Updated again
| Horror World http://horrorworld.org/msgboards/ |
|
| Grading Tom Piccirilli's Novels http://horrorworld.org/msgboards/viewtopic.php?f=120&t=7511 |
Page 1 of 1 |
| Author: | ttzuma [ Wed Jan 20, 2010 10:11 am ] |
| Post subject: | Grading Tom Piccirilli's Novels |
In another thread I listed all of the Pic books I have read and graded them as to my enjoyment, so I thought I would organize it a little better and put it in a seperate thread. Looking back on some of the books, a few that I didn’t care all that much for at the time rose a little bit higher in my rankings and some a little bit lower. I think that’s because as Pic writes more, his novels become more complex and thought provoking, making some of his earlier work, mostly his Leisure horror novels, seem less grand, and in a couple of cases, I tended to appreciate his non horror work more. I’m just a fan, and I realize these rankings mean little to anyone but myself, but it is fun to share my opinions of Pic’s work, to spread the word about his talent, and to read if others feel the same way. November Mourns: A+ The Fever Kill: A+ All You Despise: A + Inside The Works: A + Fucking Lie Down Already: A+ Futile Efforts A+ Every Shallow Cut: A The Last Kind Words: A A Choir Of Ill Children: A Short Ride To Nowhere (story) A The Cold Spot: A The Coldest Mile: A Shadow Season: A Coffin Blues: A Grave Men: A The Nobody: A Thrust: A The Dead Letters: A The Midnight Road: A Frayed: A Husks And Formless Ruins (story): A Nightjack: A (What Headstone City could have been) Cold Comfort: A - Loss: A The Conclusion: A (short story in Horror World) You Better Watch Out: A- (Long-short story in Festive Fear 2) The Walls of The Castle: A- But For Scars: B + (short story in Supernatural Noir) New York Comes To The Desert: B (short story in In Laymon's Terms) Hexes: B The Last Deep Breath: C+ (Bonus Story Between The Darkness... A+) Total: B+ Sorrow’s Crown and The Dead Past: C Headstone City: B Little Black Book Of Noir Stories: B Pale Preachers: B Cast In Dark Waters: B The Deceased: C The Night Class: C Dark Father: C Pentacle: C The Dog Syndrome: C (stories) A Lower Deep: D The Bastards of Alchemy: D Waiting For My Turn To Go Under The Knife: A (Poems) Welcome To Hell: B (short Writers Guide) |
|
| Author: | Tom Piccirilli [ Wed Jan 20, 2010 7:57 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Grading Tom Piccirilli's Novels |
Thanks for taking the time, Tony. Glad so much of my stuff rates high for you! |
|
| Author: | Jazminsdaddy [ Thu Jan 21, 2010 1:10 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Grading Tom Piccirilli's Novels |
Hey Tony, I have read 3 Pic books. I really liked Cold Spot and Coldest Mile. I didn't care for Choir of Ill Children. I have Shadow Season at home on my TBR pile. Based on that small sample what Pic books would you recommend I read? |
|
| Author: | ttzuma [ Thu Jan 21, 2010 4:54 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Grading Tom Piccirilli's Novels |
If you could find it, I would recommend The Fever Kill. That's my second favorite Pic and it's all tough guy noir, a brilliant novel really. If you are looking for mmpb, I would recommend The Midnight Road. Another great story from Pic. And since you love Wrath's work, I would recommend you try and find Inside The Works, or Fucking Lie Down Already. Both brutal books, but very different from each other. Inside The Works is horror, FLDA is Noir. And while I'm here, it occured to me that I forgot to grade Pic's Bastard's Of Alchemy contribution. I would give it a "D". The story is very sick and disturbing and I would say that it should only be regarded as a footnote to his other works. It's only my opinion, but the stories main claim to fame would it be its shock value. You can read my comments on it somewhere in this discussion site. I'm still a bit stunned that this came from Pic. (Sorry Tom if you're reading this, and thanks for the kind words above). But you may really enjoy it J.D. Pic has spoken of it in The Cellar before so you can look up his comments there also if you care to. Tt |
|
| Author: | Jazminsdaddy [ Fri Jan 22, 2010 4:48 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Grading Tom Piccirilli's Novels |
Thanks Tony, I wish Tom would get some of his harder to find stories like Fucking Lie Down Already available in digital format. (hint hint) |
|
| Author: | ttzuma [ Wed Jan 27, 2010 8:49 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Grading Tom Piccirilli's Novels |
Yeah...just think of all the money he could make. Tt |
|
| Author: | ttzuma [ Mon May 17, 2010 8:15 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Grading Tom Piccirilli's Novels |
I hope to have Tom's Latest downloaded this week. |
|
| Author: | ttzuma [ Tue Jul 27, 2010 8:35 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Grading Tom Piccirilli's Novels |
Updated. |
|
| Author: | ttzuma [ Sun Aug 15, 2010 3:56 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Grading Tom Piccirilli's Novels |
Updated again
|
|
| Author: | JPOKELA [ Thu Aug 26, 2010 1:52 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Grading Tom Piccirilli's Novels |
A LOWER DEEP is an insanely hard book to read. The pain level goes beyond the ability of Pic's readers to find any common ground with the characters. There is no doubt in my mind it is an important book. I think I managed to actually read it on 3rd attempt. The self hate and pain were so tough to take I couldn't even figure out what was going on in the story! Shane Staley reprinted this book in hard cover as part of the "Dark Essentials." It is a dark essential. Dark as it gets. Hardly anyone wants to live with the emotions and feelings the are at the core of A LOWER DEEP. Step in. Take a look around. Don't stumble. The first stair is a bitch. This book reminds me in an odd way of Edward Lee's SHIT HOUSE. Ed's story is clearly written as fast as the out-of -his-mind author could pound the keys. Pic's novel speaks of care and day by day diligence. Both show a sanity beyond insanity. It's dark out there. Keep good faith and stay centered. The light-house keeper is drunk and might be playing twisted games again. |
|
| Author: | ttzuma [ Sun Oct 31, 2010 11:19 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Grading Tom Piccirilli's Novels |
Updated. |
|
| Author: | Tom Piccirilli [ Sat Nov 06, 2010 12:24 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Grading Tom Piccirilli's Novels |
Glad you enjoyed NIGHTJACK so much, Tony. I'm curious about your added comment "(What Headstone City could have been)." Care to clarify and go on at length? |
|
| Author: | ttzuma [ Sun Nov 07, 2010 10:25 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Grading Tom Piccirilli's Novels |
It's been a while since I've read Headstone City, but I do remember thinking at the time that you were trying to have some fun with that novel and didn't take the premise of the story all that seriously. There are a lot of similar plot devices between Nightjack and Headstone City: the concept of ghosts reinforcing guilt, the self examining conversations with dead people, lots of Italian references, a fixation on food, and to use your wording, both had a "trippy" vibe to them. The difference between the two novels however, is that in Nightjack, they all added weight to the story, they demanded attention, they pushed the plot forward and these scenes stayed with me long after I read them. While in Headstone City, all they did (for me anyway) was add color to a story that was interesting, but not all that memorable. I thought Headstone City had one of the best opening chapters in any of your books however, it was powerful, memorable, and very effective. But after that, the talks with the people in the back of the cab, his Grandmother taking all those people out, and the ending all seemed a bit too whimsical and comical for me. It was if you were mixing in a little of everything you've done in the past and trying to make it more mainstream. I thought with Nightjack you took all those same plot devices and wrote a story that not only took itself seriously, it had something to say. I don't want to write any more at this time about Nightjack as I'll be giving out spoilers, but I'll say it's right up there with November Mourns for me when it comes to your horror novels. (Like I said, it's been awhile since I've read Headstone City, forgive me if I got a few plot points mixed up.) Tt |
|
| Author: | Craig Cook [ Tue Nov 09, 2010 5:06 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Grading Tom Piccirilli's Novels |
Starting The Cold Spot tomorrow, so I'm glad you gave it an A!  I did, however, pick up a copy of A Lower Deep recently, but after reading this thread am a bit scared to read it. |
|
| Author: | ttzuma [ Tue Nov 09, 2010 9:30 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Grading Tom Piccirilli's Novels |
First off, you will love The Cold Spot. It is excellent! Secondly, you may find yourself enjoying A Lower Deep Craig so I would give it a shot before writing it off. Tt |
|
| Author: | horrordude [ Wed Dec 08, 2010 3:04 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Grading Tom Piccirilli's Novels |
I really liked A Lower Deep. It just felt like being trapped in this bizarre occult universe The Pic Man had created, and for some reason the entire time I was reading it I was freezing my ass off-(I don't know why, but I'll always remember being cold when I read this book.) It was surreal in a cool way, I thought. But I can see where it could not be for everyone. |
|
| Author: | ttzuma [ Mon Mar 21, 2011 6:53 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Grading Tom Piccirilli's Novels |
Updated again. |
|
| Author: | ttzuma [ Fri Jun 10, 2011 2:33 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Grading Tom Piccirilli's Novels |
Once again, updated. |
|
| Author: | ttzuma [ Thu Aug 04, 2011 8:29 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Grading Tom Piccirilli's Novels |
Updated. I am including some short stories when I come upon them. |
|
| Author: | TMLCrow [ Thu Aug 04, 2011 10:21 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Grading Tom Piccirilli's Novels |
Tony, I don't see Pic's story from Tasmaniac's Festive Fear Global Edition. Don't forget that one. Tom's been pretty good at putting a lot of his stuff out for Kindle. I think Futile Efforts is an ebook, too. Fucking Lie Down Already was in that, if I remember correctly. Hopefully Chris has been picking some of these up. Man, now I'm starting to get into a Pic reading mood. |
|
| Author: | ttzuma [ Fri Aug 05, 2011 8:26 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Grading Tom Piccirilli's Novels |
Thanks Thad, I did forget about You Better Watch Out. Added. (Chris ?) |
|
| Author: | TMLCrow [ Fri Aug 05, 2011 11:24 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Grading Tom Piccirilli's Novels |
| Author: | Tom Piccirilli [ Tue Aug 16, 2011 12:56 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Grading Tom Piccirilli's Novels |
Ha, fun to see what you think of particular pieces as you tumble to them, Tony. Appreciate the mostly generous gradings. |
|
| Author: | JPOKELA [ Tue Oct 18, 2011 7:29 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Grading Tom Piccirilli's Novels |
I really need an eReader. NIGHTJACK sounds exactly like my kind of story. Can't read it on the computer. Or, don't want to anyway. Any chance of a lightning source edition? |
|
| Author: | ttzuma [ Tue Jul 17, 2012 9:47 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Grading Tom Piccirilli's Novels |
Upgraded! 
|
|
| Author: | ttzuma [ Fri May 31, 2013 9:03 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Grading Tom Piccirilli's Novels |
Updated to show Pale Preachers and Walls of the Castle. |
|
| Page 1 of 1 | All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ] |
| Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group http://www.phpbb.com/ |
|