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Words Made of Flesh
New Bedford, 1899
Harrison Quire has a problem. Haunted by memories of his lover, he's only lingered on the periphery of a life. When he visits the Whisperers' Club to hear a few horror stories, he never expects he'll become one.
Late one winter night, Harrison hears old George Burgess tell his tale of an unusual book. The book, Burgess explains, is made of flesh. It is alive. And so hungry. Harrison is soon enthralled by the story, but will he be consumed by it?
Words Made of Flesh is the latest novella from Shirley Jackson Award-winning author R. A. Busby.
Harrison Quire has a problem. Haunted by memories of his lover, he's only lingered on the periphery of a life. When he visits the Whisperers' Club to hear a few horror stories, he never expects he'll become one.
Late one winter night, Harrison hears old George Burgess tell his tale of an unusual book. The book, Burgess explains, is made of flesh. It is alive. And so hungry. Harrison is soon enthralled by the story, but will he be consumed by it?
Words Made of Flesh is the latest novella from Shirley Jackson Award-winning author R. A. Busby.
137 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 11, 2024
2 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
R.A. Busby
15 books28 followersWinner of the 2020 Shirley Jackson Award for Short Fiction for her story "Not the Man I Married" (Black Petals, Issue #93), R.A. Busby has published a number of stories, including "Bits" (Demain Publishing), "Holes" (Kandisha Press), "Cactusland" (34 Orchard) and others. Check out Creepy Podcast for "A Short Happy Life" and Pseudopod Episode 809, "A Pearl Red as Sin." When she's not writing, R.A. Busby is probably out in the wilderness somewhere.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 23, 2024
Thanks to Cemetery Gates Media for a copy to review! This was right up my alley, written like a classic Gothic horror, yet threading in modern social ideals.
I was so impressed with the historical prose in this, written like an MR James or H.G. Wells horror classic full of creeping dread and ominous antiquities, yet featuring prominent queer characters. It was a perfect blend of old and new.
I was so impressed with the historical prose in this, written like an MR James or H.G. Wells horror classic full of creeping dread and ominous antiquities, yet featuring prominent queer characters. It was a perfect blend of old and new.
July 1, 2024
Review originally on JamReads
Words Made of Flesh is a queer horror novella written by R.A. Busby, and published by Cemetery Gates Media. A vivid, slow-burn horror which slowly engulfs the narrative, exploring grief and trauma while gifting us an intriguing premise that is heightened by how it is related, in an excellent example of metanarrative.
We initially follow Harrison Quire, a tormented soul that assists to the meetings at the Whisperer's Club, hoping the stories that are told allow him to forget about his past; that night, the attention is put into George Burgess, talking about a particular book, made of flesh and that attaches itself to its owner's life. Burgess recounts the story of his life and us, the readers, get it through Quire's eyes, a Quire that slowly gets trapped by the story, which starts moving things inside him.
Busby masterfully intertwines both stories, keeping the metanarrative layer, but slowly bringing both to the same spotlight, with a dash of cosmic horror that is subtle at the start, unleashing it progressively. Burgess' tale progressively deepens into the Quire's life, blending itself with the horrors our main character has experienced; the impact of one into the other leads towards the surprising ending.
In comparison with other horror novellas, we could say this one is paced as a slow-burn, scattering some hints alongside the way that in, retrospective, could be read as a preparation towards the ending. With its length in mind, Busby manages to pack an impressive amount of worldbuilding, and even takes the opportunity to explore a taboo theme in the Victorian Times such as queerness.
Words Made of Flesh is an excellent queer horror novella, perfect for those looking for a unique kind of cosmic horror, masterfully written; part of the enjoyment is the experience, and let me tell you, it won't dissapoint you!
Words Made of Flesh is a queer horror novella written by R.A. Busby, and published by Cemetery Gates Media. A vivid, slow-burn horror which slowly engulfs the narrative, exploring grief and trauma while gifting us an intriguing premise that is heightened by how it is related, in an excellent example of metanarrative.
We initially follow Harrison Quire, a tormented soul that assists to the meetings at the Whisperer's Club, hoping the stories that are told allow him to forget about his past; that night, the attention is put into George Burgess, talking about a particular book, made of flesh and that attaches itself to its owner's life. Burgess recounts the story of his life and us, the readers, get it through Quire's eyes, a Quire that slowly gets trapped by the story, which starts moving things inside him.
Busby masterfully intertwines both stories, keeping the metanarrative layer, but slowly bringing both to the same spotlight, with a dash of cosmic horror that is subtle at the start, unleashing it progressively. Burgess' tale progressively deepens into the Quire's life, blending itself with the horrors our main character has experienced; the impact of one into the other leads towards the surprising ending.
In comparison with other horror novellas, we could say this one is paced as a slow-burn, scattering some hints alongside the way that in, retrospective, could be read as a preparation towards the ending. With its length in mind, Busby manages to pack an impressive amount of worldbuilding, and even takes the opportunity to explore a taboo theme in the Victorian Times such as queerness.
Words Made of Flesh is an excellent queer horror novella, perfect for those looking for a unique kind of cosmic horror, masterfully written; part of the enjoyment is the experience, and let me tell you, it won't dissapoint you!
July 11, 2024
“Can you be haunted by a book?”
I will be. This book just feels so authentic. The story takes place in 1899 and once you start reading it, you are there, in the Whispers Club, listening to old man Burgess tell his shocking tale.
I could not sit down while reading the first half of this book. I was dumbfounded, constantly caught off guard, putting the book down and pacing while I absorbed what I just read. I didn’t want it to end. Feelings like this are why I read.
I was captivated, listening to Burgess talk about this Collector. I felt like he was is leading me on, making me fight for every scrap of info that I so desperately wanted.
I was reminded of Stephen King’s short story The Breathing Method and imagined that this could be one of those tales told on Christmas Eve in The Club with Stevens presiding over the library.
The book turns cosmic and almost philosophical, wandering into the supernatural. At one part I busted out laughing when the books H. Peipper’s Curious Tentacled Creatures of the Deep Sea-Trenches as well as Dr. Johannes Langhan’s Famous Fishing Lures and Lores of the Catskills was found in the library.
So come to the Whisper Club, take off your coat and warm yourself by the fire. Become part of the story with me.
I will be. This book just feels so authentic. The story takes place in 1899 and once you start reading it, you are there, in the Whispers Club, listening to old man Burgess tell his shocking tale.
I could not sit down while reading the first half of this book. I was dumbfounded, constantly caught off guard, putting the book down and pacing while I absorbed what I just read. I didn’t want it to end. Feelings like this are why I read.
I was captivated, listening to Burgess talk about this Collector. I felt like he was is leading me on, making me fight for every scrap of info that I so desperately wanted.
I was reminded of Stephen King’s short story The Breathing Method and imagined that this could be one of those tales told on Christmas Eve in The Club with Stevens presiding over the library.
The book turns cosmic and almost philosophical, wandering into the supernatural. At one part I busted out laughing when the books H. Peipper’s Curious Tentacled Creatures of the Deep Sea-Trenches as well as Dr. Johannes Langhan’s Famous Fishing Lures and Lores of the Catskills was found in the library.
So come to the Whisper Club, take off your coat and warm yourself by the fire. Become part of the story with me.
July 22, 2024
4.5 stars
This author is simply blowing me away. Seriously. How is she this good? This is the third short story/novella I've read and her prose is intensely beautiful, relatable, emotional, and gruesomely graphic.
This is a fantastic story for lovers of gothic horror and books about books. Highly recommend.
This author is simply blowing me away. Seriously. How is she this good? This is the third short story/novella I've read and her prose is intensely beautiful, relatable, emotional, and gruesomely graphic.
This is a fantastic story for lovers of gothic horror and books about books. Highly recommend.
July 11, 2024
Words Made of Flesh by R.A. Busby
Right off the bat, this is probably my favorite novella I've read this year. A period piece and Gothic ghost story with style.I loved the atmosphere established here and Busby's unique approach to this grand idea that I won't spoil.
Harrison is part of the Whispers Club where members tell their scariest stories. This novella is about the story that changed his life...and yours. Harrison is a part of the audience when George, an old man with tons of childhood trauma and an abusive father, tells his haunting tale of a book made of flesh that has bound itself to him ever since a seductive encounter with a mysterious entity.
"I had embraced the Abyss. Beyond that, there was nothing. It was cold. It was black. And there were no stars."
There is so much flavor packed in this novel. The tantalizing excitement of the forbidden, the occult, knowledge, lust and tragic love culminating with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. All this is told in a conversation between our two leads by a dying fire. Bravo!
PAGE 73 OMG. I don't think I will read a better line of dialogue this year. I had to put the book down and compose myself. George's father is one bad son of a bitch and he chewed up every scene he was in. This novella has my highest recommendation.
@r.a.busby
Right off the bat, this is probably my favorite novella I've read this year. A period piece and Gothic ghost story with style.I loved the atmosphere established here and Busby's unique approach to this grand idea that I won't spoil.
Harrison is part of the Whispers Club where members tell their scariest stories. This novella is about the story that changed his life...and yours. Harrison is a part of the audience when George, an old man with tons of childhood trauma and an abusive father, tells his haunting tale of a book made of flesh that has bound itself to him ever since a seductive encounter with a mysterious entity.
"I had embraced the Abyss. Beyond that, there was nothing. It was cold. It was black. And there were no stars."
There is so much flavor packed in this novel. The tantalizing excitement of the forbidden, the occult, knowledge, lust and tragic love culminating with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. All this is told in a conversation between our two leads by a dying fire. Bravo!
PAGE 73 OMG. I don't think I will read a better line of dialogue this year. I had to put the book down and compose myself. George's father is one bad son of a bitch and he chewed up every scene he was in. This novella has my highest recommendation.
@r.a.busby
June 19, 2024
This was a beautifully written work of literary horror!! ❤️ A bit of a slow burn, but I found myself more and more invested in Burgess’ story as it progressed! 👀 Definitely a thought-provoking read and I highly recommend it!!! 👏
And the cover? Gorgeous!!! One of my favorites for sure!!! 😍
Thank you to Cemetery Gates Media and R.A. Busby for the opportunity to read the physical ARC in exchange for my honest review!! I definitely need to check out more of this author’s work! ❤️
And the cover? Gorgeous!!! One of my favorites for sure!!! 😍
Thank you to Cemetery Gates Media and R.A. Busby for the opportunity to read the physical ARC in exchange for my honest review!! I definitely need to check out more of this author’s work! ❤️
May 14, 2024
QOTD: what's your favourite queer horror book?
READ MY FULL REVIEW: https://fanfiaddict.com/review-words-...
"“Words Made Of Flesh,” by R.A Busby is a queer, Victorian horror novella, that tenderly whispers it's eerie secrets to readers. A tantalising mix of a meta narrative, with Busby’s own brand of cosmic horror... yeahhhhh, suffice to say it’s deeply unsettling. Having read and enjoyed both “Bits,” and “Corporate Body,” by this author, I can confirm that she is consistently poignant and compulsively readable… what’s more, with every release Busby just gets better. Cemetery Gates Media, who are absolutely killing it at the moment, release this bad boy on July 11th. This is a novella you will want to devour. "
Not to toot my own horn, but I feel there's some pretty interesting analysis here, particularly in relation to the LGBTQIA+ aspect of the novel (Jekyll and Hyde walked so that this could run). I'd love if you gave it a read and let me know your thoughts! If there's anything similar out there, I NEED to know.
READ MY FULL REVIEW: https://fanfiaddict.com/review-words-...
"“Words Made Of Flesh,” by R.A Busby is a queer, Victorian horror novella, that tenderly whispers it's eerie secrets to readers. A tantalising mix of a meta narrative, with Busby’s own brand of cosmic horror... yeahhhhh, suffice to say it’s deeply unsettling. Having read and enjoyed both “Bits,” and “Corporate Body,” by this author, I can confirm that she is consistently poignant and compulsively readable… what’s more, with every release Busby just gets better. Cemetery Gates Media, who are absolutely killing it at the moment, release this bad boy on July 11th. This is a novella you will want to devour. "
Not to toot my own horn, but I feel there's some pretty interesting analysis here, particularly in relation to the LGBTQIA+ aspect of the novel (Jekyll and Hyde walked so that this could run). I'd love if you gave it a read and let me know your thoughts! If there's anything similar out there, I NEED to know.
May 21, 2024
The story sucked me right in! There is excellent character development for such a short book. If you like your horror reminiscent of Poe with a splash of Lovecraft, this is for you!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews