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Prodigal Blues
From award-winning author Gary A. Braunbeck comes Prodigal Blues, his first foray into non-supernatural horror.
After he finds himself stranded at a truck stop in Missouri, Mark Sieber gets one of the biggest shocks of his life when he recognizes the face of a little girl on a Missing poster as belonging to the same little girl he saw only a few minutes before. Looking around for some sign of her, he comes back to his table in the restaurant to find the little sitting there, waiting for him.
"I'm sorry, mister," is all she seems capable of saying.
As the police and media begin to converge on the truck stop, Mark retreats back to his hotel room to call his wife and let her know what's going on, only to be taken hostage by the same people who released the little girl. But his abductors are little more than children themselves.
Ranging in ages from 12 to 19, Mark's abductors are in the process of escaping from a sadistic pedophile known to them only as "Grendel" a man whose practices include torture and mutilation specifically, mutilation of the face.
Mark's abductors have all been mutilated by Grendel who may be very close behind them and need someone with a "normal face" to help them carry out their plan for justice and returning home.
For the next few days, Mark will come to understand not only the inhuman horror that these children have suffered, but how they eventually learned to fight back and how they discovered that Grendel and his practices are at the center of a very complex network catering to those who tastes run toward the molestation and mutilation of children.
Prodigal Blues is perhaps Braunbeck's most suspenseful and emotionally powerful work to date; a story of suffering, depravity, redemption, and in the end the individual's compassion for his or her fellow human beings that can lead some people to finding reserves of courage and determination they never thought they possessed.
Terrifying, suspenseful, sometimes surprisingly funny, and ultimately moving, Prodigal Blues is quintessential Braunbeck.
After he finds himself stranded at a truck stop in Missouri, Mark Sieber gets one of the biggest shocks of his life when he recognizes the face of a little girl on a Missing poster as belonging to the same little girl he saw only a few minutes before. Looking around for some sign of her, he comes back to his table in the restaurant to find the little sitting there, waiting for him.
"I'm sorry, mister," is all she seems capable of saying.
As the police and media begin to converge on the truck stop, Mark retreats back to his hotel room to call his wife and let her know what's going on, only to be taken hostage by the same people who released the little girl. But his abductors are little more than children themselves.
Ranging in ages from 12 to 19, Mark's abductors are in the process of escaping from a sadistic pedophile known to them only as "Grendel" a man whose practices include torture and mutilation specifically, mutilation of the face.
Mark's abductors have all been mutilated by Grendel who may be very close behind them and need someone with a "normal face" to help them carry out their plan for justice and returning home.
For the next few days, Mark will come to understand not only the inhuman horror that these children have suffered, but how they eventually learned to fight back and how they discovered that Grendel and his practices are at the center of a very complex network catering to those who tastes run toward the molestation and mutilation of children.
Prodigal Blues is perhaps Braunbeck's most suspenseful and emotionally powerful work to date; a story of suffering, depravity, redemption, and in the end the individual's compassion for his or her fellow human beings that can lead some people to finding reserves of courage and determination they never thought they possessed.
Terrifying, suspenseful, sometimes surprisingly funny, and ultimately moving, Prodigal Blues is quintessential Braunbeck.
248 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2006
25 people are currently reading
1590 people want to read
About the author
Gary A. Braunbeck
224 books232 followersGary A. Braunbeck is a prolific author who writes mysteries, thrillers, science fiction, fantasy, horror, and mainstream literature. He is the author of 19 books; his fiction has been translated into Japanese, French, Italian, Russian and German. Nearly 200 of his short stories have appeared in various publications.
His fiction has received several awards, including the Bram Stoker Award in 2003 for "Duty" and in 2005 for "We Now Pause for Station Identification"; his book Destinations Unknown won a Stoker in 2006. His novella "Kiss of the Mudman" received the International Horror Guild Award in 2005."
His fiction has received several awards, including the Bram Stoker Award in 2003 for "Duty" and in 2005 for "We Now Pause for Station Identification"; his book Destinations Unknown won a Stoker in 2006. His novella "Kiss of the Mudman" received the International Horror Guild Award in 2005."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
September 18, 2013
If I had to some up in one word what the reading experience of this book was, it would probably have to be...devastating. Just like a certain infamous Jack Ketchum book, there is such brutality against children here, such horrific repeated child abuse, so much hideous sadistic violence that the book reads like an emotional hurricane. It's a very difficult read too. The quality of Braunbeck's writing is at its finest here, in his first foray into a nonsupernatural horror. For all that, this is by far the scariest of his books. I can see how his style, half page long sentences might not be to everyone's liking, but I really like his writing. This was a dark, heavy and emotionally exhausting read, an unflinchingly detailed exploration of pure human evil and the inner strength and inherent goodness of humanity it takes to confront it. Powerhouse of a story if you can get through it. I read it straight through in about 3.5 hours. And now I need to look at cute fuzzy things and think happy thoughts for a semblance of mental balance.
August 15, 2017
Okay, so that about broke me in two, emotionally - which is what Gary Braunbeck does so, so well. He was really the first horror writer I encountered whose main power in horror was really slamming those emotions, hard. There's lots of wanna-be's that trot out grotesqueness in their horror, calling themselves "extreme" and all that. None of them hold a candle to Gary Braunbeck, because while most of that stuff is just soulless "gore porn" (yes, I know, we could debate this term ad infinitum, but I said it, whatever), Braunbeck has what all that stuff is missing: meaning. A heartbeat. A soul. A REASON he's showing us all these horrible things; to make us appreciate the all too often flickering light even more.
January 8, 2020
A janitor, a monster and a disturbing and redemptive road trip to salvation and possibly (no, probably) death.
Well done and entertaining, if such subject matter can be called entertaining.
A solid 4 stars and maybe even more...need to think on it...
Well done and entertaining, if such subject matter can be called entertaining.
A solid 4 stars and maybe even more...need to think on it...
December 20, 2011
When I read In Silent Graves by Gary Braunbeck, I was sure that I found another favorite author. That novel was very well constructed and there were many passages that made me stop and ponder what he said.
I don't know what happened here, but Prodigal Blues comes nowhere close to that quality of writing. I found a lot of the dialogue to be awkward, and I couldn't really buy into the weird relationship between Christopher and Mark. Specifically,
I don't know, there were just too many things with this whole story that I couldn't buy into, and interjecting it with light humor really didn't work.
What a disappointment...I can't believe this is from the same guy who wrote In Silent Graves. At least it was only $3.99 for the Kindle and took me only a couple of days to get through.
I'm just glad this was not the first book I read from Braunbeck. It would not have inspired me to read more of him.
I don't know what happened here, but Prodigal Blues comes nowhere close to that quality of writing. I found a lot of the dialogue to be awkward, and I couldn't really buy into the weird relationship between Christopher and Mark. Specifically,
I don't know, there were just too many things with this whole story that I couldn't buy into, and interjecting it with light humor really didn't work.
What a disappointment...I can't believe this is from the same guy who wrote In Silent Graves. At least it was only $3.99 for the Kindle and took me only a couple of days to get through.
I'm just glad this was not the first book I read from Braunbeck. It would not have inspired me to read more of him.
April 30, 2016
This book is a phenomemon! THE BEST BOOK I'VE EVER READ SO FAR IN MY LIFE. Mostly because it's about my favorite subject (Snuff movies). I'm writing a review soon.
Ce roman est un phénomène, je crois que c'est le meilleur roman que j'ai pu lire à ce jour , je dis ça surtout parce que ça traite de mon sujet préféré et sur lequel il y a beaucoup d'ombre (Les snuff movies) Si vous connaissez un roman traitant du même sujet n'hésitez pas à me le proposer.
October 18, 2012
It was hard but spoiler free...
Ghouls, vampires and ghosts are the subject of a great majority of horror fiction novels. Perhaps the most grotesque of horror novels and the most frightening are the non-supernatural horror novel grounded completely in reality. Some of the best novels in this sub-genre as for me include Exquisite Corpse by Poppy Z.Brite, Testament by David Morrell and The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum. Now I can add Braunbeck's brutal masterpiece about child abuse Prodigal Blues.
PB explores what might have happened to the children we see(and almost always ignore) on posters. “Have you seen me?” Mark the main character alone on a road trip and stalled on the side of the road finds out quickly enough. This book is better going in cold. It's an expensive rare bbook but if your lucky enough to have library that has it. Portland does, it is highly recommended. I hope Braunbeck finds a paperback publisher for this short but intense horror novel.
Braunbeck has strong and unique voice but this book is very inspired by Stephen King and the road trip horror novel. The author doesn't shun this he has a dedication to the king. This novel takes twists and turns I didn't see coming and will have you cringing at the depths of humanity. For suspense and horrifying moments you can't go wrong here.
I have only minor problems, there is one chapter when the plot unfolds that almost derailed the novel for me, but in the end the surprising twist in the novel ends up working brilliantly. The only problem I seen with the novel is Braunbeck's tendency to sidetrack the prose with observations. Don't get me wrong- personally I enjoy his observations and consider it an important part of Braunbeck's voice. At the same time I could see where some readers might find it distracting.
This novel to me is brutal masterpiece, if you have a strong stomach and want a story that will challenge it. You can't go wrong with Prodigal Blues. If you search for it I also reviewed Braunbeck's in Silent Graves a few years back.
Ghouls, vampires and ghosts are the subject of a great majority of horror fiction novels. Perhaps the most grotesque of horror novels and the most frightening are the non-supernatural horror novel grounded completely in reality. Some of the best novels in this sub-genre as for me include Exquisite Corpse by Poppy Z.Brite, Testament by David Morrell and The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum. Now I can add Braunbeck's brutal masterpiece about child abuse Prodigal Blues.
PB explores what might have happened to the children we see(and almost always ignore) on posters. “Have you seen me?” Mark the main character alone on a road trip and stalled on the side of the road finds out quickly enough. This book is better going in cold. It's an expensive rare bbook but if your lucky enough to have library that has it. Portland does, it is highly recommended. I hope Braunbeck finds a paperback publisher for this short but intense horror novel.
Braunbeck has strong and unique voice but this book is very inspired by Stephen King and the road trip horror novel. The author doesn't shun this he has a dedication to the king. This novel takes twists and turns I didn't see coming and will have you cringing at the depths of humanity. For suspense and horrifying moments you can't go wrong here.
I have only minor problems, there is one chapter when the plot unfolds that almost derailed the novel for me, but in the end the surprising twist in the novel ends up working brilliantly. The only problem I seen with the novel is Braunbeck's tendency to sidetrack the prose with observations. Don't get me wrong- personally I enjoy his observations and consider it an important part of Braunbeck's voice. At the same time I could see where some readers might find it distracting.
This novel to me is brutal masterpiece, if you have a strong stomach and want a story that will challenge it. You can't go wrong with Prodigal Blues. If you search for it I also reviewed Braunbeck's in Silent Graves a few years back.
June 1, 2014
This book is amazing, however, if you haven't, DO NOT read the short intro on this book. Its best read not knowing what the book's premise is. Not to aid in mystery, but how it will affect you emotionally. This book will make you feel intensely. It is dark fiction without supernatural elements, no trying to tell if someone's insane or the ghosts are real, etc. All of what occurs is real. It hurts(emotionally) you to read this and it will be worth it; the writing will compel you, the characters the events, all of it. If you can get a copy of this book do it.
September 18, 2017
Très bon thriller qui joue autant avec la tension qu'avec l'émotion dans ce roman singulier qui nous entraîne sur les pas d'un homme qui tente de ramener chez eux des enfants qui viennent de s'échapper de leur kidnappeur. Personnellement, c'est plus la qualité du personnage principal et l'émotion derrière sa quête que le suspense en soi qui m'a gardé accroché. Fort intéressant et d'un point de vue différent. Belle originalité!
July 20, 2008
An extremely intense, emotionally wringing exploration of child abuse told with insight and compassion. It shows that twisted facets of humanity are far more terrifying and horrible than any supernatural threat. This is an amazingly moving volume.
June 6, 2016
An absolutely crushing read. I'm going to go cry and cry and cry now.
February 3, 2015
I was already a huge fan of both +Gary Braunbeck the person and the writer, so I'm surprised it took me so long to read this after +Brian J. Shoopman told me it was available. Not quite horror, but horrific. Not quite a crime novel, but there are terrible crimes at its heart. I'm a sucker for a road trip stories as it is, and this uniquely Braunbeckian journey really hits you where it hurts. In the end leaves you glad that it did. Highly recommended.
September 10, 2013
I don't know yet if I need to cry, to scream or to hide myself in a rabbit hole.
January 29, 2022
Descriptive. Vivid. Good storytelling. Brutal but elegant in an off putting way. The author reaches deep in the soul of this world and brings to life what we sure as hell hope doesn't exist, but regrettably, we know it most likely does.
July 18, 2017
Oh boy, this book just happened….. This book was hard to read, to the point where I would have to just take a break and digest what I have just read, I have read a lot of horror, I have watched a lot of horror but nothing scares me more than something that could happen in real life. This book was dark, and gritty and depressing and sad but most of all it felt real. It is my first time reading Braunbeck so went in with no knowledge but the synopsis just grabbed me but I can tell you from reading ‘Prodigal Blues’ it will not be my last. This book was a 5, I am just really really selective and only really put 5 stars for my ‘all time favourites’ this book will stick with me for a long time, and I would not be surprised if later down the line I bump this up.
I’m not fond of going over the synopsis as I can’t really give much more than what GoodReads provides you with and sometimes I feel the less said the better, and the more I talk about the story the more I take away from the reader, I find I end up telling people most of the story when this book should be savoured and people should go into this without wanting to know anymore. But in short, we have Mark who is travelling back from signing some papers for his sister when his car breaks down, it is while he is getting his car fixed and grabbing some lunch that he notices a ‘Missing Person’ poster on the wall of a café, a girl that he believes he saw while he was broken down on the side of the road, he comes back to his table to find the girl sitting there, her only words…
‘I’m sorry mister’
Heading back to his hotel to inform his wife on what’s just happened, he is knocked unconscious and taken hostage by the same people that released the little girl, but the abductors are not just criminals, they are a group of young kids who are on the run from a sadistic paedophile known as ‘Grendel’ they are not here to kidnap Mark, but to ask for his help, to bring them home to their families but to seek revenge and retribution on their captor.
I’ll leave you with that, I think that gives you a good starting point and hopefully enough to draw you in, the characters in this book are just heart-breaking, the kids stories are just devastating to read, but despite all the horror and torture and pain they go through they still have their quirks and individual sense of humour. Mark plays a fantastic role in helping these young kids, a truly amazing protagonist who shows such strength and courage, and watching the relationship between him and the kids grow is truly a joy to read (barring the circumstances on which they have to meet of course) while all the kids are heroes in my eyes Christopher (the leader of the group you could say) is by the far the shining star, it was truly soul destroying to hear his story and to get inside his mind through this book, every word and every action jumped out of the page, in most ways you could not even begin to imagine what he is going through but by the end of the book and with Mark’s voice aiding you felt like you were part of it with him.
The story isn’t hard to get your head around if anything quite basic, but the way it is told is just indescribable at times, I keep repeating words like heart-breaking, devastating but it’s all I can muster, its true horror, and at times very hard to reads, it’s not for the faint hearted by any means and truly gets under your skin, I guess partly my reason for the 4 stars was that this book doesn’t live happily ever after, you are hoping there is, you are hoping there is some light at the end of the tunnel, and while in some cases there is, it’s not the way you want it to go. That really p***ed me off but I guess that is how the real-world works, and while it might not have been what I wanted, it was written amazingly and I loved reading it.
People need to read this book, it’s a truly horrible and haunting read, but it’s done with pure class, amazing characters, an unforgettable plot, a harrowing and sadistic antagonist that you will hate with every bone in your body come the end. Braunbeck had written a truly amazing novel, one that I will not forget in a hurry, I look forward to reading more of his works.
All those in favour?
I’m not fond of going over the synopsis as I can’t really give much more than what GoodReads provides you with and sometimes I feel the less said the better, and the more I talk about the story the more I take away from the reader, I find I end up telling people most of the story when this book should be savoured and people should go into this without wanting to know anymore. But in short, we have Mark who is travelling back from signing some papers for his sister when his car breaks down, it is while he is getting his car fixed and grabbing some lunch that he notices a ‘Missing Person’ poster on the wall of a café, a girl that he believes he saw while he was broken down on the side of the road, he comes back to his table to find the girl sitting there, her only words…
‘I’m sorry mister’
Heading back to his hotel to inform his wife on what’s just happened, he is knocked unconscious and taken hostage by the same people that released the little girl, but the abductors are not just criminals, they are a group of young kids who are on the run from a sadistic paedophile known as ‘Grendel’ they are not here to kidnap Mark, but to ask for his help, to bring them home to their families but to seek revenge and retribution on their captor.
I’ll leave you with that, I think that gives you a good starting point and hopefully enough to draw you in, the characters in this book are just heart-breaking, the kids stories are just devastating to read, but despite all the horror and torture and pain they go through they still have their quirks and individual sense of humour. Mark plays a fantastic role in helping these young kids, a truly amazing protagonist who shows such strength and courage, and watching the relationship between him and the kids grow is truly a joy to read (barring the circumstances on which they have to meet of course) while all the kids are heroes in my eyes Christopher (the leader of the group you could say) is by the far the shining star, it was truly soul destroying to hear his story and to get inside his mind through this book, every word and every action jumped out of the page, in most ways you could not even begin to imagine what he is going through but by the end of the book and with Mark’s voice aiding you felt like you were part of it with him.
The story isn’t hard to get your head around if anything quite basic, but the way it is told is just indescribable at times, I keep repeating words like heart-breaking, devastating but it’s all I can muster, its true horror, and at times very hard to reads, it’s not for the faint hearted by any means and truly gets under your skin, I guess partly my reason for the 4 stars was that this book doesn’t live happily ever after, you are hoping there is, you are hoping there is some light at the end of the tunnel, and while in some cases there is, it’s not the way you want it to go. That really p***ed me off but I guess that is how the real-world works, and while it might not have been what I wanted, it was written amazingly and I loved reading it.
People need to read this book, it’s a truly horrible and haunting read, but it’s done with pure class, amazing characters, an unforgettable plot, a harrowing and sadistic antagonist that you will hate with every bone in your body come the end. Braunbeck had written a truly amazing novel, one that I will not forget in a hurry, I look forward to reading more of his works.
All those in favour?
March 28, 2017
Mark est un responsable de l'entretien dans une école. Il vit plutôt une vie paisible qui lui conscient avec sa femme. Le jour de son enlèvement, il découvre une vie plutôt déstabilisante autour d'enfants qui ont vécu beaucoup de sévices. Mark n'aura pas de choix que de suivre et d'écouter ses enfants.
Je crois que pour l'instant c'est le seul roman avec "Le passage" de Justin Cronin qu'un univers me bouleverse d'une façon différente. Quand j'ai commencé la lecture de ce roman, je me suis tout de suite mise à me poser des questions sur la façon différente. Quand j'ai commencé la lecture de ce roman. Le récit nous est conté par Mark à la première personne du singulier. Donc je faisais comme si j'avais Mark en face de moi et qui me raconté son histoire d'enlèvement mais bien plus car il s'agit surtout d'une histoire de conscience.
Les ingrédients qu'ont mis Gary A. Braunbeck pour faire avancer les personnages et de les évoluer m'a rendu sceptique par le comportement du plus vieux jeune homme qu'on nomme Christopher. Âgée de vingt et un an, il est le plus vieux à s'en être sorti pendant plus de neuf ans auprès de son tortionnaire surtout quand on découvre son histoire. Christopher en a tellement vu qu'il a besoin de médicaments pour gérer sa frustration mais aussi sa colère qui peut vite devenir incontrôlable. Les trois autres jeunes ne sont restés que deux ans avec Grendel, leur tortionnaire qui ressemble à tout le monde.
Le récit que nous livre Mark va nous rendre malade sur les choses qu'ont vécu les adolescents. Les délais sont tellement scabreux et malsains que j'ai eu du mal à me sortir ou de comprendre le profil de Grendel. C'est assez intelligent de la part de Gary A. Braunbeck d'avoir écrit ce roman de cette façon car les ados et Mark sont totalement différents et que Mark qui est un homme plutôt respectable de par son métier malgré les découvertes qu'il nous livre, il faut surtout s'attendre et que Mark qui est un homme plutôt respectable de part son métier malgré les découvertes qu'il nous livre, il faut surtout s'attendre à comprendre le passé de Mark. Son histoire va peut-être émouvoir plus d'une personne si on est sensible comme moi car il a une grandeur d'âme à couper le souffle. Son soutien jusqu'à la fin n'est autre que sa femme à qui il raconte l'histoire et la fin montre à quel point ils peuvent tout se raconter sans que l'autre ne le juge sur ses méfaits.
Mais c'est à toi que je pense aurait pu être un coup de cœur mail il m'a fallu un temps d'adaptation pour comprendre où m'emmenait l'auteur. Mais ce fut un quasi sans faute sur le récit et l'histoire montre à quel point peut être un humain et que des failles peuvent toujours exister. Mark m'a vraiment bluffé.
A thousand lives with books blog
Je crois que pour l'instant c'est le seul roman avec "Le passage" de Justin Cronin qu'un univers me bouleverse d'une façon différente. Quand j'ai commencé la lecture de ce roman, je me suis tout de suite mise à me poser des questions sur la façon différente. Quand j'ai commencé la lecture de ce roman. Le récit nous est conté par Mark à la première personne du singulier. Donc je faisais comme si j'avais Mark en face de moi et qui me raconté son histoire d'enlèvement mais bien plus car il s'agit surtout d'une histoire de conscience.
Les ingrédients qu'ont mis Gary A. Braunbeck pour faire avancer les personnages et de les évoluer m'a rendu sceptique par le comportement du plus vieux jeune homme qu'on nomme Christopher. Âgée de vingt et un an, il est le plus vieux à s'en être sorti pendant plus de neuf ans auprès de son tortionnaire surtout quand on découvre son histoire. Christopher en a tellement vu qu'il a besoin de médicaments pour gérer sa frustration mais aussi sa colère qui peut vite devenir incontrôlable. Les trois autres jeunes ne sont restés que deux ans avec Grendel, leur tortionnaire qui ressemble à tout le monde.
Le récit que nous livre Mark va nous rendre malade sur les choses qu'ont vécu les adolescents. Les délais sont tellement scabreux et malsains que j'ai eu du mal à me sortir ou de comprendre le profil de Grendel. C'est assez intelligent de la part de Gary A. Braunbeck d'avoir écrit ce roman de cette façon car les ados et Mark sont totalement différents et que Mark qui est un homme plutôt respectable de par son métier malgré les découvertes qu'il nous livre, il faut surtout s'attendre et que Mark qui est un homme plutôt respectable de part son métier malgré les découvertes qu'il nous livre, il faut surtout s'attendre à comprendre le passé de Mark. Son histoire va peut-être émouvoir plus d'une personne si on est sensible comme moi car il a une grandeur d'âme à couper le souffle. Son soutien jusqu'à la fin n'est autre que sa femme à qui il raconte l'histoire et la fin montre à quel point ils peuvent tout se raconter sans que l'autre ne le juge sur ses méfaits.
Mais c'est à toi que je pense aurait pu être un coup de cœur mail il m'a fallu un temps d'adaptation pour comprendre où m'emmenait l'auteur. Mais ce fut un quasi sans faute sur le récit et l'histoire montre à quel point peut être un humain et que des failles peuvent toujours exister. Mark m'a vraiment bluffé.
A thousand lives with books blog
August 28, 2014
Attention, livre à ne pas mettre entre toutes les mains. A mon sens, âmes sensibles s'abstenir et réserver cette lecture à un public adulte. Voilà le premier point.
Ensuite, s'agissant de l'ouvrage à proprement parler: un roman très noir, difficile à classer, dans lequel tout tourne autour de la psychologie des personnages.
Pour ne pas dévoiler l'histoire,je me contenterai de dire qu'elle concerne quatre ados en plus de Mark, le personnage principal. L'originalité du livre tient au parti pris de l'auteur: il place le récit après une "série d'événements" et non pas pendant. Ce n'est pas vraiment un policier, pas vraiment un thriller.
Certaines pages dépeignent des scènes à la limite de l'insoutenable avec force détails. Des lecteurs pourront dire (et c'est leur droit le plus strict) que ces descriptions auraient pu être raccourcies voire simplement suggérées, que la violence et l'horreur sont trop présentes.
Mais ce serait oublier la nature de ce livre : ce n'est pas tant une histoire qu'une lente plongée dans l'horreur. Mark entre dans le cauchemar des quatre adolescents, l'auteur lui fait vivre ce que ces ados ont vécu. Mark doit voir toute l'étendue de l'horreur pour pleinement la comprendre.
Rien n'est donc épargné au héros. Et au lecteur.
Un livre bouleversant qui ne laisse pas indemne.
Ensuite, s'agissant de l'ouvrage à proprement parler: un roman très noir, difficile à classer, dans lequel tout tourne autour de la psychologie des personnages.
Pour ne pas dévoiler l'histoire,je me contenterai de dire qu'elle concerne quatre ados en plus de Mark, le personnage principal. L'originalité du livre tient au parti pris de l'auteur: il place le récit après une "série d'événements" et non pas pendant. Ce n'est pas vraiment un policier, pas vraiment un thriller.
Certaines pages dépeignent des scènes à la limite de l'insoutenable avec force détails. Des lecteurs pourront dire (et c'est leur droit le plus strict) que ces descriptions auraient pu être raccourcies voire simplement suggérées, que la violence et l'horreur sont trop présentes.
Mais ce serait oublier la nature de ce livre : ce n'est pas tant une histoire qu'une lente plongée dans l'horreur. Mark entre dans le cauchemar des quatre adolescents, l'auteur lui fait vivre ce que ces ados ont vécu. Mark doit voir toute l'étendue de l'horreur pour pleinement la comprendre.
Rien n'est donc épargné au héros. Et au lecteur.
Un livre bouleversant qui ne laisse pas indemne.
September 23, 2014
Braunbeck is one of my favorite storytellers. I partially read this and partially listened as an audiobook and found what I always do when it comes to Braunbeck's works: make reading the #1 priority in my life. I stop whatever is going on and immerse myself in the story. I use every free second to keep reading and take twice as long as it should to read because 1. I don't want the story to end and 2. I find myself re-reading passages because of just how good Braunbeck is with language, cadence, and emotion. Prodigal Blues was no exception. It's a tale of humanity, humility, and one of hope. It's also not for the faint of heart. You'll read it and say, "Nothing in life is that cruel, that unjust...that monstrous". And if you're like me, when you find yourself alone in a crowd--at a park, a mall, a subway stop--you'll add, "At least I hope it's not."
June 1, 2008
Braunbeck is a master storyteller. He doen't resort to the extreme in the ways of sex and violence. This novel, however, may have been better as a short story, or as a possible novella. The plot doesn't hold up to novel length. I think this book would have benefited from more violence, and possibly even a little gut wrenching horror. It's not on par with his overall work. It is a good, fast read, but I feel he could have made it a little more exciting. Don't get me wrong; normally, Braunbeck doesn't need to add much to his work for the emotional impact is always right on. This, however, didn't contain enough of either.
October 29, 2014
Well, that was a roller-coaster ride! I picked this book up thinking the premiss sounded interesting (guy sees missing-girl poster at a truck-stop and recognises the girl as one he had seen earlier in a van. He decides to try & help).
So, a crime/thriller I thought. What I got was definitely a thriller, a thriller filled with the most awful child abuse, brutality, hideous violence, kidnapping, sadism & mutilation which I wasn't expecting I must say.
Did I enjoy it? YES! Was it a well written, thoughtful book? NO. But it did provide a few hours of really good fun reading. The suspense built up nicely and there were a lot of emotional ups and downs in this dark fiction. 3.5 stars!
So, a crime/thriller I thought. What I got was definitely a thriller, a thriller filled with the most awful child abuse, brutality, hideous violence, kidnapping, sadism & mutilation which I wasn't expecting I must say.
Did I enjoy it? YES! Was it a well written, thoughtful book? NO. But it did provide a few hours of really good fun reading. The suspense built up nicely and there were a lot of emotional ups and downs in this dark fiction. 3.5 stars!
September 3, 2016
An outstanding novel that pulls your emotions in every direction possible. Great (if damaged) characters, wonderful dialogue, and a suspenseful and unpredictable plot. There are scenes of violence, horrible child abuse, suspense and redemption, but none is gratuitous or exploitative.
I will definitely read Braunbeck's next novel (or short story collection, if that comes out next).
I will definitely read Braunbeck's next novel (or short story collection, if that comes out next).
December 21, 2023
This could have been SO GOOD.
But honestly, who the fuck would go along with a bunch of crazy looking kids who kidnapped you, forced you to watch child sex abuse materials/snuff films, beat you, drugged you...the list goes on. And then you kill a man for these random people you don't know???? Too unrealistic for me to enjoy the story.
But honestly, who the fuck would go along with a bunch of crazy looking kids who kidnapped you, forced you to watch child sex abuse materials/snuff films, beat you, drugged you...the list goes on. And then you kill a man for these random people you don't know???? Too unrealistic for me to enjoy the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2016
Crazy and heartbreaking.
October 19, 2018
Absolutely harrowing.
April 17, 2023
What a fantastically strange book, like nothing else I've ever read. I don't think it's perfect by any means and the tone sometimes shifts much too abruptly and if I think too deeply on the why of certain plot points I can't come up with a particularly good reason for why the characters might have made certain choices (mark's involvement as a whole seems unnecessary to the scheme but without it we wouldn't have the novel at all) but it does several interesting things that make it especially memorable for me.
I think the most interesting and most important thing is that braunbeck goes out of his way to humanize these characters who have suffered so much. Often the trope is that those who suffer at the hands of a madman are broken, beaten, cowardly animals shivering in a corner and that is about as far as the characterization goes. And while that is certainly a thing that happens as a result of abuse, Braunbeck makes damn sure we remember that these are still people who long for normalcy and peace and sanity in spite of their inarguably horrifying existences. These characters are broken but they are far from cowards.
What's even more fascinating is that because of the strong characterization, Braunbeck even manages to inject some levity and oddly humorous scenes into the novel that would not be possible if this were a run of the mill work of genre fiction. It adds a really interesting dimension to it all and makes the perhaps inevitable and heartbreaking conclusion even more of a gut punch as a result.
A really startlingly good book that spins dozens of emotional dials masterfully. Looking forward to reading more of his work, for sure.
I think the most interesting and most important thing is that braunbeck goes out of his way to humanize these characters who have suffered so much. Often the trope is that those who suffer at the hands of a madman are broken, beaten, cowardly animals shivering in a corner and that is about as far as the characterization goes. And while that is certainly a thing that happens as a result of abuse, Braunbeck makes damn sure we remember that these are still people who long for normalcy and peace and sanity in spite of their inarguably horrifying existences. These characters are broken but they are far from cowards.
What's even more fascinating is that because of the strong characterization, Braunbeck even manages to inject some levity and oddly humorous scenes into the novel that would not be possible if this were a run of the mill work of genre fiction. It adds a really interesting dimension to it all and makes the perhaps inevitable and heartbreaking conclusion even more of a gut punch as a result.
A really startlingly good book that spins dozens of emotional dials masterfully. Looking forward to reading more of his work, for sure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2022
I started this some years ago, when a friend pointed out Amazon were having a massive sale on some books in French. When I bought it, I did not take note that this one is also available in English (under the title "Prodigal Blues"), and it was a taxing read for me in French, which explains why I have only just finished it.
Mark Sieber finds himself stranded on a road trip after the expiry of his death trap loan car. Description of the car sets up a tone for this book, and the scenes and characters can be amusing and somewhat entertaining. Nevertheless things take a dark turn. First Mark finds himself at the centre of the discovery of a missing child. Next he is kidnapped himself, and we are propelled into a savagely dark world that was heartbreaking and also ensured I needed a number of breaks from this story before I could finish it.
Resolution was well done, although some scenes bordered on the farcical.
This was not high literature but it was a well done plot driven story by a writer who knows how to write and employed his skills well. The choice of subject was a dark one, but the author did not dwell overlong on the dark aspects and he had characters with just enough of a sense of humour to remain believable while maintaining the story.
For all that I cannot say I *really* liked it, and that is no doubt down to the subject matter. When I need to take a break from a book, it is never going to be a favourite.
Mark Sieber finds himself stranded on a road trip after the expiry of his death trap loan car. Description of the car sets up a tone for this book, and the scenes and characters can be amusing and somewhat entertaining. Nevertheless things take a dark turn. First Mark finds himself at the centre of the discovery of a missing child. Next he is kidnapped himself, and we are propelled into a savagely dark world that was heartbreaking and also ensured I needed a number of breaks from this story before I could finish it.
Resolution was well done, although some scenes bordered on the farcical.
This was not high literature but it was a well done plot driven story by a writer who knows how to write and employed his skills well. The choice of subject was a dark one, but the author did not dwell overlong on the dark aspects and he had characters with just enough of a sense of humour to remain believable while maintaining the story.
For all that I cannot say I *really* liked it, and that is no doubt down to the subject matter. When I need to take a break from a book, it is never going to be a favourite.
October 4, 2025
Waw! Absolument extraordinaire! Le livre réussit un mélange improbable d'humour et de récits très très très sombre. Le narrateur est vraiment très sympathique, on se prend d'affection pour lui dès les premières pages. Et comment ne pas succomber au charme des enfants?
L'horreur transpire dans les pages du livre et dans ce que ces enfants ont subi mais leur vengeance et leur retour apporte une dose de triomphe et de victoire à l'histoire. Mais pas trop non plus. Juste ce qu'il faut.
La fin apporte le gut punch final et est absolument dévastatrice. Et pourtant, il y a quelque part une toute petite lueur d'espoir.
L'auteur est absolument extraordinaire dans la manipulation de ses lecteurs et dans l'art de délivrer une histoire aussi horrible avec un ton qui finalement ne la rend pas angoissante. Un must mais à lire seulement si vous n'êtes pas trop sensible car beaucoup, beaucoup d'éléments difficiles à supporter.
L'horreur transpire dans les pages du livre et dans ce que ces enfants ont subi mais leur vengeance et leur retour apporte une dose de triomphe et de victoire à l'histoire. Mais pas trop non plus. Juste ce qu'il faut.
La fin apporte le gut punch final et est absolument dévastatrice. Et pourtant, il y a quelque part une toute petite lueur d'espoir.
L'auteur est absolument extraordinaire dans la manipulation de ses lecteurs et dans l'art de délivrer une histoire aussi horrible avec un ton qui finalement ne la rend pas angoissante. Un must mais à lire seulement si vous n'êtes pas trop sensible car beaucoup, beaucoup d'éléments difficiles à supporter.
June 29, 2022
Esse é simplesmente um dos melhores livros que eu já li, se não for O melhor!
Eu amei tanto esses personagens. As crianças são simplesmente adoráveis e extremamente amáveis. Dói tanto pensar no quanto elas devem ter sofrido, e mesmo assim elas ainda eram tão maravilhosas e amigáveis. A personagem da Rebecca foi incrível, ela é um doce, me cativou muito e era como se eu pudesse vê-la perfeitamente na minha imaginação. O melhor foi o Christopher que, no começo, eu detestava, porém comecei a ama-lo de pouquinho em pouquinho. Que personagem fantástico e super bem escrito. Eu me sinto muito entristecida por conta da morte dele, eu queria muito que ele pudesse ter ido morar com o Mark e a Tanya. A revelação de que a família do Christopher estava morta o livro todo foi avassaladora, de partir o coração. Ele foi um bom garoto, que cuidou muito bem dos irmãos de coração dele.
Eu amei tanto esses personagens. As crianças são simplesmente adoráveis e extremamente amáveis. Dói tanto pensar no quanto elas devem ter sofrido, e mesmo assim elas ainda eram tão maravilhosas e amigáveis. A personagem da Rebecca foi incrível, ela é um doce, me cativou muito e era como se eu pudesse vê-la perfeitamente na minha imaginação. O melhor foi o Christopher que, no começo, eu detestava, porém comecei a ama-lo de pouquinho em pouquinho. Que personagem fantástico e super bem escrito. Eu me sinto muito entristecida por conta da morte dele, eu queria muito que ele pudesse ter ido morar com o Mark e a Tanya. A revelação de que a família do Christopher estava morta o livro todo foi avassaladora, de partir o coração. Ele foi um bom garoto, que cuidou muito bem dos irmãos de coração dele.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2025
Out of the seven books I have read, personally, I think this was the most graphic so far and the hardest one for me to read. I took multiple breaks with this one. I cried in this one, and I got goosebumps in multiple parts. This was a very emotional book for me.
I had so many favorite characters. Mark and the kids were definitely the top favorites, but I found more along the way. What the children had to go through were deplorable.
I liked the state the book started in. The vehicle used in the story interested me, I've never really paid attention to those. After reading, I've seen a few, and my mind instantly goes to this book. This one is going to stick with me.
Although there are numerous hard scenes to get through, once you get to the end, it is very moving.
I had so many favorite characters. Mark and the kids were definitely the top favorites, but I found more along the way. What the children had to go through were deplorable.
I liked the state the book started in. The vehicle used in the story interested me, I've never really paid attention to those. After reading, I've seen a few, and my mind instantly goes to this book. This one is going to stick with me.
Although there are numerous hard scenes to get through, once you get to the end, it is very moving.
September 30, 2019
I would have given this 1 star but I actually think this could have been an enjoyable book if I read it instead of buying the audible.
This is the first audible book I have tried but I just thought it was terrible, the accents were awful, the voice dull, boring and annoying; for me it just didn’t work.
Listening takes away from the imagination of reading I thought.
For the book itself I was expecting a shocking, disturbing book and I was just bored, not one part made me cringe, but again this might have been down to the narration.
Maybe give the book a try but give the audible a miss.
This is the first audible book I have tried but I just thought it was terrible, the accents were awful, the voice dull, boring and annoying; for me it just didn’t work.
Listening takes away from the imagination of reading I thought.
For the book itself I was expecting a shocking, disturbing book and I was just bored, not one part made me cringe, but again this might have been down to the narration.
Maybe give the book a try but give the audible a miss.
September 30, 2021
'All this death, all these remnants of lives ended too soon and too brutally. I could feel all of them behind me, around me, above me; I could hear the ghostly echo of their voices crying for someone, anyone, Mommy, Daddy, please somebody come help me.'
An in-depth and emotional ride regarding a janitor who is kidnapped by some disfigured children. His purpose: he is forced into returning the group to their proper families. After getting used to Warner's messy writing style and dialogue, I felt a keen sense of guilt and sorrow for the forgotten children, and I think you will too.
An in-depth and emotional ride regarding a janitor who is kidnapped by some disfigured children. His purpose: he is forced into returning the group to their proper families. After getting used to Warner's messy writing style and dialogue, I felt a keen sense of guilt and sorrow for the forgotten children, and I think you will too.
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