read slowly, and not while eating. ...more
LOVED this. One of the best comics I've read all year. The characters are strong and relatable, and the dialogue is snappy - in this way it reminded mLOVED this. One of the best comics I've read all year. The characters are strong and relatable, and the dialogue is snappy - in this way it reminded me of Saga. The world is building slowly but I'm intrigued to see how it develops and plays with concepts of religion – in this way it reminded me of Preacher. The alternate covers at the end were amazing – I loved the Rosemary's Baby pastiche. Already looking forward to the next issue....more
Absolutely glorious artwork. I want to frame every page and put it on my wall. The story is great too - it's not often I read a Little Red retelling tAbsolutely glorious artwork. I want to frame every page and put it on my wall. The story is great too - it's not often I read a Little Red retelling that actually does something new with the story. It's pretty dark so I'm not sure about reading it to a child (though when I was a child one of my favourites was an illustrated version of Alfred Noyes' The Highwayman, complete with illustration of Bess having just shot herself, so who am I to say what's appropriate for children?). Anyway, I'm not a child, and I loved this. ...more
If you read one book this year, make it this one. It's utterly perfect, devastating, life-affirming.If you read one book this year, make it this one. It's utterly perfect, devastating, life-affirming....more
I wish this book was three times the length so I could be absorbed in this strange, wintery, surreal Scandinavian-folklore-inspired world longer. I coI wish this book was three times the length so I could be absorbed in this strange, wintery, surreal Scandinavian-folklore-inspired world longer. I could read Karin Tidbeck's stories all day, every day. ...more
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