Wormwood by

14 October 2007


Genre: ,

ISBN: 9780440217985
Read for the RIP Challenge

I’ve said before that in most cases for me to really love a book I have to have well written/developed characters which is possibly why short stories don’t always grab me; they just don’t have the time or space to develop the characters. So is the case with these short stories by Brite. For the most part the writing is excellent. The stories themselves very atmospheric and, in the main, creepy and so perfect for the RIP Challenge, but I just didn’t care about the characters at all. In the first story maybe I could have gotten to like Ghost and Steve, I was pleased when they showed up in a later story, but most of the time I was quite disconnected from the writing.

That may sound too negative. It isn’t really meant to be, because there are stories that really work. Maybe I’m just not that into the stuff she writes, but two in particular I really liked; The Elder and The Sixth Sentinel. Others had parts that I liked, and she certainly has some style in her writing, but they just weren’t my cup of tea.

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5 Responses

  1. Chris says:

    Wow! This one takes me back! I used to be a big fan of Brite's stuff when I was a teenager. I agree with you, her stuff isn't necessarily prize winning writing, but it's very entertaining and she writes a good creepy story. She tends to do a better job with her character development in her novels. I've heard her newer stuff is much better, though I haven't read any of it yet. She's been doing a bunch with Subterranean Press and Antideluvean Tales is supposed to be quite good!

  2. Harlequin says:

    Hey, I think I already told you this but JIC I forgot, sorry! Anyway, can't get the first John Connolly book for you – Poppa has no idea where the damn thing is! So you will have to proceed with your original plan of reading *gargh* out… of… sequence.

  3. Fence says:

    Chris I think I might try a novel by her, I think the two characters that I kinda liked, Ghost and Steve, are the main ones in a novel she wrote, Lost Souls. And this is her first collection.

    H you didn't tell me. But I'll cope.

  4. Rhinoa says:

    I'm getting quite in to short stories at the moment so may look out for this. I read Lost Souls by her a while ago and enjoyed it although it is pretty graphic. Will have to search through your blog as I have read Fables and hope to read Alias Grace and The Rest Falls Away soon.

  5. Carl V. says:

    I remember finding it quite a surprise when I first started blogging and reading book blogs how divided people were on liking or disliking short stories. I for one love them, provided they are well written, of course but can certainly understand why others don't. I have a friend who loves Brite's work, haven't read any myself. Does all sound like perfect R.I.P. reading.