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Control
Leon Weissmann is an introverted loner with no control over his life. His only joy is the menagerie of insects, spiders, and scorpions he tends to in his garage. When he acquires an illegally poached rainforest spider, he unknowingly contracts a rare strain of fungus that enables him to control people, to make them do anything he wants. As his power grows, Leon begins to abuse it until there are bodies in his wake and a coterie of brainwashed disciples under his influence. But soon Leon suspects that the thing growing inside his head may be the one with the power…
It wants to come out. To reproduce. It wants to control everyone.
It wants to come out. To reproduce. It wants to control everyone.
- GenresHorror
206 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2012
3 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Ed Kurtz
56 books145 followersEd Kurtz is the author of THE RIB FROM WHICH I REMAKE THE WORLD and other novels. His short fiction has appeared in numerous collections, and has been honored in Best American Mystery Stories as well as Best Gay Stories. Kurtz lives in Minneapolis.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 18, 2013
Deliciously creepy!
Control is the latest by Ed Kurtz in the horror genre. The story concept is interesting enough that I was driven to Google some of the plot points to see if they were true! At any rate for once I didn't mind suspending belief for this one because it was so well written. As I read through the story I was reminded over and over of a much (much, much) edgier version of earlier Stephen King. Not only is there some sex, but quite a few stomach turning gross outs so I would warn the faint of heart, but at the same time I'm sure this will make it appeal to younger audiences (decidedly not under 18 though). The characters, like Leon, the protagonist (at least for a while) are well drawn, if not exactly likeable.
I enjoyed the book a lot and if I have any criticism, which prevent me from giving it five stars, is some overly long paragraph lengths (a few of them filled an entire page on my Kindle creating an almost impenetrable block of solid text—a little daunting for any reader. That's one paragraph taking an entire page!). And I kind of wished the author would maybe expand the beginning and draw out the insect aspect of the story a little more, while at the same time I could have done with a lot less of the juvenile antics in the third quarter. But those are creative decisions. At least the novel was refreshingly free of any typos so someone actually edited the book!
All in all a great story. I read it in only a few days without fatigue and as a result I will seek out Kurtz's other works.
Control is the latest by Ed Kurtz in the horror genre. The story concept is interesting enough that I was driven to Google some of the plot points to see if they were true! At any rate for once I didn't mind suspending belief for this one because it was so well written. As I read through the story I was reminded over and over of a much (much, much) edgier version of earlier Stephen King. Not only is there some sex, but quite a few stomach turning gross outs so I would warn the faint of heart, but at the same time I'm sure this will make it appeal to younger audiences (decidedly not under 18 though). The characters, like Leon, the protagonist (at least for a while) are well drawn, if not exactly likeable.
I enjoyed the book a lot and if I have any criticism, which prevent me from giving it five stars, is some overly long paragraph lengths (a few of them filled an entire page on my Kindle creating an almost impenetrable block of solid text—a little daunting for any reader. That's one paragraph taking an entire page!). And I kind of wished the author would maybe expand the beginning and draw out the insect aspect of the story a little more, while at the same time I could have done with a lot less of the juvenile antics in the third quarter. But those are creative decisions. At least the novel was refreshingly free of any typos so someone actually edited the book!
All in all a great story. I read it in only a few days without fatigue and as a result I will seek out Kurtz's other works.
Want to read
July 1, 2015This is copy 10 of 80 signed numbered copies.
July 2, 2019
The story is absolutely ridiculous. The author doesn't know what to do with the superpower he gives to his character. The initial idea is not bad, but it is really badly exploited. The characters are grotesque caricatures.
November 1, 2015
Ed Kurtz is a very versatile author, at home in various genres -- but he does horror remarkably well. I loved the central concept here, and the character development is also outstanding. Nicely done.
November 18, 2019
Reading Control by Ed Kurtz is kind of like going down a staircase where each landing features a new level of discomfort - the good kind, the kind you read horror fiction for. Each time you think "surely the next one will be the bottom and it'll level out" but it doesn't, it just keeps going, landing after landing.
After some tantalizing scenes of bugs and fungus that make it clear where the upcoming strangeness is going to be coming from, Control starts with the every day misery of Leon and all his powerlessness, projections, and bitterness. Leon is well written, constantly shifting between illiciting sympathy or distaste in the early portion of the novel. An encounter with an infected spider leave him with vividly described, monstrous headaches and also the ability to control people's actions.
The things Leon chooses to do with his new power increase in depravity as he moves on from controlling his equally miserable, bitter father to others. As he moves further in thrall to the fungus, he claims more and more victims.
There's almost a sense of relief when finally, everything has gone to hell in a way there's no coming back from. The fungus emerges as the only remaining force, even as it gains control lacking agency in light of an overwhelming desire to reproduce.
Which brings me to my only complaint with the book, the absolute ending felt a little bit too Hollywood. Even as Ami, the only kind-hearted character with agency, fights against Leon and the fungus, there was a delicious sinking sense of doom and inevitability. Ami's ups and downs aren't shared by the reader, who knows nothing will go right for humans or humanity from here on out.
After some tantalizing scenes of bugs and fungus that make it clear where the upcoming strangeness is going to be coming from, Control starts with the every day misery of Leon and all his powerlessness, projections, and bitterness. Leon is well written, constantly shifting between illiciting sympathy or distaste in the early portion of the novel. An encounter with an infected spider leave him with vividly described, monstrous headaches and also the ability to control people's actions.
The things Leon chooses to do with his new power increase in depravity as he moves on from controlling his equally miserable, bitter father to others. As he moves further in thrall to the fungus, he claims more and more victims.
There's almost a sense of relief when finally, everything has gone to hell in a way there's no coming back from. The fungus emerges as the only remaining force, even as it gains control lacking agency in light of an overwhelming desire to reproduce.
Which brings me to my only complaint with the book, the absolute ending felt a little bit too Hollywood. Even as Ami, the only kind-hearted character with agency, fights against Leon and the fungus, there was a delicious sinking sense of doom and inevitability. Ami's ups and downs aren't shared by the reader, who knows nothing will go right for humans or humanity from here on out.
October 10, 2023
This story sees the main character, Leon, gain the ability to control people with his mind. The power quickly corrupts him, and his actions increasingly become more destructive to those around him. Ed Kurtz’s strong prose keeps the pace moving quickly and prevents this rather straightforward tale from being predictable. However, I feel that Leon’s lack of vision and imagination held the book back. His simplicity may make him more sympathetic and allow the reader to see him as a victim of what’s happening, but a more creative person would have generated greater shocks and horrors while wielding the power. I did enjoy the novel and would recommend it, I just wish it took the premise a bit further.
October 6, 2024
Leon Wissman doesn’t have a lot going for him. He hates his job, has no friends, and lives at home with his abusive disabled father. The only thing that brings joy to his life is his menagerie of live insects, many of which he has obtained illegally, and one of them has a rare infectious fungus.
This was a great read! Had a fun premise and Kurtz writes a very complex and compelling MC. I wanted to feel bad for him because his life is so horrible, but he is also a complete asshole once the action kicks off.
There were some twists and turns I didn’t see coming that were very enjoyable, but there were also little things I felt got introduced and then left by the wayside.
One of the side plots I felt got left behind was the dog. It seemed Leon just left the injured dog by herself for long periods of time with no food or water. But nothing ever comes of that. Maybe I wasn’t clear on the amount of time between Leon stopping at home.
Even with little nit picks I still thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend to people wanting a unique story about the corrupting power of total control.
This was a great read! Had a fun premise and Kurtz writes a very complex and compelling MC. I wanted to feel bad for him because his life is so horrible, but he is also a complete asshole once the action kicks off.
There were some twists and turns I didn’t see coming that were very enjoyable, but there were also little things I felt got introduced and then left by the wayside.
One of the side plots I felt got left behind was the dog. It seemed Leon just left the injured dog by herself for long periods of time with no food or water. But nothing ever comes of that. Maybe I wasn’t clear on the amount of time between Leon stopping at home.
Even with little nit picks I still thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend to people wanting a unique story about the corrupting power of total control.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews