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Goners
From the author of The Ghost Toucher. Meet Murray, a man whose superstition is about to ruin his dream business, Terence, a loner in a post-apocalyptic city on the eve of the end of man, an employee who realizes the office place is being run by idiots of a most dangerous variety, a magician whose trade is about to become surreal, and a couple who are about to get serious on a cross-state car ride.
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First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 8, 2010
GONERS is a short, short story collection by a Mr. Gerald Rice; a quintet of macabre tales that serve to highlight a talented voice in the horror genre—a voice that should be heard.
The book opens with First Customer, and our hero Murray opening his new outdoorsman shop with unexpected results. Rampaging zombies come next in Goner, a story that really kicks into high gear with a fast-paced prose. While You Work has you thinking until the delicious revelation in its conclusion, and Mr. Cumberland’s Last Magic Show has an interesting premise. Things You Never Say ends this collection in just the right way—it makes you think, it makes you want to read that particular story again.
Now, while the opening story lacked the punch I would have liked to drag me into the rest of Rice’s offerings, its subtle brutality was enough to keep me reading. And Goner, the second story, is by far the best of this intelligent batch of tales. The longest of them all, it’s at times a brutal story but one with a heart; its protagonist is a man you should be rooting for from the beginning. Of the other three tales, Mr. Cumberland’s Last Magic Show left too much to be explained in my opinion, but that could just be me. The story was a good one, but it didn’t feel as if it delivered as much as it could.
That said this is a very good collection of stories by Mr. Rice, albeit a collection that is half the size it really should be. Gerald Rice no doubt has plenty of other stories that could be showcased, and a larger volume of work would be well worth reading. However, make an effort to browse this collection . . . it might not be everything you want in a short collection of stories, but you won’t be disappointed with the overall content. Believe me.
The book opens with First Customer, and our hero Murray opening his new outdoorsman shop with unexpected results. Rampaging zombies come next in Goner, a story that really kicks into high gear with a fast-paced prose. While You Work has you thinking until the delicious revelation in its conclusion, and Mr. Cumberland’s Last Magic Show has an interesting premise. Things You Never Say ends this collection in just the right way—it makes you think, it makes you want to read that particular story again.
Now, while the opening story lacked the punch I would have liked to drag me into the rest of Rice’s offerings, its subtle brutality was enough to keep me reading. And Goner, the second story, is by far the best of this intelligent batch of tales. The longest of them all, it’s at times a brutal story but one with a heart; its protagonist is a man you should be rooting for from the beginning. Of the other three tales, Mr. Cumberland’s Last Magic Show left too much to be explained in my opinion, but that could just be me. The story was a good one, but it didn’t feel as if it delivered as much as it could.
That said this is a very good collection of stories by Mr. Rice, albeit a collection that is half the size it really should be. Gerald Rice no doubt has plenty of other stories that could be showcased, and a larger volume of work would be well worth reading. However, make an effort to browse this collection . . . it might not be everything you want in a short collection of stories, but you won’t be disappointed with the overall content. Believe me.
November 12, 2010
Once you begin reading, you won’t stop until you reach the end. Mr. Rice has created a collection of short horror stories in Goners that has made me a fan of his. Each story was engaging, suspenseful and thrilling. I was drawn into this world of zombies, freak happenings, mad scientists and demented magicians, and although, some moments had me nervously nibbling at my nails and looking over my shoulder for the unknown, I enjoyed every bit of it.
Well done, Mr. Rice. I’m anxious to see what you come up with next.
Well done, Mr. Rice. I’m anxious to see what you come up with next.
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December 24, 2014If you like horror short story collections that leave you wanting more from the author, then this book is for you.
Gerald Rice has crafted 5 short horror stories in this one volume, which I found to be very well crafted. I read it in one sitting, which is rare for me, so that should give you some indication about how good the writing is.
The first story is "First Customer", and Rice builds a sense of urgency mixed with dread, leading up to a surprising ending. Murray has achieved his dream of opening an outdoorsmans store and is all set for a first day of business. We end up going somewhere I didn't expect and it sure wasn't where I thought we were headed. I like that in a story and Rice didn't telegraph his conclusion.
The second story, "Goner", is a zombie tale that was completely compelling. Written from the main character's point of view, we're along for the ride through a zombie-infested landscape. We get to see how Terence handles extermination and elimination of said zombies. There are some close calls and a satisfying ending. I won't forget the stuffed penguin for a while.
"While You Work" is a gruesome excursion into the workplace, giving new meaning to "us" and "them". My nose kept twitching after I read it. You'll find out why.
"Mister Cumberland's Last Magic Show" was my favorite, even over the zombie tale.
Floyd Cumberland is a stage magician unlike any other you've run into and I really wanted more. The enigmatic Malf, Mr. Cumberland's assistant turns into something quite a bit more by the story's end, and the story as a whole gives new meaning to "what you see might be what you get."
This story is crying out to be made into a full-fledged book, in my opinion.
The last of the five, "Things You Never Say" has us along for a road trip with a couple who may or may not be getting along as well as they should. They come upon an accident and the tone of the story shifts somewhat.
It makes you think twice about being short with the ones you claim to love and care for.
Gerald Rice has a great writing style. The stories move well, there are some terrific turns of phrase and they read quickly without bogging down. Short stories are short for a reason and need to establish mood and setting fairly quickly to promote the action and Rice succeeds at juggling all these particular balls at one time.
He sites Stephen King and Al Sarrantonio as influences and I can see that quite plainly, though Rice has honed his own voice in these 5 stories.
Rice has written some full novels as well as Goners, and there is a second Goners volume as well. I look forward to reading more of Rice's work in the future, and that's a great thing to say about an author just starting out.
Gerald Rice has crafted 5 short horror stories in this one volume, which I found to be very well crafted. I read it in one sitting, which is rare for me, so that should give you some indication about how good the writing is.
The first story is "First Customer", and Rice builds a sense of urgency mixed with dread, leading up to a surprising ending. Murray has achieved his dream of opening an outdoorsmans store and is all set for a first day of business. We end up going somewhere I didn't expect and it sure wasn't where I thought we were headed. I like that in a story and Rice didn't telegraph his conclusion.
The second story, "Goner", is a zombie tale that was completely compelling. Written from the main character's point of view, we're along for the ride through a zombie-infested landscape. We get to see how Terence handles extermination and elimination of said zombies. There are some close calls and a satisfying ending. I won't forget the stuffed penguin for a while.
"While You Work" is a gruesome excursion into the workplace, giving new meaning to "us" and "them". My nose kept twitching after I read it. You'll find out why.
"Mister Cumberland's Last Magic Show" was my favorite, even over the zombie tale.
Floyd Cumberland is a stage magician unlike any other you've run into and I really wanted more. The enigmatic Malf, Mr. Cumberland's assistant turns into something quite a bit more by the story's end, and the story as a whole gives new meaning to "what you see might be what you get."
This story is crying out to be made into a full-fledged book, in my opinion.
The last of the five, "Things You Never Say" has us along for a road trip with a couple who may or may not be getting along as well as they should. They come upon an accident and the tone of the story shifts somewhat.
It makes you think twice about being short with the ones you claim to love and care for.
Gerald Rice has a great writing style. The stories move well, there are some terrific turns of phrase and they read quickly without bogging down. Short stories are short for a reason and need to establish mood and setting fairly quickly to promote the action and Rice succeeds at juggling all these particular balls at one time.
He sites Stephen King and Al Sarrantonio as influences and I can see that quite plainly, though Rice has honed his own voice in these 5 stories.
Rice has written some full novels as well as Goners, and there is a second Goners volume as well. I look forward to reading more of Rice's work in the future, and that's a great thing to say about an author just starting out.
July 15, 2012
"While you work" scared the hell out of me!
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