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Hanover Block #1
The Hanover Block
Living in the long shadow of a tragic accident, Marion struggles through his solitary suburban life. He's resigned himself to a static existence, to living and dying in a world where every house looks exactly the same. Then he notices changes in his neighborhood. Tool sheds and playhouses are cropping up all over, hastily constructed and set at odd angles. The nutjob down the road builds an outhouse in the middle of his front yard, and the guy right next door is erecting two geodesic climbing domes, one nested inside the other.
People are doing strange things on their lawns.
People are doing strange things on their lawns.
114 pages, Paperback
First published November 2, 2014
8 people are currently reading
978 people want to read
About the author
Gregor Xane
19 books344 followersI prefer science fiction, fantasy, and horror without the spaceships, dragons, and zombies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
November 25, 2019
11.24.19 Reread:
I think this was even weirder this time around. 5*
4.5 stars!
To quote Dorothy Parker: "What fresh hell is this?
I don't know, but I know that I liked it.
Now, as to what to say. I'm not sure. This is a little bit of a drug and alcohol infused Hunter S. Thompson-ish narrative, (well, not quite that far), in which Giorgio Tsoukalos shows up and George Romero pukes in the backyard. In case you don't know who Giorgio is he's this guy:
This was a crazy novella, that just sucked me in and before I knew it, I looked up, looked around and said WTF did I just read? And you know what? That's all I'm going to say about this novella other than it was a BLAST!
Highly recommended for fans of bad sci-fi movies, creature features, aliens and/or conspiracy theories, the unexplained, and the unidentified. Bravo!
I think this was even weirder this time around. 5*
4.5 stars!
To quote Dorothy Parker: "What fresh hell is this?
I don't know, but I know that I liked it.
Now, as to what to say. I'm not sure. This is a little bit of a drug and alcohol infused Hunter S. Thompson-ish narrative, (well, not quite that far), in which Giorgio Tsoukalos shows up and George Romero pukes in the backyard. In case you don't know who Giorgio is he's this guy:
This was a crazy novella, that just sucked me in and before I knew it, I looked up, looked around and said WTF did I just read? And you know what? That's all I'm going to say about this novella other than it was a BLAST!
Highly recommended for fans of bad sci-fi movies, creature features, aliens and/or conspiracy theories, the unexplained, and the unidentified. Bravo!
September 18, 2016
My neighbors have been building sheds in their back yards, and I'm afraid to peek out the window at my back yard. Don't look for me.
October 28, 2016
It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood
A beautiful day for a neighbor
What would you do if something appeared one day . . . just appeared in your backyard?
I have always wanted to have a neighbor just like you
I've always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you
Strange and foreign at first, it is alluring and tempting.
It promises to make all of your dreams come true.
Would you be my, could you be my,
Won't you be my neighbor?
Would you be able to resist?
Please won't you be my neighbor? *
*Fred M. Rogers
___________________________________
Oh, that thing on the cover.
I fear it, and yet . . .
A beautiful day for a neighbor
What would you do if something appeared one day . . . just appeared in your backyard?
I have always wanted to have a neighbor just like you
I've always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you
Strange and foreign at first, it is alluring and tempting.
It promises to make all of your dreams come true.
Would you be my, could you be my,
Won't you be my neighbor?
Would you be able to resist?
Please won't you be my neighbor? *
*Fred M. Rogers
___________________________________
Oh, that thing on the cover.
I fear it, and yet . . .
November 3, 2014
Full Disclosure: I know Gregor through Goodreads and through collaborating on Bad Apples together. Although I don't know what he looks like or what he secretly does in the confines of his home (though I am guessing he comes across as normal to the outside world while madness ranges through a fucking seriously disturbed mind), I would even consider him a friend. Perhaps after that comment, he may not say the same for me...
Anyway, now you know all that shit and can decide among yourselves if it has colored my review. Here goes:
It's fucking awesome!
That's it.
Oh, you're still here? Okay, I suppose I should explain. Gregor's short portfolio is filled only with impressive works. He is an author more concerned with quality and originality than quantity. Within that short portfolio, he has improved with each showing. I really liked his novella, Six Dead Spots. It had certain fantastic scenes, but as a whole, it didn't floor me. It was just really good. I think I rated 4 stars.
Since then, I have read three short stories by Gregor, one as a beta read (not yet published but fucking should be). I loved them all, 5 stars all they way. I am not too proud to say that I even liked his story better than my own in Bad Apples. That's okay-if there's a sequel, I'll kill him and take the credit. I mean, uh, Lorn did it!
At the same time, I beta read The Hanover Block. When I finished, I put the book down and thought for a long while as to whether I should not have further communications with its obviously deranged author. Seriously fucked up.
The Hanover block is not for everyone. It's not for kiddies, that's for sure. But mostly - It's WEIRD. But it is the kind of weird that is so imaginatively, creatively, craftily, dark and desperately, and not-over-adverbedly original that you not only get something you've never seen before, but you get it with top-tier writing. It is, by far, the definition of a WTF read.
Just look at the cover. I can't say much about the plot beyond what you see in the synopsis, except maybe that its fucking weird (did I say that yet), yet easy to follow, with characters that "sucks you in". heh heh
This guy's good, people. The Hanover Block is no exception. The Big Six should be knocking on this guy's door. However, I would advise them not to step inside.
Anyway, now you know all that shit and can decide among yourselves if it has colored my review. Here goes:
It's fucking awesome!
That's it.
Oh, you're still here? Okay, I suppose I should explain. Gregor's short portfolio is filled only with impressive works. He is an author more concerned with quality and originality than quantity. Within that short portfolio, he has improved with each showing. I really liked his novella, Six Dead Spots. It had certain fantastic scenes, but as a whole, it didn't floor me. It was just really good. I think I rated 4 stars.
Since then, I have read three short stories by Gregor, one as a beta read (not yet published but fucking should be). I loved them all, 5 stars all they way. I am not too proud to say that I even liked his story better than my own in Bad Apples. That's okay-if there's a sequel, I'll kill him and take the credit. I mean, uh, Lorn did it!
At the same time, I beta read The Hanover Block. When I finished, I put the book down and thought for a long while as to whether I should not have further communications with its obviously deranged author. Seriously fucked up.
The Hanover block is not for everyone. It's not for kiddies, that's for sure. But mostly - It's WEIRD. But it is the kind of weird that is so imaginatively, creatively, craftily, dark and desperately, and not-over-adverbedly original that you not only get something you've never seen before, but you get it with top-tier writing. It is, by far, the definition of a WTF read.
Just look at the cover. I can't say much about the plot beyond what you see in the synopsis, except maybe that its fucking weird (did I say that yet), yet easy to follow, with characters that "sucks you in". heh heh
This guy's good, people. The Hanover Block is no exception. The Big Six should be knocking on this guy's door. However, I would advise them not to step inside.
November 3, 2014
4.5 stars, rounded up for WTF originality!
Okay, I admit that part of the reason I pre-ordered this novella was to find out what the hell that picture on the cover was.
Some things just defy explanation (and will never leave your head, once you read this!)
Having read several of Gregor Xane's other tales, I know that he is capable of writing incredibly imaginative, original stories. This one goes even further than that.
We start off with Marion, a man who lives a drab, uneventful life after a tragedy in his past. Everything he sees could best be described as in shades of gray: the weather, his job, the people around him.... In fact, nothing really brings about an emotional reaction from him; he is simply going through the motions of living.
Then he begins to notice differences in the things around him. Sheds, domes, and even outhouses start cropping up all over his neighborhood.
What happens after that, I simply can't say without ruining the story. However, this one is so twisted and unexpected, that you'll be thinking about scenes from it randomly for some time to come. I can't wait to see what Xane comes up with next!
Highly recommended!
Okay, I admit that part of the reason I pre-ordered this novella was to find out what the hell that picture on the cover was.
Some things just defy explanation (and will never leave your head, once you read this!)
Having read several of Gregor Xane's other tales, I know that he is capable of writing incredibly imaginative, original stories. This one goes even further than that.
We start off with Marion, a man who lives a drab, uneventful life after a tragedy in his past. Everything he sees could best be described as in shades of gray: the weather, his job, the people around him.... In fact, nothing really brings about an emotional reaction from him; he is simply going through the motions of living.
Then he begins to notice differences in the things around him. Sheds, domes, and even outhouses start cropping up all over his neighborhood.
What happens after that, I simply can't say without ruining the story. However, this one is so twisted and unexpected, that you'll be thinking about scenes from it randomly for some time to come. I can't wait to see what Xane comes up with next!
Highly recommended!
May 6, 2015
The Hanover Block by Gregor Xane is a novella that was released in November last year and has sat patiently waiting for me to pick it up ever since. What stopped me? That's an easy one, that fucking thing on the front cover. I mean what the fuck is it, well I can't tell you, it will ruin the story but please don't get into the same mindset that I did. There's a bizarro genius at work here, it's not something I read a lot of but this was funny in a seriously WTF kind of way.
Marion is an office worker, he catches the bus to and from work and we live his life, meet his friends, his neighbours. Smoke a joint with him, couple of beers, you know the score whilst almost unnoticed his neighbourhood is changing in a stealthy shady fashion from one day to the next. People are behaving strangely, dodgy constructions are appearing in people's back gardens from sheds to climbing domes.
It's not until half way in that we learn about that thing on the front cover and normality leaves on the last train out of fucksville, we're left with what can only be described as a bizarro mindshagging with thoughts interspersed with laughter along the lines of this Xane guys never right in a million fucking years. Still it's a barrel load of mental fun and I quite enjoyed it, just don't let that cover picture put you off.
Also posted at http://paulnelson.booklikes.com/post/...
Marion is an office worker, he catches the bus to and from work and we live his life, meet his friends, his neighbours. Smoke a joint with him, couple of beers, you know the score whilst almost unnoticed his neighbourhood is changing in a stealthy shady fashion from one day to the next. People are behaving strangely, dodgy constructions are appearing in people's back gardens from sheds to climbing domes.
It's not until half way in that we learn about that thing on the front cover and normality leaves on the last train out of fucksville, we're left with what can only be described as a bizarro mindshagging with thoughts interspersed with laughter along the lines of this Xane guys never right in a million fucking years. Still it's a barrel load of mental fun and I quite enjoyed it, just don't let that cover picture put you off.
Also posted at http://paulnelson.booklikes.com/post/...
November 11, 2014
Gregor is one twisted dude. But he can write a hell of a story. A truly wonderful and twisted story, indeed.
Before I even picked this one up, I had decided that I wasn’t going to give it 5 stars because Gregor and I are GR friends and I thought that it would appear biased if I did. Well, F that. I finished this one and it was a soild 4.5 stars. Excellent. Then…I started thinking about it. I couldn’t stop. The more I sat and pondered the story and what happened and how well it was written, I came to the conclusion that it was frickin’ brilliant.
Gregor is much more than just a technically proficient writer. He knows how to tell a story that creeps into your brain and makes you think. He does not describe every minute detail of the storyline and gives the reader just enough required (albeit twisted) information to make the imagination go freaking nuts. I was left with plenty of disturbing imagery from this one, for sure. I may very well be traumatized.
Edward Lorn called this one “backyard bizarro of the nastiest order.” I think that is an utterly fitting description. Is there even such a thing? There is now. Bizarre? Yes. Intriguing with horrific elements? Yes. Brilliant? You bet. Don’t believe me? Check it out and see for yourself. Solid 5 Stars! Highest possible recommendation! Frickin’ crazy, man.
Before I even picked this one up, I had decided that I wasn’t going to give it 5 stars because Gregor and I are GR friends and I thought that it would appear biased if I did. Well, F that. I finished this one and it was a soild 4.5 stars. Excellent. Then…I started thinking about it. I couldn’t stop. The more I sat and pondered the story and what happened and how well it was written, I came to the conclusion that it was frickin’ brilliant.
Gregor is much more than just a technically proficient writer. He knows how to tell a story that creeps into your brain and makes you think. He does not describe every minute detail of the storyline and gives the reader just enough required (albeit twisted) information to make the imagination go freaking nuts. I was left with plenty of disturbing imagery from this one, for sure. I may very well be traumatized.
Edward Lorn called this one “backyard bizarro of the nastiest order.” I think that is an utterly fitting description. Is there even such a thing? There is now. Bizarre? Yes. Intriguing with horrific elements? Yes. Brilliant? You bet. Don’t believe me? Check it out and see for yourself. Solid 5 Stars! Highest possible recommendation! Frickin’ crazy, man.
December 16, 2014
Full disclosure: Gregor Xane is a collaborator of mine on several horror anthologies. However, he's a collaborator I sought out for a reason. He's an incredibly talented writer with a deliriously inventive and twisted imagination.
I've enjoyed his previous works, the novella Six Dead Spots, the short It Came from Hell and Smashed the Angels, and my favorite so far, his contribution to the Bad Apples Halloween anthology, The Riggle Twins, perhaps his most accessible and polished work to date.
The Hanover Block is pure inXanity (patent pending) from start to finish, and exceeds Six Dead Spots in its ability to present a coherent vision of insane concepts, in my opinion - though perhaps without achieving some of the giddy heights of chilling psychodelinsanity presented in Six Dead Spots. He firmly nails the landing as well.
I'm purposely not going into any plot details, as I can't imagine there's any better way to read this book than without expectations.
My only complaint, and it's a minor one, is that I felt the story could have been edited down bit tighter for a stronger impact. Maybe by twenty pages or so. But hey, nobody asked me, and as-is this novella still easily earns a spot in my ten favorite new reads this year.
Expand you mind and losen your morals. The Hanover Block is highly recommended.
I've enjoyed his previous works, the novella Six Dead Spots, the short It Came from Hell and Smashed the Angels, and my favorite so far, his contribution to the Bad Apples Halloween anthology, The Riggle Twins, perhaps his most accessible and polished work to date.
The Hanover Block is pure inXanity (patent pending) from start to finish, and exceeds Six Dead Spots in its ability to present a coherent vision of insane concepts, in my opinion - though perhaps without achieving some of the giddy heights of chilling psychodelinsanity presented in Six Dead Spots. He firmly nails the landing as well.
I'm purposely not going into any plot details, as I can't imagine there's any better way to read this book than without expectations.
My only complaint, and it's a minor one, is that I felt the story could have been edited down bit tighter for a stronger impact. Maybe by twenty pages or so. But hey, nobody asked me, and as-is this novella still easily earns a spot in my ten favorite new reads this year.
Expand you mind and losen your morals. The Hanover Block is highly recommended.
November 20, 2014
Okay yeah, if David Croninberg fucked David Lynch this could totally happen.
November 1, 2014
Gregor Xane is one sick puppy. A sick puppy, whose work I very much enjoy.
Marion is a pretty normal guy with a pretty normal job in a pretty normal seeming neighborhood until one day things seem to shift. The sky is a little grayer. His weird neighbors are a little weirder. There's something going on that he just can't quite put his finger on and it seems to have something to do with the sheds (and shed-like buildings) popping up all around him...
I had planned on reading this book not only because it's Gregor's but also because I needed to know what the fleshy blob was on the front cover. I was not disappointed; however, it is an image that the jaws of life will not be able to remove from my head.
I won this e-book in a BookLikes giveaway but was under no obligation to read or review it - both were on the house. :)
Marion is a pretty normal guy with a pretty normal job in a pretty normal seeming neighborhood until one day things seem to shift. The sky is a little grayer. His weird neighbors are a little weirder. There's something going on that he just can't quite put his finger on and it seems to have something to do with the sheds (and shed-like buildings) popping up all around him...
I had planned on reading this book not only because it's Gregor's but also because I needed to know what the fleshy blob was on the front cover. I was not disappointed; however, it is an image that the jaws of life will not be able to remove from my head.
I won this e-book in a BookLikes giveaway but was under no obligation to read or review it - both were on the house. :)
December 10, 2014
This was nothing short of spectacular. Great work by a truly talented author.
I know the author, and consider him a friend, but that doesn't in any way bias my feelings about this book at all.
Watch out for those fleshy mounds!
I know the author, and consider him a friend, but that doesn't in any way bias my feelings about this book at all.
Watch out for those fleshy mounds!
November 9, 2014
You are now entering "The Xane Xone".
The Hanover Block is not what you might think. It's a love story. It's a story about loneliness and hunger and finding your special place and crawling inside and living there.
It was hard for him to think of anything else.[...] His insides felt strange, filled with a nervous excitement that wouldn't go away. It had been a long time since he felt this way[...]
And, it's strange:
He saw dozens of lithe bodies lying in wait, a variety of nude forms--not quite human, but unmistakably female, with semi-transparent wings folded at their backs-nestled in the mound's viscera, holding fleshy feeding tubes to their lips, drinking in the sustenance the mass womb produced for them, safe and content until it was time for them to be born into the world.
And, it's funny:
When the naked man reached the center of the screen (hovering about fifteen feet directly above the buried camera), his penis became erect, and he began thrusting wildly downward into Trevor's livingroom.
"Next," Buddy said.
"What do you mean?"
"Next video."
"But the guy's jizz falls right on the camera lens, man."
"That's exactly what I was afraid of," Buddy said. "Next."
Xane is definitely in the Xone with this one. I like the suspense of the story. It doesn't get boring. I like the things Xane says and I like the way he says them. You should read this book to find out what else the story is about because there's a lot more than
June 12, 2020
I'm a huge fan of lean prose and a story where you have no idea where it's headed. Xane does that well here. The first half reminded me of J. David Osborne's BLACK GUM/MINOR STORM but less drugs, more plot and weirder. I'll definitely be heading back to the bizarre world Xane has built here with the second book in the series.
January 19, 2020
Twisted, But In A Good Way
Initially, I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this. It starts off bleak with characters that seemed a little flat and soulless. As the weirdness progressed and certain elements come forth, I realized that ultimately The Hanover Block is truly about the North American human experience. The characters are rather lifeless for a reason, because they ARE lifeless. Life and the lack of true stimulation, whether intellectual or physical, along with some heartbreak and tragedy has broken them down into hollowed, bored, and somewhat desperate shells.
So what do you do when you find something that makes you feel again? Something that recreates when you first felt lust, when you first truly hungered for sustenance?
More importantly, what the heck is this thing?
Great food for thought. Recommended!
Initially, I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this. It starts off bleak with characters that seemed a little flat and soulless. As the weirdness progressed and certain elements come forth, I realized that ultimately The Hanover Block is truly about the North American human experience. The characters are rather lifeless for a reason, because they ARE lifeless. Life and the lack of true stimulation, whether intellectual or physical, along with some heartbreak and tragedy has broken them down into hollowed, bored, and somewhat desperate shells.
So what do you do when you find something that makes you feel again? Something that recreates when you first felt lust, when you first truly hungered for sustenance?
More importantly, what the heck is this thing?
Great food for thought. Recommended!
March 3, 2016
8/10
That's really messed up.
That's really messed up.
November 26, 2019
Melding the carnal grotesquery of a Clive Barker yarn with the uncanny oppressiveness of a Bentley Little novel, Hanover Block is a story filled with menace, strangeness, and visceral horror, all of it conveyed via spit-shined prose and finished with a satirical sheen. Very entertaining. Looking forward to the next installment.
February 13, 2015
The quick disclaimer: Mr Xane and I follow each other on Goodreads and Booklikes. I have never interacted with him beyond a couple of polite comments on his feed. Hence I do not think my review is biased, but on that you can make up your own mind.
Colour me officially grossed out. It takes a significant effort to achieve such a result, but Xane has done just that with the very strange ode to conspiracy theories, B-grade sci-fi and body horror that is The Hanover Block.
Part of the attraction to this one is that for the first half I was kept in suspense, wondering what exactly was going on. It's fair to say I would never have guessed the answer and I doubt many others would either. It's bizarre and gross, but then I already said that. And why not? I'll say it again. It was gross.
Aside from captivating, The Hanover Block is also extremely well written. The 125 pages felt no longer than 50, as Xane's prose glides along like warmed butter onto a dinner roll: all smooth and tasty like.
In short, read this. The parts I liked most I can't speak about in case I, too, disappear suddenly. After all, you never know when they might be after you ...
4 Odd Backyard Constructions for The Hanover Block.
Colour me officially grossed out. It takes a significant effort to achieve such a result, but Xane has done just that with the very strange ode to conspiracy theories, B-grade sci-fi and body horror that is The Hanover Block.
Part of the attraction to this one is that for the first half I was kept in suspense, wondering what exactly was going on. It's fair to say I would never have guessed the answer and I doubt many others would either. It's bizarre and gross, but then I already said that. And why not? I'll say it again. It was gross.
Aside from captivating, The Hanover Block is also extremely well written. The 125 pages felt no longer than 50, as Xane's prose glides along like warmed butter onto a dinner roll: all smooth and tasty like.
In short, read this. The parts I liked most I can't speak about in case I, too, disappear suddenly. After all, you never know when they might be after you ...
4 Odd Backyard Constructions for The Hanover Block.
January 1, 2017
I don't know Mr. Xane, but in all sincerity I would suggest he seek professional help for whatever might be going on in that demented head of his.
What kind of a sick, twisted, sonofabitch comes up with stuff like this??
I finished it in one sitting and now feel like I need a shower and a 30-day detox juice cleanse.
Oh, the mental images I'll never be able to unsee.
GOD HELP ME.
Well done Mr. Zane. But seriously, you should talk to a therapist or something.
Do keep writing though.
What kind of a sick, twisted, sonofabitch comes up with stuff like this??
I finished it in one sitting and now feel like I need a shower and a 30-day detox juice cleanse.
Oh, the mental images I'll never be able to unsee.
GOD HELP ME.
Well done Mr. Zane. But seriously, you should talk to a therapist or something.
Do keep writing though.
February 9, 2020
I stepped into the neighborhood of Gregor Xane's THE HANOVER BLOCK and had a pleasant visit. The cover of the book mirrors the experience reading the book. You don't know what to make of it but you are drawn to it, there's just something about it that's scary and gorgeous at the same time.
On the outset the story is pretty straight forward. There is a guy having a nighttime with life. Then the guy starts noticing weird things on his walk home from work. And then the weirdness comes to his house and offers him a distraction from his miserable life.
THE HANOVER BLOCK contains just the right amount of weird for a novice to weird fiction to enjoy while also being interesting enough to hold the attention of an old hat who reads weird tales. A curious tale that is sure to drive you to the next book in the series. I can't wait to visit the neighborhood again soon.
On the outset the story is pretty straight forward. There is a guy having a nighttime with life. Then the guy starts noticing weird things on his walk home from work. And then the weirdness comes to his house and offers him a distraction from his miserable life.
THE HANOVER BLOCK contains just the right amount of weird for a novice to weird fiction to enjoy while also being interesting enough to hold the attention of an old hat who reads weird tales. A curious tale that is sure to drive you to the next book in the series. I can't wait to visit the neighborhood again soon.
July 22, 2020
I remember reading Gregor Xane's short story "The Ugly Tree," in the anthology, In Darkness, Delight. I found it to be the best of the bunch. And this is even better.
I loved The Hanover Block and devoured it in a night. Everything from the realistic characters stagnating in their own isolation, to the twists and turns of the "invasion." It was just so clever; so seemingly effortless. In a lot of ways, it kind of reminded me of "Universal Harvester" and the slice of life narration, which was something that really vibed with me. I'm excited to continue the story with the next set of installments. Gregor Xane is just a fun author to read and I expect he will soon have quite a following.
I loved The Hanover Block and devoured it in a night. Everything from the realistic characters stagnating in their own isolation, to the twists and turns of the "invasion." It was just so clever; so seemingly effortless. In a lot of ways, it kind of reminded me of "Universal Harvester" and the slice of life narration, which was something that really vibed with me. I'm excited to continue the story with the next set of installments. Gregor Xane is just a fun author to read and I expect he will soon have quite a following.
January 17, 2019
The Hanover Block starts off with a kind of subdued weirdness as it introduces us to the eccentricities of several characters. About half way through the book the strangness gets cranked up to 11 as Xane gets into the meat of the story that centers around obsession, desire, and grotesque weirdness.
Definitely not for everyone, but a wonderful read if you want something that combines that "weird town" trope, carnal horror, and a subdued sense of personal yearning.
Definitely not for everyone, but a wonderful read if you want something that combines that "weird town" trope, carnal horror, and a subdued sense of personal yearning.
August 25, 2016
An absolutely fantastic book!
I knew nothing about the plot of The Hanover Block when I went into it (I think I may have grabbed it when it was on sale?) I didn't even read the synopsis, so I didn't really know what to expect.
What I got, for several chapters, was the story of a directionless man wandering around his neighbourhood and trying to avoid going to work, while encountering numerous neighbours up to strange business in their backyards. There's a lot of neat little details and some very smooth writing, but precious little hint of a plot.
I was enjoying it, but wasn't too enthusiastic about continuing if it turned out to be just another vaguely weird navel-gazing half-philosophical meander that so many MFA in creative writing grads seem to produce these days.
Then, one morning, the character of Marion takes a look into his own backyard and suddenly all the strangeness makes sense. From then on, the book is a cloyingly-strange blue collar horror story, tinged with bizarro, that manages to be amusing, unsettling and kind of tragic all at once.
The Hanover Block is very clever, very enjoyable and doesn't outstay its welcome, racing to a smart and satisfying conclusion in its final pages, though I personally wouldn't mind a return trip to its curious world.
I knew nothing about the plot of The Hanover Block when I went into it (I think I may have grabbed it when it was on sale?) I didn't even read the synopsis, so I didn't really know what to expect.
What I got, for several chapters, was the story of a directionless man wandering around his neighbourhood and trying to avoid going to work, while encountering numerous neighbours up to strange business in their backyards. There's a lot of neat little details and some very smooth writing, but precious little hint of a plot.
I was enjoying it, but wasn't too enthusiastic about continuing if it turned out to be just another vaguely weird navel-gazing half-philosophical meander that so many MFA in creative writing grads seem to produce these days.
Then, one morning, the character of Marion takes a look into his own backyard and suddenly all the strangeness makes sense. From then on, the book is a cloyingly-strange blue collar horror story, tinged with bizarro, that manages to be amusing, unsettling and kind of tragic all at once.
The Hanover Block is very clever, very enjoyable and doesn't outstay its welcome, racing to a smart and satisfying conclusion in its final pages, though I personally wouldn't mind a return trip to its curious world.
August 19, 2016
Having now read a few of Xane's works I'd classify myself as an Xanist...I think that's the term I've seen thrown around. I first discovered Xane through reading an anthology of love stories called "Dead Roses". All of the stories in that collection were fantastic, but I enjoyed his the most and started reading everything I could get my grubby little hands on. He is very odd, but not overbearingly so. Some writers really pour on the weird to the point that it just becomes a gimmick, but Xane knows how to be bizarre, and convincingly so. He is able to suspend your disbelief and lead you into the worlds he creates with ease.
This world is a place where you're neighbors are very weird, and obsessed with structures in their backyards. A community with a voyeuristic conspiracy theorist, who may actually hold the key to The Hanover Block, and a pot dealer who's his only believer. I really enjoyed this story. I hear there's another Hanover Block story in the works and I can't wait to visit this neighborhood again.
I gave this 4 stars, although I was conflicted, due to a couple of reasons. For one, I felt like there was some unnecessary filler in this story. It's eluded that Marion's family died, but I didn't think it was important. If there had been some backstory, or played into the story then it wouldn't be a big deal, but I got the feeling that their deaths were not that big of a deal, other than the fact that he cut himself off from one person that plays a very minor role. He could have cut it and the story would have been the same. There's also some questions that I wanted answered that weren't. I felt Gregor could have really made a great story, greater. I hope to have some questions answered in the follow up. Overall, a great novella.
This world is a place where you're neighbors are very weird, and obsessed with structures in their backyards. A community with a voyeuristic conspiracy theorist, who may actually hold the key to The Hanover Block, and a pot dealer who's his only believer. I really enjoyed this story. I hear there's another Hanover Block story in the works and I can't wait to visit this neighborhood again.
I gave this 4 stars, although I was conflicted, due to a couple of reasons. For one, I felt like there was some unnecessary filler in this story. It's eluded that Marion's family died, but I didn't think it was important. If there had been some backstory, or played into the story then it wouldn't be a big deal, but I got the feeling that their deaths were not that big of a deal, other than the fact that he cut himself off from one person that plays a very minor role. He could have cut it and the story would have been the same. There's also some questions that I wanted answered that weren't. I felt Gregor could have really made a great story, greater. I hope to have some questions answered in the follow up. Overall, a great novella.
May 6, 2016
I've seen a lot of people talking about just how bizarre and unsettling this novella is, and it is very much those things (in addition to wickedly funny), but I don't want to bore anyone repeating what others have said, so I'll focus on something that seems to be at least somewhat less touched upon, and that's Gregor Xane's writing.
He's good. Very good. His prose has energy, and by energy I mean the fast-moving, fueled-up, ready-to-blast-off kind of energy found in a Joe Hill novel. Not a sentence or word is wasted, and that along with the absence of errors shows the obvious care that was put into every stage of this story's creation. I've always said that self-publishing should never be a substitute for professionalism, and make no mistake, The Hanover Block is a professional work by a professional author. Everything is an expert balancing act here, from the bizarre and the mundane to the horrifying and the hilarious, and the end result is, simply put, so damn fun.
I hope Gregor Xane has something longer to chew on in the works. I will be waiting patiently (or not so patiently) with fork and knife.
He's good. Very good. His prose has energy, and by energy I mean the fast-moving, fueled-up, ready-to-blast-off kind of energy found in a Joe Hill novel. Not a sentence or word is wasted, and that along with the absence of errors shows the obvious care that was put into every stage of this story's creation. I've always said that self-publishing should never be a substitute for professionalism, and make no mistake, The Hanover Block is a professional work by a professional author. Everything is an expert balancing act here, from the bizarre and the mundane to the horrifying and the hilarious, and the end result is, simply put, so damn fun.
I hope Gregor Xane has something longer to chew on in the works. I will be waiting patiently (or not so patiently) with fork and knife.
September 23, 2015
I recently read a short story by Xane called The Riggle Twins. It was a strange, but intriguing tale and interesting enough to make me want to read more of his work. After finishing 'The Hanover Block', I realized I'm going to need a new word because strange doesn't even come close to describing this one. We left strange in the dust about half way through and never looked back.
It's hard to compare this one with anything I've ever read before. Sure 'The Hanover Block' has tones of 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' at times, but it is certainly it's own twisted, sick tale. I loved the growing obsession that the main character, Marion, experiences, until it becomes all consuming and leads to the inevitable. There were some genuine "EEEWWW!" moments too. Don't get me started on the cover. I'm not sure where Xane gets his inspiration, but keep it coming because it makes for some damn entertaining reading.
I was shocked when the book ended. 'What? That's it?". There were so many questions raised and nothing really answered. I'm hoping there's a sequel because I don't feel anywhere near done with this tale.
If you are looking for something different and original, you should give 'The Hanover Block' a try. You won't be disappointed.
It's hard to compare this one with anything I've ever read before. Sure 'The Hanover Block' has tones of 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' at times, but it is certainly it's own twisted, sick tale. I loved the growing obsession that the main character, Marion, experiences, until it becomes all consuming and leads to the inevitable. There were some genuine "EEEWWW!" moments too. Don't get me started on the cover. I'm not sure where Xane gets his inspiration, but keep it coming because it makes for some damn entertaining reading.
I was shocked when the book ended. 'What? That's it?". There were so many questions raised and nothing really answered. I'm hoping there's a sequel because I don't feel anywhere near done with this tale.
If you are looking for something different and original, you should give 'The Hanover Block' a try. You won't be disappointed.
June 17, 2020
Odd little story in which Marion begins to notice a major increase in tool sheds, domes, and even outhouses being built in the back yards in his neighborhood. From this weird beginning, the only way to go is deeper into a surrealistic world, and the surrealistic world chosen was the one of the fleshy blob. I got lost about half way through and never found my way back in. I'm sure there is an audience out there for this. Don't be put off!
December 25, 2014
Bizarre but very good!
Wow! This was a great little story. Part conspiracy theory, part freaky as hell. I don't want to say too much, because you have to read it yourself to believe it. Strange happenings in your backyard is an overstatement. I really didn't want it end. A lot was left to the imagination but I think I know what might've happened to buddy but not entirely sure. Would love a sequel...hint hint:) I will definitely be reading more from this author. Highly recommend!
Wow! This was a great little story. Part conspiracy theory, part freaky as hell. I don't want to say too much, because you have to read it yourself to believe it. Strange happenings in your backyard is an overstatement. I really didn't want it end. A lot was left to the imagination but I think I know what might've happened to buddy but not entirely sure. Would love a sequel...hint hint:) I will definitely be reading more from this author. Highly recommend!
June 8, 2021
What did I just read...and why do I like it so much.... :)
Read this!
Read this!
February 2, 2020
Grotesque. Disturbing. Wonderful. I loved everything about this story. Not sure why it took me so long to read this one, but I can't wait to read book two.
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