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Dreaming At the Top of My Lungs: A Horror Collection
Twelve Dark Tales From The Mind Of Israel Finn:
A man who is faced with the prospect of losing the most important thing in his life—his son—but instead loses his mind. And then finds himself trapped in a waking nightmare with no way out.
A frustrated man who curses life for having the audacity to pass him by, but discovers how it feels to be truly forsaken when the universe chooses to teach him a horrifying lesson.
An outcast who must decide between vengeance and forgiveness in a world turned upside down by war and famine.
A woman on trial in a world where telling the truth is a crime.
And more...
A man who is faced with the prospect of losing the most important thing in his life—his son—but instead loses his mind. And then finds himself trapped in a waking nightmare with no way out.
A frustrated man who curses life for having the audacity to pass him by, but discovers how it feels to be truly forsaken when the universe chooses to teach him a horrifying lesson.
An outcast who must decide between vengeance and forgiveness in a world turned upside down by war and famine.
A woman on trial in a world where telling the truth is a crime.
And more...
171 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 11, 2016
10 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
Israel Finn
10 books42 followersIsrael Finn is an American writer of speculative fiction and the author of Dreaming at the Top of My Lungs. His stories have appeared in various magazines and anthologies and he's a winner of the 80th Annual Writer’s Digest Short Story Competition.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
January 26, 2019
This is my 11th book so far in 2019 and my 7th review giving a 5 star rating! I feel incredibly lucky to have read so many amazing books already!
If you follow my reviews or my social media accounts, it's abundantly clear I have a soft spot for short story collections; specifically "horror" in flavor.
Considering there are over 30 sub-genres of horror, DREAMING AT THE TOP OF MY LUNGS covers a lot of ground over the whole spectrum. Each story is wildly different than the next and that's why it's my recommendation to burn through them back-to-back so you can experience the impressive range of narratives, styles and subjects.
The first story, STRANDED explores a topic that I've been thinking about since I saw that horror/sci-fi movie THE ENDLESS. I won't say more than that--but if you enjoyed that movie...well...
NO SUCH THING AS MONSTERS was a hard read, until the end. The ending was satisfying-made it worth the difficult subject.
OVER MY DEAD BODY will be an annual Halloween recommendation.
SICK DAY was one of my favorites-classic horror and I loved it.
THE MESSENGER is one of those short stories that pick up right in the middle of something, you're not sure of the past and you're scared about the future (which you won't read) but what you get in this cross section is terrifying. Again, classic horror--I could read a whole novel of whatever it was Mr. Finn was imagining with that one.
DEADFALL LANE had a very classic Stephen King vibe and I really enjoyed it. It's hard for me to decide which story is my favorite between this one and SICK DAY.
STONES was a very interesting social commentary/speculative fiction short that lingered long after I finished.
I'm realizing that I'm writing about every, single story and I typically don't do that--I usually just mention the memorable ones or highlight my favorites but each and every story stands out here--so I'll just move on to the last story, UGLY-which again has this unexpected turn of events that really drives a spike of thought into your brain and it's not easily forgotten.
This is definitely one of the best possible introductions I've ever had with an author--I'll stand in line for more of Israel Finn's work. He caught my attention with his unique storytelling abilities and his dark, imaginative story ideas. I'm all in!
If you follow my reviews or my social media accounts, it's abundantly clear I have a soft spot for short story collections; specifically "horror" in flavor.
Considering there are over 30 sub-genres of horror, DREAMING AT THE TOP OF MY LUNGS covers a lot of ground over the whole spectrum. Each story is wildly different than the next and that's why it's my recommendation to burn through them back-to-back so you can experience the impressive range of narratives, styles and subjects.
The first story, STRANDED explores a topic that I've been thinking about since I saw that horror/sci-fi movie THE ENDLESS. I won't say more than that--but if you enjoyed that movie...well...
NO SUCH THING AS MONSTERS was a hard read, until the end. The ending was satisfying-made it worth the difficult subject.
OVER MY DEAD BODY will be an annual Halloween recommendation.
SICK DAY was one of my favorites-classic horror and I loved it.
THE MESSENGER is one of those short stories that pick up right in the middle of something, you're not sure of the past and you're scared about the future (which you won't read) but what you get in this cross section is terrifying. Again, classic horror--I could read a whole novel of whatever it was Mr. Finn was imagining with that one.
DEADFALL LANE had a very classic Stephen King vibe and I really enjoyed it. It's hard for me to decide which story is my favorite between this one and SICK DAY.
STONES was a very interesting social commentary/speculative fiction short that lingered long after I finished.
I'm realizing that I'm writing about every, single story and I typically don't do that--I usually just mention the memorable ones or highlight my favorites but each and every story stands out here--so I'll just move on to the last story, UGLY-which again has this unexpected turn of events that really drives a spike of thought into your brain and it's not easily forgotten.
This is definitely one of the best possible introductions I've ever had with an author--I'll stand in line for more of Israel Finn's work. He caught my attention with his unique storytelling abilities and his dark, imaginative story ideas. I'm all in!
January 11, 2020
This book entirely lived up to the hopes I had for it going in and then some.
Wonderfully written, beautifully edited, each and every story presented here is a polished gem of weird and dark fiction.
The stories are of a fairly short length for the most part, but not flash fiction by any means. Most clock in somewhere around 10 pages, I'd say, but they are tightly coiled tales with stunningly satisfying conclusions.
Fans of Ray Bradbury and Richard Matheson short stories should find much to enjoy here. I'm going to place my bets early and predict a major new talent has arrived on the scene.
FIVE BIG FAT STARS. Please keep the stories coming.
Wonderfully written, beautifully edited, each and every story presented here is a polished gem of weird and dark fiction.
The stories are of a fairly short length for the most part, but not flash fiction by any means. Most clock in somewhere around 10 pages, I'd say, but they are tightly coiled tales with stunningly satisfying conclusions.
Fans of Ray Bradbury and Richard Matheson short stories should find much to enjoy here. I'm going to place my bets early and predict a major new talent has arrived on the scene.
FIVE BIG FAT STARS. Please keep the stories coming.
December 28, 2016
This book entirely lived up to the hopes I had for it going in and then some.
Wonderfully written, beautifully edited, each and every story presented here is a polished gem of weird and dark fiction.
The stories are of a fairly short length for the most part, but not flash fiction by any means. Most clock in somewhere around 10 pages, I'd say, but they are tightly coiled tales with stunningly satisfying conclusions.
Fans of Ray Bradbury and Richard Matheson short stories should find much to enjoy here. I'm going to place my bets early and predict a major new talent has arrived on the scene.
FIVE BIG FAT STARS. Please keep the stories coming.
Wonderfully written, beautifully edited, each and every story presented here is a polished gem of weird and dark fiction.
The stories are of a fairly short length for the most part, but not flash fiction by any means. Most clock in somewhere around 10 pages, I'd say, but they are tightly coiled tales with stunningly satisfying conclusions.
Fans of Ray Bradbury and Richard Matheson short stories should find much to enjoy here. I'm going to place my bets early and predict a major new talent has arrived on the scene.
FIVE BIG FAT STARS. Please keep the stories coming.
April 5, 2016
Wonderful collection of weird, creepy and thought provoking stories. My favorite was Deadfall Lane but I really enjoyed them all. Looking forward to reading more of Israel Finn's work.
March 27, 2016
Superb collection of original, compact, fully-realized weird tales. Not a dud in the book, I burned through this with mounting joy as every story satisfied as much, if not more, as the one before it.
September 21, 2018
**Edited to add review**
Dreaming at the Top of My Lungs is the first collection of short stories by Israel Finn, and I suspect by the quality of stories included in this anthology, it won’t be his last.
I started this collection and was startled by how easy I found the stories to read. It was as though Israel and I were sitting in a bar chatting leisurely about messed up life experiences. Before I realized it, I was done.
To pick out one single stand out story is impossible and frankly there isn’t a story in this group that brings any of the others down. Some may end up staying with you longer, but by no means is that down-grading any of the others.
My hope from this fantastic collection of truly dark thoughts would be that more people check out his work. I find that sometimes the best way to find out if you like an author is by picking up a package like this. I can guarantee you, personally, this collection has made me a fan. I can’t wait to dive into Israel’s long reads and see what world’s he will be opening up for me.
Now, you ask, what type of tales are in this? Well I won’t give you any spoilers, but I will give you a few brief overviews of a couple, taken from Israel’s own descriptions;
A woman on trial in a world where telling the truth is a crime.
An outcast who must decide between vengeance and forgiveness in a world turned upside down by war and famine.
A man who is faced with the prospect of losing the most important thing in his life—his son—but instead loses his mind. And then finds himself trapped in a waking nightmare with no way out.
While these are some of the descriptions I have included, these are just a few snippets of the highly engaging and memorable nightmares Mr. Finn puts forth.
I highly recommend you check this collection out.
Dreaming at the Top of My Lungs is the first collection of short stories by Israel Finn, and I suspect by the quality of stories included in this anthology, it won’t be his last.
I started this collection and was startled by how easy I found the stories to read. It was as though Israel and I were sitting in a bar chatting leisurely about messed up life experiences. Before I realized it, I was done.
To pick out one single stand out story is impossible and frankly there isn’t a story in this group that brings any of the others down. Some may end up staying with you longer, but by no means is that down-grading any of the others.
My hope from this fantastic collection of truly dark thoughts would be that more people check out his work. I find that sometimes the best way to find out if you like an author is by picking up a package like this. I can guarantee you, personally, this collection has made me a fan. I can’t wait to dive into Israel’s long reads and see what world’s he will be opening up for me.
Now, you ask, what type of tales are in this? Well I won’t give you any spoilers, but I will give you a few brief overviews of a couple, taken from Israel’s own descriptions;
A woman on trial in a world where telling the truth is a crime.
An outcast who must decide between vengeance and forgiveness in a world turned upside down by war and famine.
A man who is faced with the prospect of losing the most important thing in his life—his son—but instead loses his mind. And then finds himself trapped in a waking nightmare with no way out.
While these are some of the descriptions I have included, these are just a few snippets of the highly engaging and memorable nightmares Mr. Finn puts forth.
I highly recommend you check this collection out.
November 9, 2017
A strong collection, with 5-star stories in Stranded, Water and War, and Deathbed, all powerful, sometimes satirical, and not altogether horror.
October 31, 2020
(4.5 stars) updated as now on STORGY.com
An author that I’ve read a lot of previously in horror anthologies, Israel Finn, releases his very first short story collection and boy was the wait worth it. This collection is truly masterful. I loved everything about this collection.
Finn has collated twelve stories that will entertain you, shock you, beat you down and then pick you back up by the scruff of your shirt, only so it can knock you down again. Once you’ve finished this collection, you know you’ve read something that is special, it left me a little punch-drunk if I’m honest and the short story Stones – is up there in my top twenty short stories of all time, and like cream it’s rising to the surface the more I think about it, but we’ll touch on that later.
Dreaming at the Top of my Lungs is a stonking read, it’s a gritty book where Finn doesn’t skirt around the edges, he plunges us straight into the darkness time-and-time again, he waterboards us, bringing us face-to-face with darkness, fear and depravity.
What I think makes a storyteller a great storyteller is when they take the reader (if they’re willing or not) where they don’t want to go, where they wouldn’t dream of venturing, but once there, they end up appreciating the ride and its final destination. And that is what Finn does, again and again, with urgent, unflinching and unabashed prose, Finn drags us into the darkness where we discover the monsters under the bed as well as the monsters of men and women.
So on with the review…
Stranded – A grueling re-imagining of Groundhog Day, if Groundhog Day was a ghostly apparition. We have a repetition of events that is so tedious, so all consuming that it becomes somewhat torturous. Our protagonist doesn’t have enough time to do anything before the world resets and he’s back to square one – just be careful what you wish for!
No Such Thing As Monsters – Childhood monsters and what lurks in the closet are mirrored here perfectly with the real life monsters of a son’s father, and the horrors are unimaginable. The childhood imaginary monsters blend perfectly with the real life monsters in a truly dark and sinister offering. What goes bump in the night? A great many things… so be vigilant.
Over my Dead Body – This story was a full on panic attack of a story. With creeping dread and a sense of unease revealed on every page made this uncomfortable reading for me; because it was uncomfortable for our protagonist, which showcases some stunning writing on Israel Finn’s part. Over my Dead Body was almost a dream within a dream (to quote Poe), if that dream was a nightmare. A man fleeing a car accident discovers that the world he once knew is no longer the same, things have altered slightly and his personal nightmares and fears lurk become a new reality and around every corner anguish drips from each sorry face he sees.
Sick Day – I had no idea where this story was going before it was too late. A beautifully weird piece of fiction that was wonderfully written – the thing I have loved about these stories is Finn’s ability to write mesmerisingly flawed character, and this is no exception – Sick Day contains some gruesome goodness that I particularly enjoyed!
The Messenger – This was a cracking story, which had a very dystopian feel, think handmaids – I also liked the little nod to stoning someone for their crimes. In this story it is a crime to speak the truth or write about it, where people’s hideous lives are not discussed as vengeance is carried out on those that do. It could also be seen as a social commentary piece, how freedom of speech is being torn away, where speaking truth often offends people, and so Finn has created a town in a not too distant future that it is against the law to do so. It also for me as a writer, could make a sharp nod to censorship… a really strong piece.
Deadfall Lane – A familial story that reads like a waking nightmare as a father fights to keep his son, his most cherished thing in the world, he’d die for him and he’s not going to let his wife take him away, not ever. This story read like it could have been written by Edgar Allan Poe such is the haunting menace, gut punching brilliance on show. A story that is as haunting as it is terrifying.
Water and War – I enjoyed this story of tough choices between a man and a visiting alien, it’s much more dialogue led than the other stories and I enjoyed the voices of both protagonists and it is a very topical piece in shedding light on who the true monsters are and what devastation they cause.
Stones – Such a cleverly woven story, you’re thinking one thing and then Finn shakes the ground beneath your feet. This is a truly spellbinding read that tackles homophobia in a dystopian hinterland – fabulously written and one of my favourite in the collection, pure magic! The subtle elements that Finn weaves into his prose, that pull you in to sit at the table, that have you engaged from the very outset of this story are masterfully placed. Finn makes you feel comfortable with what you’re reading and expect you’re reading before he pulls the rug out from under your feet and which made my mouth drop open in wonderment at his brilliance. Was reminiscent of the brilliance of both Margaret Atwood and Richard Matheson.
‘It occurred to me (not for the first time) that the past is always reaching out to drag us relentlessly back, like a black hole from which even light cannot escape.’
Deathbed – A deathbed confessional that packs a gut punch, familial hurt coming to the surface like a bloodletting but this is more an unburdening of unnecessary guilt, shame and emotion abuse. A very striking story.
To Catch a Fly – What makes a monster? Nature vs nurture? We find out in this story in unflinching and unforgiving prose. Hard hitting and a protagonist I absolutely loved reading.
The Present – Told in diary format which is hard to read at times given the subject matter of domestic abuse. But as mentioned above Finn does not shy away from evocatively portraying this pain and suffering. We follow our protagonist as she is beaten regularly and we also see that her daughter is also subjected to this physical abuse by this beast of a man she calls a dad. One day as Christmas approaches the mother decides to get her husband a gift he’ll never forget. This is weird fiction at its finest and had me reminiscing about Philip K Dick’s Ubik in places.
Ugly – A delicate tale to end the collection that brings new meaning to the old phrase, ‘Never judge a book by its cover’ – this was a short and somewhat uncanny story but I also found it quite heartwarming!
Dreaming at the Top of my Lungs had me screaming at the top of my lungs with appreciation for how fine a storyteller Israel Finn is. I can’t say much else, other than this is a masterful collection that you need to read. A particular highlight for me was Stones – which in my opinion to discover that story and that story alone, is worth the price of this collection.
An author that I’ve read a lot of previously in horror anthologies, Israel Finn, releases his very first short story collection and boy was the wait worth it. This collection is truly masterful. I loved everything about this collection.
Finn has collated twelve stories that will entertain you, shock you, beat you down and then pick you back up by the scruff of your shirt, only so it can knock you down again. Once you’ve finished this collection, you know you’ve read something that is special, it left me a little punch-drunk if I’m honest and the short story Stones – is up there in my top twenty short stories of all time, and like cream it’s rising to the surface the more I think about it, but we’ll touch on that later.
Dreaming at the Top of my Lungs is a stonking read, it’s a gritty book where Finn doesn’t skirt around the edges, he plunges us straight into the darkness time-and-time again, he waterboards us, bringing us face-to-face with darkness, fear and depravity.
What I think makes a storyteller a great storyteller is when they take the reader (if they’re willing or not) where they don’t want to go, where they wouldn’t dream of venturing, but once there, they end up appreciating the ride and its final destination. And that is what Finn does, again and again, with urgent, unflinching and unabashed prose, Finn drags us into the darkness where we discover the monsters under the bed as well as the monsters of men and women.
So on with the review…
Stranded – A grueling re-imagining of Groundhog Day, if Groundhog Day was a ghostly apparition. We have a repetition of events that is so tedious, so all consuming that it becomes somewhat torturous. Our protagonist doesn’t have enough time to do anything before the world resets and he’s back to square one – just be careful what you wish for!
No Such Thing As Monsters – Childhood monsters and what lurks in the closet are mirrored here perfectly with the real life monsters of a son’s father, and the horrors are unimaginable. The childhood imaginary monsters blend perfectly with the real life monsters in a truly dark and sinister offering. What goes bump in the night? A great many things… so be vigilant.
Over my Dead Body – This story was a full on panic attack of a story. With creeping dread and a sense of unease revealed on every page made this uncomfortable reading for me; because it was uncomfortable for our protagonist, which showcases some stunning writing on Israel Finn’s part. Over my Dead Body was almost a dream within a dream (to quote Poe), if that dream was a nightmare. A man fleeing a car accident discovers that the world he once knew is no longer the same, things have altered slightly and his personal nightmares and fears lurk become a new reality and around every corner anguish drips from each sorry face he sees.
Sick Day – I had no idea where this story was going before it was too late. A beautifully weird piece of fiction that was wonderfully written – the thing I have loved about these stories is Finn’s ability to write mesmerisingly flawed character, and this is no exception – Sick Day contains some gruesome goodness that I particularly enjoyed!
The Messenger – This was a cracking story, which had a very dystopian feel, think handmaids – I also liked the little nod to stoning someone for their crimes. In this story it is a crime to speak the truth or write about it, where people’s hideous lives are not discussed as vengeance is carried out on those that do. It could also be seen as a social commentary piece, how freedom of speech is being torn away, where speaking truth often offends people, and so Finn has created a town in a not too distant future that it is against the law to do so. It also for me as a writer, could make a sharp nod to censorship… a really strong piece.
Deadfall Lane – A familial story that reads like a waking nightmare as a father fights to keep his son, his most cherished thing in the world, he’d die for him and he’s not going to let his wife take him away, not ever. This story read like it could have been written by Edgar Allan Poe such is the haunting menace, gut punching brilliance on show. A story that is as haunting as it is terrifying.
Water and War – I enjoyed this story of tough choices between a man and a visiting alien, it’s much more dialogue led than the other stories and I enjoyed the voices of both protagonists and it is a very topical piece in shedding light on who the true monsters are and what devastation they cause.
Stones – Such a cleverly woven story, you’re thinking one thing and then Finn shakes the ground beneath your feet. This is a truly spellbinding read that tackles homophobia in a dystopian hinterland – fabulously written and one of my favourite in the collection, pure magic! The subtle elements that Finn weaves into his prose, that pull you in to sit at the table, that have you engaged from the very outset of this story are masterfully placed. Finn makes you feel comfortable with what you’re reading and expect you’re reading before he pulls the rug out from under your feet and which made my mouth drop open in wonderment at his brilliance. Was reminiscent of the brilliance of both Margaret Atwood and Richard Matheson.
‘It occurred to me (not for the first time) that the past is always reaching out to drag us relentlessly back, like a black hole from which even light cannot escape.’
Deathbed – A deathbed confessional that packs a gut punch, familial hurt coming to the surface like a bloodletting but this is more an unburdening of unnecessary guilt, shame and emotion abuse. A very striking story.
To Catch a Fly – What makes a monster? Nature vs nurture? We find out in this story in unflinching and unforgiving prose. Hard hitting and a protagonist I absolutely loved reading.
The Present – Told in diary format which is hard to read at times given the subject matter of domestic abuse. But as mentioned above Finn does not shy away from evocatively portraying this pain and suffering. We follow our protagonist as she is beaten regularly and we also see that her daughter is also subjected to this physical abuse by this beast of a man she calls a dad. One day as Christmas approaches the mother decides to get her husband a gift he’ll never forget. This is weird fiction at its finest and had me reminiscing about Philip K Dick’s Ubik in places.
Ugly – A delicate tale to end the collection that brings new meaning to the old phrase, ‘Never judge a book by its cover’ – this was a short and somewhat uncanny story but I also found it quite heartwarming!
Dreaming at the Top of my Lungs had me screaming at the top of my lungs with appreciation for how fine a storyteller Israel Finn is. I can’t say much else, other than this is a masterful collection that you need to read. A particular highlight for me was Stones – which in my opinion to discover that story and that story alone, is worth the price of this collection.
October 30, 2016
3.5 stars (4 for goodreads) Stranded was an awesome story. I wish every story in the book had been that great.
January 16, 2020
What a fantastic collection of stories going across the board from horror to literary to science fiction. Mr. Finn covers many topics, domestic abuse, apocalyptic warnings and social commentary. Stranded, the first story in the book was my favorite and set the tone of the type of stories ahead. The Present was a difficult story to read about domestic abuse and the ending was perfect justice! No spoilers here, too easy to do with short stories and this slim volume of a 147 pages will give you a great weekend read. I’m picking up more stories by this author. Add this book to your TBR. You’ll be glad you did!
December 23, 2022
Das ist definitiv eine der besten Kurzgeschichtensammlungen, die ich je gelesen habe. Keine einzige Story hat mich enttäuscht, alle waren gut bis sehr gut. Teilweise gab es sehr clevere Twists und Pointen, genau so wie ich das liebe.
Ich hoffe sehr auf weitere Bücher dieses großartigen Autors!
Ich hoffe sehr auf weitere Bücher dieses großartigen Autors!
February 28, 2020
12 compelling stories about lost and broken characters, written in a brutally sparse style that reminded me of Pollock's 'Knockemstiff' - I thoroughly enjoyed every tale in this collection. Go on, treat yourself.
April 22, 2018
This is a great collection. Israel Finn has a really cool sort of laid back writing style that has an informal feel to it like he's right beside you talking to you reeling you in unawares. Dreaming At the Top of My Lungs covers a great range of subject matter and themes and no two stories are the same.
I'm not quite sure what genre this falls into, its not horror but definitely dark and has some elements of science fiction, weird and speculative fiction. Which is cool as I like stories that don't really fit in with the crowds.
These are tales about the down and outs, the forgotten people who fall through the cracks and feel they will never be able to haul themselves back up. These are the people who feel they've lost everything already. As I read this I get the impression that Israel Finn has somehow lived a multitude of different lifetimes and is sharing his dark wisdom with us. He's clearly seen a lot in life as these stories hint at.
Its a quite a short collection of 12 short stories and took me no time at all to read as they're all so good. As I'm writing I'm finding it really hard to pick out a favourite tale. There really wasn't any that I thought that weren't as good as the others. They're all so different and brilliant in their own ways.
I found the penultimate tale, Ugly really moving and I just loved the dark imagination of it, a modern day Jesus. As was Water and War and Stones which really makes you think about the world we live in and what the future might hold.
I really enjoyed Sick Day and No Such Things as Monsters as very darkly amusing and gruesome tales which will appeal to those who like a bit of gore. Stranded was a really fun read with a great ending. The Present was a really satisfying read and I also felt the darkest tale.
The clever thing about Israel Finn is that he somehow makes you side with his characters who aren't always the nicest of people, somehow you feel like you played a part in their crimes and are complicit in what is it they're doing.
I'm really looking forward to reading more by Israel Finn, definitely going to keep an eye for him in the future.
I'm not quite sure what genre this falls into, its not horror but definitely dark and has some elements of science fiction, weird and speculative fiction. Which is cool as I like stories that don't really fit in with the crowds.
These are tales about the down and outs, the forgotten people who fall through the cracks and feel they will never be able to haul themselves back up. These are the people who feel they've lost everything already. As I read this I get the impression that Israel Finn has somehow lived a multitude of different lifetimes and is sharing his dark wisdom with us. He's clearly seen a lot in life as these stories hint at.
Its a quite a short collection of 12 short stories and took me no time at all to read as they're all so good. As I'm writing I'm finding it really hard to pick out a favourite tale. There really wasn't any that I thought that weren't as good as the others. They're all so different and brilliant in their own ways.
I found the penultimate tale, Ugly really moving and I just loved the dark imagination of it, a modern day Jesus. As was Water and War and Stones which really makes you think about the world we live in and what the future might hold.
I really enjoyed Sick Day and No Such Things as Monsters as very darkly amusing and gruesome tales which will appeal to those who like a bit of gore. Stranded was a really fun read with a great ending. The Present was a really satisfying read and I also felt the darkest tale.
The clever thing about Israel Finn is that he somehow makes you side with his characters who aren't always the nicest of people, somehow you feel like you played a part in their crimes and are complicit in what is it they're doing.
I'm really looking forward to reading more by Israel Finn, definitely going to keep an eye for him in the future.
September 17, 2020
The author has a fan in me.
This is the best short story collection I have ever read.
I would like to say thank you too the author for sending a Copy my way to review. I will keep my Review spoiler free along with my video Review 👍
The plot and premise for the stories I give 5 stars.
Some could have been longer. They all left me wanting more. My favorite stories were Deadfall Lane a story of a man who's life goes off the rails when he finds that his wife is leaving him for another man. To catch a fly is my second favorite story in the collection. You venture into a man who is writing the story of his life from a prison cell. There is a story in this collection for everyone.
Writing gets 5 stars it is shocking that this is the first Fiction I am reading from this man. Outstanding character work and setting the scenes. 💪
Horror gets 4 stars this collection has everything you could imagine some stories fall into the strange fiction side of things, to classic horror, to sci-fi horror. Such great action scenes.
Fun 4 stars I enjoyed some stories more than others, like I feel most people will. But I bet if you pick this book up You will find different favorites than mine! That is the Wonderful part about these stories
Overall this was one of my favorite reads of the year. Great Indie Horror 🤘
https://youtu.be/5FOZFDYeVTk
This is the best short story collection I have ever read.
I would like to say thank you too the author for sending a Copy my way to review. I will keep my Review spoiler free along with my video Review 👍
The plot and premise for the stories I give 5 stars.
Some could have been longer. They all left me wanting more. My favorite stories were Deadfall Lane a story of a man who's life goes off the rails when he finds that his wife is leaving him for another man. To catch a fly is my second favorite story in the collection. You venture into a man who is writing the story of his life from a prison cell. There is a story in this collection for everyone.
Writing gets 5 stars it is shocking that this is the first Fiction I am reading from this man. Outstanding character work and setting the scenes. 💪
Horror gets 4 stars this collection has everything you could imagine some stories fall into the strange fiction side of things, to classic horror, to sci-fi horror. Such great action scenes.
Fun 4 stars I enjoyed some stories more than others, like I feel most people will. But I bet if you pick this book up You will find different favorites than mine! That is the Wonderful part about these stories
Overall this was one of my favorite reads of the year. Great Indie Horror 🤘
https://youtu.be/5FOZFDYeVTk
March 28, 2019
“It’s always the dead of February. The tarnished sun sits frozen just above the rooftops in a low monochrome sky.”
This was my first experience reading anything by Israel Finn and I enjoyed this collection. Quiet horror with touches of cosmic happenings and a Twilight Zone feel here and there; there are several stories that really stood out for me.
Some favorites are: Stranded, No Such Thing as Monsters, Over My Dead Body, The Messenger, and To Catch a Fly
I admit that the first few stories really bowled me over and then the last two I listed were towards the end. If I had to pick an absolute fave? It’s a toss up between the first two, Stranded and No Such Thing as Monsters.
I will definitely read more from this author.
This was my first experience reading anything by Israel Finn and I enjoyed this collection. Quiet horror with touches of cosmic happenings and a Twilight Zone feel here and there; there are several stories that really stood out for me.
Some favorites are: Stranded, No Such Thing as Monsters, Over My Dead Body, The Messenger, and To Catch a Fly
I admit that the first few stories really bowled me over and then the last two I listed were towards the end. If I had to pick an absolute fave? It’s a toss up between the first two, Stranded and No Such Thing as Monsters.
I will definitely read more from this author.
June 19, 2021
It's a yikes from me ladies and gentlemen
September 8, 2018
I felt compelled to start writing my review for Dreaming at the Top of My Lungs, by Israel Finn, well before having finished reading it. Reading the story “To Catch a Fly” really helped me put things into perspective. Needless to say, after reading this 150 plus page anthology collection of shorts, I realized I would be a fan of his work, moving forward. All of the stories in this book are crafted very well and selected for a certain purpose. Really, in a nut shell, Finn gives you a glimpse of the reality in this horrific world and what it has to offer, especially honing in on what you take for granted everyday. Although I won’t go into detail about all the stories included, I will comment that two of my favorite stories were Deadfall Lane and Stones. These two stories truly reached out to me in profound ways, not necessarily for good or bad, but simply, reflection. I like authors who take their time to write. You know it when you read it, the level of depth to what they are trying to convey. Finn does this and I applaud it. After reading a certain story, I felt the need to call my father shortly after, even though it was an opposite outcome that might have been intended. Finn’s work is dark and gritty, but very true in many ways. I look forward to his other works.
FD Gross
Grelldragon@hotmail.com
FD Gross
Grelldragon@hotmail.com
December 9, 2020
I read it. And then I read it again.
The stories in "Dreaming At The Top of My Lungs" stuck in my head.
I was thinking of them constantly. and I kept thinking of the title, "Dreaming at the Top of My Lungs." This book has attitude. Stream of dark consciousness, moral dilemmas, bittersweet revenge. Classic tales flipped on their heads. Angles on familiar stories. A contemporary Twilight Zone, but given an Israel Finn grittiness.
"DeadFall Lane" stands out as the best of the collection and is among one of my favorite short stories of the year, check that...
... It's probably one of my favorite short stories ever. It's incredible, an absolute masterclass by Israel and a true showcase of his talent. Even though many of his other stories do the same.
This is a must read for dark fiction. There's no way around it.
The stories in "Dreaming At The Top of My Lungs" stuck in my head.
I was thinking of them constantly. and I kept thinking of the title, "Dreaming at the Top of My Lungs." This book has attitude. Stream of dark consciousness, moral dilemmas, bittersweet revenge. Classic tales flipped on their heads. Angles on familiar stories. A contemporary Twilight Zone, but given an Israel Finn grittiness.
"DeadFall Lane" stands out as the best of the collection and is among one of my favorite short stories of the year, check that...
... It's probably one of my favorite short stories ever. It's incredible, an absolute masterclass by Israel and a true showcase of his talent. Even though many of his other stories do the same.
This is a must read for dark fiction. There's no way around it.
July 31, 2020
Great collection and fantastic writing. Not all of them connected with me, but some of the stories hit real hard: DEADFALL LANE, TO CATCH A FLY, and STRANDED were right on the money.
They were five stars easy.
The other stories I'd range from 3 to 4 stars.
I liked them all, so I'm averaging this one out at 4 stars.
A solid 4.
I must add that the stories that didn't quite nail it for me, I feel would absolutely hit home for others. I just got that vibe from them. Hard to explain what I mean, but I know certain people will love them.
I blasted through this.
I'm sure you will too.
Buy it.
Oh, and thanks to Well Read Beard for finally convincing me to read this.
It's been on my Kindle forever.
They were five stars easy.
The other stories I'd range from 3 to 4 stars.
I liked them all, so I'm averaging this one out at 4 stars.
A solid 4.
I must add that the stories that didn't quite nail it for me, I feel would absolutely hit home for others. I just got that vibe from them. Hard to explain what I mean, but I know certain people will love them.
I blasted through this.
I'm sure you will too.
Buy it.
Oh, and thanks to Well Read Beard for finally convincing me to read this.
It's been on my Kindle forever.
August 29, 2020
I received a copy of "Dreaming at the Top of my Lungs" from Israel Finn and "Wow" Each story dug into my brain and wouldn't let go. His style is smooth and his ideas are inventive. If you're looking for a quick read but one that lingers, GET THIS BOOK NOW!
November 2, 2020
Israel Finn has crafted a layered, unique, and disturbing piece of work. This collection was beyond outstanding. Everything from the prose, to the imagination on display, blew me away. This book is easily in my top three collections of all time, right behind North American Lake Monsters by Nathan Ballingrud and Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King. The writing and storytelling were so good at points, that I found myself actually smiling. I had to take a break, just cause I did't want the awesome experience I was having to come to an inevitable end. Finn is now one of my favorite authors, and I think he is criminally underrated. The level of talent and polish gracing these pages are things which you'll be hard pressed to find in a lot of commercially successful literature, let alone the indie scene. Finn is an inspiration as a storyteller, and I can't wait to read more from him. While each tale in this book amazed me in some fashion, my top five would have to be, Stones, Deadfall Lane, Deathbed, To Catch A Fly, and Sick Day. This book is a must read for fans of dark fiction and psychological horror. Inventive in every sense of the word. 5 out of 5 stars. ( Thank you to my buddy, Josh, for gifting this to me. It was spectacular, dude) Masterpiece.
June 3, 2016
Israel Finn has compiled a set of tales that have a little something for everyone. Sometimes cerebral, sometimes gritty, these stories are written with a richly detailed vocabulary that can't help but yank you into the scene and put you nose-to-nose with the characters. Highly recommend!
October 10, 2016
Finn has a way with short fiction.
Each jem of a story conveys a single disturbing emotion. They all held my focus, even while riding the bus.
Each jem of a story conveys a single disturbing emotion. They all held my focus, even while riding the bus.
August 24, 2018
“Dreaming At the Top of My Lungs” by Israel Finn – Brief Pictures of Horror
Israel Finn's Cacophony of Terror
I want to spoil as little as possible about the twelve stories in this homely little collection, but just to give you an idea of what you'll find, there's one about a woman on trial in a world where telling the truth is a crime, another about an outcast choosing between vengeance and forgiveness, and the tale of a man caught in a nightmare after losing his son. They are the types of short stories which drop their protagonists in dreadful situations, and through their fates the author explores the dark nooks and crannies of human nature.
Dreams of the Twilight Zone
If the premises for those short stories give you a somewhat familiar feeling inside, then rest assured you're certainly not alone in that. From the very first moments I opened the pages the book gave out a distinct Twilight Zone atmosphere, to the point where I believe every one of those stories could be made into a compelling episode. There isn't all that much thought given to realism or even context in most cases, focusing mostly on the horror the protagonists are traversing.
The most Twilight Zone-esque element comes from the character development of the protagonists. We see them all fighting uphill battles which they don't completely understand, struggling with the world around them as much as the one within them. We witness them being shaped and molded by the events they endure, and in some cases, we see them grow as human beings, learning some life lessons along the way and sharing their discoveries with us.
Atrocities from Beyond the Wall of Literature
Now I opened this review with a talk about how horror nowadays doesn't truly terrify anymore, but has rather become an entertaining genre for most people. While I don't think we can ever truly recapture the glory days of when young adults would get nightmarish horrors from silent horror films, I believe this collection of stories comes close to that in a certain way. The true fear of these stories doesn't come from what terrible fate might befall the characters, but rather the parallels we ultimately draw to our world and ourselves.
This element is tremendously complemented by the author's writing prowess. He knows precisely how to set the mood using a few concise keywords, how to manipulate our expectations and our attention. The pacing is generally rather quick and brutal, to the point where it feels some of the stories are actually ending too soon, but such is the price to pay for never having a boring moment. Finn also has a remarkable knack for depicting tragedies, monsters and virtually any atrocity imaginable.
The Final Verdict
In the end, Dreaming At the Top of My Lungs by Israel Finn is a phenomenal collection of short horror stories which can amuse, frighten, and push into deep thought like very few others. I highly recommend this collection to any horror fans out there yearning for a breath of fresh air.
This was an abridged version of our review. If you'd like to check out the full one, you can do so here: https://quick-book-review.blogspot.co...
Israel Finn's Cacophony of Terror
I want to spoil as little as possible about the twelve stories in this homely little collection, but just to give you an idea of what you'll find, there's one about a woman on trial in a world where telling the truth is a crime, another about an outcast choosing between vengeance and forgiveness, and the tale of a man caught in a nightmare after losing his son. They are the types of short stories which drop their protagonists in dreadful situations, and through their fates the author explores the dark nooks and crannies of human nature.
Dreams of the Twilight Zone
If the premises for those short stories give you a somewhat familiar feeling inside, then rest assured you're certainly not alone in that. From the very first moments I opened the pages the book gave out a distinct Twilight Zone atmosphere, to the point where I believe every one of those stories could be made into a compelling episode. There isn't all that much thought given to realism or even context in most cases, focusing mostly on the horror the protagonists are traversing.
The most Twilight Zone-esque element comes from the character development of the protagonists. We see them all fighting uphill battles which they don't completely understand, struggling with the world around them as much as the one within them. We witness them being shaped and molded by the events they endure, and in some cases, we see them grow as human beings, learning some life lessons along the way and sharing their discoveries with us.
Atrocities from Beyond the Wall of Literature
Now I opened this review with a talk about how horror nowadays doesn't truly terrify anymore, but has rather become an entertaining genre for most people. While I don't think we can ever truly recapture the glory days of when young adults would get nightmarish horrors from silent horror films, I believe this collection of stories comes close to that in a certain way. The true fear of these stories doesn't come from what terrible fate might befall the characters, but rather the parallels we ultimately draw to our world and ourselves.
This element is tremendously complemented by the author's writing prowess. He knows precisely how to set the mood using a few concise keywords, how to manipulate our expectations and our attention. The pacing is generally rather quick and brutal, to the point where it feels some of the stories are actually ending too soon, but such is the price to pay for never having a boring moment. Finn also has a remarkable knack for depicting tragedies, monsters and virtually any atrocity imaginable.
The Final Verdict
In the end, Dreaming At the Top of My Lungs by Israel Finn is a phenomenal collection of short horror stories which can amuse, frighten, and push into deep thought like very few others. I highly recommend this collection to any horror fans out there yearning for a breath of fresh air.
This was an abridged version of our review. If you'd like to check out the full one, you can do so here: https://quick-book-review.blogspot.co...
September 3, 2020
Disclosure: I was given a free copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Genres: Horror, Anthology, Short Stories
Pages: 148
Star Rating: 4/5
Israel Finn’s Dreaming at the Top of My Lungs is a collection of a dozen short stories and vignettes without a framing narrative or theme, but the feel of a classic Twilight Zone or Black Mirror episode brings a cohesiveness to the selections. Broken parents, the inability to come to terms with one’s own choices, and the sudden loss of free will feature several times in the stories.
As with most anthologies, there are a few stories that just didn’t draw me in as much as others—but there are some genres of horror that I enjoy more than others, and I very rarely come across a collection of short stories without one or two that feel less strong than the others to me. But this isn’t due to a failure in Finn’s writing, and his lean, unpretentious style makes even the longer stories a quick read, which kept my enthusiasm and interest high throughout.
In order to keep the review spoiler-free as possible, I decided to give a snapshot of just my three favorite stories, rather than a summary of each one:
“Deadfall Lane” concerns a man who would do anything to keep his son, and the fallout that comes of it.
“The Present” follows a battered wife as she tries to avoid inciting her husband’s rage—especially after it begins to turn toward their teenage daughter.
“Ugly” is a quick, but powerful glimpse into the life of a waitress whose monstrous face attracts bad luck and scorn. This story's plot could easily be the basis for a longer, and extremely interesting, work.
The structure of the anthology is interesting: many stories toward the beginning showcase the ugliness and short sight of humanity, and gradually, stories that include tiny bits of hope, or simple kindnesses toward a stranger, begin to slip their way between them. The end result is that, just as you think you have an idea of what to expect from Finn’s stories, they become more surprising, and the emotional payoff is higher. The book itself also is one of the highest quality self-published books I’ve read. The texture of the book itself is pleasing, and apart from a tiny omission of a word in one sentence, the editing, formatting, and quality of the cover image are extremely professional. I think that the back cover could be more attractive if it were solid red, and used one of the fonts from the front cover, but that’s an extreme nitpick that doesn’t affect my score.
Dreaming at the Top of My Lungs is a solid collection, and more than half of the stories within it I thought were original, clever, and dark enough to make it into a prestige anthology with the big names in horror. With the sense of irony and understanding of dysfunction that shows here, I would love to see Finn take on character-driven stories, and I’d recommend him as a name to watch for fellow genre fans.
Content warnings: domestic violence, gore, bullying, threats/implicit sexual assault, child abuse.
Genres: Horror, Anthology, Short Stories
Pages: 148
Star Rating: 4/5
Israel Finn’s Dreaming at the Top of My Lungs is a collection of a dozen short stories and vignettes without a framing narrative or theme, but the feel of a classic Twilight Zone or Black Mirror episode brings a cohesiveness to the selections. Broken parents, the inability to come to terms with one’s own choices, and the sudden loss of free will feature several times in the stories.
As with most anthologies, there are a few stories that just didn’t draw me in as much as others—but there are some genres of horror that I enjoy more than others, and I very rarely come across a collection of short stories without one or two that feel less strong than the others to me. But this isn’t due to a failure in Finn’s writing, and his lean, unpretentious style makes even the longer stories a quick read, which kept my enthusiasm and interest high throughout.
In order to keep the review spoiler-free as possible, I decided to give a snapshot of just my three favorite stories, rather than a summary of each one:
“Deadfall Lane” concerns a man who would do anything to keep his son, and the fallout that comes of it.
“The Present” follows a battered wife as she tries to avoid inciting her husband’s rage—especially after it begins to turn toward their teenage daughter.
“Ugly” is a quick, but powerful glimpse into the life of a waitress whose monstrous face attracts bad luck and scorn. This story's plot could easily be the basis for a longer, and extremely interesting, work.
The structure of the anthology is interesting: many stories toward the beginning showcase the ugliness and short sight of humanity, and gradually, stories that include tiny bits of hope, or simple kindnesses toward a stranger, begin to slip their way between them. The end result is that, just as you think you have an idea of what to expect from Finn’s stories, they become more surprising, and the emotional payoff is higher. The book itself also is one of the highest quality self-published books I’ve read. The texture of the book itself is pleasing, and apart from a tiny omission of a word in one sentence, the editing, formatting, and quality of the cover image are extremely professional. I think that the back cover could be more attractive if it were solid red, and used one of the fonts from the front cover, but that’s an extreme nitpick that doesn’t affect my score.
Dreaming at the Top of My Lungs is a solid collection, and more than half of the stories within it I thought were original, clever, and dark enough to make it into a prestige anthology with the big names in horror. With the sense of irony and understanding of dysfunction that shows here, I would love to see Finn take on character-driven stories, and I’d recommend him as a name to watch for fellow genre fans.
Content warnings: domestic violence, gore, bullying, threats/implicit sexual assault, child abuse.
November 15, 2017
Dreaming At the Top of My Lungs: A Horror Collection by Israel Finn takes readers on a wild ride through a collection of short stories that leave you wanting more in a way that will entice many a reader. Finn’s ability to create a collection of horror snippets that whet the appetite is nothing short of masterful as his detail to characters and the horror-filled world they find themselves in gives you just enough information to pull you in before he leaves you there alone and afraid.
In this collection by Finn, there are offerings that focus on horror and some that cater to dark fantasy, but at the heart of each one is a person, much like us, exposed or forced into circumstances that decidedly mark their fates. Finn manages to bring a “Twilight Zone” feel to his work that somehow managed to mate with the likes of “Creepshow” and “Tales from the Crypt.” It had a vibe that was reminiscent of the 80’s while still being relevant for any era, a fun ride to the land of nostalgia while scaring you senseless. Each story within the collection is standalone, but each story takes the reader further into the dark world Finn has created and the characters that he perfectly serves up. As you read, it seems to implant itself into the dark recesses of our minds before coiling around our own fears and phobias and as its written seems to be the overall intent.
Marked as horror and dark fantasy, Finn’s work is steeped in both, though not usually at the same time. Some of the stories were bloody, some were dark and sinister, while others played on human fears that when brought to life among the pages did little to quiet our racing hearts and sweaty hands as Finn’s ability to take us there makes you feel as if you’re stepping into the role of one of his characters, I mean victims, yeah those.
It was not as bloody as I expected going in, but as I read along it became more terror-ridden than I could have imagined. The stories are short, some a few pages long, others a few longer than those, but each was enough to satisfy anyone who enjoys this genre, and each was vividly created enough to make you crave another helping. Detailed and filled with psychological twists and turns, Finn expertly explores the human condition and the horrors within ourselves while providing highlights into the often, shocking and shadowy, side of life. Finn cleverly creates a world within his collection that seems to shift from monsters on the inside to monsters on the outside and is perfect for the reader who enjoys dipping their toes into the murky waters of the horror fiction world because when it comes to Dreaming At the Top of My Lungs, you may not scream outright, but you sure as hell will be sleeping with the lights on.
In this collection by Finn, there are offerings that focus on horror and some that cater to dark fantasy, but at the heart of each one is a person, much like us, exposed or forced into circumstances that decidedly mark their fates. Finn manages to bring a “Twilight Zone” feel to his work that somehow managed to mate with the likes of “Creepshow” and “Tales from the Crypt.” It had a vibe that was reminiscent of the 80’s while still being relevant for any era, a fun ride to the land of nostalgia while scaring you senseless. Each story within the collection is standalone, but each story takes the reader further into the dark world Finn has created and the characters that he perfectly serves up. As you read, it seems to implant itself into the dark recesses of our minds before coiling around our own fears and phobias and as its written seems to be the overall intent.
Marked as horror and dark fantasy, Finn’s work is steeped in both, though not usually at the same time. Some of the stories were bloody, some were dark and sinister, while others played on human fears that when brought to life among the pages did little to quiet our racing hearts and sweaty hands as Finn’s ability to take us there makes you feel as if you’re stepping into the role of one of his characters, I mean victims, yeah those.
It was not as bloody as I expected going in, but as I read along it became more terror-ridden than I could have imagined. The stories are short, some a few pages long, others a few longer than those, but each was enough to satisfy anyone who enjoys this genre, and each was vividly created enough to make you crave another helping. Detailed and filled with psychological twists and turns, Finn expertly explores the human condition and the horrors within ourselves while providing highlights into the often, shocking and shadowy, side of life. Finn cleverly creates a world within his collection that seems to shift from monsters on the inside to monsters on the outside and is perfect for the reader who enjoys dipping their toes into the murky waters of the horror fiction world because when it comes to Dreaming At the Top of My Lungs, you may not scream outright, but you sure as hell will be sleeping with the lights on.
September 3, 2020
Oh my damn.
Have you ever read a book and wonder why in the hell nobody was talking about it? Maybe from an author whom you'd never heard of before?
I was stellarly lucky enough to be tagged by a writer friend on Twitter in a post where a writer was trying to find some reviewers for his book. Sometimes I'm hesitant to do this directly with writers because I am brutally honest in my reviews but I hate hurting peoples' feelings. Ok that's not entirely true - more like I don't want to start a grudge match with a writer who poured their heart and soul into something that I just didn't like. Because we all like different things!
But I trust the person who tagged me to have good taste, and it's a compilation of short horror stories, so I knew I could squeeze it in. Now that you have my tragic back story, let me tell you that THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD.
I'm not easily scared by books. I've read quite a bit of horror and it has to be pretty dang creepy to scare me. It has to make me think. It has to be (relatively) believable - as much as horror can be. But my favorite part about horror is that the good guy always wins. Sure, there might me losses along the way, but in the end if nobody escapes, there is no story, right? And there's usually a bit of karma in there too. It fills some need in me to be satisfied by a book. To know that we're going somewhere and be full of anticipation along the way, and then to reach that destination.
Israel Finn's Dreaming at the Top of My Lungs just does it for me, in all the ways. Each story is unique. They're quite short, like campfire stories. Actually these would all be amazing campfire stories now that I think about it. There are many kinds of fears, and he hits on lots of them in this book. Fears that we have in our every day lives, made real by his imagination. That fills the believable check box. And the KARMA!!! Ohhhhh the karma. It is so satisfying. And terrifying.
I can't really rave enough about this book. I tore through it, I don't understand why I haven't heard more about it. Maybe because it's independently published and depends upon people like me to shout about it from the rooftops.
So here's my shout. 5 STARS GO READ THIS BOOK!!!
Have you ever read a book and wonder why in the hell nobody was talking about it? Maybe from an author whom you'd never heard of before?
I was stellarly lucky enough to be tagged by a writer friend on Twitter in a post where a writer was trying to find some reviewers for his book. Sometimes I'm hesitant to do this directly with writers because I am brutally honest in my reviews but I hate hurting peoples' feelings. Ok that's not entirely true - more like I don't want to start a grudge match with a writer who poured their heart and soul into something that I just didn't like. Because we all like different things!
But I trust the person who tagged me to have good taste, and it's a compilation of short horror stories, so I knew I could squeeze it in. Now that you have my tragic back story, let me tell you that THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD.
I'm not easily scared by books. I've read quite a bit of horror and it has to be pretty dang creepy to scare me. It has to make me think. It has to be (relatively) believable - as much as horror can be. But my favorite part about horror is that the good guy always wins. Sure, there might me losses along the way, but in the end if nobody escapes, there is no story, right? And there's usually a bit of karma in there too. It fills some need in me to be satisfied by a book. To know that we're going somewhere and be full of anticipation along the way, and then to reach that destination.
Israel Finn's Dreaming at the Top of My Lungs just does it for me, in all the ways. Each story is unique. They're quite short, like campfire stories. Actually these would all be amazing campfire stories now that I think about it. There are many kinds of fears, and he hits on lots of them in this book. Fears that we have in our every day lives, made real by his imagination. That fills the believable check box. And the KARMA!!! Ohhhhh the karma. It is so satisfying. And terrifying.
I can't really rave enough about this book. I tore through it, I don't understand why I haven't heard more about it. Maybe because it's independently published and depends upon people like me to shout about it from the rooftops.
So here's my shout. 5 STARS GO READ THIS BOOK!!!
September 20, 2023
I quite enjoyed this collection.
I'd never heard of Israel Finn, nor read any of his writing. I can't find him on social media, other than his website, so I have to assume I saw this book listed somewhere on a bookstagrammer's page (I'm quite far behind on my TBR, so I can't even remember when I ordered this).
Anyway, with the exception of a couple of the stories around the middle of the collection that didn't seem to be quite as good as the other eleven, this is a solid collection. And, don't get me wrong, even those two aren't bad, it's just that the others around them are just that good.
The only grumble—and it's a very minor grumble at that—that I might have is, the first five stories all start with either "I" or the characters' names. But, from then on, the next seven ultimately step away from that predictable opening somewhat. Like I said, minor grumble.
I've got to point out, in fact, that Finn did something that's actually quite rare...in at least one of the stories, "The Pipe" he actually had me both very uncomfortable and squirming. He'd hit on one of the very few phobias I have. No, I won't reveal it, because it's a bit of a spoiler for the story, but you'll know when you read it.
And you should read it. And the all the other stories in this collection. I see this collection has received a lot of praise from a lot of very good authors and reviewers, and all are well deserved.
I will not hesitate to get any other Israel Finn works.
I'd never heard of Israel Finn, nor read any of his writing. I can't find him on social media, other than his website, so I have to assume I saw this book listed somewhere on a bookstagrammer's page (I'm quite far behind on my TBR, so I can't even remember when I ordered this).
Anyway, with the exception of a couple of the stories around the middle of the collection that didn't seem to be quite as good as the other eleven, this is a solid collection. And, don't get me wrong, even those two aren't bad, it's just that the others around them are just that good.
The only grumble—and it's a very minor grumble at that—that I might have is, the first five stories all start with either "I" or the characters' names. But, from then on, the next seven ultimately step away from that predictable opening somewhat. Like I said, minor grumble.
I've got to point out, in fact, that Finn did something that's actually quite rare...in at least one of the stories, "The Pipe" he actually had me both very uncomfortable and squirming. He'd hit on one of the very few phobias I have. No, I won't reveal it, because it's a bit of a spoiler for the story, but you'll know when you read it.
And you should read it. And the all the other stories in this collection. I see this collection has received a lot of praise from a lot of very good authors and reviewers, and all are well deserved.
I will not hesitate to get any other Israel Finn works.
August 15, 2017
Scary, scary! Every story has a theme of scary but each has its own kind of horror, terror, and fascination. And what I love about Author Finn the most is that he is a great storyteller. He weaves each tale effortlessly and I didn't realize I was putting out any effort to read; it felt like I was sitting on a porch listening to a toothless stubble-chinned old man tell ghost stories as he smoked his pipe and spit into a tin coffee cup. Author Finn doesn't shy away from taboo subjects-parents with anger management problems, battered wives, cold-blooded murderers. But stopping and re-reading his poetic flow of words were magic, like this, for example: "Her eyes regarded me with a coldness I don't much like to think about. They were the sharp merciless eyes of a crow marking a particularly tasty splatter of sunbaked road kill." Several stories had endings of good vs. evil with good winning-black holes sucking up wife-beater husband/dad and monsters under the bed sucking up dad who was about ready to saw his little son's leg off. *Shudder* Several stories were more psychological, and I liked the tale when books were full of dangerous ideas and breeding between humans were forbidden, or the stories about going into the past or turning the corner and being in the future. As you can tell, I found my favorite new author! Fans of horror will love this book.
September 4, 2017
As sick as I thought the cover was and as eager as I was to read it, I wouldn't have guessed that DREAMING AT THE TOP OF MY LUNGS would be such a cerebral experience. It's easily my favorite collection released in the past decade. I love horror. I live, breathe, immerse myself in horror on a daily basis - this is beyond horror. Finn's collection manages to harness the absolute best of dark, speculative, dystopian, and science-fiction and mashes it up in a gruesome glop of social-justice HELL. Some of my favorite stories include: "Over my Dead Body," a purgatory of time and space with a twist reminiscent of Philip K. Dick. and "Water and Air" presents us with seemingly simple problems to all of our Earthly ills. Finn depicts the rage and frustration felt by those at the end of their rope with such perfect detail, it brought tears to my eyes. His language is perfectly lush or spartan when necessary- I didn't labor over lines. I felt for his characters, which is rare for me.I can't give too much of the plots away without spoiling them, but trust me if you are a fan of Bradbury, Matheson, Jackson, and Barker, you will enjoy this collection.
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