BOOKS
LITERATURE FOR THE DARKER SIDE...
By Colleen Evans
Nothing says “fall” like a brisk run for your life as mindless undead vie for a taste of your flesh. Or how about a romantic candlelit meal prepared for you by your sweetheart, which he has so tenderly carved from your thigh? If you agree, then feast on some of these titles perfect for all those antisocial summer moments (days are longer for the next few months, so get used to it!). If you don’t agree, well fine- there’s some inspiring fantasy and pedestrian nonfiction for you fuddy-duddies too…
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Quirk Books, Softcover
ISBN: 1594743347 $12.95
"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains." Love and society intrigues are ever so much more interesting when you throw a zombie gore-fest into the mix! Grahame-Smith plays mash-up master with Austin’s beloved masterpiece, pitting the lovely, spirited Elizabeth against a handsome curmudgeon, snotty aristocrats, AND the raging undead.
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The Somnambulist
Harper Paperbacks, Softcover
ISBN: 006137539X $14.99
This historical thriller set in Victorian London (and Barnes’ debut) was a hit last spring with critics: Edward Moon, a conjuror-turned-detective in hard times has set out with his sidekick, an unearthly mute known only as the Somnambulist, to solve the murder of an unsavory actor that only scratches the surface of an even more unusual conspiracy… Dracula meets Sherlock Holmes in this creepy and absorbing tale.
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World War Z
Three Rivers Press, Softcover
ISBN: 0307346617 $14.95
Guess what? More zombies! In this original and smartly written future history, a bizarre virus breaks out in China that turns its victims into mindless, violent undead savages (28 Days on The Orient Express, anyone?). The situation escalates to full on war, and the humans (proper live ones anyway) dig their heels in and stick around for the good fight against millions of cranky cadavers. A briskly paced read and lots of fun, especially considering Brooks promoted the novel with interviews and press releases treating the whole story as true events. Clever or pretentious?
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Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
Tor Books, Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 0765356155 $7.99
Harry Potter for grownups! Yet again set in Victorian England, a quiet but powerful wizard by the name of Mr. Norrell reveals himself to the world and magic sees a rebirth! Good times go bad when his immensely talented (but equally disturbed) apprentice, Jonathan Strange seemingly surpasses his own abilities and goes right off the deep end… How ever will Mr. Norrell set things right?
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Cannibal
Berkley Pub Group, Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 0425200663 $6.99
Man- it’s what’s for dinner. Armin Meiwes dreamed of carving up a handsome young piece of work and devouring his flesh. Bernd Juerges Brandes wanted nothing more in all the world than to be castrated and eaten. The stars aligned, the two met via cyber-space, and the rest is history. Jones alternates between chilling matter-of-factness and outright brutal realism as she recounts the fascinatingly twisted true story of Der Metzgermeister (Master Butcher). Meiwes is equal parts Hannibal Lector and Norman Bates, but all too real.
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Choke
Anchor Books, Softcover
ISBN: 0385720920 $13.95
Sex addicts, petty con artists, period re-enactment, and immaculate conceptions populate the microcosm of Palahniuk’s latest novel-turned-Hollywood-film. Victor Mancini has a bone to pick with the world, and has no scruples about cheating the wealthy and/or gullible to make ends meet. He’s also got no problem taking advantage of sex-addicted parolees to satisfy his own vices of the flesh. Oh yeah, and there’s a strong chance he might be the Son of God, part deux… read the book before you see the movie- it makes all the difference in the world.
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Story of O
Running Press, Softcover
ISBN: 1562010352 $7.95
The story of one young woman’s journey to total debasement and back, in the name of love, O is a young Parisian photographer with everything going for her; beautiful, successful, and having an affair with the wealthy hedonistic Rene. The romance turns dark when Rene makes her his private plaything in the Alps—she must submit herself to his every whim and any man he sees fit or suffer consequences. For her lover, O gives up everything, and is subjected to all manner of control and use. The ultimate test comes when she must decide the fate of another…Reage’s novel has oft been touted as a manifesto for the master/slave relationship.
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Alice's Adventures
Continuum, Softcover
ISBN: 082641754X $21.95
Rabbits, and cats and Queens, Oh my! Brooker takes an in-depth look at the impact of Lewis Carroll’s beloved children’s tale in popular culture; Alice and all the trappings of Wonderland have been resurrected time again in film, song, video games, literature, and more. Here compiled is a rather original take on what Alice has come to mean to millions of fans the world over.
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Rip It Up and Start Again: Postpunk 1978-1984
Penguin, Softcover
ISBN: 0143036726 $16.00
Post-punk has been largely overlooked in the vast sea of publications on modern music- Reynolds takes the leap of faith to bring his enormous wealth of knowledge on the subject to print in the first full-length book devotedly solely to the exponentially creative scene that followed punk and gave us bands like Joy Division, Public Image Limited, Talking Heads, Joseph K and more. A must read for the music aficionado, as well as anyone who wants to know more about the complex and astoundingly fertile creative period that The Sex Pistols inspired with their spectacular demise.
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Drood: A Novel
Little, Brown & Company, Hardcover
ISBN: 0316007021 $26.99
One more historical fiction piece and I’m done, I swear… This one takes the reader on a wild chase with Charles Dickens through his final years as he descends into madness in his search for a strange killer called Drood…along for the ride is his dubious best frenemy Wilkie Collins. While Dickens explores the mystery of the man who will become the stuff of his final but unfinished novel, Collins begins to wonder if old Chuck hasn’t simply lost his mind and given over to some pretty dark and dastardly appetites. Brand spanking new this February, and word of mouth is that it oughtn’t be missed.