What do you think?
Rate this book
The God Beneath My Garden: Short Horror Fiction of Robert Ford
From the mind of Robert Ford comes 15 pieces of short fiction to keep you awake at night. A grieving man discovering what his true purpose in life has become. A small town with a lake harboring something few men have seen and lived. A fateful Halloween night and the tragedy and complete terror it sets in motion. Long time pen pals... and the confession one desperate woman makes to her best friend. The God Beneath My Garden collects rare, difficult-to-find short fiction and previously unpublished work, along with story notes.
- GenresHorror
180 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 10, 2014
8 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 1, 2015
Grim and tragic stories of tragic people. Many of the stories concern children and outrageous young adults continuing in the footsteps of their parents or elders. There are few happy endings to be found in this book, not that happy endings belong in most of these stories.
There are fifteen stories here many of which will make you squirm, or if you are sitting reading in the dark, get up and turn on more lights. These are powerful stories well written and sometimes hard to take.
Highly recommended.
There are fifteen stories here many of which will make you squirm, or if you are sitting reading in the dark, get up and turn on more lights. These are powerful stories well written and sometimes hard to take.
Highly recommended.
August 27, 2014
Although, I've already read a few of the shorts in this new collection by Robert Ford, I jumped at a chance to read the rest of the 15 stories included in The God Beneath My Garden.
What can I say, I like his stuff. I just wish there was more of it. I'm not going to comment on every story, but I would like to say they are all good. Some are about loss, many of his characters are disturbed in one way or another, there are are a number of stories with visceral descriptions which should make you cringe, including one that was the most disturbing I've ever read.
Three of my favorites are...
"The Taste of Our Indiscretions," a little story about the price of redemption. I so hope this is the way it will be.
"Free Ride Angie," about a hooker who would get FREE rides from cabbies (for a price), and much more. There are many quotable lines in this story, but none of them would get past the Amazon censors.
And then there is "Georgie." My all-time favorite short by Robert Ford. To quote my own earlier review of this short story, "The opening paragraph just knocked my socks off. This is only a short story. but it packs more horror per word than any full length novel I've read this year. As a father and now grandfather, I was repulsed. What happens is terrible, yet I couldn't put it down."
The God Beneath My Garden was released in July by Blurred Images publisher and is available in both paperback and ebook formats through Amazon.com.
If you love horror, as I do, I strongly recommend you read The God Beneath My Garden.
What can I say, I like his stuff. I just wish there was more of it. I'm not going to comment on every story, but I would like to say they are all good. Some are about loss, many of his characters are disturbed in one way or another, there are are a number of stories with visceral descriptions which should make you cringe, including one that was the most disturbing I've ever read.
Three of my favorites are...
"The Taste of Our Indiscretions," a little story about the price of redemption. I so hope this is the way it will be.
"Free Ride Angie," about a hooker who would get FREE rides from cabbies (for a price), and much more. There are many quotable lines in this story, but none of them would get past the Amazon censors.
And then there is "Georgie." My all-time favorite short by Robert Ford. To quote my own earlier review of this short story, "The opening paragraph just knocked my socks off. This is only a short story. but it packs more horror per word than any full length novel I've read this year. As a father and now grandfather, I was repulsed. What happens is terrible, yet I couldn't put it down."
The God Beneath My Garden was released in July by Blurred Images publisher and is available in both paperback and ebook formats through Amazon.com.
If you love horror, as I do, I strongly recommend you read The God Beneath My Garden.
October 2, 2019
Pain. Grief. Sorrow. Horror comes in many forms, but in Robert Ford’s collection, The God Beneath My Garden, those seem to be the overarching themes.
The book opens with the tragic and terrifying “Racing the Milk”, in which a husband writes letters to his deceased wife keeping her up to date on the goings on since her passing. In the “Author’s Notes” at the end of the book (more on this segment later), Ford writes, “This story absolutely destroys the audience when I do live readings,” and I have no problem believing him. Not only have I heard from multiple folks that this is true, but having finally read the story I can see why. It’s brutal in a very personal way. The horror is in two parts here; one, what the husband is going through and, two, what happens at the end. It’s a brilliant choice to open a collection, as it sets the tone to come.
You can read Steve's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
The book opens with the tragic and terrifying “Racing the Milk”, in which a husband writes letters to his deceased wife keeping her up to date on the goings on since her passing. In the “Author’s Notes” at the end of the book (more on this segment later), Ford writes, “This story absolutely destroys the audience when I do live readings,” and I have no problem believing him. Not only have I heard from multiple folks that this is true, but having finally read the story I can see why. It’s brutal in a very personal way. The horror is in two parts here; one, what the husband is going through and, two, what happens at the end. It’s a brilliant choice to open a collection, as it sets the tone to come.
You can read Steve's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
March 17, 2020
A brutal heartbreaking collection of short stories that will haunt you long after you turn that last page. A few of these stories gutted me. The quality and creativity of the writing, fantastic characters, and emotional wattage generated throughout, leaves me to wonder why Robert Ford isn’t on everyone’s must buy list. Every story here is outstanding, and if you do end of reading and loving this as much as I did, do yourself a big favor and pick up his novella collection Inner Demons! You won’t be sorry! 😉📚📚📚
February 18, 2017
My reading habit of choosing books by publisher, rather than by author or even theme, has the wonderful benefit of introducing me to dozens of writers formerly unknown to me. Robert Ford was another such case, as this collection is the first exposure I have had to his work.
And what a doozy. I prioritize small press publishers who focus on horror fiction because I find it the most enjoyable to read. No-brainer, really. What I find most interesting about people are the things that they fear. The things that cause them anxiety. The things that keep them up at night. Some of those things are the most interesting about myself, so I naturally seek out the exploration of such traits in others. As much of horror fiction basically amounts to cracking open the author's head and rummaging around the darkest parts of the soup you find inside, it's a good fit.
And Robert Ford's brain is chock-a-bock full of juicy, swirling blackness, interspersed with little floating gobs of fear and anxiety. Truly, these tales were some of the bleakest and most soul-sucking I have read in quite some time. But they were glorious for all that.
The themes here run the gamut from fear of bugs to fear of loneliness to fear of failure. Though I would assert that loneliness and failure are the two big ones. Ford's writing is heavily bound up in the angst of what I assume (haven't dug much into the author's background aside from the story notes) was a catastrophically-failed marriage. Self-destruction, suicide, and an odd fascination with murder-as-problem-resolution also make frequent appearances.
But for all the bleakness, Ford's immense talent for strong, earnest characterization shines through. It often adds to the pathos of the whole affair, of course, but that only serves to tie the reader more strongly to the subjects of these short, brutal tales. So many of these characters are so well-realized that by the end of 9 pages you feel as close to them as if you'd just finished a novel about their lives. This focus on deep character building is what ultimately kicked the rating from a 4 (my usually rating for horror page turners hat I enjoy a lot) to a 5, which I typically reserve for works that I know will stick with me.
There's a lot to love about these stories, if your mind inclines towards the darker side of life (and death). Take note, though, that there is a hefty amount of visceral splatter on display here. The grue isn't what I'd call frequent, but when it shows up it bathes the pages in some intensely-described and florid shades of red. Seriously. My stomach is cast iron and I still felt it turning more than once. I'm looking at YOU, Maggie Blue. This is a positive thing, by the way, in a modern horror collection, at least as far as I'm concerned. But be warned if you dive into this collection that the bile IS likely to rise in the gorge.
All in all a stellar collection of horror works that will plague your mind, your heart, and your stomach in equal measure. Some great stuff here and I will definitely be seeking out some of Mr. Ford's longer fiction in the future.
And what a doozy. I prioritize small press publishers who focus on horror fiction because I find it the most enjoyable to read. No-brainer, really. What I find most interesting about people are the things that they fear. The things that cause them anxiety. The things that keep them up at night. Some of those things are the most interesting about myself, so I naturally seek out the exploration of such traits in others. As much of horror fiction basically amounts to cracking open the author's head and rummaging around the darkest parts of the soup you find inside, it's a good fit.
And Robert Ford's brain is chock-a-bock full of juicy, swirling blackness, interspersed with little floating gobs of fear and anxiety. Truly, these tales were some of the bleakest and most soul-sucking I have read in quite some time. But they were glorious for all that.
The themes here run the gamut from fear of bugs to fear of loneliness to fear of failure. Though I would assert that loneliness and failure are the two big ones. Ford's writing is heavily bound up in the angst of what I assume (haven't dug much into the author's background aside from the story notes) was a catastrophically-failed marriage. Self-destruction, suicide, and an odd fascination with murder-as-problem-resolution also make frequent appearances.
But for all the bleakness, Ford's immense talent for strong, earnest characterization shines through. It often adds to the pathos of the whole affair, of course, but that only serves to tie the reader more strongly to the subjects of these short, brutal tales. So many of these characters are so well-realized that by the end of 9 pages you feel as close to them as if you'd just finished a novel about their lives. This focus on deep character building is what ultimately kicked the rating from a 4 (my usually rating for horror page turners hat I enjoy a lot) to a 5, which I typically reserve for works that I know will stick with me.
There's a lot to love about these stories, if your mind inclines towards the darker side of life (and death). Take note, though, that there is a hefty amount of visceral splatter on display here. The grue isn't what I'd call frequent, but when it shows up it bathes the pages in some intensely-described and florid shades of red. Seriously. My stomach is cast iron and I still felt it turning more than once. I'm looking at YOU, Maggie Blue. This is a positive thing, by the way, in a modern horror collection, at least as far as I'm concerned. But be warned if you dive into this collection that the bile IS likely to rise in the gorge.
All in all a stellar collection of horror works that will plague your mind, your heart, and your stomach in equal measure. Some great stuff here and I will definitely be seeking out some of Mr. Ford's longer fiction in the future.
December 28, 2024
Robert Ford's short stories in this collection are real-life horrors such as divorce, terminal illness, plague, vengeance, social issues, and the Other and Othering with plot twists of course.
Besides that, he gives voice to whom society castigates and deems as degenerates and low-lives. With authenticity. Truly endearing.
Written in a conversational style, the author closes the gap between him and readers; like a shaman luring you in his dark mind/materials.
His words also evoke strong and raw emotions as if he's opening past wounds and making them bleed again.
The gore and terror elements unsettle and unnerve you. Be prepared to get uncomfortable.
Moreover, Ford experiments with different genres like an epistolary, journal entry, historical allusion, body horror, creature feature, and shortest story.
The titles are intriguing - "Pleasing Marlena" though. LOL.
The author's notes are a bonus - reveal (to a certain degree)the state of mind he was in writing each story, his inspirations, and personal stories. I love the notes.
Besides that, he gives voice to whom society castigates and deems as degenerates and low-lives. With authenticity. Truly endearing.
Written in a conversational style, the author closes the gap between him and readers; like a shaman luring you in his dark mind/materials.
His words also evoke strong and raw emotions as if he's opening past wounds and making them bleed again.
The gore and terror elements unsettle and unnerve you. Be prepared to get uncomfortable.
Moreover, Ford experiments with different genres like an epistolary, journal entry, historical allusion, body horror, creature feature, and shortest story.
The titles are intriguing - "Pleasing Marlena" though. LOL.
The author's notes are a bonus - reveal (to a certain degree)the state of mind he was in writing each story, his inspirations, and personal stories. I love the notes.
April 4, 2020
Having enjoyed several books by Robert Ford previously, I knew I was in for quite a ride with this collection of stories. This is a set of tales that are easy to just go through in just a few sittings, you finish one and then maybe just one more until suddenly it’s all over. All these stories are well done, but a few that stood out for me were Maggie Blue (may make you squirm), Pleasing Marlena, and Georgie. I can not recommend this collection enough, such a fun read with quite a few chills along the way.
November 15, 2019
Upon finishing this collection, two specific thoughts popped into my mind. The first-- I'll continue to show up for anything that Bob Ford writes or recommends. The second thought was more of a question to myself, and that is: What is it that makes Bob's writing so special? I think I know my answer to that question. For me, it's the characters that truly stand out. Many of my favorite authors are so skilled at character development, and Bob Ford is no exception to this rule. He has a gift for turning everyday characters into something extraordinary. The stories in this collection are a wonderful blend of characters, settings, and emotions that are real and raw, and that's what I love about it.
By now you know the drill. Here are my Top 5 stories in this collection:
-MAGGIE BLUE: Wow. This one is unforgettable and unsettling. It left my skin crawling and also had me caring about the main character in less than 15 pages. That's impressive.
-FREE RIDE ANGIE: I'm no stranger to this character, thanks to my previous read from Bob. I loved reading more of Angie's story. Bob writes some pretty badass female characters and she's one of them. I won't say much more, but you'll be drawn in just from that opening line, and you won't want to put the book down until you get to the end of this one.
-BLUEBOTTLE SUMMER: this is a beautifully written story. It's heartbreaking at times, and also has some brutal moments. I won't easily forget this one. There's also a line in this story that I highlighted because I loved it so much. (If you want to know, shoot me a message. I don't want to spoil it here).
-RACING THE MILK: Another powerful, heartfelt story. If you haven't heard Bob read this one live, you should. I believe it's available on YouTube. I loved the subject matter and the formatting in this story.
-OF ALL EVIL: This one is creepy. Things take an unexpected turn for the main characters, and it has an ending that packs a punch. A unique and memorable story.
Another aspect of this collection that I loved-- the author's notes at the end. These, combined with the introduction and afterword, really complete the package for me. I think that author's notes add so much to the writing for me. I absolutely love the insight into the stories and learning what inspired them. It's almost as good as talking directly with an author about the stories. This is an earlier collection of stories, as I've been reading Bob's work in a somewhat backward fashion, but it's solid nonetheless, and I'd highly recommend giving it a read.
By now you know the drill. Here are my Top 5 stories in this collection:
-MAGGIE BLUE: Wow. This one is unforgettable and unsettling. It left my skin crawling and also had me caring about the main character in less than 15 pages. That's impressive.
-FREE RIDE ANGIE: I'm no stranger to this character, thanks to my previous read from Bob. I loved reading more of Angie's story. Bob writes some pretty badass female characters and she's one of them. I won't say much more, but you'll be drawn in just from that opening line, and you won't want to put the book down until you get to the end of this one.
-BLUEBOTTLE SUMMER: this is a beautifully written story. It's heartbreaking at times, and also has some brutal moments. I won't easily forget this one. There's also a line in this story that I highlighted because I loved it so much. (If you want to know, shoot me a message. I don't want to spoil it here).
-RACING THE MILK: Another powerful, heartfelt story. If you haven't heard Bob read this one live, you should. I believe it's available on YouTube. I loved the subject matter and the formatting in this story.
-OF ALL EVIL: This one is creepy. Things take an unexpected turn for the main characters, and it has an ending that packs a punch. A unique and memorable story.
Another aspect of this collection that I loved-- the author's notes at the end. These, combined with the introduction and afterword, really complete the package for me. I think that author's notes add so much to the writing for me. I absolutely love the insight into the stories and learning what inspired them. It's almost as good as talking directly with an author about the stories. This is an earlier collection of stories, as I've been reading Bob's work in a somewhat backward fashion, but it's solid nonetheless, and I'd highly recommend giving it a read.
November 4, 2019
Great collection
In this collection you'll root for people and you'll loathe people. And quite often you'll be saying to yourself, "oh...for f*ck sake."
With the story MAGGIE BLUE you'll be probably be doing it all.
Robert Ford has yet to let me down, seriously.
So glad I've discovered his work.
Get your teeth into this meaty little feast now.
Again... a five star read.
In this collection you'll root for people and you'll loathe people. And quite often you'll be saying to yourself, "oh...for f*ck sake."
With the story MAGGIE BLUE you'll be probably be doing it all.
Robert Ford has yet to let me down, seriously.
So glad I've discovered his work.
Get your teeth into this meaty little feast now.
Again... a five star read.
August 25, 2019
The God Beneath My Garden by Bob Ford is an excellent collection. The stories touch on familiar tropes - ghosts, zombies, revenge, loss - but Ford's take on these tales is unique. His voice is empathetic, mesmerizing and undeniable. In each story, Ford tricks the reader into falling for the characters, which makes their pain all the more potent. You might want to pace yourself with this collection, so you don't run the risk of wearing your heart out from all the feels.
September 7, 2015
Top notch collection of dark fiction. Some of it bloody and messy and some of it quiet and creepy. Especially the last story, "Georgie". That one made the back of my neck tingle. Very creepy. "Bluebottle Summer" was probably my favorite with its mix of childhood love and gruesome murder. Robert Ford is a cool dude and i'm happy to have discovered his work.
November 4, 2017
Fantastic collection of dark yarns. Lived up to every expectation I had, every good thing everyone told me. 'Pleasing Marlena', 'Chasing The Milk', 'Georgie', all just excellent, top notch stuff. Will definitely throw more money in this author's pockets.
November 10, 2017
Dark fiction
There are some truly dark and often disturbing stories in here. I hope that Ford's caretakers are keeping close watch on him. Oh, and please bring him a fresh box of crayons.
There are some truly dark and often disturbing stories in here. I hope that Ford's caretakers are keeping close watch on him. Oh, and please bring him a fresh box of crayons.
March 11, 2016
Wow!
What a great collection of short stories! Very emotional! This is a special writer! All stories are very well done! Bravo Mr. Ford!
What a great collection of short stories! Very emotional! This is a special writer! All stories are very well done! Bravo Mr. Ford!
May 26, 2018
Fantastic short story collection
This short story collection is a must read, wonderful prose with dark themes and terrifying imagery and situations. Highly recommended.
This short story collection is a must read, wonderful prose with dark themes and terrifying imagery and situations. Highly recommended.
June 25, 2024
It’s ok, but no story really stands out, except maybe « Georgie », « the God beneath my garden » and « in darker waters »
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews