Wormwood: A Collection of Short Stories
by Poppy Z. Brite
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Book Reviews of Wormwood: A Collection of Short Stories
Book Review: Guess I'm not a Gothic fan...
Summary: 3 Stars
I read this book after being introduced to her in the "Love in Vein" series. I should have realized that the since Ms. Brite, edited, rather than wrote, the "Love in Vein" short stories, that they would not reflect her true work. So I picked up "Wormwood" expecting more erotica and less death than what I found. If I had known more about Ms. Brite's work, I probably would not have read this one. That said, I still found some of her stories enjoyable, particularly "The Sixth Sentinel" and "The Elder," both of which involve a lot of heartache and loss. I liked getting to know Ghost and Steve, as well. Overall, I did enjoy Ms. Brite's writing style, her ability to describe the sights, sounds, and smells of the world around her so vividly. If you like Gothic stuff, with lots of death and decaying bodies, then you will probably love her short stories. If not, you might still enjoy her writing style, but make sure you are in a very, very, good mood -- you'll be depressed when you're done!
Book Review: Squirming with possibility, but disappointing overall
Summary: 3 Stars
Poppy Z. Brite's first short story collection shows a great deal of potential but ultimately fails to live up to its own possibilities. Far too often this author will give her readers a lovely mise en scène... and then do nothing with it. In most Brite stories, the writing is like a string of polished jewels, but nothing much actually *happens*. Fans of her novel "Lost Souls" will appreciate that there is a Steve and Ghost story; however, it is in fact a dismally predictable love-among-freaks tale... it's moving, but you see the ending coming a mile away. Brite's much-lauded "Calcutta, Lord of Nerves" is beautifully phrased and believably set, but again,
anticlimactic... basically a chase scene. Of the stories in this volume, "His Mouth Shall Taste of Wormwood" and "The Ash of Memory, The Dust of Desire" are probably the best. The former is another variation on Brite's hackneyed "perverse young gay gothboys in lust" theme, but it plays out with the inevitability of a classic ghost storyBook Review: Wormwood: An Author's Growth
Summary: 4 Stars
Wormwood is a collection of short stories that Poppy Z. Brite wrote mainly in the late 80's and early 90's. Many fans of Poppy consider her short stories to be better than her novel, but I can't agree. In this medium you feel like you've only had an appetizer of her amazing talent, left with only a morsel of an idea.I enjoyed about half of this collection, including "His Mouth Will Taste of Wormwood," "Xenophobia," "Calcutta: Lord of Nerves," and "How to Get Ahead in New York."
Fans of her first novel, "Lost Souls" will be pleased to learn that two of the stories feature Steve and Ghost. I recommend this book to Poppy fans, but if this is your introduction, I would start with her novels.
Wormwood is a fascinating timeline of one of the best authors around expanding her talent, and exploring the dark worlds that she creates. Good work, all in all.
Book Review: Dark, terrifying, wonderful short stories!
Summary: 4 Stars
Poppy Z. Brite has officially become a favorite author of mine. Her books are dark, disturbing and literary. And the fact that her stories have gothic elements makes them all the more appealing. Having read Are You Loathsome Tonight?, I couldn't wait to pick up another one of her books. Wormwood caught my attention the moment I lay my eyes on it. I am so glad I gave it a whirl. The stories here are dark, horrifying and full of beautiful prose (at least that's my take on them). Brite has incredible talent. My favorite stories are "Calcutta, Lord of Nerves," "Xenophobia," "How to Get Ahead in New York," "The Elder," "His Mouth Will Taste of Wormwood," and "The Sixth Sentinel." I devoured these stories from beginning to end. The stories are sheer horror. I recommend this anthology to those who like to read about things that go bump in the night with a literary twist.Book Review: Menacing Poetry
Summary: 5 Stars
There are times when I am reading a Poppy Z. Brite novel and I feel bogged down waiting for action, utterly bored with the nth sexcapade of the main characters. This might be why I love this book of short stories more than anything else she's written. While some stories show signs of youth, more often Ms. Brite's fluid prose is utterly seductive and disturbing. Where other writers either clunk along or try to poetry us to death, Poppy Z. Brite maintains the perfect balance between plot and style. Her stories are scary, menacing and beautiful at once. She says what needs saying and then breaks off leaving the images to fester in our minds for days, weeks, years. Possibly one of the most worthy-of-repeat-viewings collection in short story history