Something's Wrong With Max

by William Becker

MAN'S BEST FRIEND. Max, the family dog, is sick, really sick, and it's not just old age. When Max develops an illness beyond earthly comprehension, a rural American family realizes that sometimes, it's best to put pets out of their misery.

ebook

Published February 4, 2024

About the author

Adopted from Saint Petersburg, Russia, William Becker was raised in the Appalachian Mountains. He’s been writing moody, uncomfortable fiction since he was twelve years old. First as a horror author obsessed with surrealism and allegories, he has developed into an avid proponent of unconventional narrative voices, ergodic storytelling, and experimental typography blended into an accessible package, as is the case with A MAN BORN BLIND and WHEN BAD DOGS DO GOOD THINGS.

Reviews

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rather unique and quite different short horror tale that successfully manages to mix a believable reality with elements of pure fantasy and gore-filled horror.

Max, the old family dog has been feeling his age whilst also appearing to suffer from some highly unusual bodily ailments. As his poor health escalates, a visit to the local vets becomes essential before matters deteriorate even further. Can the family help Max make a recovery of sorts before it all just becomes too late?

Engaging from start to finish, but would have welcomed a much longer version of events with greater emphasis and detail given to Max’s little visitors including such matters as their origin, development and future advancement.

A fun, speedy read which is most definitely worth a quick visit.

Rating: 3.8 K9 bright stars from the great unknown.

[Emerson Dunham · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title is how the story sounds. Something IS wrong with Max. However, you don't think much of it at first. Perhaps a small sickness of a family dog... you are told otherwise immediately.

Becker creates a grotesque, spine-tingling image in your head that you can't help but physically feel shaken by. Felt as though worms were entangling themselves in my throat. A talent I find hard to come by. It's truly a tale for those wanting just a 'bit' of discomfort. A 'bit' of darkness. A 'bit' (said loosely) of gore.

Another wonderfully dark read from William Becker.

[Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

William Becker is a literary genius! His writing style is so engaging; he leaves you anticipating each next sentence. Something's Wrong With Max is an engrossing short story about a boy and a his very unwell dog. Becker's prose fills the atmosphere with unease and anxiety in a manner that engrosses you into the world of the story. You do not want to miss this nail biting read!

[Kody Kallert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something's wrong with max....well that's an understatement! This book makes you feel ill for the most part. I felt so bad for the family! Especially the dad! He was in such denial. Whatever Max turned into was way worse than I was expecting. You'll speed read this book because you will be begging to know....what's wrong with Max???

[Dawn Colclasure · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a dog lover, this story was hard to read. I really felt for Max. If only dogs could talk so that they can tell us what exactly is wrong! Even though I felt bad for the suffering Max was going through, I really enjoyed reading this story. If you ever survived watching that dog scene in The Thing, give this one a read.

[C Lenz · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s Something Wrong Max is disgusting in all the right ways. This story builds a sense of dread and anticipation before paying off in a satisfyingly gross conclusion. I was eating lunch when I started reading before I realized that was probably a bad idea and had put my food away so I could finish.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting off as some sort of coming of age story of grief for a young boy quickly turns horrific and gruesome. A short story worth reading that will remind you of early Stephen King and some even Lovecraft.

[Z. Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a super quick read that will be traumatizing for anyone that makes the mistake of eating lunch during it. Becker paints a picture with words about a family dog that has a bit of an issue going on.

[Bellows reads quietly · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me this was about the Dad. A Dad that just sorts things. A Dad that gets things done and never discusses things. A Dad that knows things, why things are happening but won’t say a thing.

Short, horrific and effective.

Go hug your Dog or animal of choice.

[Silas Ayers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A particularly gory and disturbing story about a young boy and his beloved childhood dog. It’s very well written, just be warned it can get a little gross at times if you get triggered by that.

[Cassie Franklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love gore this is the book for you.