What do you think?
Rate this book
Brute: Stories of Dark Desire, Masculinity, & Rough Trade
What happens when we go looking for trouble? Delights or dismay? Many horror stories and films, as do plenty of hook-ups, begin with this premise. When you can't sleep and begin browsing Grindr or Scruff, why not invite the guy without a face pic who has been taunting you to come over? Dancing at the club? The fierce-looking man gesturing with a shake of his head to the back alley door seems promising. How about picking up a hitchhiker late at night on a lonely road? The allure of trouble is the forbidden fruit at the finale and the pleasure of abandoning good judgment for this win. And one of the more enticing pursuits for us sodomites is rough trade, those men, young and old, who could answer one wrong move on your part with violence. The stories in Brute are a collection of some things old, some things new, somethings scary, and somethings to leave you black and blue.
254 pages, Paperback
Published September 24, 2023
13 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 7, 2024
'Brute' is an anthology of dark fiction, containing nineteen top quality stories from top names (Joel Lane, Steve Berman, Nick Mamatas) along with some new brilliant ones (Elton Skelter, Robin Robinson). Most stories stick to the premise of the anthology, some are focused too much on dark fantasy or weighted down by detailed sexual fantasies, others are chock full of devilish humor and bander wit; none disappoints, however. There's a lot of instensity, even when the writing seems gentle (Joel Lane) or cheesy (Mamatas). There's a trio of stories I enjoyed and would unreservedly recommend: "The Boy Who Went Forth to Learn What Fear Was" by L.C. von Hessen, "Dick Pig" by Ian Muneshwar and Elton Skelter's "I'll Make A Man of You Yet."
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 12, 2024
This anthology is fascinating and horrifying. It's dark yet sensual, full of compelling characters and intriguing stories.
February 19, 2024
Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC. This was an experimental request and sadly not one that paid off for me - while there were some bits I liked, there are also things I wish I had never read, and if I could go back to a time when I had not, I would!
Rituals: A strange start; I'm not entirely sure what the plot or purpose was here. 1.5/5
The Window Inside: I thought this was boring, and I didn’t understand the action being just one sentence - so rushed! I did like the sense of characterisation at the beginning though. 2/5
Dark, Firm, and Dry: Loved the very casual trans rep in this - but oh my goodness, the story! Ew! 4/5
In the Mouth: This was gross! I cannot stand poor dental hygiene and it was grim to read. I didn't care for what little story there was either. 1/5
Swallow: This was another one that I didn't really like - it wasn't really sexy or scary or whatever else it was trying to be. 1/5
Stormed and Taken in Prague: Sheeeeeeeesh. This was a bit graphic and quite unpleasant, and I didn't get the ending. 1/5
I'll Make a Man of You Yet: Wow, this was a reimagining like no other! I don't think I'll ever tire of this story being retold in so many different ways, and this one was decent. 4.5/5
Dick Pig: ...I really don't know what the point of this was. I was so intrigued by the story and then it just ended with no clarity or resolution! I enjoyed it until then. 3.5/5
Common Whipping: What is with these stories having a sudden nothingness ending?! This was a bit rough to read, but well-written, and I liked it... until the end when it just stopped! 3.5/5
The Boy Who Went Forth to Learn What Fear Was: There were two storylines in this and I think they were meant to link, but I didn't really clock how. I liked the writing. 3.5/5
Askesis: This story intrigued me but I didn't feel like it went anywhere, or even really started anywhere. The writing was good but I felt it lacked purpose. 2.5/5
Desire and the Black Masseur: The writing here was stunning: compelling and beautiful to read. The story was odd, but I did enjoy reading it. 3.75/5
Cosi Fan Tutte: I'm starting to get the impression that plot really isn't the point of these stories. Again, the writing was good and easy to read. It was very introspective. 3.5/5
Against the Grain: This started off quite intriguing, but got increasingly unpleasant as it went on. 1.75/5
Suitcase Sam: There is nothing to say other than WHAT THE F. 0/5
Needle: This was violent and not very enjoyable. 1/5
Last Night at Manscape: I don't know what this was at all. 1/5
Dance, Macabre: I quite enjoyed the vibes here. 3/5
A Devilment: A good story to end on. I liked the setting and the plot. 4/5
Rituals: A strange start; I'm not entirely sure what the plot or purpose was here. 1.5/5
The Window Inside: I thought this was boring, and I didn’t understand the action being just one sentence - so rushed! I did like the sense of characterisation at the beginning though. 2/5
Dark, Firm, and Dry: Loved the very casual trans rep in this - but oh my goodness, the story! Ew! 4/5
In the Mouth: This was gross! I cannot stand poor dental hygiene and it was grim to read. I didn't care for what little story there was either. 1/5
Swallow: This was another one that I didn't really like - it wasn't really sexy or scary or whatever else it was trying to be. 1/5
Stormed and Taken in Prague: Sheeeeeeeesh. This was a bit graphic and quite unpleasant, and I didn't get the ending. 1/5
I'll Make a Man of You Yet: Wow, this was a reimagining like no other! I don't think I'll ever tire of this story being retold in so many different ways, and this one was decent. 4.5/5
Dick Pig: ...I really don't know what the point of this was. I was so intrigued by the story and then it just ended with no clarity or resolution! I enjoyed it until then. 3.5/5
Common Whipping: What is with these stories having a sudden nothingness ending?! This was a bit rough to read, but well-written, and I liked it... until the end when it just stopped! 3.5/5
The Boy Who Went Forth to Learn What Fear Was: There were two storylines in this and I think they were meant to link, but I didn't really clock how. I liked the writing. 3.5/5
Askesis: This story intrigued me but I didn't feel like it went anywhere, or even really started anywhere. The writing was good but I felt it lacked purpose. 2.5/5
Desire and the Black Masseur: The writing here was stunning: compelling and beautiful to read. The story was odd, but I did enjoy reading it. 3.75/5
Cosi Fan Tutte: I'm starting to get the impression that plot really isn't the point of these stories. Again, the writing was good and easy to read. It was very introspective. 3.5/5
Against the Grain: This started off quite intriguing, but got increasingly unpleasant as it went on. 1.75/5
Suitcase Sam: There is nothing to say other than WHAT THE F. 0/5
Needle: This was violent and not very enjoyable. 1/5
Last Night at Manscape: I don't know what this was at all. 1/5
Dance, Macabre: I quite enjoyed the vibes here. 3/5
A Devilment: A good story to end on. I liked the setting and the plot. 4/5
January 7, 2024
Full of dirty devils, horror, and humor, great stuff. I was especially captivated by the story-within-a-story aspect of "The Boy Who Went Forth to Learn What Fear Was" by L.C. von Hessen — the grisly huntsman fantasy sections were my favorite part.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews