Who was that masked man?
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| Prodigal Blues by Gary Braunbeck http://horrorworld.org/msgboards/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=5372 |
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| Author: | ttzuma [ Mon Oct 20, 2008 9:30 am ] |
| Post subject: | Prodigal Blues by Gary Braunbeck |
(This was written over a year ago) There are a handfull of authors whose work I enjoy so much I try to spread the word on their work as much and as far as I can. Tom Piccirilli, James A. Moore, Steve Vernon are three of those authors and of course Gary Braunbeck who I believe is the best contemporary horror author in the United States. Gary wrote a book called Prodigal Blues which is one of the most terrifing novels I have ever read. I wrote the following and thought I would post it here along with some comments to let others know what an impact this book has had on me and others: PRODIGAL BLUES By Gary Braunbeck (Part Two) You must read this book. I've spoken a little bit about it in another thread so I won't go on about what I think of it, but I'll just write a little of its plot here. Mark is miles away from home riding in a tow truck because his car has broken down. Three different times he spots an old airstream r.v. pulling a trailer driving by, and all three times he spots a very young girl looking out of the window at him. He thinks her parents are lost and trying to find the right exit to take. He arrives at the service station and goes into a diner to get something to eat. He sits down and who comes up to him and sits accross from him in the booth but the young girl he spotted in the r.v. She tells him that she has been kidnapped and wants to go home. He see's a missing child poster in the diner and sure enough this girl is the same one on the poster. He informs the people in the diner who contact the authorities and he's a hero. Just before she's led away she looks at him sadly and say's, "I'm sorry mister". He stays in a hotel that night waiting for his car to be fixed. Something happens to him and he blacks out. When he awakens he finds himself in the airstream r.v. with three other children. All of them also have been kidnapped and they are forcing him to help them. They bring him to a hotel, hog tie him and the tale they tell him of the man who kidnapped them is one of the most horrible, vile, and disgusting things you will ever read. The action that takes place after this is chilling, emotional as hell, and so engaging that you can't stop reading. I would rank this book up there with House and November Mourns as one of the most horrifying books I've ever read, and most importantly, enjoyed. This is not Stephen King horror, this is brutal, more brutal than Tom Piccirrili's "F--kin Lie Down Already." This is more brutal than Survivor. But it's different than those two books... to say more would give too much away. (Part One) I started a novel last evening that in the past I would never have classified as horror by my definitiion. This is one of those "man's inhumanity against man" genre novels that Tom spoke about, but it has to be the most chilling, horror laden, and well written novel in this genre that I have ever read. The artrocities in this book are unbelieveably grotesque, but they are written in such an unexploited way, that you are drawn in to the characters terrible plights. You can't help but feel their physical and emotional pain, even if those same characters by neccessity have distanced their own self from it. The horror in this novel just reaches out and tears away at your gut and your chest tightens as you read about the characters relating the physical and mental atrocities committed against them, in subtle, even matter of fact ways. What adds to these poignant, sick, and rage inducing emotional feelings you expirence while reading this book, is that all of this carnage is committed against children, and you are reading about it in their own words. The horror also comes in identifying with the lead character; the writing in this novel is so well done you feel his pain when he is hurt, you shiver right along side him when he is scrared shitless, and you can hear your own silent screams echoing behind his as he becomes aware of the nightmare he is about to become part of. I purchased this book based on a recommendation from Douglas and a new found admiration for Gary Braunbeck's writing after reading his last Leisure release. But I have to tell you, I was not prepared for the story line in this book, the depth of his writing, or the jaw dropping moments as I was reading it. It's called Prodigal Blues and only 1000 copies were printed. It's nothing like his mmpb realeases, its way more adult and way more explicit. This book will be a classic, and anybody who loves and appreaciates horror, must read this. You really have to read this book. Braunbeck has written a masterpiece, a classic. Tt ************************************************************ Tom Piccirilli: Yep, the book is brilliant (as is all of Gary B's writing), and yes, for the time being it's only available in limited hardcover. I really hope Leisure or some other major New York publisher wises up and prints this one in mmpb. The masses deserve to be shocked out of their socks by Prodigal Blues. TTZuma: Laurel, how you doing on this? Did you finally force your way through it? Did it become easier to read past the half way mark? Laurel: Almost finished. This has been one very tough read for me, but the writing is Braunbeck at his best and I agree with you that this book will be a classic. Huge Horror Fan: Laurel, I was just wondering...Is the book tough to read because of the content, or is it because of the actual writing? Laurel: Content. The writing is terrific. It's hard to read the abuse scenes...they are horrific and heartbreaking. Jazzminsdaddy: I just finished Prodigal and I have to agree with the consensus that it is a near masterpiece. Between this and Mr.Hands Gary Braunbeck has become an author that I will read anything by. He expertly balanced the tone with the sometimes humourous narration of the protagonist and the unbelievable brutality of the horror scenes. Without the humour this novel would have been unbearable to read. I actually found it easier to read than Survivor which was just an ugly book (not in a bad way). Gary, if you read this I was wondering if you did research for this book and how much truth is in the book? Obviously we all know there are a horrifying number of child molesters and pedophiles in the world but (and maybe I'm naive) are there people who get off on torturing and mutilating children as well? Ttzuma __________________ |
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| Author: | HorrorWorld [ Tue Oct 21, 2008 5:59 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Prodigal Blues by Gary Braunbeck |
Who was that masked man?
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| Author: | GaryBraunbeck [ Tue Oct 21, 2008 6:11 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Prodigal Blues by Gary Braunbeck |
None shall ever know my true identity. 
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| Author: | Majase [ Sun Jun 14, 2009 3:43 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Prodigal Blues by Gary Braunbeck |
After I saw this post about Prodigal Blues, I knew I had to join the Horror World community, just so I could post my thoughts on this astounding piece of work. This book, for a number of reasons, disturbed me more than anything I've ever read. And this is coming from a person that enjoys, even wallows, in the "darker" aspects of art and expression. It was my first foray into the Braunbeck world so I was unprepared for the immense style, talent and depth of his craft. Then, the content of the story itself hit me like a razor edged sledgehammer and I was instantly a lifetime Gary Braunbeck fan. Since then, I've read everything I can get my greedy hands on that has emerged from the mind of this author. Being an aspiring writer myself (I know, I know, don't groan, who isn't anymore, right?), Gary was recommended to me by not one, but two friends. Interestingly, these friends do not know each other, but they both told me similar things: "You have GOT to find some Braunbeck stuff, man; this guy is a rare gem. Your creepy dark thriller stories reminds me of his work." I'm the first to tell you they must smoke too much loco weed, because if I had an inkling of that kind of ability, I would eat my own gnarly toes and die a happy--albeit bad breath--man. However, some of the themes are familiar and perhaps that is part of the reason it cuts deep into my soul; as it obviously does with other lovers of intelligently menacing, superb fiction. Why this book has not been put back into print is one of the many sad mysteries and travesties of today's publishing world. Which reminds me--for anyone (Gary himself perhaps?) that is interested, there is a short reference page on Wikipedia for this book here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prodigal_Blues However, it is in need of a detailed synopsis and article. Could be an interesting project for a fan with experience in such things. When time permits (ha! that's a laugh with my schedule), I might even throw my hand into part of it. Anyway, just a passing thought for anyone out there. In closing, all I can say is if you have not had the pleasure of reading this book, find it. You will not be disappointed, and, more essentially, you will never forget it. |
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| Author: | ttzuma [ Wed Sep 09, 2009 2:53 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Prodigal Blues by Gary Braunbeck |
I'm bringing this back up because we've been discussing it in The Cellar (under a thread about becoming like ttzuma) and everyone should know how great this book is. I've said it often, this is Gary's masterpiece and it is a classic novel of horror. Tt |
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| Author: | Craig Cook [ Tue Mar 16, 2010 4:15 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Prodigal Blues by Gary Braunbeck |
Wow, finished this last night and I don't even know how to describe it. In one word - Powerful. The emotions of the characters seep through the pages until you're saturated in their blood, pain, tears, and struggle for hope. I finished this at about 11:15 p.m. and was still tempted to go wake up my little daughter just to give her a hug and tell her I'd always be there to protect her. Between this book and In Silent Graves (which I found parts of it to be as disturbing, if not more so, than Prodigal Blues), that's twice now that Gary's just about brought me to tears. And I can honestly say no other author has come close to that. If there's a better writer out there today, a better skilled craftsman with the written word, regardless of genre, than Gary Braunbeck, I don't know who it is. |
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| Author: | GaryBraunbeck [ Tue Mar 16, 2010 11:17 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Prodigal Blues by Gary Braunbeck |
Thank you, Craig. That means a lot. |
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| Author: | Laurel in Ely [ Wed Mar 17, 2010 6:09 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Prodigal Blues by Gary Braunbeck |
| Author: | GaryBraunbeck [ Wed Mar 17, 2010 6:23 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Prodigal Blues by Gary Braunbeck |
Okay, now I'm blushing 
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| Author: | horrordude [ Wed Mar 17, 2010 11:19 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Prodigal Blues by Gary Braunbeck |
Yep, Gary's work will reach into your mind and take it anywhere it wants. And whether the places are painful or not, you'll come back a changed person from his writing. 
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| Author: | AdamHughes [ Thu Mar 18, 2010 4:24 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Prodigal Blues by Gary Braunbeck |
I think that is Mr Braunbeck's forte',,,,,being able to convey emotion so powerfully. be it happy/sad/fear/joy/humor/abandoned etc etc |
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| Author: | ttzuma [ Thu Mar 18, 2010 8:11 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Prodigal Blues by Gary Braunbeck |
| Author: | Laurel in Ely [ Thu Mar 18, 2010 1:54 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Prodigal Blues by Gary Braunbeck |
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