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Led By Beasts
Led by Beasts is a terrifying collection of short stories and essays paying homage to the most powerful voices in horror from the past 50 Stephen King, Bentley Little, Peter Straub, Clive Barker, and Laird Barron. Featuring the Deadman's Tome Meatgrinder Contest winning story, "Craftsmanship for Food," Clark Roberts draws you near the campfire and spins his dark tales. A boy seeks cosmic revenge on the adults in his life. The darkest of carnivals rolls into the neighborhood. The Devil haunts a man's entire life in a possession story unlike anything you've ever read. A Nazi officer is tormented by time's most cursed seductress. The whole world is truly held in the hands of Gods-and much more. Take his hand and follow the beast into its lair, from where there is no escape. This is the large print edition of Led By Beasts, with a larger font / typeface for easier reading.
- GenresHorror
234 pages, Hardcover
Published July 26, 2021
2 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 17, 2021
If I were a writer, I would pay homage to those authors I have read. The ones I would pick up again, or venture down a new path with, knowing that path would frighten me. Clark Roberts does just that, and in doing so, he reminds me of those favorite writers that have not simply scared me, but have also opened my eye to what lies behind the veil. The veil on this side of our world hides what could possibly lie on the other side. Sometimes what lies over there is not scary at all, but thought provoking, or insightful. That is more than fine with me.
King, Little, Straub, Barker and Barron. They are each here, in spirit. That's because Roberts grew up reading them. From his dad's shelf, eventually to his hands, and then through his hands. Their influence of storytelling have been passed into these fifteen short stories, about three in each section. They range from a tale of the vengeful; to a wildly fantastic story named Costumes that reminds me of Metamorphosis, or a Joe Hill tale (although this one pays homage to Bentley Little); and further still into the maleficent and Gods who control our fate. I have read little of Little, and nothing of Laird Barron, but surprisingly it was these sections which drew me in most. Specifically, it was the last about a possible end to our world. It was dark, yes, but included a tenderness I could not have foreseen.
King, Little, Straub, Barker and Barron. They are each here, in spirit. That's because Roberts grew up reading them. From his dad's shelf, eventually to his hands, and then through his hands. Their influence of storytelling have been passed into these fifteen short stories, about three in each section. They range from a tale of the vengeful; to a wildly fantastic story named Costumes that reminds me of Metamorphosis, or a Joe Hill tale (although this one pays homage to Bentley Little); and further still into the maleficent and Gods who control our fate. I have read little of Little, and nothing of Laird Barron, but surprisingly it was these sections which drew me in most. Specifically, it was the last about a possible end to our world. It was dark, yes, but included a tenderness I could not have foreseen.
November 11, 2021
Really interesting collection! In fact, I wasn't aware it was a collection at all initially, as I went in blind. Roberts frames the book in what I consider to be a unique way: different sections that focus on the work of a renowned horror author who was a big inspiration to him personally, then tells a few short stories that are "in the vein" of that author. He highlights Stephen King, Clive Barker, Bentley Little, and Laird Barron here, and I have to say, hats off to the stories, especially in this framework. Roberts has a unique talent at getting a firm hold of another author's pastiche while letting his own voice shine through the entire way. You'll "feel" the styles of King, Barker, and company as the stories are laid out, but none are a ripoff in anyway. Some very original tales in this one, and while a couple of them weren't for me, most were highly enjoyable and well-written. I look forward to more of this author, and I think anyone looking for a unique collection of shorts with an interesting - if rather short - wraparound story should check this one out. There is something here for everyone in the horror wheelhouse.
May 6, 2020
I'm not a big author by any stretch--barely even known in my own household--but I occasionally have writers send me their novels. Almost always, without doubt, they are terrible. So when this new author, Clark Roberts, sent me his book, I was sadly skeptical to read it. But I was wrong. I don't know Clark Roberts as a person, but I will gladly tell you about him as an author.
Think young Stephen King. That's the closest thing I can compare the short stories in this book to. (And Roberts points to King as one of his influences and inspirations in this book.) When King arrived on the scene, his writing was rougher (in a really good, really pure way) than it is now. He was also hungry, and that hunger came through in his writing; it bled onto every page. Especially in the short stories collected in Night Shift and Skeleton Crew that first appeared in men's magazines and the like in the 1970s. Those writings were raw and gritty and fantastic in every way. Those stories were the stories that really made me want to write myself. Clark Roberts' stories are very reminiscent of those, not just in terms of writing but also in terms of wild imagination unleashed. There are moments in these stories where you think, 'holy crap, I can't believe this story went here!' And even when they are insanely fantastical, Roberts pulls it off with terrific, engaging writing that keeps you hooked from the start.
I'm excited to have discovered Clark Roberts' writing and I look forward to reading a lot more. Indie writing is wildly hit and miss, and a lot of it is pure crap. But it's important to remember that there are some real gems hidden out there. Clark Roberts' LED BY BEASTS is one such gem. Read this book if you like short stories, horror, and/or terrific writing. This book delivers all of those in spades. I fully endorse this book. If you don't like this, you either have horrible taste or you are an idiot. This is easily one of the best books I have read in the past year and I read a lot. It is also one of the best short story collections (it also contains a novella) that I have read in years (and again, I read a lot of short story collections).
Think young Stephen King. That's the closest thing I can compare the short stories in this book to. (And Roberts points to King as one of his influences and inspirations in this book.) When King arrived on the scene, his writing was rougher (in a really good, really pure way) than it is now. He was also hungry, and that hunger came through in his writing; it bled onto every page. Especially in the short stories collected in Night Shift and Skeleton Crew that first appeared in men's magazines and the like in the 1970s. Those writings were raw and gritty and fantastic in every way. Those stories were the stories that really made me want to write myself. Clark Roberts' stories are very reminiscent of those, not just in terms of writing but also in terms of wild imagination unleashed. There are moments in these stories where you think, 'holy crap, I can't believe this story went here!' And even when they are insanely fantastical, Roberts pulls it off with terrific, engaging writing that keeps you hooked from the start.
I'm excited to have discovered Clark Roberts' writing and I look forward to reading a lot more. Indie writing is wildly hit and miss, and a lot of it is pure crap. But it's important to remember that there are some real gems hidden out there. Clark Roberts' LED BY BEASTS is one such gem. Read this book if you like short stories, horror, and/or terrific writing. This book delivers all of those in spades. I fully endorse this book. If you don't like this, you either have horrible taste or you are an idiot. This is easily one of the best books I have read in the past year and I read a lot. It is also one of the best short story collections (it also contains a novella) that I have read in years (and again, I read a lot of short story collections).
November 28, 2021
My review of Led By Beasts by Clark Roberts.
For the most part, I prefer my horror prose as long, drawn-out epics, such as King's IT or The Stand, even Robert McCammon's Swan Song. But every so often, a collection of short stories comes along that grabs my attention and holds it tightly until I relent and finish the book. Led By Beasts by Clark Roberts is one of those books. A truly Magnificant collection of stories compiled and delivered not only to scare you but to make you ponder on many points of your own existence. There is no solid theme, that I noticed, but rather a series of randomly chosen tales that seem to drive home the necessity of karma. A lot of just desserts served up in this collection will have you squirming in your seat in anticipation of the next sordid, horrific tale. In many ways, this collection reminded me of King's Everything's Eventual collection, only penned in Roberts' distinct style.
If you love horror, and if you love stories that test the waters on many different subjects, you will love Clark Roberts' Led By Beasts. It is well worth your time. And for me, aside from how well these stories were told, I enjoyed the introductions to the tales by the author and found them to be informative, his input on how these stories came about, and who or what influenced the telling of each. A solid five-star collection and a promise from me that you will not be disappointed.
P.S. The story of the clowns, the nazi story, and the one with the brothel are my top faves. Dive into this book and see what I mean.
For the most part, I prefer my horror prose as long, drawn-out epics, such as King's IT or The Stand, even Robert McCammon's Swan Song. But every so often, a collection of short stories comes along that grabs my attention and holds it tightly until I relent and finish the book. Led By Beasts by Clark Roberts is one of those books. A truly Magnificant collection of stories compiled and delivered not only to scare you but to make you ponder on many points of your own existence. There is no solid theme, that I noticed, but rather a series of randomly chosen tales that seem to drive home the necessity of karma. A lot of just desserts served up in this collection will have you squirming in your seat in anticipation of the next sordid, horrific tale. In many ways, this collection reminded me of King's Everything's Eventual collection, only penned in Roberts' distinct style.
If you love horror, and if you love stories that test the waters on many different subjects, you will love Clark Roberts' Led By Beasts. It is well worth your time. And for me, aside from how well these stories were told, I enjoyed the introductions to the tales by the author and found them to be informative, his input on how these stories came about, and who or what influenced the telling of each. A solid five-star collection and a promise from me that you will not be disappointed.
P.S. The story of the clowns, the nazi story, and the one with the brothel are my top faves. Dive into this book and see what I mean.
May 27, 2020
I previously read Carny Bob by Clark Roberts and thoroughly enjoyed it. It became the driving forced why I was intrigued to check out this collection of his short stories.
The moment you start reading his stories, you are drawn by the vivid descriptions of the environment. On top of it, he has created interesting character that you find yourself rooting for or against.
A few of my favorite stories from the collection outside Carny Bob are The Witch's Mushroom, A Lifetime of Devilish Haunts, and the Vdova Goddess.
Whether you are an avid fan of the genre or one who reads it every so often, this is a collection you should pick up. Just know you won't be putting it down until you reach the last page.
The moment you start reading his stories, you are drawn by the vivid descriptions of the environment. On top of it, he has created interesting character that you find yourself rooting for or against.
A few of my favorite stories from the collection outside Carny Bob are The Witch's Mushroom, A Lifetime of Devilish Haunts, and the Vdova Goddess.
Whether you are an avid fan of the genre or one who reads it every so often, this is a collection you should pick up. Just know you won't be putting it down until you reach the last page.
November 28, 2021
I was pleasantly surprised by this collection, when the author started talking about writing in the style of several authors who had influenced them I have to admit my expectations were very low. But this is a solid collection of short stories with a lot of good ones and very few that missed the mark for me. I believe there is a second collection available, it will be going on the TBR pile for sure.
February 19, 2023
"Led by beasts" is the author's homage to authors who have inspired him - Stephen King, Peter Straub, and Laird Barron among others.
I felt the best story in this collection was "The Whole World in Their Hands"...the least effective was "Buffoonville" - a lost colony of clowns. I felt the main character of Marie was too cartoonish...but perhaps that was the point....
I could have done without the author's reminiscences...instead of being interspaced throughout the volume..they could have been collected as as afterword....but in either instance - I didn't think they added anything to the book.
I didn't find any of the stories particularly frightening either.
An interesting collection.
Jeff McIntosh
I felt the best story in this collection was "The Whole World in Their Hands"...the least effective was "Buffoonville" - a lost colony of clowns. I felt the main character of Marie was too cartoonish...but perhaps that was the point....
I could have done without the author's reminiscences...instead of being interspaced throughout the volume..they could have been collected as as afterword....but in either instance - I didn't think they added anything to the book.
I didn't find any of the stories particularly frightening either.
An interesting collection.
Jeff McIntosh
October 3, 2020
This collection is elegantly framed and every story delivers a nice solid punch. Roberts knows his influences well and honors them well with this book. Even so, you can clearly hear his voice throughout, and that voice is smooth and direct, playful at times and perpetually heartfelt.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews