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Monstrosities
A man with clown heads for hands. A city full of shape-shifting worms. A Cinderella story that ends with slaughter. These are just some of the monstrosities you'll encounter in this horror collection by Bram Stoker Award Nominee Jeremy C. Shipp.
The collection totals over 20,000 words.
Table of Contents:
Figs
The Tunnel
Almost Paradise
Worms
The Little Glass Soul
Clown Hands
Cold
Flesh and Blood
Buried
Googly
The collection totals over 20,000 words.
Table of Contents:
Figs
The Tunnel
Almost Paradise
Worms
The Little Glass Soul
Clown Hands
Cold
Flesh and Blood
Buried
Googly
68 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 22, 2013
13 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Jeremy C. Shipp
63 books889 followersJeremy C. Shipp is the Bram Stoker and Shirley Jackson Award-nominated author of The Atrocities, Bedfellow, and Cursed. Their shorter tales have appeared in over 60 publications, including Cemetery Dance, Dark Moon Digest and Apex Magazine. Jeremy lives in Southern California in a moderately haunted Farmhouse. Their online home is jeremycshipp.com.
“Jeremy C. Shipp’s boldness, daring, originality, and sheer smarts make them one of the most vital younger writers who have colonized horror literature in the past decade. Shipp’s modernist clarity, plus their willingness to risk damn near everything, put them up at the head of the pack with the very best.” ―Peter Straub
“Shipp’s clear, insistent voice pulls you down into the rabbit hole and doesn’t let go.” ―Jack Ketchum
“I’m convinced Jeremy Shipp is a little bit crazy, in the best possible way. This is one of those books that alters your brain in a way similar to Philip K. Dick.” —Jeff VanderMeer
“Jeremy C. Shipp’s boldness, daring, originality, and sheer smarts make them one of the most vital younger writers who have colonized horror literature in the past decade. Shipp’s modernist clarity, plus their willingness to risk damn near everything, put them up at the head of the pack with the very best.” ―Peter Straub
“Shipp’s clear, insistent voice pulls you down into the rabbit hole and doesn’t let go.” ―Jack Ketchum
“I’m convinced Jeremy Shipp is a little bit crazy, in the best possible way. This is one of those books that alters your brain in a way similar to Philip K. Dick.” —Jeff VanderMeer
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 10, 2019
Quite an ookie, quirky, imaginative little collection of bizarro horror.
Quite an ookie, quirky, imaginative little collection of bizarro horror. Shipp's dreamlike scenarios are trippy, memorable, sometimes scary, sometimes sad, sometimes funny, sometimes all at once.
Quite an ookie, quirky, imaginative little collection of bizarro horror. Shipp's dreamlike scenarios are trippy, memorable, sometimes scary, sometimes sad, sometimes funny, sometimes all at once.
June 27, 2025
2.5 Stars
Bizarro horror that did not flow well for me.
I refuse to detail each short story in this collection since it really bores me to do it.
Bizarro horror that did not flow well for me.
I refuse to detail each short story in this collection since it really bores me to do it.
October 8, 2013
I've always had a problem reviewing collections like Monstrosities by Jeremy C. Shipp, mostly because I feel the need to review each story on it's own in order to give each story its due, and not wanting to attribute a single value to the whole book.
Fortunately, Monstrosities makes this easy. Each individual piece is good and worth your time, and most of them won't take much time at all.
As I stated, Monstrosities a short story collection, and some of these stories are very short, which makes it easy to consume this book in small bites for those who have busy schedules and not much time to read a longer and more involved story. Each story provides something different, and with Shipp, you think you know where things go until he makes a hard left turn. Or doesn't, which keeps you guessing, which is good because keeps the reader interested wanting to find out what happens since Shipp's work often defies prediction. The stories themselves are wonderfully weird, and despite the title and the cover, they aren't all horror stories. It's a true mix of genres that make one story read and feel completely different from the previous one. You'll get horror, fantasy, science fiction, and with each one you'll get a healthy dose of character introspection.
And that's the very interesting thing about this book. Monstrosities is still an accurate title, but it's not about monsters in the literal sense, or what one would expect from the cover. Instead, each story explores a person's inner monster in different ways, as no two monsters are alike. I was not prepared for this going into it, but it was an unexpected pleasure because I happen to enjoy stories with a heavy psychological bent.
I had read one of the stories before. “Googly” was previously published in “Attic Toys,” and “Figs” was previously published in “Here Be Monsters” (which I haven't read). So, there are some stories that readers of Shipp's work may have come across before.
The stories are generally very good. There's still a feeling that the author could have shored things up a bit here and there, as the reader might occasionally feel like there are a few ragged edges but can't quite put their finger on. There are also some editing issues, which really bother me, as I've pointed out in previous reviews. Unfortunately, I do have to knock the book down a little for that because can pull the reader of the page, a problem in a novel or novella, but a critical error is very short stories where the author doesn't have much time to grab the reader and pull them in.
Overall, if you're looking for a good introduction to Shipp, you would be off to a good start with this book. The stories are short, which accommodate a busy schedule very nicely, or you can consume them all at once, and you'll get good satisfying stories for your time.
I just wish I could figure out what Shipp's obsession with clowns is all about. Not necessarily a complaint; just wondering...
Monstrosities by Jeremy C. Shipp earns a solid 4 clownish hands out of 5.
Fortunately, Monstrosities makes this easy. Each individual piece is good and worth your time, and most of them won't take much time at all.
As I stated, Monstrosities a short story collection, and some of these stories are very short, which makes it easy to consume this book in small bites for those who have busy schedules and not much time to read a longer and more involved story. Each story provides something different, and with Shipp, you think you know where things go until he makes a hard left turn. Or doesn't, which keeps you guessing, which is good because keeps the reader interested wanting to find out what happens since Shipp's work often defies prediction. The stories themselves are wonderfully weird, and despite the title and the cover, they aren't all horror stories. It's a true mix of genres that make one story read and feel completely different from the previous one. You'll get horror, fantasy, science fiction, and with each one you'll get a healthy dose of character introspection.
And that's the very interesting thing about this book. Monstrosities is still an accurate title, but it's not about monsters in the literal sense, or what one would expect from the cover. Instead, each story explores a person's inner monster in different ways, as no two monsters are alike. I was not prepared for this going into it, but it was an unexpected pleasure because I happen to enjoy stories with a heavy psychological bent.
I had read one of the stories before. “Googly” was previously published in “Attic Toys,” and “Figs” was previously published in “Here Be Monsters” (which I haven't read). So, there are some stories that readers of Shipp's work may have come across before.
The stories are generally very good. There's still a feeling that the author could have shored things up a bit here and there, as the reader might occasionally feel like there are a few ragged edges but can't quite put their finger on. There are also some editing issues, which really bother me, as I've pointed out in previous reviews. Unfortunately, I do have to knock the book down a little for that because can pull the reader of the page, a problem in a novel or novella, but a critical error is very short stories where the author doesn't have much time to grab the reader and pull them in.
Overall, if you're looking for a good introduction to Shipp, you would be off to a good start with this book. The stories are short, which accommodate a busy schedule very nicely, or you can consume them all at once, and you'll get good satisfying stories for your time.
I just wish I could figure out what Shipp's obsession with clowns is all about. Not necessarily a complaint; just wondering...
Monstrosities by Jeremy C. Shipp earns a solid 4 clownish hands out of 5.
October 7, 2016
When my tablet died I had to move everything to my phone. It was a pain in the ass, but I found books that I forgot I had. I balance between digital and dead tree so it's possible that some things just fall through the cracks. Monstrosities is one of those books I had gotten way back when I got my first tablet and just forgot about. Not that there's anything wrong with it I just keep putting it aside and soon forgot that I had it. I have a huge to be read pile and I don't think I'll ever get to everything on the list, but I am glad I found Monstrosities. This is one that I should have read a long time ago.
Shipp has a style all his own and this is a very short collection. The stories at times seem like ideas that came suddenly and their impact is felt long after you read them. Shipp writes dark horror that borders on bizarro. These are stories that sometimes feel like an assault on your senses. They hit fast and hard and then it's onto the next. Because they're so short it's hard to say that any of these are bad. Shipp is the kind of writer that defies all the rules of conventional horror and has created something unique. You can't categorize any of these, and I dare you too try. There are ten stories in this collection and not a clunker in the bunch. If you're looking for something short and unique to read this is a collection worth checking out.
This is a writer that clearly writes that stick with you and remind you that fiction is often about taking risks and taking your readers to places they might not go on their own. I plan on reading more of his work just to see what he's capable of. Do yourself a favor and pick this up. You won't regret it. This is for those that aren't afraid to take a few risks and allow themselves to read beyond their comfort zone
Shipp has a style all his own and this is a very short collection. The stories at times seem like ideas that came suddenly and their impact is felt long after you read them. Shipp writes dark horror that borders on bizarro. These are stories that sometimes feel like an assault on your senses. They hit fast and hard and then it's onto the next. Because they're so short it's hard to say that any of these are bad. Shipp is the kind of writer that defies all the rules of conventional horror and has created something unique. You can't categorize any of these, and I dare you too try. There are ten stories in this collection and not a clunker in the bunch. If you're looking for something short and unique to read this is a collection worth checking out.
This is a writer that clearly writes that stick with you and remind you that fiction is often about taking risks and taking your readers to places they might not go on their own. I plan on reading more of his work just to see what he's capable of. Do yourself a favor and pick this up. You won't regret it. This is for those that aren't afraid to take a few risks and allow themselves to read beyond their comfort zone
July 14, 2014
Jeremy C. Shipp is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors and this collection helps illustrate why that is. It's 10 stories in just 68 pages so perfect for quick breaks which is obviously why I ended up finishing it in three sittings, its just hard to stop.
He has a breakneck pace throughout his stories where time passes as though its not even a factor and the action just keeps on coming whether its actual action or all in the mind of the narrator. That's another thing, he writes from the perspective of his characters a lot but manages to make it interesting and not a chore to read through.
In terms of the subject matter its definitely bizarre and horrific but referenced in a rather calm and collected way. When I read his work I'm not horrified by what occurs, rather I feel as though someone is fondly telling me about all the terrible things that happened over dinner. It's hard to really explain what I mean but I would definitely recommend this to anyone with an open mind and a little time to spend.
He has a breakneck pace throughout his stories where time passes as though its not even a factor and the action just keeps on coming whether its actual action or all in the mind of the narrator. That's another thing, he writes from the perspective of his characters a lot but manages to make it interesting and not a chore to read through.
In terms of the subject matter its definitely bizarre and horrific but referenced in a rather calm and collected way. When I read his work I'm not horrified by what occurs, rather I feel as though someone is fondly telling me about all the terrible things that happened over dinner. It's hard to really explain what I mean but I would definitely recommend this to anyone with an open mind and a little time to spend.
February 16, 2014
Fans of Jeremy C. Shipp have come to expect his books to be a trip into alternate universes where our logic does not apply. In "Monstrosities" we once again dive into the delightfully demented mind of this author where he describes worlds that are chillingly delightful to read, but where we would never want to visit. Those of you who have not read this author are in for a treat. The rest of us find this another welcome fix for our Jeremy C. Shipp addiction.
February 15, 2014
A great collection. Some very graphic stories. And some well told haunting tales. Highly recommended.
March 4, 2014
All regular horror tropes are ignored in this collection, as Shipp creates unique, diverse horrors that will equally shock and provide a bit of tongue-in-cheek humour. Excellent read.
April 9, 2019
What did I just read?
I’m a big fan of short stories and these stories are like Mr. Shipp linked a direct line from his Nightmare dreams right onto the page with no editing! Creepy, weird, other worldly.. I could go on. Clown Hands and Googly stood out to me as my favorites because they were so very weird but you felt bad for the victims and well Clown Hands made me laugh, I know.. I’m demented sometimes. These stories make you ask WTF? Each story is open to interpretation and In a good way! No spoilers, way to easy to do that with short stories. This book is not a long read and will make you wonder what Mr. Shipp eats for breakfast to have his mind work this way! Read and enjoy!!
I’m a big fan of short stories and these stories are like Mr. Shipp linked a direct line from his Nightmare dreams right onto the page with no editing! Creepy, weird, other worldly.. I could go on. Clown Hands and Googly stood out to me as my favorites because they were so very weird but you felt bad for the victims and well Clown Hands made me laugh, I know.. I’m demented sometimes. These stories make you ask WTF? Each story is open to interpretation and In a good way! No spoilers, way to easy to do that with short stories. This book is not a long read and will make you wonder what Mr. Shipp eats for breakfast to have his mind work this way! Read and enjoy!!
April 18, 2019
Started off strong. First few stories were really great. Dark and weird. The middle few were lacking and nearly lost me, but the last four picked back up. Overall, I enjoyed the majority of the collection.
April 22, 2019
With the exception of CLOWN HANDS, most of the stories were bland and unmemorable. Schipp has a colorful and animated style with this offering and fuses fantasy and horror into a suitable form. However, the dialogue passages and climatic points left strong beginnings dull and displeasing.
April 27, 2018
These are some nice stories, imaginative and well done. I had a good time reading all of them. Solid all around.
March 16, 2019
A series of short stories. Some good, some meh.
August 25, 2013
Jeremy C. Shipp is one of my favorite authors and is on the short list for my auto-buy authors. As such it was no surprise that I really enjoyed this collection of short stories as I have all his others. There are 10 short stories in Monstrosities but I will focus on my five favorites, sound good? Let's get into it!
The Tunnel: This piece is insane and intense. It's thought provoking with an ending that sums everything up perfectly but is one I never saw coming. It's frightening because it reveals how far we go to escape our reality no matter what we might lose. In the end our choices will make us who we are, defining us. A simple truth, yes, but an important one.
Worms: Shipp continues one of the darker collections I've read by him with Worms. Loss, reality crushing imagination, good intentions proven useless as grief overwhelms all else. While it may not be a long piece it packs plenty of emotion into the story and is extremely powerful.
The Little Glass Soul: With dark and sardonic humor on full display, The Little Glass Soul is a little bit of Cinderella mixed with some Snow White and twisted into a horrifying display of cruelty. The ending is very satisfying and I really liked Shipp's take on the fairy tale, only he would alter it this way.
Clown Hands: This is the piece that shows off Shipp's writing style the best. It's reminiscent of his Attic Clowns stories, which I loved, and shows the darker/twisted inner thoughts of humans being forced to the outside. It reveals that human nature that we would prefer to keep hidden while keeping the humor flowing throughout the story. It's a bit silly and that's why it works so well. Loved this one. More clowns please!
Buried: Using smooth transitions and beautiful insight into the human mind, Buried shows how a different perspective can change everything. One person sees a murderer and thinks them unfit to live while that same person might commit crimes just as heinous and view themselves as the righteous one. Who is worthy to live? Is anyone? Or all we all excess? Fantastic story and a superb ending.
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Overall I really enjoyed Jeremy C. Shipp's latest anthology. There were a couple familiar tales for fans of his other work (Googly from Attic Toys and Figs from Here Be Monsters) mixed in with plenty of brand new hilarious and horrific stories. Monstrosities is a darker and edgier collection than Shipp's previous ones as well as being more thought provoking. Shipp delves into the human mind farther than ever before with great (if creepy) results. You may not want to accept the truth as Shipp sees it, but it is hard to deny its validity. A must read for horror and humor fans.
The Tunnel: This piece is insane and intense. It's thought provoking with an ending that sums everything up perfectly but is one I never saw coming. It's frightening because it reveals how far we go to escape our reality no matter what we might lose. In the end our choices will make us who we are, defining us. A simple truth, yes, but an important one.
Worms: Shipp continues one of the darker collections I've read by him with Worms. Loss, reality crushing imagination, good intentions proven useless as grief overwhelms all else. While it may not be a long piece it packs plenty of emotion into the story and is extremely powerful.
The Little Glass Soul: With dark and sardonic humor on full display, The Little Glass Soul is a little bit of Cinderella mixed with some Snow White and twisted into a horrifying display of cruelty. The ending is very satisfying and I really liked Shipp's take on the fairy tale, only he would alter it this way.
Clown Hands: This is the piece that shows off Shipp's writing style the best. It's reminiscent of his Attic Clowns stories, which I loved, and shows the darker/twisted inner thoughts of humans being forced to the outside. It reveals that human nature that we would prefer to keep hidden while keeping the humor flowing throughout the story. It's a bit silly and that's why it works so well. Loved this one. More clowns please!
Buried: Using smooth transitions and beautiful insight into the human mind, Buried shows how a different perspective can change everything. One person sees a murderer and thinks them unfit to live while that same person might commit crimes just as heinous and view themselves as the righteous one. Who is worthy to live? Is anyone? Or all we all excess? Fantastic story and a superb ending.
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Overall I really enjoyed Jeremy C. Shipp's latest anthology. There were a couple familiar tales for fans of his other work (Googly from Attic Toys and Figs from Here Be Monsters) mixed in with plenty of brand new hilarious and horrific stories. Monstrosities is a darker and edgier collection than Shipp's previous ones as well as being more thought provoking. Shipp delves into the human mind farther than ever before with great (if creepy) results. You may not want to accept the truth as Shipp sees it, but it is hard to deny its validity. A must read for horror and humor fans.
March 31, 2016
Wondrous, Original Horror of the Finest Type...Smart and Unpredictable
Reading Monstrosities by Jeremy Shipp was a mind explosion of atomic magnitude. Like my first Harlan Ellison, you know Shipp is on the start of something new, wild, intelligent and exciting. Your brain just plain stutters from being malnourished in this area, then happily upgrades after reading just a few pages. Literate, speculative horror - what a concept...
I know at this point I won't be satisfied with horror that is considered standard fare, especially the commercially successful variety. I have read speculative horror again, and it lives in a different world...an unpredictable, intelligent world, where anything can happen but what you expect.
Monstrosities is a short story collection which is about the size of a small novella, but it has quite an impact. Containing ten stories in 69 pages, no story is over eighteen pages long, with the shortest being a page and a half. No matter how short or long, each story is a vivid window into new and twisted characters and the bizarre worlds they inhabit. As much psychological thriller as horror story, Shipp masterfully crafts small gems of storyline, characterization and worldbuilding. I believe horror is the only genre extreme enough to effectively construct Shipp's overarching themes in a fashion that's hard to deny. He wields his words so effectively, that after less than a page, I have completely bought into any of his world's.
The stories are as follows:
Figs
The Tunnel
Almost Paradise
Worms
The Little Glass Soul
Clown Hands
Cold
Flesh and Blood
Buried
Googly
No, I will not do plot summaries. Discovery is far too scintillating when the material is this good.
NOTE: I feel compelled to make a comment here, as I almost didn't get the book because of summaries of the Clown Hands story I read in reviews. I am clown neutral. I neither run screaming at the sight of red noses and big shoes, nor do I hire them for my birthday parties. Still, out of all the titles, that one seems to stand out. Irony is a wonderful thing; the story uses clowns as a metaphor. Yes, dear reader, some authors do use literary devices in the horror genre. This is my favorite stories in the collection.
Right now this collection is free on Amazon, so I would recommend getting a copy and settling into your favorite spot for an hour of sheer enjoyment.
Highly Recommended!
___________________________________________
Other works by Shipp
Vacation
Cursed
Sheep and Wolves
Attic Clowns
In the Fishbowl we Bleed
Reading Monstrosities by Jeremy Shipp was a mind explosion of atomic magnitude. Like my first Harlan Ellison, you know Shipp is on the start of something new, wild, intelligent and exciting. Your brain just plain stutters from being malnourished in this area, then happily upgrades after reading just a few pages. Literate, speculative horror - what a concept...
I know at this point I won't be satisfied with horror that is considered standard fare, especially the commercially successful variety. I have read speculative horror again, and it lives in a different world...an unpredictable, intelligent world, where anything can happen but what you expect.
Monstrosities is a short story collection which is about the size of a small novella, but it has quite an impact. Containing ten stories in 69 pages, no story is over eighteen pages long, with the shortest being a page and a half. No matter how short or long, each story is a vivid window into new and twisted characters and the bizarre worlds they inhabit. As much psychological thriller as horror story, Shipp masterfully crafts small gems of storyline, characterization and worldbuilding. I believe horror is the only genre extreme enough to effectively construct Shipp's overarching themes in a fashion that's hard to deny. He wields his words so effectively, that after less than a page, I have completely bought into any of his world's.
The stories are as follows:
Figs
The Tunnel
Almost Paradise
Worms
The Little Glass Soul
Clown Hands
Cold
Flesh and Blood
Buried
Googly
No, I will not do plot summaries. Discovery is far too scintillating when the material is this good.
NOTE: I feel compelled to make a comment here, as I almost didn't get the book because of summaries of the Clown Hands story I read in reviews. I am clown neutral. I neither run screaming at the sight of red noses and big shoes, nor do I hire them for my birthday parties. Still, out of all the titles, that one seems to stand out. Irony is a wonderful thing; the story uses clowns as a metaphor. Yes, dear reader, some authors do use literary devices in the horror genre. This is my favorite stories in the collection.
Right now this collection is free on Amazon, so I would recommend getting a copy and settling into your favorite spot for an hour of sheer enjoyment.
Highly Recommended!
___________________________________________
Other works by Shipp
Vacation
Cursed
Sheep and Wolves
Attic Clowns
In the Fishbowl we Bleed
September 20, 2013
Review Copy
Having read some some shorts from Jeremy C. Shipp in the past, when I saw he was looking for reviewers for his newest book of short fiction, I jumped at the chance.
When you're reading one of his stories there's no telling where your going to end up. You just know it's going to be strange...bizarre really. Combine that with a stream of consciousness style of writing and there's really no way of knowing what's around the next corner.
Here, Jeremy has collected ten twisted tales for our enjoyment. Each one more demented than the last. Not all of them hit the mark for me, but enough do to make Monstrosities worth your time.
I particularly liked, "The Little Glass Soul," the story of Ash, her stepmother and stepsisters. A rather perverse retelling of the children's classic "Cinderella," and both "Clown Hands" and "Googly" were both out and out creepy.
Another good entry from this collection is "Cold." From that story... "Here's Shark, pointing his 22-caliber phone gun at the dead-eyed department store mannequin, and here I am, trapped in a chair made of ice, held down with rope that isn't there."
I would say, if Bizzarro Fiction is your passion, Jerremy C. Shipp is your man. If you're not sure if it's your thing and feeling adventurous, take a chance on Monstrosities. If your still not sure this is up your alley read a few of the author's shorts for free at the author's website http://jeremycshipp.wordpress.com/fre... If this definitely isn't for you, then steer clear. Thus, the 4 of 5 stars. Recommended for mature readers.
Monstrosities is available now for the Kindle at Amazon.com.
Having read some some shorts from Jeremy C. Shipp in the past, when I saw he was looking for reviewers for his newest book of short fiction, I jumped at the chance.
When you're reading one of his stories there's no telling where your going to end up. You just know it's going to be strange...bizarre really. Combine that with a stream of consciousness style of writing and there's really no way of knowing what's around the next corner.
Here, Jeremy has collected ten twisted tales for our enjoyment. Each one more demented than the last. Not all of them hit the mark for me, but enough do to make Monstrosities worth your time.
I particularly liked, "The Little Glass Soul," the story of Ash, her stepmother and stepsisters. A rather perverse retelling of the children's classic "Cinderella," and both "Clown Hands" and "Googly" were both out and out creepy.
Another good entry from this collection is "Cold." From that story... "Here's Shark, pointing his 22-caliber phone gun at the dead-eyed department store mannequin, and here I am, trapped in a chair made of ice, held down with rope that isn't there."
I would say, if Bizzarro Fiction is your passion, Jerremy C. Shipp is your man. If you're not sure if it's your thing and feeling adventurous, take a chance on Monstrosities. If your still not sure this is up your alley read a few of the author's shorts for free at the author's website http://jeremycshipp.wordpress.com/fre... If this definitely isn't for you, then steer clear. Thus, the 4 of 5 stars. Recommended for mature readers.
Monstrosities is available now for the Kindle at Amazon.com.
April 26, 2015
Jeremy C. Shipp takes readers on a dark adventure in his playfully twisted imagination.
Monstrosities is a short story collection of ten stories: Figs, The Tunnel, Almost Paradise, Worms, The Little Glass Soul, Clown Hands, Cold, Flesh and Blood, Buried, and Googly.
Figs: A man is haunted by someone from his past.
The Tunnel: A man goes on a “trippy” voyage through a tunnel.
Almost Paradise: Halloween means different things to different people. To some, it’s the freedom to let their darkness out.
Worms: Sometimes, no matter how comfortable someone tries to make one feel, it’s not as good as the real thing.
The Little Glass Soul: Fairytales are usually a happily-ever-after affair, but not this time.
Clown Hands: A man’s body turns against him with other personalities and there’s nothing he can do about it.
Cold: An intense re-enactment turns into revenge.
Flesh and Blood: Sometimes flesh and blood are the price you have to pay for something you want.
Buried: A misguided man tries to rid the world of those he believes are soiling humanity with their existence.
Googly: A young man goes through his parents’ right of passage to survive.
This is the first I’ve sampled Jeremy C. Shipp’s writing; he is insanely imaginative, literally! The stories in this collect are bizarre and unique – I don’t you’ll find anything like them somewhere else. The collection is well written. The only thing I didn’t really care for was that some of the endings were a bit too vague.
Monstrosities is a short story collection of ten stories: Figs, The Tunnel, Almost Paradise, Worms, The Little Glass Soul, Clown Hands, Cold, Flesh and Blood, Buried, and Googly.
Figs: A man is haunted by someone from his past.
The Tunnel: A man goes on a “trippy” voyage through a tunnel.
Almost Paradise: Halloween means different things to different people. To some, it’s the freedom to let their darkness out.
Worms: Sometimes, no matter how comfortable someone tries to make one feel, it’s not as good as the real thing.
The Little Glass Soul: Fairytales are usually a happily-ever-after affair, but not this time.
Clown Hands: A man’s body turns against him with other personalities and there’s nothing he can do about it.
Cold: An intense re-enactment turns into revenge.
Flesh and Blood: Sometimes flesh and blood are the price you have to pay for something you want.
Buried: A misguided man tries to rid the world of those he believes are soiling humanity with their existence.
Googly: A young man goes through his parents’ right of passage to survive.
This is the first I’ve sampled Jeremy C. Shipp’s writing; he is insanely imaginative, literally! The stories in this collect are bizarre and unique – I don’t you’ll find anything like them somewhere else. The collection is well written. The only thing I didn’t really care for was that some of the endings were a bit too vague.
October 25, 2013
Here we have another collection of bizarre tales from one of the most talented writers not of his generation, but in the history of offbeat literature. I wouldn’t classify these tales as horror, comedy or Bizarro. They have those elements, but if I had to pick a genre I would call them fables. At his best, Shipp’s talent for crafting metaphor and surreality into engrossing experiences reminds me a good bit of Franz Kafka. Yes, Kafka is the chicken that everyone refers to when describing unusual literature, but I mean it literally. At worst, these stories are cute, twisted and original. You can’t go wrong with this or any other Jeremy Shipp book.
March 13, 2016
Admittedly, most of these stories were a bit too close to the "bizarro" genre for me. I fully understand that Mr. Shipp intended this and that it's simply his style, but it's not my taste. A few of the stories were still pretty cool, but some of it was simply too far out there for me and seemed based more on shock value than anything else. Being different and thinking outside of the box is fine and generally perceived as a good thing in the writing industry, but there's a point where the tale becomes...well, pointless. Too often does this seem the case. Sorry, Mr. Shipp, your work just isn't for me.
March 19, 2014
Only 3 stars because I feel as though the author was trying too hard to write about the weirdest things he could come up with. Bizarre doesn't always equal creepy/frightening in my humble opinion, and most of the stories here (while well written) were simply "what's the strangest thing I can come up with" sorts.
August 28, 2014
MONSTROSITIES was my first real taste of bizarre fiction, and while it left me feeling like my head had been thrown into a tornado, I walked away from this collection thoroughly entertained. The writing style is excellent, and nearly every story is exceptional, most of them seeming the literary equivalent of abstract modern art. If you like weird and creepy, you’ll love MONSTROSITIES.
March 19, 2017
I loved the Little Glass Soul.
February 12, 2014
Some stories were really good, some meh. Definitely interested in this writer.
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