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Glass Children
For over 20 years, Carlton Mellick III has been writing some of the strangest and most compelling novels the bizarro fiction genre has to offer. Described as one of the top 40 science-fiction writers under the age of 40 by The Guardian and "one of the most original novelists working today" by extreme horror legend Edward Lee, Mellick returns with an absurd dystopian tale about the downfalls of modern parenting.The children of the glass generation are the most sensitive, fragile, entitled, spoiled, lazy, selfish little brats that human society has ever produced. Part of this is due to overprotective parenting, but it is mostly due to the fact that these children are literally made out of glass. Nobody knows why, but one day the human species went through a surreal mutation where babies started being born with delicate hollow glass bodies with no flesh or bones or anything holding them together but their thin delicate exoskeleton. They shatter whenever they fall down or are touched too firmly. Even a mother's embrace will cause them to crack open like eggshells. And they are emotionally just as fragile as they are physically, breaking to pieces whenever they become upset or offended or don't get exactly what they want at all times. They expect the world to revolve entirely around their safety and happiness. They demand that our culture adjust to meet their expectations. And it seems as though the rest of human society is more than willing to go to every extreme imaginable in order to accommodate them. Glass Children is the story of how society adapts to a world where the future of the human race is too weak to survive on its own and one man's journey to discover the strength hidden behind their brittle exteriors.
- GenresBizarro Fiction
134 pages, Paperback
Published July 20, 2023
1 person is currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Carlton Mellick III
119 books2,168 followersCarlton Mellick III (July 2, 1977, Phoenix, Arizona) is an American author currently residing in Portland, Oregon. He calls his style of writing "avant-punk," and is currently one of the leading authors in the recent 'Bizarro' movement in underground literature[citation needed] with Steve Aylett, Chris Genoa and D. Harlan Wilson.
Mellick's work has been described as a combination of trashy schlock sci-fi/horror and postmodern literary art. His novels explore surreal versions of earth in contemporary society and imagined futures, commonly focusing on social absurdities and satire.
Carlton Mellick III started writing at the age of ten and completed twelve novels by the age of eighteen. Only one of these early novels, "Electric Jesus Corpse", ever made it to print.
He is best known for his first novel Satan Burger and its sequel Punk Land. Satan Burger was translated into Russian and published by Ultra Culture in 2005. It was part of a four book series called Brave New World, which also featured Virtual Light by William Gibson, City Come A Walkin by John Shirley, and Tea from an Empty Cup by Pat Cadigan.
In the late 90's, he formed a collective for offbeat authors which included D. Harlan Wilson, Kevin L. Donihe, Vincent Sakowski, among others, and the publishing company Eraserhead Press. This scene evolved into the Bizarro fiction movement in 2005.
In addition to writing, Mellick is an artist and musician.
Mellick's work has been described as a combination of trashy schlock sci-fi/horror and postmodern literary art. His novels explore surreal versions of earth in contemporary society and imagined futures, commonly focusing on social absurdities and satire.
Carlton Mellick III started writing at the age of ten and completed twelve novels by the age of eighteen. Only one of these early novels, "Electric Jesus Corpse", ever made it to print.
He is best known for his first novel Satan Burger and its sequel Punk Land. Satan Burger was translated into Russian and published by Ultra Culture in 2005. It was part of a four book series called Brave New World, which also featured Virtual Light by William Gibson, City Come A Walkin by John Shirley, and Tea from an Empty Cup by Pat Cadigan.
In the late 90's, he formed a collective for offbeat authors which included D. Harlan Wilson, Kevin L. Donihe, Vincent Sakowski, among others, and the publishing company Eraserhead Press. This scene evolved into the Bizarro fiction movement in 2005.
In addition to writing, Mellick is an artist and musician.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 13, 2024
Mellick takes on social satire in a short novella that is as weird as it is bittersweet. Easily one of the best of his current crop of books.
November 12, 2025
Children are now being born as glass and society has to change to protect them. Big Bill is from the generation before and thinks it’s ridiculous what they have to do for the new glass generation. He’s forced to take care of them in a center and is hating every minute of it. Until one day protestors come and threaten to destroy the place and smash the children. It’s up to him to try and save them. This story was really full of hidden messages. I loved how it all played out and it makes you realize that our society has had some major impacts to it over time.
August 23, 2023
Another fun tale from Mellick. A bit shorter than most of the small books but imaginative as usual.
September 8, 2025
Glass children
This week’s Mellick Monday with my book bestie is Glass Children! This one wasn’t like the previous ones we’ve read together, it felt a lot more political & had more thought provoking moments.
We have all used the expression “you’re not made of glass” to our children, well in this case, they actually are! Over the years the children have evolved into glass children, they have no muscles, bones or organs, just a gaseous substance that replaces all bodily functions. They weigh no more than 13 pounds & can barely walk. Parents must watch their children at all times in order to keep them alive.
Big Bill Mason chose not to have children for this very reason, he hates that the world has changed to suit their needs & taken away everything he loves. So being told he now has to come out of retirement & work in a children’s centre, looking after teenagers no less is the bane of his existence!
At first these kids give Bill every reason to carry on hating them, they’re spoilt, entitled brats! But when they’re put in a life and death situation will it change Bill’s whole outlook on life & the way the glass children operate?
This was actually quite sad, it wasn’t as fun as his others & had more hidden meanings through out. We didn’t enjoy it as much as the others but I would like a whole series on these glass children, the idea of them was unique! We did both agree it was very well written in the style that Mellick can only do 👌🏻
I really am loving our Mellick journey! The next one will be Spider Bunny which sounds incredible 👏🏼 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This week’s Mellick Monday with my book bestie is Glass Children! This one wasn’t like the previous ones we’ve read together, it felt a lot more political & had more thought provoking moments.
We have all used the expression “you’re not made of glass” to our children, well in this case, they actually are! Over the years the children have evolved into glass children, they have no muscles, bones or organs, just a gaseous substance that replaces all bodily functions. They weigh no more than 13 pounds & can barely walk. Parents must watch their children at all times in order to keep them alive.
Big Bill Mason chose not to have children for this very reason, he hates that the world has changed to suit their needs & taken away everything he loves. So being told he now has to come out of retirement & work in a children’s centre, looking after teenagers no less is the bane of his existence!
At first these kids give Bill every reason to carry on hating them, they’re spoilt, entitled brats! But when they’re put in a life and death situation will it change Bill’s whole outlook on life & the way the glass children operate?
This was actually quite sad, it wasn’t as fun as his others & had more hidden meanings through out. We didn’t enjoy it as much as the others but I would like a whole series on these glass children, the idea of them was unique! We did both agree it was very well written in the style that Mellick can only do 👌🏻
I really am loving our Mellick journey! The next one will be Spider Bunny which sounds incredible 👏🏼 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 7, 2025
Very wholesome. Cute Carlton mellick book. Definitely recommend
September 5, 2023
A see thru allegory. The protagonist is too modern day to be in the near future he is placed. This makes the story seem impossible
January 20, 2025
Babies are now made of glass, completely changing the course of society and the human race. Pregnancies are extremely dangerous, less babies are being born, and even if there is a successful birth, life for these glass children is extremely difficult. Society is doing its best to accommodate for these glass children, but even the simplest things can make these children break. There are different theories as to why this is happening but nobody really knows….but make no mistake, the future of the human race is at stake.
Love the concept of this book so much! Bratty breakable kids and a riptide of societal changes. Rubber sidewalks, plush cars, soft surfaces everywhere, but still they are prone to breaking. Even something as simple as a few glass children walking into each other could end deadly. They could even crack and pop from emotional flare ups if they don’t get their way or are stressed in any way. Brats to the max.
Big Bill is the best! Alllllll the changes he was forced to make to accommodate these glass children! To being FORCED to work again after retiring (and without pay no less), to changing his house, to giving up his favorite hobbies, I think we can all relate to Bills frustrations. He’s just so relatable and all of his complaints and pushbacks to the system seem totally justifiable. But really….Bill is just a big ol softie with a big ol heart 🥹 He goes from being prejudice to having a huge soft spot for the glass children after spending only ONE day with them! I loved how full circle he came in such a short amount of time. Can we get a round of applause for Big Bill?!?!?
And then we have Maddie. A weird breath of fresh air. Shes one of a kind and very smart and advanced for being one of the glass children. She tries to explain that the glass children are not as fragile as they seem and she proves that in a beautiful way by the end of the book.
Wholesome and very big picture. This book touches on prejudices and societal shifts, but also understanding and compromise, among other things. It still has an overall VERY bizarro plot and very PG on the Mellick scale. I would have loved another 200 pages of this book I enjoyed it so much! I didn’t see that ending coming at all either. I read this in one sitting it was THAT good! Another Mellick in the books
Love the concept of this book so much! Bratty breakable kids and a riptide of societal changes. Rubber sidewalks, plush cars, soft surfaces everywhere, but still they are prone to breaking. Even something as simple as a few glass children walking into each other could end deadly. They could even crack and pop from emotional flare ups if they don’t get their way or are stressed in any way. Brats to the max.
Big Bill is the best! Alllllll the changes he was forced to make to accommodate these glass children! To being FORCED to work again after retiring (and without pay no less), to changing his house, to giving up his favorite hobbies, I think we can all relate to Bills frustrations. He’s just so relatable and all of his complaints and pushbacks to the system seem totally justifiable. But really….Bill is just a big ol softie with a big ol heart 🥹 He goes from being prejudice to having a huge soft spot for the glass children after spending only ONE day with them! I loved how full circle he came in such a short amount of time. Can we get a round of applause for Big Bill?!?!?
And then we have Maddie. A weird breath of fresh air. Shes one of a kind and very smart and advanced for being one of the glass children. She tries to explain that the glass children are not as fragile as they seem and she proves that in a beautiful way by the end of the book.
Wholesome and very big picture. This book touches on prejudices and societal shifts, but also understanding and compromise, among other things. It still has an overall VERY bizarro plot and very PG on the Mellick scale. I would have loved another 200 pages of this book I enjoyed it so much! I didn’t see that ending coming at all either. I read this in one sitting it was THAT good! Another Mellick in the books
July 29, 2023
A book to finish in one sitting. One with a purposely transparent message. CM3 airs a lot of grievances about today's generation gaps, while lobbying for some semblance of understanding between divided Americans. He includes a bloodbath for the sake of the Bizarro label. It seems more like an episode of Black Mirror though, than a typical Mellick book.
According to one writer's definition of Bizarro fiction, books fitting into the genre should have three layers of fantasy or science fiction in order to be considered Bizarro. For this example I could only see two layers.
Not only are children made of glass, they might have other special abilities as well. The nature of their existence is misunderstood widely, their ultimate purpose is revealed in the final two chapters, and their power to change society. You thought this would be a book about the inability of the contemporary generation to cope with the harsh realities of life, but it is really about every generations' inability to do that. I think this was the wiser course for the author to take and it saves the book from being a too shallow examination of what the reader is likely already aware of.
I would recommend checking out his book called The Bad Box, which has more Bizarro stylings, but still deals with children and that inability to cope. It was far more elaborate and creative. Glass Children comes off as a bit preachy. Mellick is consciously laying it on thick because it's satire. He is capable of approaching social topics from a slant, with oblique symbolism, but sometimes he just attacks a subject head on.
This is the 40th book of his I've read.
According to one writer's definition of Bizarro fiction, books fitting into the genre should have three layers of fantasy or science fiction in order to be considered Bizarro. For this example I could only see two layers.
Not only are children made of glass, they might have other special abilities as well. The nature of their existence is misunderstood widely, their ultimate purpose is revealed in the final two chapters, and their power to change society. You thought this would be a book about the inability of the contemporary generation to cope with the harsh realities of life, but it is really about every generations' inability to do that. I think this was the wiser course for the author to take and it saves the book from being a too shallow examination of what the reader is likely already aware of.
I would recommend checking out his book called The Bad Box, which has more Bizarro stylings, but still deals with children and that inability to cope. It was far more elaborate and creative. Glass Children comes off as a bit preachy. Mellick is consciously laying it on thick because it's satire. He is capable of approaching social topics from a slant, with oblique symbolism, but sometimes he just attacks a subject head on.
This is the 40th book of his I've read.
March 6, 2024
This one made me laugh and cry and think. This one is brilliant! It is a social satire on the hot house orchids todays young people are with their taking offense at every turn WOKE bullshit. They are made of glass and too delicate to even get out of bed least they shatter and of course you can never say no to them. Bill is 68 years old and is forced out of retirement by a government that doesn't know what to do with this new generation. He has to give up his muscle car and his way of life to drive a pink blue fluffy car and take a job looking after spoiled entitled shits for no pay or go to jail.
Then the protesters show up. They want to kill the glass kids with hammers because the government has raised taxes by 80% to pay for daycare. The protesters think the glass kids are machines created by an unscrupulous government as an excuse to raise taxes.
Bill has met Maddie, a glass kid who is very smart and preternaturally calm, a kid who doesn't seem real. Is she a machine made by the government? The protesters attack and people start dying. Bill rushes to save Maddie. She is calm amid the horror. Bill tries to reason with them. led by Uncle Scam, that it isn't the kids fault, the idiotic people in charge don't have a clue what to do and just throw money and people at the problem.
Then we have a Frank Capra kind of ending.
This is what made me think. Usually I'd hate this but does everything have to be forever cynical? Does realism always mean the end of the world?
The ending basically says that the glass children will grow up strong with the right guidance. But wrapping them in cotton wool isn't the way to go!
Then the protesters show up. They want to kill the glass kids with hammers because the government has raised taxes by 80% to pay for daycare. The protesters think the glass kids are machines created by an unscrupulous government as an excuse to raise taxes.
Bill has met Maddie, a glass kid who is very smart and preternaturally calm, a kid who doesn't seem real. Is she a machine made by the government? The protesters attack and people start dying. Bill rushes to save Maddie. She is calm amid the horror. Bill tries to reason with them. led by Uncle Scam, that it isn't the kids fault, the idiotic people in charge don't have a clue what to do and just throw money and people at the problem.
Then we have a Frank Capra kind of ending.
This is what made me think. Usually I'd hate this but does everything have to be forever cynical? Does realism always mean the end of the world?
The ending basically says that the glass children will grow up strong with the right guidance. But wrapping them in cotton wool isn't the way to go!
September 6, 2023
The greatest thing about books by Carlton Mellick is that they are completely unique - no one writes like Mellick, and he never repeats himself, he takes you to places you never imagined, and his writing is enthralling. My first book by Mellick was Cuddley Holocaust, and I was hooked. Not only was it my first book by this author, but it was my introduction to the genre.
Glass Children is Mellick's newest book, and if it isn't my favorite book by this author, it is very close. The book is set in a near future where children are made (born) of glass. The MC is an old retired curmudgeon who is forced out of retirement to "voluntary" work in a daycare taking care of these super sensitive brats. The story unfolds through the MC's eyes, and in my opinion it is the character building that really makes this story. Mellick gives us everything we need to really get to know him in a way that not every author is able to do, and without this, Glass Children would not be what it is: an instant classic.
I give Glass Children 5 glass children out of 5 glass children - and in true Bradburian style, Mellick cuts to the quick. There isn't a single non-essential word or sentence.
Glass Children is Mellick's newest book, and if it isn't my favorite book by this author, it is very close. The book is set in a near future where children are made (born) of glass. The MC is an old retired curmudgeon who is forced out of retirement to "voluntary" work in a daycare taking care of these super sensitive brats. The story unfolds through the MC's eyes, and in my opinion it is the character building that really makes this story. Mellick gives us everything we need to really get to know him in a way that not every author is able to do, and without this, Glass Children would not be what it is: an instant classic.
I give Glass Children 5 glass children out of 5 glass children - and in true Bradburian style, Mellick cuts to the quick. There isn't a single non-essential word or sentence.
January 20, 2025
I think this is the most wholesome Mellick book I have read so far. Rather than all the unhingedness we usually get, this one was a little more moving and more emotionally captivating than the others.
Yes, the whole children made out of glass aspect is CRAZY cos omg, I wouldn’t know what to do if all the children in the world were suddenly being born as glass beings and were more fragile than an egg shell 😂
I wanted to throttle some characters, especially Toni & Tony!!! They really annoyed me lmfao.
Bill was my absolute favourite. He was a typical grumpy old man but he had a big heart and I just loved how he handled situations. He’s probs my fave mellick character so far.
Maddie was so cute and calming I loved her!!
Yes, the whole children made out of glass aspect is CRAZY cos omg, I wouldn’t know what to do if all the children in the world were suddenly being born as glass beings and were more fragile than an egg shell 😂
I wanted to throttle some characters, especially Toni & Tony!!! They really annoyed me lmfao.
Bill was my absolute favourite. He was a typical grumpy old man but he had a big heart and I just loved how he handled situations. He’s probs my fave mellick character so far.
Maddie was so cute and calming I loved her!!
August 19, 2024
Big Bill, a true American patriot man™ has been told he needs to come out of retirement to babysit some children literally made of glass. The whole world has been shaped around how fragile these kids are, with rubber pavements and a speed limit of 25mph. Big Bill isn't haven't a good time and has a lot to say about this.
I'm really blown away by this book. I saw the title, I read the blurb, and I was bit worried about what direction this was going in. I'm happy my assumption was wrong, and I think this book is quite timely. It's a short one and you'll get through it in no time, but go into it with an open mind.
I'm really blown away by this book. I saw the title, I read the blurb, and I was bit worried about what direction this was going in. I'm happy my assumption was wrong, and I think this book is quite timely. It's a short one and you'll get through it in no time, but go into it with an open mind.
December 14, 2025
Acabé esta novela con una sensación parecida a Matrioska ( del mismo autor). Han pasado cosas rarísimas pero acaba con un final conmovedor. Bill, el protagonista, me recuerda al prota de Campeones, obligado a hacer algo que no quiere, cuidar de los niños de cristal, acaba arriesgando su vida por salvarlos. Me quedo con las ganas de saber más sobre esa realidad alternativa en la que las nuevas generaciones están hechas de cristal en vez de carne y hueso, en la que por ello, todo está acondicionado para que no se rompan, carreteras de caucho, paredes acolchadas, incluso en los medios de comunicación se evita difundir información que los estrese.
June 9, 2024
Another explicit metaphore of a modern concept. Here Mellick presents a society in which kinds and teens are literally made of glass, which makes them very fragile both in physical and emotional terms. In contrast, the protagonist of the novel, Bill, is an old-fashioned old man who is obliged to work in a care center with these children. The book narrates how Bill changes his mind with respect to the glass children as long as he gets to know them. Maybe this one is a bit more emotional and less visceral than other works by this author, but it is similar in that it is very enjoyable and fun.
September 3, 2023
Quite a touching story, as well as being very satirical.
Who is strong and who is fragile? A little like a Black Mirror episode this one, but with a CM3 twist. Glass Children certainly made me think.
I enjoyed this very. No surprise there!
Who is strong and who is fragile? A little like a Black Mirror episode this one, but with a CM3 twist. Glass Children certainly made me think.
I enjoyed this very. No surprise there!
July 7, 2024
Thought-provoking read on future effects concerning spoiling children and rewarding bad behavior. Enjoyed the main elderly character who's not happy to be voluntarily-forced to protect children made of glass.
April 13, 2025
As I always do when I read Mellick, I really enjoyed this story. In a world where humans have begun giving birth to literal glass children, all of society is changed in order to protect the future of the human race. Big Bill is angry when he is drafted to work “voluntarily” at a care center for these odd kids. Their existence had turned his whole life upside down and now he is supposed to care?
As he spends time there, he forms a bond to one and finds himself part of the first line of defense for these kids when an angry mob descends planning to smash them all because of what the government hads enforced in the name of protecting children.
Wildly creative and believable this also felt incredibly timely.
October 23, 2023
Beautifully weird. Very representative of the current state of affairs. Loved it.
October 27, 2023
Carlton always gets to the heart of what it means to be human. While the stories are bizarro, they are also true to our world and our natures. Always a great read.
May 13, 2024
Not a typical Mellick book, but still a fun read. Way more tame and way less bizarro than I've come to expect from him.
March 1, 2025
Too bad the ending turned into pathetic whining. Apart from that, the book was awesome. 4.5*
October 4, 2025
I love Carlton Mellick’s brain so fucking much.
March 7, 2025
Check out my video review! Hit subscribe!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coUiM...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coUiM...
November 8, 2024
Strange and odd.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews