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The Venus Complex
A man rises out of an abyss of frustration and rage and creates works of art out of destruction, goddesses out of mere dental hygienists and beauty out of death. It's also about the sickness and obsession that is LOVE. Enter into Michael's world through the pages of his personal journal, where every diseased thought, disturbing dream, politically incorrect rant and sexually explicit murder highlights his journey from zero to psycho.
232 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2012
12 people are currently reading
649 people want to read
About the author
Barbie Wilde
25 books98 followersBarbie Wilde is a Canadian-born British actress and writer. She is best known for portraying the Female Cenobite in 'Hellbound: Hellraiser II'.
#1 best selling horror magazine Fangoria has called Wilde "one of the finest purveyor of erotically charged horror around".
Barbie Wilde's first dark crime novel, 'The Venus Complex', is out now and is published by Comet Press. The cover art for 'The Venus Complex' is by award-winning artist Daniele Serra.
A collection of Wilde's short horror stories, entitled Voices of the Damned, will be published by SST on Halloween 2015. Nine stories have been previously published in anthos and Gorezone, two are new to the collection. Each story has been illustrated by some of the top artists of the genre and Clive Barker himself has contributed three artworks to the collection.
Wilde's well-received short horror stories include:
Sister Cilice for the Hellbound Hearts anthology (Pocket Books 2009)
U for Uranophobia [AKA Gaia] (Phobophobia, Dark Continents 2011)
American Mutant: Hands of Dominion (Mutation Nation: Tales of Genetic Mishaps, Monsters, and Madness, Rainstorm Press 2011)
Polyp (The Mammoth Book of Body Horror, Constable & Robinson 2012, reprinted in The Unspoken 2013)
A is for Alpdruck (The Demonologia Biblica, (Western Legends Press 2013)
Z is for Zulu Zombies (Bestarium Vocabulum, Western Legends Press 2013, reprinted in Fangoria's Gorezone 2014)
Botophobia (Phobophobias, Western Legends 2014)
W is for Writer's Block (Grimorium Verum, Western Legends December 2014)
Crime Stories:
Mr Duggins' Stigmata (Noir Nation No. 5 2014)
Beauty and the Skell: A Noir Fable (Noir Nation)
Reviews for The Venus Complex:
"Barbie Wilde – best known to the horror community as The Female Cenobite from Hellbound: Hellraiser 2 – has crafted a serial killer story every bit as warped as Level 26, as exacting as Harris’s “Hannibal” series and more sexually adventurous than Fifty f***ing Shades of Gray could ever hope to be." -Brutal As Hell
"But I think what I like most about this news story is that she kicked my ass so hard with her first novel. Turns out Barbie Wilde is even scarier than we thought. And that is a terrible, beautiful thing."
- New York Times bestselling author John Skipp, Fangoria Online
"A novel by a female Cenobite that gives the world a smart, artistic, cynical, cultured serial killer who could give Hannibal Lecter a run for his money. On top of that, this is a poignant, funny, sexually-charged, hardcore critique of popular culture and a deconstruction of relationships, academia, and art."
- Gabino Iglesias, HorrorTalk's Top Books of the Year
"The book has been garnering great reviews, firmly confirming the literary course that is now defining Wilde's life. Damaged people, ultraviolence, murder and explicit sex - what's not to love about her work?"
- Chris Alexander, Editor-in-Chief, Fangoria Magazine, Issue #321
"Read the damn book. Watch every moview the lady's been in, read every antho in which this woman's appeared. Fall in love with tainted love and fight the frightfuls, The Venus Complex is, in every sense of the word, the real thing."
- Garrett Cook, The Imperial Youth Review
#1 best selling horror magazine Fangoria has called Wilde "one of the finest purveyor of erotically charged horror around".
Barbie Wilde's first dark crime novel, 'The Venus Complex', is out now and is published by Comet Press. The cover art for 'The Venus Complex' is by award-winning artist Daniele Serra.
A collection of Wilde's short horror stories, entitled Voices of the Damned, will be published by SST on Halloween 2015. Nine stories have been previously published in anthos and Gorezone, two are new to the collection. Each story has been illustrated by some of the top artists of the genre and Clive Barker himself has contributed three artworks to the collection.
Wilde's well-received short horror stories include:
Sister Cilice for the Hellbound Hearts anthology (Pocket Books 2009)
U for Uranophobia [AKA Gaia] (Phobophobia, Dark Continents 2011)
American Mutant: Hands of Dominion (Mutation Nation: Tales of Genetic Mishaps, Monsters, and Madness, Rainstorm Press 2011)
Polyp (The Mammoth Book of Body Horror, Constable & Robinson 2012, reprinted in The Unspoken 2013)
A is for Alpdruck (The Demonologia Biblica, (Western Legends Press 2013)
Z is for Zulu Zombies (Bestarium Vocabulum, Western Legends Press 2013, reprinted in Fangoria's Gorezone 2014)
Botophobia (Phobophobias, Western Legends 2014)
W is for Writer's Block (Grimorium Verum, Western Legends December 2014)
Crime Stories:
Mr Duggins' Stigmata (Noir Nation No. 5 2014)
Beauty and the Skell: A Noir Fable (Noir Nation)
Reviews for The Venus Complex:
"Barbie Wilde – best known to the horror community as The Female Cenobite from Hellbound: Hellraiser 2 – has crafted a serial killer story every bit as warped as Level 26, as exacting as Harris’s “Hannibal” series and more sexually adventurous than Fifty f***ing Shades of Gray could ever hope to be." -Brutal As Hell
"But I think what I like most about this news story is that she kicked my ass so hard with her first novel. Turns out Barbie Wilde is even scarier than we thought. And that is a terrible, beautiful thing."
- New York Times bestselling author John Skipp, Fangoria Online
"A novel by a female Cenobite that gives the world a smart, artistic, cynical, cultured serial killer who could give Hannibal Lecter a run for his money. On top of that, this is a poignant, funny, sexually-charged, hardcore critique of popular culture and a deconstruction of relationships, academia, and art."
- Gabino Iglesias, HorrorTalk's Top Books of the Year
"The book has been garnering great reviews, firmly confirming the literary course that is now defining Wilde's life. Damaged people, ultraviolence, murder and explicit sex - what's not to love about her work?"
- Chris Alexander, Editor-in-Chief, Fangoria Magazine, Issue #321
"Read the damn book. Watch every moview the lady's been in, read every antho in which this woman's appeared. Fall in love with tainted love and fight the frightfuls, The Venus Complex is, in every sense of the word, the real thing."
- Garrett Cook, The Imperial Youth Review
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
January 14, 2022
After killing his wife on purpose in a car accident, art professor Michael Friday holds the world and the people in it with contempt. Deeply unsatisfied with how his life is turning out, he finds journaling his thoughts a worthwhile adventure. We are reading his journal entries as we watch one man's journey from ordinary to serial killer. Not your average killer. No no no. That would never do. He strives to be a serial killer with a message. Turning his victims into works of art.
Goddesses.
Venuses.
Goddesses.
Venuses.
June 23, 2016
I really like the cover art of this book. It's creative and edgy-looking, bordering on the abstract. That's what I expected the book to be like. Personally, I was disappointed. The story is told through journal entries of a man who allows his obsessions and his fantasies to become reality. The details are graphic, sexual and violent, but they are also carefully controlled. I didn't feel as if I was looking through the eyes of a madman. Instead, I clinically observed the thoughts of a rational man hungry to feed his desires. This man was not likeable, and being in his head made me uncomfortable. As he moved from scheming to actually acting upon his urges, I felt like I was reading an average porn/crime drama. There was no art to it. Ultimately, I didn't care about anyone in this book.
Thank you to my good friend Thomas, who plodded through it with me. If it wasn't for him, this may have been a dnf for me.
Thank you to my good friend Thomas, who plodded through it with me. If it wasn't for him, this may have been a dnf for me.
October 4, 2015
The Venus Complex is a provocative journey into a psychopathic consciousness that is one of the most gripping and disturbing mind trips I've read. Told in a journal entry style first person narration, the first time we meet Michael Friday is the recounting of his wife's death in a car accident. His wife was cheating on him, his accusation and her reaction bring about a clean definitive snap of his mind, from normal to implacable killer and here lies the beginning of a jaunt that nibbles the edges of sanity until there's only one possible outcome.
During his recovery, he experiences a kind of rage that transpires normal cohesive thought, rage at anything and everything, coupled with dreams of a sexual nature that interlace intense pleasure with violence. Then he starts to get bored, starts to look at serial killers and twelve months after the death of his wife, she takes her revenge in a disturbing dream that sees her bite his 'you know what' off. That's it he's flipped, he needs sex desperately and it’s off to find a prostitute, one that for a few extra dollars, agrees to be tied up, big mistake. His first, no, second kill but this is the one that intimately describes his thoughts and actions as he steals the woman's last breath.
That's it, job done, he's going to create a serial killer, all for the woman he's been stalking, Elene, his obsession, the psychologist who teaches at his school and also helps the police with profiling. Michael is an Art History Professor and his research now, serial killers, biographies, avoiding capture.
This is consensual sex ending in orgasm, autoerotic asphyxiation taken to a lethal end, exquisitely described, I would say beautifully described but at the end of the day, it's murder and sounds slightly wrong. Michael is clever, there's defined process all the way through his indulgence, making sure the victim receives the ultimate pleasure as she takes her last breath, right up to the point of a massive clean-up operation and his victim, left artistically posed. His Venus Complex, profession inspiring his new and exciting hobby, and Venus is of course the goddess of love.
'Never did she look lovelier than in death, because what is life but an eager rushing towards the terrible inevitability of oblivion? Death is the great peace and we shall all embrace it with eager joy.'
A dark, erotically laced glimpse, no, glare into a killers mind, a mind you simply don't want to leave and you can't help liking the guy, you don't want him to get caught, you might even want him to continue his game, OK I'll admit I did but only because he's such a disturbingly audacious character and the writing is absolutely sublime. The explicit murder recitals are completely riveting, delicate and passionate, erotic and unsettling, the Professor's dreams and nightmares are as enthralling as his rants, obsessive behaviour and descent into the chasm of Paraphilia and lust murder. Finally the ending, unexpected, titillating, fulfilling, for our protagonist anyway and bloody perfect, find out for yourself.
Highly recommended.
Also posted at http://paulnelson.booklikes.com/post/...
During his recovery, he experiences a kind of rage that transpires normal cohesive thought, rage at anything and everything, coupled with dreams of a sexual nature that interlace intense pleasure with violence. Then he starts to get bored, starts to look at serial killers and twelve months after the death of his wife, she takes her revenge in a disturbing dream that sees her bite his 'you know what' off. That's it he's flipped, he needs sex desperately and it’s off to find a prostitute, one that for a few extra dollars, agrees to be tied up, big mistake. His first, no, second kill but this is the one that intimately describes his thoughts and actions as he steals the woman's last breath.
That's it, job done, he's going to create a serial killer, all for the woman he's been stalking, Elene, his obsession, the psychologist who teaches at his school and also helps the police with profiling. Michael is an Art History Professor and his research now, serial killers, biographies, avoiding capture.
This is consensual sex ending in orgasm, autoerotic asphyxiation taken to a lethal end, exquisitely described, I would say beautifully described but at the end of the day, it's murder and sounds slightly wrong. Michael is clever, there's defined process all the way through his indulgence, making sure the victim receives the ultimate pleasure as she takes her last breath, right up to the point of a massive clean-up operation and his victim, left artistically posed. His Venus Complex, profession inspiring his new and exciting hobby, and Venus is of course the goddess of love.
'Never did she look lovelier than in death, because what is life but an eager rushing towards the terrible inevitability of oblivion? Death is the great peace and we shall all embrace it with eager joy.'
A dark, erotically laced glimpse, no, glare into a killers mind, a mind you simply don't want to leave and you can't help liking the guy, you don't want him to get caught, you might even want him to continue his game, OK I'll admit I did but only because he's such a disturbingly audacious character and the writing is absolutely sublime. The explicit murder recitals are completely riveting, delicate and passionate, erotic and unsettling, the Professor's dreams and nightmares are as enthralling as his rants, obsessive behaviour and descent into the chasm of Paraphilia and lust murder. Finally the ending, unexpected, titillating, fulfilling, for our protagonist anyway and bloody perfect, find out for yourself.
Highly recommended.
Also posted at http://paulnelson.booklikes.com/post/...
January 12, 2020
Audio 5 stars
Story – 4 stars
Very interesting insight into the mind of a fictional serial killer. The story is told in his POV through journal entries. Since I tend to have a dark sense of humor, I found myself laughing at his philosophical rants. A lot of the times they made sense, especially when it came politics and human behavior. That said the guy is a deranged killer and rapist. Not the kind of villain you feel remotely sorry for because of a sad abusive past.
Story – 4 stars
Very interesting insight into the mind of a fictional serial killer. The story is told in his POV through journal entries. Since I tend to have a dark sense of humor, I found myself laughing at his philosophical rants. A lot of the times they made sense, especially when it came politics and human behavior. That said the guy is a deranged killer and rapist. Not the kind of villain you feel remotely sorry for because of a sad abusive past.
October 2, 2015
Perhaps 4 1/2 stars.
Michael Friday the narrator of this book, a wanna be serial killer, a college professor, a complete sicko, of Barbie Wilde’s first novel “The Venus Complex” is clever enough to research the history of serial killers and where they went wrong (available at a library or book store near you) prior to embarking on his new venture of a killing spree a well-planned out killing spree.
Michael Friday as part of his grieving process and rehabilitation after his beautiful wife’s untimely death, caused by Friday, he is asked to begin a journal to help him cope with his feelings and thoughts thus he begins to divulge the insanity of the man. Friday’s hatred of mankind, his hatred of Television, his hatred of most everything but for satisfying his carnal cravings that his imagination has mapped out for him.
Friday’s violent sexual compulsions become unbearable strong, until he has no choice but to act them out. We follow through his journal, his impeccable planning, step by step which he clearly documents. We see the sex crimes and killings, he commits in intimate detail. We are there for the cleanup he does after each crime. And we watch him get bolder and bolder as his successes increase.
We watch him toy with the law when his “art of killing” is not appreciated as much by the law and the media as he wants them to.
The novel is full of sex, violence, extreme horror and many more unpleasant events. For those faint of heart or obverse to such things, nothing is left unsaid or unshown. Be warned.
Ms. Wilde played the roll of the female cenobite in the original “Hellraiser” movie. That said, her imagination is so much more intense and raw then any part she played. She is also a hell of a writer. I look forward to her collection of short stories just published.
Here is an ad for the book:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bNne...
Michael Friday the narrator of this book, a wanna be serial killer, a college professor, a complete sicko, of Barbie Wilde’s first novel “The Venus Complex” is clever enough to research the history of serial killers and where they went wrong (available at a library or book store near you) prior to embarking on his new venture of a killing spree a well-planned out killing spree.
Michael Friday as part of his grieving process and rehabilitation after his beautiful wife’s untimely death, caused by Friday, he is asked to begin a journal to help him cope with his feelings and thoughts thus he begins to divulge the insanity of the man. Friday’s hatred of mankind, his hatred of Television, his hatred of most everything but for satisfying his carnal cravings that his imagination has mapped out for him.
Friday’s violent sexual compulsions become unbearable strong, until he has no choice but to act them out. We follow through his journal, his impeccable planning, step by step which he clearly documents. We see the sex crimes and killings, he commits in intimate detail. We are there for the cleanup he does after each crime. And we watch him get bolder and bolder as his successes increase.
We watch him toy with the law when his “art of killing” is not appreciated as much by the law and the media as he wants them to.
The novel is full of sex, violence, extreme horror and many more unpleasant events. For those faint of heart or obverse to such things, nothing is left unsaid or unshown. Be warned.
Ms. Wilde played the roll of the female cenobite in the original “Hellraiser” movie. That said, her imagination is so much more intense and raw then any part she played. She is also a hell of a writer. I look forward to her collection of short stories just published.
Here is an ad for the book:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bNne...
September 24, 2015
This has been on my tbr for a while, solely based on the Daniele Serra cover art alone. Then I saw a review from my GR friend Paul (and progress status from Charlene) for “Voices of the Damned” which is the new story collection from Barbie coming out later this year, I believe. That lit a wee fire under me to finally check out this one out and I’m glad I did.
The Venus Complex is the story of Professor Michael Friday, told in first person narrative thru the entries in his personal journal. Kind of like an internal psycho blog. First person narratives have a tendency to grate on me occasionally and that was almost the case here, but Barbie really kept it moving along nicely.
Professor Michael Friday is one sick puppy. Actually, he believes he is coming into his own…finally. He is an artist. Ok, he is definitely a sick puppy and spreading his form of sickness around. Nobody wants what dude is putting out there into the universe. Unless you are into mayhem and death.
A twisted, satisfying and recommended read. I will be checking out her new one, for sure.
The Venus Complex is the story of Professor Michael Friday, told in first person narrative thru the entries in his personal journal. Kind of like an internal psycho blog. First person narratives have a tendency to grate on me occasionally and that was almost the case here, but Barbie really kept it moving along nicely.
Professor Michael Friday is one sick puppy. Actually, he believes he is coming into his own…finally. He is an artist. Ok, he is definitely a sick puppy and spreading his form of sickness around. Nobody wants what dude is putting out there into the universe. Unless you are into mayhem and death.
A twisted, satisfying and recommended read. I will be checking out her new one, for sure.
October 8, 2015
It is beautifully written,and cynical in a nasty way,but much too graphic for me,though I like her choice of words.
It depicts a dark,sexual world imagined by a crazy pervert from beginning to end.
It depicts a dark,sexual world imagined by a crazy pervert from beginning to end.
August 16, 2019
3 ½ Stars
The Venus Complex takes an intimate look inside the head of a man with deviant tendencies who decides to act on them and it is horrific and somehow strangely compelling. I felt rather ewww after spending time in his head and had to take breaks but that didn’t stop me from coming back to it. It’s probably not a story for everyone though . . .
A depressed fellow is told to keep a journal by his doctor in order to help with his recovery. He’s been in a terrible accident and his wife has died because he accidentally on purpose drove them off the road after releasing her seat belt. It is soon revealed that this man isn’t at all sad about the loss of his wife and for chapters on end he stews in own misery, raging at the world and hating on women. In his notebook he feels free to share his dreams of cold, blue skinned girls who aren’t mermaids, if you get my drift. These dreams are disturbing as hell and filled with sexual deviance that leave him aching to act out on these dream-fantasies and his thoughts get pervier and pervier by the day (and that is so a word in my world – leave me alone spell-check). Soon sharing these thoughts in a notebook isn’t enough . . .
There is no sugar-coating the fact that this story isn’t an easy one to sit with. This dude is a HORRIBLE, disturbed, revolting, disgusting person, filled with a deep loathing of everyone and everything but especially womankind. He eventually fixates on a woman who he declares his perfect woman and his dream-girl before they ever have a conversation. Really? Anyhow, she becomes the inspiration for his “Venus Project”. He then decides to become an expert in serial killing and we get to come along for the ride whether we’re ready or not.
This is a dark and extreme horror novel that gets a little bogged down at times with the mundane rants made by its protagonist. It’s filled with blood, murder, rape and the blackest of black and hateful thoughts and deeds. Tread lightly if you don’t feel like you are quite ready to read the intimate thoughts of a serial killer who dreams of necrophilia. I’m not sure I was but I finished it despite myself and I feel a little icky for it, if I’m telling the complete and honest truth. Pretty much the same way I felt after reading Poppy Z. Brite’s Exquisite Corpse but that didn’t stop me from having to know how it all ends. Why am I like this? Anyhow, it disturbed me and I’m glad I am no longer in this guy’s head.
Interesting tidbit: Doug Bradley aka Pinhead reads the work most excellently and Barbie Wilde is the actress who played the female cenobite in Hellraiser movie! She has an incredibly disturbing imagination and I will most definitely be reading more of her work. If this book sounds like your thing and you enjoy audiobooks this one is calling your name!
The Venus Complex takes an intimate look inside the head of a man with deviant tendencies who decides to act on them and it is horrific and somehow strangely compelling. I felt rather ewww after spending time in his head and had to take breaks but that didn’t stop me from coming back to it. It’s probably not a story for everyone though . . .
A depressed fellow is told to keep a journal by his doctor in order to help with his recovery. He’s been in a terrible accident and his wife has died because he accidentally on purpose drove them off the road after releasing her seat belt. It is soon revealed that this man isn’t at all sad about the loss of his wife and for chapters on end he stews in own misery, raging at the world and hating on women. In his notebook he feels free to share his dreams of cold, blue skinned girls who aren’t mermaids, if you get my drift. These dreams are disturbing as hell and filled with sexual deviance that leave him aching to act out on these dream-fantasies and his thoughts get pervier and pervier by the day (and that is so a word in my world – leave me alone spell-check). Soon sharing these thoughts in a notebook isn’t enough . . .
There is no sugar-coating the fact that this story isn’t an easy one to sit with. This dude is a HORRIBLE, disturbed, revolting, disgusting person, filled with a deep loathing of everyone and everything but especially womankind. He eventually fixates on a woman who he declares his perfect woman and his dream-girl before they ever have a conversation. Really? Anyhow, she becomes the inspiration for his “Venus Project”. He then decides to become an expert in serial killing and we get to come along for the ride whether we’re ready or not.
This is a dark and extreme horror novel that gets a little bogged down at times with the mundane rants made by its protagonist. It’s filled with blood, murder, rape and the blackest of black and hateful thoughts and deeds. Tread lightly if you don’t feel like you are quite ready to read the intimate thoughts of a serial killer who dreams of necrophilia. I’m not sure I was but I finished it despite myself and I feel a little icky for it, if I’m telling the complete and honest truth. Pretty much the same way I felt after reading Poppy Z. Brite’s Exquisite Corpse but that didn’t stop me from having to know how it all ends. Why am I like this? Anyhow, it disturbed me and I’m glad I am no longer in this guy’s head.
Interesting tidbit: Doug Bradley aka Pinhead reads the work most excellently and Barbie Wilde is the actress who played the female cenobite in Hellraiser movie! She has an incredibly disturbing imagination and I will most definitely be reading more of her work. If this book sounds like your thing and you enjoy audiobooks this one is calling your name!
June 23, 2016
Some good and very effective elements in this one, but ultimately unsatisfying.
American Psycho. Well, that was unavoidable, so I thought I'd just get it out of the way at once. Michael Friday is (a not all the way convincing) art professor that wrecks his car to off his cheating wife, a plan that works great. After his own lengthy rehabilitation (well, it didn't work great great) his murderous and sexual urges becomes stronger and stronger and he ultimately acts out on them.
Written in journal/diary entries, the narrative places us right inside Friday's head and let me assure you, it's not a very nice place to be. Especially nasty it gets when he ponders more everyday things because once in a while he'll let on something that you agree with and it's always an unpleasant feeling when you bond with someone who turns out to be someone you'd rather not sympathize with. His pathology does not ring all the way true at times, but wasn't off in a way that disturbed me. The fact that both him and his target for obsession were professors (she in psychology) rang a bit more untrue, but it may be me that have too much belief in how professors should act and reason.
The book is well written but have an overload of explicit descriptions of sex acts, that segue all too readily into violence, really unsettling at times and I'm sure that's the purpose. The story is well written, but even on these quite few pages gets repetitive and doesn't really offer anything new or unexpected. A solid three-star read up until the quite disappointing end, which made me pull one off. A solid Goodread's "It was OK" will be my say.
This was a buddy read with my 5-star buddy, Janie and that was the best part, really.
American Psycho. Well, that was unavoidable, so I thought I'd just get it out of the way at once. Michael Friday is (a not all the way convincing) art professor that wrecks his car to off his cheating wife, a plan that works great. After his own lengthy rehabilitation (well, it didn't work great great) his murderous and sexual urges becomes stronger and stronger and he ultimately acts out on them.
Written in journal/diary entries, the narrative places us right inside Friday's head and let me assure you, it's not a very nice place to be. Especially nasty it gets when he ponders more everyday things because once in a while he'll let on something that you agree with and it's always an unpleasant feeling when you bond with someone who turns out to be someone you'd rather not sympathize with. His pathology does not ring all the way true at times, but wasn't off in a way that disturbed me. The fact that both him and his target for obsession were professors (she in psychology) rang a bit more untrue, but it may be me that have too much belief in how professors should act and reason.
The book is well written but have an overload of explicit descriptions of sex acts, that segue all too readily into violence, really unsettling at times and I'm sure that's the purpose. The story is well written, but even on these quite few pages gets repetitive and doesn't really offer anything new or unexpected. A solid three-star read up until the quite disappointing end, which made me pull one off. A solid Goodread's "It was OK" will be my say.
This was a buddy read with my 5-star buddy, Janie and that was the best part, really.
December 18, 2014
I heard about this book on Twitter. Someone mentioned that it was written by the female cenobite, so of course I had to check it out. ;)
Michael Friday is one sick puppy. After a car accident that kills his wife--which he causes because he finds out she is cheating on him--he survives, and months of rehabilitation later he goes home. But his life is not a comfortable place to be. He's constantly bored and spends too much time alone. He becomes addicted to trashy TV even though he despises it. And it's not until he has a very vivid dream about a dead girl that he realises what it is that's missing from his life.
So he starts on a horrible and disgusting path of chasing the high he can only capture while killing someone. But that isn't enough, and when he spots the beautiful Doctor Elene Sheppard, he decides he's going to create a serial killer persona. One that will get her attention, and because he's focusing on what he teaches--art history--she might just need his help to solve the case...
OMG. This book. It's one of those books that is so well written I was hooked from the first word. It's a story that made me squirm many times, to the point where I actually felt dirty just by reading it. The subject matter is one that we're all familiar with--serial killers--and while I've read many books from the POV of one, this guy's sexually depraved fantasies and actions were very disturbing.
He makes no apologies for his immoral thoughts or desires. He's one-track minded and obsessed with getting what he wants. While I'd like to admire his determination, the subject of his obsession deterred me from doing so.
If you like reading wicked stories dripping with raw descriptions, or are just curious about this book, go ahead and read it. But if you're squeamish, stay away from it. Luckily, I've been reading and enjoying horror for many years, so I could keep what I was reading at a distance.
I have to admire Barbie Wilde for writing such an intense thriller, starring a very awful person. I'm not sure if it was because of the brain damage he got from the accident, or just because he's one sick puppy... but Michael is despicable. I'm glad he's a fictional character.
Having said that, this was a great book! The fact that the author hooked me in and kept me intrigued all the way through--no matter how uncomfortable I got--says just how good a writer Barbie is!
Michael Friday is one sick puppy. After a car accident that kills his wife--which he causes because he finds out she is cheating on him--he survives, and months of rehabilitation later he goes home. But his life is not a comfortable place to be. He's constantly bored and spends too much time alone. He becomes addicted to trashy TV even though he despises it. And it's not until he has a very vivid dream about a dead girl that he realises what it is that's missing from his life.
So he starts on a horrible and disgusting path of chasing the high he can only capture while killing someone. But that isn't enough, and when he spots the beautiful Doctor Elene Sheppard, he decides he's going to create a serial killer persona. One that will get her attention, and because he's focusing on what he teaches--art history--she might just need his help to solve the case...
OMG. This book. It's one of those books that is so well written I was hooked from the first word. It's a story that made me squirm many times, to the point where I actually felt dirty just by reading it. The subject matter is one that we're all familiar with--serial killers--and while I've read many books from the POV of one, this guy's sexually depraved fantasies and actions were very disturbing.
He makes no apologies for his immoral thoughts or desires. He's one-track minded and obsessed with getting what he wants. While I'd like to admire his determination, the subject of his obsession deterred me from doing so.
If you like reading wicked stories dripping with raw descriptions, or are just curious about this book, go ahead and read it. But if you're squeamish, stay away from it. Luckily, I've been reading and enjoying horror for many years, so I could keep what I was reading at a distance.
I have to admire Barbie Wilde for writing such an intense thriller, starring a very awful person. I'm not sure if it was because of the brain damage he got from the accident, or just because he's one sick puppy... but Michael is despicable. I'm glad he's a fictional character.
Having said that, this was a great book! The fact that the author hooked me in and kept me intrigued all the way through--no matter how uncomfortable I got--says just how good a writer Barbie is!
July 27, 2014
First impressions now I've completed this book in record time - if I had to be murdered by any serial killer at all, then this is the guy that I'd pick. More sensual than Dexter, less punchable than Patrick Bateman, this is a romp with a very purposeful, very smart and utterly irredeemable monster. But the emphasis is more on sex than torture, and the erotic aspects are played out in a way that feels very fitting for a book by a former Hell Raiser Cenobite.
So twisted and wrong, but extremely well-written and hugely enjoyable.
So twisted and wrong, but extremely well-written and hugely enjoyable.
January 11, 2020
5 stars audio
5 twisted fuck funny MC stars story
5 twisted fuck funny MC stars story
Read
February 22, 2023This made me want to k*ll mys*lf. Maybe don't read this while you're getting off SSRIs. Too intelligent for its own good, and unfathomably miserable and cruel. Joyce Carol Oates would be so mad if she read this... Expertly crafted misogynistic hellscape that's realer than it is fiction... this put a pit in my stomach and a hand on my throat and a middle finger in my face. Barbie Wilde is so good at writing it's scary. I lay my flowers at the spiritual grave of her art, even though I'm mad she was so mean to me
October 8, 2015
I have an undying appreciation for stories that are creatively unpleasant, and this is easily one of the most creatively unpleasant things I've ever read. The back cover compares it to American Psycho, which made me scoff and roll my eyes before my reading commenced. Now that I've ingested the whole thing, though, it's actually a very astute comparison. I don't think I've ever read a book this wholeheartedly dedicated to exploring such a thoroughly repulsive and irredeemable character since American Psycho. In terms of sexually violent stories it actually eclipses Poppy Z. Brite's Exquisite Corpse, the book I'd previously held as an untouchable benchmark for such literature. Although I still think Exquisite Corpse is the more finely written book, Wilde's novel eclipses it in terms of sheer ballsy nerve.
As the preceding comparisons might have tipped you off, this is the kind of highly positive review that should probably come with a disclaimer. Like, don't read this just because I'm giving it five stars. If spending 230 pages deep in the mindset of a misogynistic necrophiliac serial killer doesn't sound like your thing then you should probably disregard this review. If, though, you have an appreciation for works that serve up artistry and disgust with equal proportion, this might be for you.
As the preceding comparisons might have tipped you off, this is the kind of highly positive review that should probably come with a disclaimer. Like, don't read this just because I'm giving it five stars. If spending 230 pages deep in the mindset of a misogynistic necrophiliac serial killer doesn't sound like your thing then you should probably disregard this review. If, though, you have an appreciation for works that serve up artistry and disgust with equal proportion, this might be for you.
November 12, 2013
Wow ! Just, wow ! Barbie Wilde played the Female Cenobite in Hellbound: Hellraiser II - and if you thought she was great in that, you'll love her as an author.
What can be said about The Venus Complex that hasn't already been said?
It has been compared to American Psycho - maybe, but I found Bret Easton Ellis' writing to be long, drawn-out and wishing the book would end so I wouldn't have to choke down another endless stream of babbling consciousness that added nothing to the story. This isn't true of Wilde's writing. I found myself eagerly devouring each page and at no time found myself bored. Also, Michael (the main character) is much more methodical and human than Patrick (the main character in American Psycho).
It has been compared to Dexter - well, I am unfortunately unfamiliar with that show so I cannot confirm, nor deny, the comparison.
What I can say is it is more than worth the read. Showing Michael's mental breakdown in diary form is fantastic - it stops being a narrative and actually becomes a story. That's rare in today's age. And it is done brilliantly.
This is one of the best novels I have read in a long time - I hope she decides to put pen to paper and write another.
What can be said about The Venus Complex that hasn't already been said?
It has been compared to American Psycho - maybe, but I found Bret Easton Ellis' writing to be long, drawn-out and wishing the book would end so I wouldn't have to choke down another endless stream of babbling consciousness that added nothing to the story. This isn't true of Wilde's writing. I found myself eagerly devouring each page and at no time found myself bored. Also, Michael (the main character) is much more methodical and human than Patrick (the main character in American Psycho).
It has been compared to Dexter - well, I am unfortunately unfamiliar with that show so I cannot confirm, nor deny, the comparison.
What I can say is it is more than worth the read. Showing Michael's mental breakdown in diary form is fantastic - it stops being a narrative and actually becomes a story. That's rare in today's age. And it is done brilliantly.
This is one of the best novels I have read in a long time - I hope she decides to put pen to paper and write another.
March 22, 2013
The Venus Complex, by Barbie Wilde, follows the main character’s descent into madness by way of his diary. After a car accident, Michael is left to rehabilitate physically and mentally. While his body may have healed, his mind takes a turn for the worse. A college professor and art lover, he puts his life on hold and immerses himself in the study of becoming a serial killer. Plagued by his dreams, he acts out on his most depraved thoughts, which in turn spurs on the darkness just a little bit more. He meets Elene, and so begins the struggle between his dual lives.
Barbie Wilde has an excellent grasp of the male POV as she walks us through the creation of a killer. She takes the reader on a journey into the mind of a twisted individual, as he comes to terms with who and what he really is.
This tightly-written page-turner is not for the faint of heart. It contains some (amazingly written) graphic sex and death scenes.
Step into the shoes of a serial killer with The Venus Complex.
Barbie Wilde has an excellent grasp of the male POV as she walks us through the creation of a killer. She takes the reader on a journey into the mind of a twisted individual, as he comes to terms with who and what he really is.
This tightly-written page-turner is not for the faint of heart. It contains some (amazingly written) graphic sex and death scenes.
Step into the shoes of a serial killer with The Venus Complex.
August 31, 2013
I love dark crime, and this is by far the darkest story I've ever read. I felt guilty for enjoying it so much. THE VENUS COMPLEX is deep in social commentary, yet tense and fast-paced, dizzyingly bold in its perversion. Like a serial killer obsessed with his next victim, I could not turn away from its decadent sadism.
Following the tradition of Ellis's AMERICAN PSYCHO and Oates's ZOMBIE, Barbie Wilde has broken new ground in the field of dark crime fiction. If you like the lurid and shocking, you'll love THE VENUS COMPLEX. It's DEXTER without a moral code.
Following the tradition of Ellis's AMERICAN PSYCHO and Oates's ZOMBIE, Barbie Wilde has broken new ground in the field of dark crime fiction. If you like the lurid and shocking, you'll love THE VENUS COMPLEX. It's DEXTER without a moral code.
March 3, 2023
Barbie was in the second Hellraiser as the female cenobite.
She has had countless amounts of artistic success. This book is absolutely horrifying. I had to take breaks from it. You follow a man named Michael who is slowly morphing into a serial killer. You create his madness in your minds eye. Who knew serial killers could be so artistic?
Barbie certainly did her homework to write this book.
Disgusting yet relating book to read!
She has had countless amounts of artistic success. This book is absolutely horrifying. I had to take breaks from it. You follow a man named Michael who is slowly morphing into a serial killer. You create his madness in your minds eye. Who knew serial killers could be so artistic?
Barbie certainly did her homework to write this book.
Disgusting yet relating book to read!
June 26, 2013
Have you ever read a story and felt the need to wash your eyes out, maybe go to confession? This is one of those...
Michael Friday is a nasty piece of work from the off, but I defy you not to like him. You will read his deeds with horror then see his musings on world affairs and agree with him wholeheartedly, that in itself is a worry.
You will follow Michael from his triggers to planning more killings and carrying them out with a few interesting twists, some men will relate to his situation, yet more reason for you to worry. Some women will also perhaps be given a little food for thought here.
Sometimes I find female horror writers a little difficult, like Anne Rice. Often I come away with the impression that there is a great horror story there, but this wasnt it; perhaps I just read the wrong ones... Not so with Barbie Wilde, she doesnt flinch from the nasty bits, she knows how far to go. I love her for that.
A great first novel to go alongside her Polyp and Sister Cilice short stories. Look out for Barbie Wilde!
Michael Friday is a nasty piece of work from the off, but I defy you not to like him. You will read his deeds with horror then see his musings on world affairs and agree with him wholeheartedly, that in itself is a worry.
You will follow Michael from his triggers to planning more killings and carrying them out with a few interesting twists, some men will relate to his situation, yet more reason for you to worry. Some women will also perhaps be given a little food for thought here.
Sometimes I find female horror writers a little difficult, like Anne Rice. Often I come away with the impression that there is a great horror story there, but this wasnt it; perhaps I just read the wrong ones... Not so with Barbie Wilde, she doesnt flinch from the nasty bits, she knows how far to go. I love her for that.
A great first novel to go alongside her Polyp and Sister Cilice short stories. Look out for Barbie Wilde!
March 14, 2016
This book is not for the faint of heart. It repels and attracts in equal measure, down through, and in every disturbing, unnerving detail. It is in many ways the mirror that most of us don't ever want to look into, because whoever, and wherever we are, the potential for an individual's descent and ascent into this dark realm of the heart, soul, and mind within each of our contexts is ever present. I was more than a little surprised at how much empathy I had for our protaganist Micheal Friday. He is everyman, and the person none of us ever want to be, and his story makes for extremely compelling reading. Barbie Wilde has delivered her most masterful work so far, and I'm going to love seeing what she has for us next.
August 20, 2015
A remarkable debut novel from Barbie Wilde, of Cenobite fame. It follows the psychological "reasonings" of Michael Friday who after having lost, or rather disposed of, his wife embarks on a journey he believes will lead to both greatness and the admiration of a woman with whom he becomes obsessed. Written in journal style it is full of horror and erotic scenes. It reminded me of Maniac crossed with Hannibal, but in Wilde's own distinctive voice.
September 18, 2018
This novel was so fun to read. It is written as the personal diary of a sophisticated college professor as he finds his true ‘purpose’ in life—being an artistic serial killer! The main character, Michael Friday, recounts his crimes in gruesome and erotic detail that isn’t for the faint of heart. If you enjoy dark crime, serial killers, and horror erotica, you’re missing out if you haven’t given this book a chance.
March 1, 2013
Great first novel, a little twisted but a very good read.
June 24, 2013
A taut, gripping work. Oozing with sinister brilliance.
April 20, 2014
I really liked this book! The Venus Complex is written so that you just keep turning the pages. You're dying to see what's next. Eager for another!
June 30, 2015
Awesome and disgusting...............a great read
January 24, 2020
***First, the content warning***
This book contains GRAPHIC DEPICTIONS of sex, violence, and sexual violence.
That said, this is a somewhat disturbing account of a man's private thoughts concerning his descent into a life of violence and domination.
Despite the clear suggestion otherwise, this is not, in the strictest sense, a serial killer book. For while what he does could be termed serial murder by the loose definition, the psychological elements that define a serial murderer are absent.
More on that in a minute.
Doug Bradley's audio narration is skillful with a decent array of voices, but falls short of a great experience. Since the book is written in the form of journal entries I can forgive the lack of distinction in voices to a certain extent, but something to differentiate the female voices would have been nice. Vocal inflections were subtle when they were present at all, though his tempo shifts were well crafted.
Now, unsurprisingly the only character with any real depth is the main character, Michael. Most of the other characters in the book are either his play things, obstacles, or goals that he puts up on a pedestal.
In this one regard, putting his ideal as almost untouchable, he does fit with one of the common serial killer behaviors. But in no other way does his behavior resemble that of a true serial murderer.
This in and of itself is not a problem, it's still a fascinating look at a warped and broken mind that makes some unusual leaps in logic (or lack thereof). But it's written as if he's meant to be a true serial murderer.
But his thought processes are largely rational (if disturbed), and he's driven by desire and a plan rather than need.
The typical serial killer question, "What does he do that he doesn't have to do?" does not have a real answer here because he invents those things rather than acting on an impulse.
As an aside, it may just be my twisted sense of humor, but I found his observations of society, culture, and religion absolutely hilarious! The book was well worth the read just for that aspect alone.
I also found it exceedingly hilarious that a huge chunk of his "research" to get away with his crimes comes in the form of watching TV shows like Law & Order!
Now, in truth I really only have one complaint about the book that is not grounded in the POV style (as an essentially epistolary novel, a large amount of telling and glossing over details is almost required) or about the main character's mental state, as discussed above.
And that is the lack of difficulty. Although there are a few snags along the way, pretty much everything the budding killer does is successful with only a modicum of difficulty and no true disasters. I would have liked to see a bit more adversity for him to have to overcome.
I will admit, however, that by the end of the novel he is, in large part, at least well on his way to becoming a true serial murderer.
While this is definitely not a book for the feint of heart, I would absolutely recommend it to anyone interested in serial killers or the criminal mind in general.
This book contains GRAPHIC DEPICTIONS of sex, violence, and sexual violence.
That said, this is a somewhat disturbing account of a man's private thoughts concerning his descent into a life of violence and domination.
Despite the clear suggestion otherwise, this is not, in the strictest sense, a serial killer book. For while what he does could be termed serial murder by the loose definition, the psychological elements that define a serial murderer are absent.
More on that in a minute.
Doug Bradley's audio narration is skillful with a decent array of voices, but falls short of a great experience. Since the book is written in the form of journal entries I can forgive the lack of distinction in voices to a certain extent, but something to differentiate the female voices would have been nice. Vocal inflections were subtle when they were present at all, though his tempo shifts were well crafted.
Now, unsurprisingly the only character with any real depth is the main character, Michael. Most of the other characters in the book are either his play things, obstacles, or goals that he puts up on a pedestal.
In this one regard, putting his ideal as almost untouchable, he does fit with one of the common serial killer behaviors. But in no other way does his behavior resemble that of a true serial murderer.
This in and of itself is not a problem, it's still a fascinating look at a warped and broken mind that makes some unusual leaps in logic (or lack thereof). But it's written as if he's meant to be a true serial murderer.
But his thought processes are largely rational (if disturbed), and he's driven by desire and a plan rather than need.
The typical serial killer question, "What does he do that he doesn't have to do?" does not have a real answer here because he invents those things rather than acting on an impulse.
As an aside, it may just be my twisted sense of humor, but I found his observations of society, culture, and religion absolutely hilarious! The book was well worth the read just for that aspect alone.
I also found it exceedingly hilarious that a huge chunk of his "research" to get away with his crimes comes in the form of watching TV shows like Law & Order!
Now, in truth I really only have one complaint about the book that is not grounded in the POV style (as an essentially epistolary novel, a large amount of telling and glossing over details is almost required) or about the main character's mental state, as discussed above.
And that is the lack of difficulty. Although there are a few snags along the way, pretty much everything the budding killer does is successful with only a modicum of difficulty and no true disasters. I would have liked to see a bit more adversity for him to have to overcome.
I will admit, however, that by the end of the novel he is, in large part, at least well on his way to becoming a true serial murderer.
While this is definitely not a book for the feint of heart, I would absolutely recommend it to anyone interested in serial killers or the criminal mind in general.
December 22, 2020
This book kept me disturbingly fascinated. I enjoyed the aspect of journal entries, as well as a blend of well portrayed art and poetry. However, I give 4 stars because the entries where he rants about TV shows, politics, etc. would just drrraaagggg oonnnn. Especially towards the end, excited to see what he was going to do, several chapters just has me crawling through the last 15%. Once he finally voiced his next move, suddenly SLAM I read for 30 minutes straight, finished, and enjoyed the hell out of it!
I'd recommend those who enjoyed this to check out Jonathan Santlofer's 'The Death Artist' & 'Colorblind'. Comparible, fantastic, though not quite as demented 😊
I'd recommend those who enjoyed this to check out Jonathan Santlofer's 'The Death Artist' & 'Colorblind'. Comparible, fantastic, though not quite as demented 😊
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2013
I came in with high expectations for this book after reading a previous Barbie Wilde tale. The excellent Sister Cilice was a highlight of the short story collection Hellbound Hearts, an anthology set in the Hellraiser universe, and filled with weird and wonderful cenobites. I’ll admit I’m a bit of a Hellraiser fanatic. So the fact that Barbie Wilde played one of my favorite cenobites from Hellraiser II, meant she was already in my good graces and thankfully the book lived up to my initial excitement levels.
The tale begins brutally when Professor Michael Friday, discovers his wife is cheating on him and decides to end things permanently for both of them by deliberately driving into a tree. He survives the car crash and something changes in him during his recovery and rehabilitation. He begins having vivid dreams of death and sex (mostly in that order). Michael was an art historian and university lecturer at Syracuse before the accident, but having lost the emotional engagement to life and frustrated by his disconnect from the traditional art that had been his passion, he seeks meaning and purpose and it takes him a while to find it.
The story is told entirely through journal entries from Michael. The journaling was the idea of his therapist to help him vent his anger and frustration. This is one very frustrated man, sickened by pretty much all humanity with the exception of women whom he sees differently. Throughout the journal entries he gives examples of what has enraged and sickened him each day, mostly large issues from AIDS and political corruption, to fundamentalist Christians. For a time it the rage that is the only way that he can feel, dead to all other stimuli, with the exception of his dreams. These dreams are disturbing, erotic and the place where the growing demons in his mind manifest themselves. As the journal entries progress, his detachment and disconnect from society and normal human contact deepens. We follow him on his journey and his descent beyond moral constraints.
Michael finally finds a new purpose in life when he meets, well he doesn’t meet her, let’s say discovers, psychologist Elene on a visit back to his university. Unable to feel confident enough to meet the object of his infatuation, he stalks her and discovers she is an author who has written about serial killers. He finds purpose in his life and feels alive again after deciding to focus his energy into becoming a serial killer. Thus the Venus Project is born. He gets to sexually enjoy his victims and leave his auteur’s mark to arouse the interest of Elene, when she sees an interesting killer working in her own town. Michael’s plan, the Venus Project, begins in earnest. He murders carefully selected women and leaves them in poses from paintings with a Venus connection, complete with quotes and alchemy symbols written on them in marker pen to confuse the authorities. Elene is assigned to help the police with the case and an art expert is needed to help with the investigation, so as part of the grand plan, Michael is recruited and he gets to work with Elene. As they work together and the plot progresses he finds his obsessed image of her as the unblemished Venus, comes in to question.
One of the most striking aspects of the book is the first person narrative in the form of the journal entries. It’s an interesting way to tell the story and it works really well. You’re brought in to the twisted mind of Michael and his dark perspective on the world. The entries where he’s meticulously planning his crimes and his knowledge of police procedures are really fascinating. Every few entries, one will be a rant about a major world issue. Some of the themes of the book are his disgust with politics, religion, wealth and society in general. His rants throughout the book and the passion and focus that he puts in to them brought to mind the way Patrick Bateman in American Psycho would talk about Huey Lewis and the News, or Phil Collins. The major theme though, is that of gender. He has such a distorted view of women, showing no respect except for his chosen Venus, and even that changes. He sees women as weak, no more than helpless prey and sexual objects, and he is driven by the need to dominate, control and possess them. Closely tied to the discussion of gender by author Wilde, is that of sexual violence. There is a great deal of this violence in the book, more of it in his disturbing dreams that drive him, than in reality, but both are shocking. Undoubtedly his issues with women come from his mother and his adulterous ex-wife Angie.
I’ll admit that I was left a little empty by the conclusion, I’d expected something different, it’s certainly not a disappointing ending, just not what I’d expected. His deviation from his Venus Project and transition to a new project for some reason didn’t sit quite right with me. On the whole, this a great read, we’re taken inside a maniac’s head and accompany him through his journey. I look forward to what’s coming next from Barbie Wilde.
The tale begins brutally when Professor Michael Friday, discovers his wife is cheating on him and decides to end things permanently for both of them by deliberately driving into a tree. He survives the car crash and something changes in him during his recovery and rehabilitation. He begins having vivid dreams of death and sex (mostly in that order). Michael was an art historian and university lecturer at Syracuse before the accident, but having lost the emotional engagement to life and frustrated by his disconnect from the traditional art that had been his passion, he seeks meaning and purpose and it takes him a while to find it.
The story is told entirely through journal entries from Michael. The journaling was the idea of his therapist to help him vent his anger and frustration. This is one very frustrated man, sickened by pretty much all humanity with the exception of women whom he sees differently. Throughout the journal entries he gives examples of what has enraged and sickened him each day, mostly large issues from AIDS and political corruption, to fundamentalist Christians. For a time it the rage that is the only way that he can feel, dead to all other stimuli, with the exception of his dreams. These dreams are disturbing, erotic and the place where the growing demons in his mind manifest themselves. As the journal entries progress, his detachment and disconnect from society and normal human contact deepens. We follow him on his journey and his descent beyond moral constraints.
Michael finally finds a new purpose in life when he meets, well he doesn’t meet her, let’s say discovers, psychologist Elene on a visit back to his university. Unable to feel confident enough to meet the object of his infatuation, he stalks her and discovers she is an author who has written about serial killers. He finds purpose in his life and feels alive again after deciding to focus his energy into becoming a serial killer. Thus the Venus Project is born. He gets to sexually enjoy his victims and leave his auteur’s mark to arouse the interest of Elene, when she sees an interesting killer working in her own town. Michael’s plan, the Venus Project, begins in earnest. He murders carefully selected women and leaves them in poses from paintings with a Venus connection, complete with quotes and alchemy symbols written on them in marker pen to confuse the authorities. Elene is assigned to help the police with the case and an art expert is needed to help with the investigation, so as part of the grand plan, Michael is recruited and he gets to work with Elene. As they work together and the plot progresses he finds his obsessed image of her as the unblemished Venus, comes in to question.
One of the most striking aspects of the book is the first person narrative in the form of the journal entries. It’s an interesting way to tell the story and it works really well. You’re brought in to the twisted mind of Michael and his dark perspective on the world. The entries where he’s meticulously planning his crimes and his knowledge of police procedures are really fascinating. Every few entries, one will be a rant about a major world issue. Some of the themes of the book are his disgust with politics, religion, wealth and society in general. His rants throughout the book and the passion and focus that he puts in to them brought to mind the way Patrick Bateman in American Psycho would talk about Huey Lewis and the News, or Phil Collins. The major theme though, is that of gender. He has such a distorted view of women, showing no respect except for his chosen Venus, and even that changes. He sees women as weak, no more than helpless prey and sexual objects, and he is driven by the need to dominate, control and possess them. Closely tied to the discussion of gender by author Wilde, is that of sexual violence. There is a great deal of this violence in the book, more of it in his disturbing dreams that drive him, than in reality, but both are shocking. Undoubtedly his issues with women come from his mother and his adulterous ex-wife Angie.
I’ll admit that I was left a little empty by the conclusion, I’d expected something different, it’s certainly not a disappointing ending, just not what I’d expected. His deviation from his Venus Project and transition to a new project for some reason didn’t sit quite right with me. On the whole, this a great read, we’re taken inside a maniac’s head and accompany him through his journey. I look forward to what’s coming next from Barbie Wilde.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2016
I read an article recently by author John Skipp entitled 'Why killing the sh*t out of interesting people is clearly the way to go'. With The Venus Complex Barbie Wilde has neatly inverted this idea in that her serial killer, Michael Friday is an interesting person killing the sh*t out of people.
Michael's story is told in the form of a personal journal, with entries running the gauntlet from his sick and twisted sexual fantasies, to his accounts of graphic murders and razor sharp social commentary, with an underlying streak of very dark humour.
What made this truly disturbing to me personally was how easily I found myself agreeing with many of the comments Michael recounts in his journal. Without spoiling it too much for the potential reader there was one 'chapter' where Michael declares his love for a colleague that instantly transported me back to my teenage years when love was this magical yet intense emotional force. Barbie captures this state of mind perfectly, and rightly deserves the full five star review. Truth be told, I have deduct one star so that the author may strive to reach even greater heights in subsequent publications.
I don't really need to point out the sheer volume of books dedicated to the subject of serial killers, What I do wish to do is state that Barbie's début novel stands head and shoulders - decapitated or not - above most titles in this sub-genre.
Not to be missed if you are a fan of pitch black crime / horror novels.
Michael's story is told in the form of a personal journal, with entries running the gauntlet from his sick and twisted sexual fantasies, to his accounts of graphic murders and razor sharp social commentary, with an underlying streak of very dark humour.
What made this truly disturbing to me personally was how easily I found myself agreeing with many of the comments Michael recounts in his journal. Without spoiling it too much for the potential reader there was one 'chapter' where Michael declares his love for a colleague that instantly transported me back to my teenage years when love was this magical yet intense emotional force. Barbie captures this state of mind perfectly, and rightly deserves the full five star review. Truth be told, I have deduct one star so that the author may strive to reach even greater heights in subsequent publications.
I don't really need to point out the sheer volume of books dedicated to the subject of serial killers, What I do wish to do is state that Barbie's début novel stands head and shoulders - decapitated or not - above most titles in this sub-genre.
Not to be missed if you are a fan of pitch black crime / horror novels.
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