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Weirder
A young magician joins a bearded lady’s carnival to become an apprentice. The mettle of each sideshow freak is tested along the way, leading to a conclusion that compels fright and horror.
- GenresHorrorParanormal
Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
594 people want to read
About the author
Chad Schimke
19 books533 followersI write weird fiction, dark fantasy, horror and SciFi.
Read them all: The Costumer, The Merchandiser, Vivified, Behind the Walls, Hallowmas & Midwinter.
https://linktr.ee/authorchadschimke
#postapocalypticfiction #horrorfiction #darkfantasy #weirdfiction #amwriting #amblogging
Read them all: The Costumer, The Merchandiser, Vivified, Behind the Walls, Hallowmas & Midwinter.
https://linktr.ee/authorchadschimke
#postapocalypticfiction #horrorfiction #darkfantasy #weirdfiction #amwriting #amblogging
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 8, 2018
REVIEW OF WEIRDER BY KRISTIN CHAPMAN
It's odd, it's weird, and it gets, you guessed it, even "Weirder." I loved this book; just like the title suggests, it is a bit weird to read, but the story is good, and off at times, but a wonderful addition to my slightly off collection. I would highly recommend it for teen boys - in that weird moment kind of read. Love it. Keep it up!
http://www.librarything.com/work/1275...
#postapocalypticfiction #pa #sf #horror #sciencefiction #scifi #amwriting #amblogging #fiction #shortstory #blog
It's odd, it's weird, and it gets, you guessed it, even "Weirder." I loved this book; just like the title suggests, it is a bit weird to read, but the story is good, and off at times, but a wonderful addition to my slightly off collection. I would highly recommend it for teen boys - in that weird moment kind of read. Love it. Keep it up!
http://www.librarything.com/work/1275...
#postapocalypticfiction #pa #sf #horror #sciencefiction #scifi #amwriting #amblogging #fiction #shortstory #blog
December 30, 2017
I'm terribly behind on my 2017 Reading Challenge. In an attempt to make a mad dash for the finish line I've been reading short stories and children's books. (Hey! I like children's stories and collect quite a few - some for me, others for the grands.) I figured this was a good time to clear some of the downloads on my Kindle; books that have been lingering for awhile and those that are there for reasons I can no longer understand. I tend to hang around my group of friendly historical fiction buds, forming a tight circle that rarely includes other nefarious genres. I jest, but it's true. Every new challenge year I tell myself that I'll expand into other areas of reading material and so I add an assortment of odd tales. When I do venture into open water, I find I quite like the unusual stories I've mixed in the bunch. In fact, I only just finished Schimke's Midwinter (title not found on Goodreads, otherwise I could add another book to my challenge) and decided that the writing technique is very nice. I also have Pieces on my Kindle and see that others have given it high marks. (Not that this guarantees a clever story) I probably won't get to that until much later next year. Wierder is just that - WEIRD! I really don't understand it. It's a little out there for my taste but I congratulate myself for getting through. It's a short read at sixty pages and I know it's difficult to tell a story at this length, although this wasn't an issue for Edgar Allen Poe. Schimke is no Poe. Hardly fair comparison I know. I'm just saying it's not impossible to tell a clear, concise story. I finished this one as a confused reader.
December 7, 2012
I really liked the book…it has a fresh new store line. I feel in love with the characters, especial the bearded lady…-What a Lady. I don’t know how she could fall in love with Pinches, like I said...What a Lady.
It was fun going to the “Carnival” and getting to be part of the troupe…going behind the curtains and being able to be part of the family. I could almost smell the cotton candy and popcorn. You showed us that it is true dedication and love that is needed to be a carnie.
The only problem I had was it was too short…I wanted to be a carnie longer. I want to see how it turns out…hopefully there will be a Weirder 2…Weirdest. Thanks Chad, I had a ball.
It was fun going to the “Carnival” and getting to be part of the troupe…going behind the curtains and being able to be part of the family. I could almost smell the cotton candy and popcorn. You showed us that it is true dedication and love that is needed to be a carnie.
The only problem I had was it was too short…I wanted to be a carnie longer. I want to see how it turns out…hopefully there will be a Weirder 2…Weirdest. Thanks Chad, I had a ball.
December 22, 2012
I received my first read book from goodreads giveaway. This was an odd little story but I like it. It is a short story and I wanted to get to know the characters more and continue with the tale I was not ready for it to end. I was being greedy! This story was told well like hearing it by a campfire at night! Was a bit creepy at the end but the ending wrapped up well for a short tale. Would like to see more from Chad Schimke! Thanks for the free book and a chance to check this one out!
July 26, 2015
What can I say about this story? I saw the reviews, mostly 4-5 stars and just don't get it. I love reading 'weird' type stories but this just did not do it for me. I didn't really get what the plot was? Okay there's a traveling circus and?
The editing was horrible: bad punctuation, spelling errors and missing words. The dialog of some of the characters, as in phrases that had the apostrophes, was strange. Some of the 'talking' seemed more like it should have just been inner dialog, not something you would actually speak, at least not with the way it was typed. Either way, it was hard for me to 'get into' the story. It seemed like there was a lot of jumping around.
One thing I can say I did like about this story was the cover and binding of it. I thought that was really neat. It made me think of a report for school or something. That was different. Although that might explain his writing style. Other than that I would not recommend this book or anything.
The editing was horrible: bad punctuation, spelling errors and missing words. The dialog of some of the characters, as in phrases that had the apostrophes, was strange. Some of the 'talking' seemed more like it should have just been inner dialog, not something you would actually speak, at least not with the way it was typed. Either way, it was hard for me to 'get into' the story. It seemed like there was a lot of jumping around.
One thing I can say I did like about this story was the cover and binding of it. I thought that was really neat. It made me think of a report for school or something. That was different. Although that might explain his writing style. Other than that I would not recommend this book or anything.
December 6, 2012
the title definitely called it right! this book was very weird. it was also a little hard to follow. i had a hard time keeping track of the characters and a few got lost.
January 7, 2013
I received a free copy of this book from the author, through LibraryThings; an honest review was requested.
“Weirder” by Chad Schimke is, indeed, weird. Ostensibly about a small circus, “Weirder” focuses on what has been called the “freak show” or “sideshow” of a travelling carnival. The story begins with several of the unfortunates considered “freaks” expressing mutual discontent with the owner/operator of the circus to which they owe some allegiance. As a result of continuing discussions, the bearded lady decides to break away and start her own circus, with the help of the petrified man and a few of the other stars of the show. The new circus enjoys some success, which is only enhanced by the addition of a puppeteer who approaches the bearded lady one evening after the performance, in search of a position.
Meanwhile, a teenage boy is going through a rather typical period of readjustment after his mother remarries a former military man. The new step-father is far stricter than the boy’s biological father was, and the boy does not like it one bit. Unfortunately his biological father ran off and his whereabouts are unknown. The boy, while visiting the circus, engages another boy his age in conversation. This second boy is one of the carnies in charge of a game on the midway, and the two youngsters hit it off from the start. Later in the evening the carnie goes to visit the townie, and arrives just in time to see the step-father slap the boy across the face, prompting the boy to run out the back door and away from home. He ultimately joins the circus and leaves town. He has become something of a practiced magician, and his act is thought to mesh well with the puppeteer’s performance. But this is where “Weirder” gets weirder. Some very bizarre things happen, with very unexpected results. To say more would be a spoiler, so I’ll just say this story will have you sleeping with a night-light for a few nights. I recommend it.
“Weirder” by Chad Schimke is, indeed, weird. Ostensibly about a small circus, “Weirder” focuses on what has been called the “freak show” or “sideshow” of a travelling carnival. The story begins with several of the unfortunates considered “freaks” expressing mutual discontent with the owner/operator of the circus to which they owe some allegiance. As a result of continuing discussions, the bearded lady decides to break away and start her own circus, with the help of the petrified man and a few of the other stars of the show. The new circus enjoys some success, which is only enhanced by the addition of a puppeteer who approaches the bearded lady one evening after the performance, in search of a position.
Meanwhile, a teenage boy is going through a rather typical period of readjustment after his mother remarries a former military man. The new step-father is far stricter than the boy’s biological father was, and the boy does not like it one bit. Unfortunately his biological father ran off and his whereabouts are unknown. The boy, while visiting the circus, engages another boy his age in conversation. This second boy is one of the carnies in charge of a game on the midway, and the two youngsters hit it off from the start. Later in the evening the carnie goes to visit the townie, and arrives just in time to see the step-father slap the boy across the face, prompting the boy to run out the back door and away from home. He ultimately joins the circus and leaves town. He has become something of a practiced magician, and his act is thought to mesh well with the puppeteer’s performance. But this is where “Weirder” gets weirder. Some very bizarre things happen, with very unexpected results. To say more would be a spoiler, so I’ll just say this story will have you sleeping with a night-light for a few nights. I recommend it.
August 27, 2013
I’m not entirely sure about what to say about Weirder. It definitely lives up to it's name. For being a quick read, it wasn't too bad. It kept my attention, although the ending left me completely confused. Also, I wish that sometime during the story, Alf would have learned to control his fire-starter powers and learned to use them properly. I enjoyed reading about most of the characters. I think Otto was my favorite. He was mysterious. Once the reader finds out more about him, his back-story is fascinating. I recommend this book to anyone with half an hour to spare who likes bizzaro fiction.
November 16, 2012
Yeah... while full of potential, this novelette didnt really live up to expectation.
It contained all the hallmark characteristics of an indie release - poor grammar and editing, a disjointed storyline and a lack of flow.
Readable, but not particularly enjoyable, this story does however show promise. I think with more experience the writer will get better and I certainly would look forward to seeing what becomes of him.
Best advice I can give an indie writer: spend less money on cover art and instead, hire the services of a brutal proofreader.
It contained all the hallmark characteristics of an indie release - poor grammar and editing, a disjointed storyline and a lack of flow.
Readable, but not particularly enjoyable, this story does however show promise. I think with more experience the writer will get better and I certainly would look forward to seeing what becomes of him.
Best advice I can give an indie writer: spend less money on cover art and instead, hire the services of a brutal proofreader.
September 17, 2012
WEIRDER - This novelette/ short story will not disappoint because it’s quirky, odd, strange and beautiful. It is my personal favorite by this writer because of the fantastic and at some points horrifying aspects.
Weirder (Novelette) by Chad Schimke
Weirder (Novelette) by Chad Schimke
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews