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Random Man
7 colorful tales driven by graphic intensity, horror, erotica and dark fantasy.
- GenresHorror
58 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 27, 2015
3 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 22, 2018
Mixed feelings on this one. After reading the first three short stories, I was ready leave this book behind. They were unpolished and nowhere near being fleshed-out enough to do much for me.
Other pieces seemed to be written by a different person. The fifth and longest piece "The Source," was easily the best, both compelling and well written. "Leonard's Violet Dilemma" was also a strong closer. I am going with 3 stars overall, but still scratching my head a bit.
Other pieces seemed to be written by a different person. The fifth and longest piece "The Source," was easily the best, both compelling and well written. "Leonard's Violet Dilemma" was also a strong closer. I am going with 3 stars overall, but still scratching my head a bit.
January 22, 2016
Well, well, well... After reading "Breathe" by Mr Robinson (which I liked) "Random Man" - a collection of 7 tales outdid "Breathe" for me. More horror, more creepiness, more "I sold my soul to the devil", more "I'm friggin hallucinating". I was laughing, I was disgusted, I was excited because there are, to me, plenty of read in between the lines kind of dark activity. Very blunt and imaginative, Layden Robinson definitely has a theme to his stories and they appeal to me quite a lot. Not sure what that says about me :D I need to mention that I love Robinson's writing and in a way it came across refreshing- there are no limits or boundaries to what's written down- everything is the way it is and while something's are fantasy, they are also in parallel with reality.
"Random Man" has slightly more erotic tones to it, but nothing drawn out and in porn-like detail. The erotic tones are more lyrical?! Strange right?
There is some "bad language" which I don't mind, but for those who do- don't read it. There are a few F's, C's and C's ;)
"Random Man" has slightly more erotic tones to it, but nothing drawn out and in porn-like detail. The erotic tones are more lyrical?! Strange right?
There is some "bad language" which I don't mind, but for those who do- don't read it. There are a few F's, C's and C's ;)
July 17, 2015
Well, this was certainly different. If you like different, trippy, and disturbing then this collection of short stories is definitely for you. I do, and I liked it. Standouts were Consumed, The Source, and Leonard's Violet Dilemma. They'll make you think, question what you've read, and wonder if you got it right. Great stuff.
January 16, 2016
Maniacal Rantings of Sanity
I feel the kindred beat of unknown unity within the forms brought to intangibility. The overwhelming self loathing breaths upon the shattered plane of sanity.
I feel the kindred beat of unknown unity within the forms brought to intangibility. The overwhelming self loathing breaths upon the shattered plane of sanity.
August 11, 2022
*I received a free ARC of this book, with thanks to the author. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
This is a really short collection of dark and twisted stories – seven in all – some of them only a few pages long.
The stories writhe with pain and bitterness, sex and violence and profanity and despair. The prose is almost poetic as it stream-of-consciousnesses its way onto the pages like the drug-spawned vomit of an omniscient observer, who watches emotionlessly as his subjects twitch and flail under his inky deluge.
That is to say, these stories are definitely not going to be for everyone, and may be best paired with mind-altering substances of your choice!
I found some of these stories a little too disjointed and nonsensical for my personal tastes, but did enjoy ‘An Emotional Puppet’, which reminded me a little of The Magnus Archives podcast, and ‘Leonard’s Violet Dilemma’ which appealed to the survivalist gamer in me.
If you’re looking for a dark and disturbing rabbit hole to fall into for a short time, then this may be just what you’re looking for. If you’re after a bit of light reading for mild entertainment, then probably not.
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
This is a really short collection of dark and twisted stories – seven in all – some of them only a few pages long.
The stories writhe with pain and bitterness, sex and violence and profanity and despair. The prose is almost poetic as it stream-of-consciousnesses its way onto the pages like the drug-spawned vomit of an omniscient observer, who watches emotionlessly as his subjects twitch and flail under his inky deluge.
That is to say, these stories are definitely not going to be for everyone, and may be best paired with mind-altering substances of your choice!
I found some of these stories a little too disjointed and nonsensical for my personal tastes, but did enjoy ‘An Emotional Puppet’, which reminded me a little of The Magnus Archives podcast, and ‘Leonard’s Violet Dilemma’ which appealed to the survivalist gamer in me.
If you’re looking for a dark and disturbing rabbit hole to fall into for a short time, then this may be just what you’re looking for. If you’re after a bit of light reading for mild entertainment, then probably not.
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
March 15, 2018
This is a book filled with vivid imagery. At times I was unsure of plotlines, but the imagery makes the reader feel something inside. I would recommend it if you want something different to stimulate your experience as a reader.
July 27, 2015
I don't know how it happened, but Layden Robinson is one of my Twttter friends. Random Man is a collection of seriously trippy short stories. All I want to know is what is he doing and where is he getting it. Great and bizarre writing.
June 28, 2020
There were aspects of each story in this collection that I really connected with. There is a greater depth that speaks about life in each story, and I enjoyed this, along with the randomness.
What I didn’t enjoy so much was the erotic interludes and sexual language.
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
What I didn’t enjoy so much was the erotic interludes and sexual language.
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
August 5, 2020
Horror it is!
What a way to start my day. Lauren Robinson hands us more short stories fill of horror and some sex. They are an easy read but maybe not for everyone. They can give you the willie's as some of them closely resemble nightmares.
What a way to start my day. Lauren Robinson hands us more short stories fill of horror and some sex. They are an easy read but maybe not for everyone. They can give you the willie's as some of them closely resemble nightmares.
February 26, 2018
Quick stories, quick read, good stuff
This is the third book I've read by Layden Robinson. After reading it I will be picking up Chameleon for further reading.
This is the third book I've read by Layden Robinson. After reading it I will be picking up Chameleon for further reading.
May 3, 2020
I received a copy for an honest review. First off, not my genre. That said, the writing was sporadic, but in a fun, weird way. I stumbled a few times over generic dialog. Overall, a good read, but I enjoyed this author's other work more.
December 29, 2015
This is a collection of seven short stories. Unfortunately apart from the last one, I found them to be plotless, trippy and pretty nonsensical. Written in a stream of consciousness style they left me trying to connect the dots too much.
This guy definitely has a great imagination and with the last story in the collection he proves that he can write a decent short story. I get what he was trying to do but it didn't work for me. Many of the characters in this short book are under the influence of drugs and alcohol and I get that but I still need a story to follow.
The last story entitled Leonard's Violet Dilemma is the best of the bunch and had just the right balance.
Finally this book could do with a decent cover and some further editing to iron out a few wrinkles.
2/5
March 19, 2016
Random Man is a collection of seven short stories encompassing various aspects of genres, often mingled to weave the tale.
Much in the same writing style as Breathe, the author creates good length tales which can be read easily in a sitting and can leave the reader thinking of things unsaid or implied.
The author uses a good narrative with graphic descriptions that can be anything from inspiring to horrific.
I gave this 4 stars as I enjoyed the work, but I feel in places the full potential of the story was not quite met, and although an advocate of leaving things to the imagination I felt sometimes the plot was a little unclear. It certainly is a good read, and worth picking up if you enjoy a refreshing voice which breaks away from the norm.
As per Amazon T&Cs I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Much in the same writing style as Breathe, the author creates good length tales which can be read easily in a sitting and can leave the reader thinking of things unsaid or implied.
The author uses a good narrative with graphic descriptions that can be anything from inspiring to horrific.
I gave this 4 stars as I enjoyed the work, but I feel in places the full potential of the story was not quite met, and although an advocate of leaving things to the imagination I felt sometimes the plot was a little unclear. It certainly is a good read, and worth picking up if you enjoy a refreshing voice which breaks away from the norm.
As per Amazon T&Cs I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
December 21, 2015
Random Man requires that you leave reality at the door and open your mind with no expectations.
There are seven stories in the collection. The book itself is a quick read, but I kept having to go back and read certain ones again.
The stories are unique, mystifying and I have a feeling that each person who reads them will come to a different conclusion than I did. Which may have been how Mr. Robinson meant it to be. Or not!
Different from anything I have read, there is horror, gore, pain and love. If this book was in my book club we would definitely have some interesting discussions!
There are seven stories in the collection. The book itself is a quick read, but I kept having to go back and read certain ones again.
The stories are unique, mystifying and I have a feeling that each person who reads them will come to a different conclusion than I did. Which may have been how Mr. Robinson meant it to be. Or not!
Different from anything I have read, there is horror, gore, pain and love. If this book was in my book club we would definitely have some interesting discussions!
January 31, 2017
Inspired by Wine!
This is a collection of very short stories, maybe even wondrous thoughts of the author. Each one is grandly thought out and cohesive. My favorite of the collection is "Cherry Road", and to quote my favorite line is "I am sure I am ready for wherever my new beginning takes me. For the best or worst, anything is better than what I know at this moment." Each story has a unique ending line, and a pause for a thought. I admire the inspiration of this author!
This is a collection of very short stories, maybe even wondrous thoughts of the author. Each one is grandly thought out and cohesive. My favorite of the collection is "Cherry Road", and to quote my favorite line is "I am sure I am ready for wherever my new beginning takes me. For the best or worst, anything is better than what I know at this moment." Each story has a unique ending line, and a pause for a thought. I admire the inspiration of this author!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews