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The Terrible Thing That Happens
"A new spin on the post-apocalypse genre. One you won't soon forget." --Garrett Cook, author of A God of Hungry Walls
There is a grocery store. The last grocery store in the world. It stands alone in the middle of a vast wasteland that was once our world. The open sign is still illuminated, brightening the black landscape. It can be seen from miles away, even through the poisonous red ash. Every night at the exact same time, the store comes alive. It becomes exactly as it was before the world ended. Its shelves are replenished with fresh food and water. Ghostly shoppers walk the aisles. The scent of freshly baked breads can be smelled from the rust-caked parking lot. For generations, a small community of survivors, hideously mutated from the toxic atmosphere, have survived by collecting goods from the store. But it is not an easy task. Decades ago, before the world was destroyed, there was a terrible thing that happened in this place. A group of armed men in brown paper masks descended on the shopping center, massacring everyone in sight. This horrible event reoccurs every night, in the exact same manner. And the only way the wastelanders can gather enough food for their survival is to traverse the killing spree, memorize the patterns, and pray they can escape the bloodbath in tact.
From the godfather of bizarro fiction, Carlton Mellick III, comes an absurd horror story unlike anything you've read before.
There is a grocery store. The last grocery store in the world. It stands alone in the middle of a vast wasteland that was once our world. The open sign is still illuminated, brightening the black landscape. It can be seen from miles away, even through the poisonous red ash. Every night at the exact same time, the store comes alive. It becomes exactly as it was before the world ended. Its shelves are replenished with fresh food and water. Ghostly shoppers walk the aisles. The scent of freshly baked breads can be smelled from the rust-caked parking lot. For generations, a small community of survivors, hideously mutated from the toxic atmosphere, have survived by collecting goods from the store. But it is not an easy task. Decades ago, before the world was destroyed, there was a terrible thing that happened in this place. A group of armed men in brown paper masks descended on the shopping center, massacring everyone in sight. This horrible event reoccurs every night, in the exact same manner. And the only way the wastelanders can gather enough food for their survival is to traverse the killing spree, memorize the patterns, and pray they can escape the bloodbath in tact.
From the godfather of bizarro fiction, Carlton Mellick III, comes an absurd horror story unlike anything you've read before.
154 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2016
24 people are currently reading
432 people want to read
About the author
Carlton Mellick III
119 books2,172 followersCarlton Mellick III (July 2, 1977, Phoenix, Arizona) is an American author currently residing in Portland, Oregon. He calls his style of writing "avant-punk," and is currently one of the leading authors in the recent 'Bizarro' movement in underground literature[citation needed] with Steve Aylett, Chris Genoa and D. Harlan Wilson.
Mellick's work has been described as a combination of trashy schlock sci-fi/horror and postmodern literary art. His novels explore surreal versions of earth in contemporary society and imagined futures, commonly focusing on social absurdities and satire.
Carlton Mellick III started writing at the age of ten and completed twelve novels by the age of eighteen. Only one of these early novels, "Electric Jesus Corpse", ever made it to print.
He is best known for his first novel Satan Burger and its sequel Punk Land. Satan Burger was translated into Russian and published by Ultra Culture in 2005. It was part of a four book series called Brave New World, which also featured Virtual Light by William Gibson, City Come A Walkin by John Shirley, and Tea from an Empty Cup by Pat Cadigan.
In the late 90's, he formed a collective for offbeat authors which included D. Harlan Wilson, Kevin L. Donihe, Vincent Sakowski, among others, and the publishing company Eraserhead Press. This scene evolved into the Bizarro fiction movement in 2005.
In addition to writing, Mellick is an artist and musician.
Mellick's work has been described as a combination of trashy schlock sci-fi/horror and postmodern literary art. His novels explore surreal versions of earth in contemporary society and imagined futures, commonly focusing on social absurdities and satire.
Carlton Mellick III started writing at the age of ten and completed twelve novels by the age of eighteen. Only one of these early novels, "Electric Jesus Corpse", ever made it to print.
He is best known for his first novel Satan Burger and its sequel Punk Land. Satan Burger was translated into Russian and published by Ultra Culture in 2005. It was part of a four book series called Brave New World, which also featured Virtual Light by William Gibson, City Come A Walkin by John Shirley, and Tea from an Empty Cup by Pat Cadigan.
In the late 90's, he formed a collective for offbeat authors which included D. Harlan Wilson, Kevin L. Donihe, Vincent Sakowski, among others, and the publishing company Eraserhead Press. This scene evolved into the Bizarro fiction movement in 2005.
In addition to writing, Mellick is an artist and musician.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
January 7, 2025
What can I say about Carlton Mellick? His books are all just a ton of fun from start to finish. My only critique, much like his other stories, is that this was a little too short for my liking. I just felt the story had more to give and a much deeper foundation that could have been explored, but it was fine for what it was supposed to be. The ending also felt a bit abrupt and incomplete. The entire concept of the haunted store, and a ravaged earth, with mutants/survivors living in specialized communities, all with their own rules is just so unique. He successfully blended several genres into one book and I really did enjoy it. I have a laundry list of his other works on my reading list and am still a big fan. Bravo!
January 6, 2022
The last grocery store in the world. It stands alone in the middle of a vast wasteland that was once our world.
The world is in its final days. Few people survived, and the ones who did are left to starve in this barren wasteland. There is only one beacon of hope for our small band of survivors, and it is the grocery store on the hill. Not just any grocery store, but one that comes alive every night at the same time. The lights come on, the shelves are stocked, and ghostly customers wander the aisles making their selections. That is when our survivors can enter to shop for their needs. They have to be fast because soon armed gunmen will enter the store and start killing everyone at random. Once everyone is dead, the store returns to empty. This scenario plays out night after night. What happened in the past that has made the store imprint and alter reality? What happens if you don't make it out of the store in time? Why is the one guy obsessed with the lady in blue? Highly recommend!
🐱🐱🐱🐱
The world is in its final days. Few people survived, and the ones who did are left to starve in this barren wasteland. There is only one beacon of hope for our small band of survivors, and it is the grocery store on the hill. Not just any grocery store, but one that comes alive every night at the same time. The lights come on, the shelves are stocked, and ghostly customers wander the aisles making their selections. That is when our survivors can enter to shop for their needs. They have to be fast because soon armed gunmen will enter the store and start killing everyone at random. Once everyone is dead, the store returns to empty. This scenario plays out night after night. What happened in the past that has made the store imprint and alter reality? What happens if you don't make it out of the store in time? Why is the one guy obsessed with the lady in blue? Highly recommend!
🐱🐱🐱🐱
February 16, 2022
This book blew me away. For some reason, I was looking forward to this book least of all of Mellick's new "little" books. However, it's my favorite of them so far (but I've only read Exorcise Bike and ETWMATDQMWFFE).
This is the story of a haunted grocery store. It's the story of a boy who tries to do something great, and in doing so, fucks everything up (much like Sweet Story, however, the execution of this book is way better than that of Sweet Story).
The Terrible Thing That Happens is my favorite Mellick book in quite sometime. If you're a fan of Mellick, bizarro horror, or haunted stories, you must read this book immediately!
This is the story of a haunted grocery store. It's the story of a boy who tries to do something great, and in doing so, fucks everything up (much like Sweet Story, however, the execution of this book is way better than that of Sweet Story).
The Terrible Thing That Happens is my favorite Mellick book in quite sometime. If you're a fan of Mellick, bizarro horror, or haunted stories, you must read this book immediately!
November 20, 2024
Adding to my review: the depth of the characters is not sufficiently exploited. The book is a bit short for that, I think. That's a shame, because the characters are endearing, especially Milk.
I really enjoyed this book.
The premise is very interesting: the people downstairs surviving thanks to the existence of a ghost store.
I had no idea where the author was taking me. I let myself be carried away by the story, which hooked me.
I was pleasantly surprised by my reading! This is my second CM3, I will read other books by this author. I hope to enjoy them just as much!
I really enjoyed this book.
The premise is very interesting: the people downstairs surviving thanks to the existence of a ghost store.
I had no idea where the author was taking me. I let myself be carried away by the story, which hooked me.
I was pleasantly surprised by my reading! This is my second CM3, I will read other books by this author. I hope to enjoy them just as much!
March 23, 2017
Excellent! Mellick once again proves that he’s the best at what he does - taking a bizarre and completely original concept, and stretching it to its absurd, yet logical conclusion. And that’s exactly what The Terrible Thing That Happens does. Moving along quickly and without respite, character, high-concept, and story entwine in this bizarro post-apocalyptic haunted house tale. I read this book in one sitting.
June 15, 2024
The Terrible Thing that Happens is quite a nice read but not much more than a light story. Unfortunately, CM3 seems to be going around in circles: the more I read of his books the more I find similarities between the stories, especially the (deviant) female sexuality. It's starting to get a bit annoying that this theme is a recurring structural element of his novellas and it leads me into a kind of reading dead-end for CM3's books if he can't offer something completely different 😔
October 27, 2019
"The event has been stained on time itself and repeats itself every night at the exact same moment that it took place."
Once again, Carlton Mellick III gives us a creative, heartwarming, and unsettling story. I love his books, and The Terrible Thing That Happens was so entertaining.
I don't want to go too much into what happens in this book - look up the synopsis to get the general idea, but as always, there's more going on. This story takes you through all the emotions, and it's easy to feel for the characters. However, this story is in the bizarro subgenre, so it's always going to be wild and unique. I enjoyed this one!
Once again, Carlton Mellick III gives us a creative, heartwarming, and unsettling story. I love his books, and The Terrible Thing That Happens was so entertaining.
I don't want to go too much into what happens in this book - look up the synopsis to get the general idea, but as always, there's more going on. This story takes you through all the emotions, and it's easy to feel for the characters. However, this story is in the bizarro subgenre, so it's always going to be wild and unique. I enjoyed this one!
May 30, 2019
I swear I haven't read a Mellick book that I haven't loved. He's just so good at taking absolutely absurd ideas and situations and making them so entertaining. This is another one that I read in a single sitting, and I think that's also part of the appeal. His books are like a delicious meal that can be savored and finished in a short space of time. You know that the entrée is going to be something odd that you've never had before, but by the end you will definitely want to try more of what Mellick has on the menu.
THE TERRIBLE THING THAT HAPPENS is probably one of my favorites from Mellick to date. Years ago the wold ended. Now reduced to nothing but toxic ash and rubble, there are a few bands of survivors roaming the wastelands. One such group is a community of mutated people who have learned to survive the harsh conditions on the surface of the earth, and actually thrive because they have discovered the last grocery store in the world. Every night at the exact same time, the store lights up and all the shelves become fully replenished with fresh food and beverages. Ghost shoppers walk the isles filling baskets without any hurry. But for the present day humans who visit the store to collect the much needed provisions it has to offer, there is a warning and a strict time limit that has been passed down through generations. Before the world was destroyed a terrible thing happened in that grocery store, and masked men rushed inside and massacred everyone. This terrible things also happens every night, in the exact same manner. The only way the survivors can take advantage of the bounty in the store is to memorize all the patterns of the killing spree, and navigate the store before the carnage starts to happen.
There's so much more to this story than that summary, and all of what I mentioned above can be found on the back of the book. It's a unique idea that had me turning pages until I realized suddenly that I was finished. The best parts of a Melllick book are in the details, and you'll see what I mean when you read this one. I have no idea how he comes up with these ideas. I was basically retelling the story to my husband yesterday and he was utterly transfixed. I can tell when he's just humoring my love of books and when he's truly interested, and this time I could tell he was invested in what I was saying. There are laugh out loud parts to this book, and parts that are actually really sad, but ultimately anything can and will happen in a book by Mellick, and as readers we are just along for the ride. I can't wait to pick up another book by him.
THE TERRIBLE THING THAT HAPPENS is probably one of my favorites from Mellick to date. Years ago the wold ended. Now reduced to nothing but toxic ash and rubble, there are a few bands of survivors roaming the wastelands. One such group is a community of mutated people who have learned to survive the harsh conditions on the surface of the earth, and actually thrive because they have discovered the last grocery store in the world. Every night at the exact same time, the store lights up and all the shelves become fully replenished with fresh food and beverages. Ghost shoppers walk the isles filling baskets without any hurry. But for the present day humans who visit the store to collect the much needed provisions it has to offer, there is a warning and a strict time limit that has been passed down through generations. Before the world was destroyed a terrible thing happened in that grocery store, and masked men rushed inside and massacred everyone. This terrible things also happens every night, in the exact same manner. The only way the survivors can take advantage of the bounty in the store is to memorize all the patterns of the killing spree, and navigate the store before the carnage starts to happen.
There's so much more to this story than that summary, and all of what I mentioned above can be found on the back of the book. It's a unique idea that had me turning pages until I realized suddenly that I was finished. The best parts of a Melllick book are in the details, and you'll see what I mean when you read this one. I have no idea how he comes up with these ideas. I was basically retelling the story to my husband yesterday and he was utterly transfixed. I can tell when he's just humoring my love of books and when he's truly interested, and this time I could tell he was invested in what I was saying. There are laugh out loud parts to this book, and parts that are actually really sad, but ultimately anything can and will happen in a book by Mellick, and as readers we are just along for the ride. I can't wait to pick up another book by him.
December 9, 2016
I could not put the book down. I think Carlton is an engaging and imaginative writer, capable of realizing truly high concepts in his work, and I would recommend "The Terrible Thing That Happens" to anyone interested. It is a heartbreaking, bizarre, twisted little gem. That said, I had two problems.
(1) I wanted it to be longer. As soon as we'd established the characters and setting, everything progressed into the final stage of confrontation, leaving me feeling a little cheated. The ending was a gut punch, but with more time for character development and more time seeing our protagonist struggle, it would have made everything that much better.
(2) I really want to see Eraserhead Press improve its editing chops. There were numerous typos, inconsistencies with the tense, and other persistent problems that, while not insurmountable, unnecessarily detracted from the text. This kind of stuff is important to me and directly impacts my enjoyment of a book - I know I'm not alone in that regard.
(1) I wanted it to be longer. As soon as we'd established the characters and setting, everything progressed into the final stage of confrontation, leaving me feeling a little cheated. The ending was a gut punch, but with more time for character development and more time seeing our protagonist struggle, it would have made everything that much better.
(2) I really want to see Eraserhead Press improve its editing chops. There were numerous typos, inconsistencies with the tense, and other persistent problems that, while not insurmountable, unnecessarily detracted from the text. This kind of stuff is important to me and directly impacts my enjoyment of a book - I know I'm not alone in that regard.
May 5, 2021
While CM3 himself says this post-apocalyptic story was meant to have a children's book feel to it, there is no doubt it has both (deformed) feet firmly planted in Bizarro World. Yes, it definitely does have that children's book feel, but you wouldn't read it to your children (I hope). It's not as bizarre as some of CM3's other books but still just as entertaining and way better than I thought it would be. I got my money's worth in reading enjoyment - more than my money's worth. Great ending too Mr Mellick.
July 13, 2017
My first Carlton Mellick book, though not my first bizarro book. It was not quite as bizarre as I was expecting, though I do think it would serve as a great introduction to both bizarro in general and Mellick in particular. Overall a fun little novella with some nice twists and turns.
October 6, 2016
The best part was when Vince Kramer grew four extra appendages.
May 1, 2020
I had an absolute blast reading this! It made me think of a video game called Fallout mixed with mutants that could have been like some of the characters from The Dark Crystal or Labyrinth but thrown into an extremely violent and gruesome setting...a super market.
December 28, 2019
This is my fourth Mellick read in a row and my favorite so far! His stories are so original, funny, and most of all they're messed up. But that's what makes them so much fun to read. He always has the best endings with unexpected twists. Loving Mellick right now!
May 9, 2019
Really enjoyed this one. Instantly one of my favorite CM3 books.
May 4, 2025
I don't know what's going on with my Mellick picks but this is my 2nd 3* by him this year? I plan for "Quicksand House" next and going off of reviews that should be back to the winning route. Not that 3* is losing... 3* is fine but we all know fine is the true death sentence so maybe that is worse than losing?
But for real, I don't feel like I even have that much to say. Another apocalypse in Mellick fashion, very wastelandy but then there is this last grocery store to provide food and supplies showered in electrical light where electricity is a mere memory. Of course the place is haunted! A wonderful premise but we didn't spend enough time with the store, it's the first time and then long time no store and then it's showdown in the store. I feel like we should have learnt the ins and outs of this place over a few visits, or maybe we should have spent less time in the Mutant commune in the old subway system and hear about their "mating rules". Dare I say this novella might have needed to be a bit longer? Something I never felt about any of Mellick's book. It also would have made our hero Chocky less of a douchebag. Because the action he takes on his 2nd visit endangers everyone else. Which is quite douchey, you know, being responsible for killing everyone who took you in and told you how to navigate the haunted store. Especially considering he did it for the love of his little life, a woman he never spoke to and only saw once! Being the protagonist I am supposed to sympathize with (or am I?), this was a blow near impossible to recover from. It gave us a trademark Mellick ending though, in the sense that it's bleak and devastating and we love that about Mellick books! So this loss-win gets us to even 3*. Next!
But for real, I don't feel like I even have that much to say. Another apocalypse in Mellick fashion, very wastelandy but then there is this last grocery store to provide food and supplies showered in electrical light where electricity is a mere memory. Of course the place is haunted! A wonderful premise but we didn't spend enough time with the store, it's the first time and then long time no store and then it's showdown in the store. I feel like we should have learnt the ins and outs of this place over a few visits, or maybe we should have spent less time in the Mutant commune in the old subway system and hear about their "mating rules". Dare I say this novella might have needed to be a bit longer? Something I never felt about any of Mellick's book. It also would have made our hero Chocky less of a douchebag. Because the action he takes on his 2nd visit endangers everyone else. Which is quite douchey, you know, being responsible for killing everyone who took you in and told you how to navigate the haunted store. Especially considering he did it for the love of his little life, a woman he never spoke to and only saw once! Being the protagonist I am supposed to sympathize with (or am I?), this was a blow near impossible to recover from. It gave us a trademark Mellick ending though, in the sense that it's bleak and devastating and we love that about Mellick books! So this loss-win gets us to even 3*. Next!
April 10, 2017
I love the kind of book that, like old-school science fiction, takes a "what if?" concept and then follows it through to its logical conclusion.
In this case, we have a post-apocalyptic world in which small pockets of humans survive. One group survives in an underground bunker, where reproduction is closely monitored via a computer program to ensure the best chances of survival for the human race. Another group survives in the subway, heavily mutated from continued radiation exposure. Since there is no food on the surface, this group survives through nightly raids to a grocery store, that appears, seemingly magically, every night at a certain time. While the social rules that both surviving groups develop are an interesting "what if" of their own, the real "what if" of this book is why the grocery store appears each night. I will leave that for readers to find out on their own. A solid, intriguing entry into the world of the bizarre...
In this case, we have a post-apocalyptic world in which small pockets of humans survive. One group survives in an underground bunker, where reproduction is closely monitored via a computer program to ensure the best chances of survival for the human race. Another group survives in the subway, heavily mutated from continued radiation exposure. Since there is no food on the surface, this group survives through nightly raids to a grocery store, that appears, seemingly magically, every night at a certain time. While the social rules that both surviving groups develop are an interesting "what if" of their own, the real "what if" of this book is why the grocery store appears each night. I will leave that for readers to find out on their own. A solid, intriguing entry into the world of the bizarre...
November 22, 2019
Best book ever.
CM3 does bizarro right. It’s not just a cartoon with random strangeness at every corner. Instead, he creates a strange world with strange rules, but sticks to those rules until it’s time for a twist. It’s that logic and grounding that makes his books have a real impact where others go limp.
This post-apocalyptic haunting crime mashup feels epic despite its short length. It’s written a bit like a children’s story, which makes the extremely dark adult turns all the more impactful.
I recommend this book for the entire population of Earth.
Oh and stick around for the post-credits comic strip for some much-needed adorableness.
CM3 does bizarro right. It’s not just a cartoon with random strangeness at every corner. Instead, he creates a strange world with strange rules, but sticks to those rules until it’s time for a twist. It’s that logic and grounding that makes his books have a real impact where others go limp.
This post-apocalyptic haunting crime mashup feels epic despite its short length. It’s written a bit like a children’s story, which makes the extremely dark adult turns all the more impactful.
I recommend this book for the entire population of Earth.
Oh and stick around for the post-credits comic strip for some much-needed adorableness.
June 19, 2017
One of the top Mellick books for me. It was a very interesting story set in a post apocalyptic world. It wasn't one of Mellick's usual disturbing, cringe-worthy books but had more story and character development than the usual. Quite impressed.
September 16, 2017
I loved this one! In the style of Carlton Mellick III all the way! Lots of violence and also a bit of humor.
December 10, 2024
A grocery store in the middle of an apocalyptic wasteland mysteriously comes alive once a day, every day. You can forage for food and supplies, but only for a very limited time. A survivalist group lives nearby and uses this store regularly. But not without being strategic, precise and extremely fast. If too much time is spent in the store, you can meet a grisly fate of various forms.
I really enjoyed the barbaric Subway peoples lifestyle. All the mutant characters we meet, their way of surviving and all the rules they created were all so captivating to me. The unknown haunted grocery store idea was so strange yet I totally bought into it and felt like I was right next to our MC. And I loved the whole fish out of water feeling that Chocky has to deal with as he’s invited into the Subway people way of life.
When you find out more info about the grocery store I was seriously like 😱
The ending left me both satisfied and yet also left me wanting more just because it was quite a shock to me overall and then kind of just ended. This book could honestly have 200 more pages and I’d read it!
I was so incredibly invested from start to finish. Such an original concept and a unique society and survival group created amidst a seemingly unlivable world. All thanks to this mysterious grocery store that came to be. I really did love this so much. Will there be a Mellick I don’t love? Haven’t met one yet 🤪
I really enjoyed the barbaric Subway peoples lifestyle. All the mutant characters we meet, their way of surviving and all the rules they created were all so captivating to me. The unknown haunted grocery store idea was so strange yet I totally bought into it and felt like I was right next to our MC. And I loved the whole fish out of water feeling that Chocky has to deal with as he’s invited into the Subway people way of life.
When you find out more info about the grocery store I was seriously like 😱
The ending left me both satisfied and yet also left me wanting more just because it was quite a shock to me overall and then kind of just ended. This book could honestly have 200 more pages and I’d read it!
I was so incredibly invested from start to finish. Such an original concept and a unique society and survival group created amidst a seemingly unlivable world. All thanks to this mysterious grocery store that came to be. I really did love this so much. Will there be a Mellick I don’t love? Haven’t met one yet 🤪
December 28, 2025
Una historia breve que nos sitúa en un mundo postapocalíptico donde todo está completamente destruido muerto, excepto algo que se mantiene intacto: un supermercado.
Suena extraño pero si, estamos ante otra novela bizarra de Carlton Mellick. Esta vez tenemos algo más "suave" que sus otras historias. El punto de mira se centra en ese supermercado donde cada noche revive como si la vida siguiera con plena normalidad, los estantes estan repletos de productos, hay clientes paseando por sus pasillos, todo está perfectamente iluminado.....pero claro, fuera el mundo no es igual.
Los pocos supervivientes estan desfigurados o estan mutados por culpa del ambiente tóxico. Algunos de ellos deben entrar cada noche para conseguir comida, aun sabiendo que el lugar es peligroso y que resulta muy probable morir ahí dentro. Lo más curioso de todo es el sistema reproductivo y que todos los bebes adoptan el nombre de la primera cosa que sus padres han conseguido coger.
En fin. Que la historia sigue a Chocky como protagonista y a lo que ocurre cuando se encuentra con un grupo de supervivientes mientras todos ellos intentan entender qué es realmente el supermercado, quien es la chica del vestido azul y qué ocurrió allí durante “la terrible cosa” que destruyó el mundo.
Suena extraño pero si, estamos ante otra novela bizarra de Carlton Mellick. Esta vez tenemos algo más "suave" que sus otras historias. El punto de mira se centra en ese supermercado donde cada noche revive como si la vida siguiera con plena normalidad, los estantes estan repletos de productos, hay clientes paseando por sus pasillos, todo está perfectamente iluminado.....pero claro, fuera el mundo no es igual.
Los pocos supervivientes estan desfigurados o estan mutados por culpa del ambiente tóxico. Algunos de ellos deben entrar cada noche para conseguir comida, aun sabiendo que el lugar es peligroso y que resulta muy probable morir ahí dentro. Lo más curioso de todo es el sistema reproductivo y que todos los bebes adoptan el nombre de la primera cosa que sus padres han conseguido coger.
En fin. Que la historia sigue a Chocky como protagonista y a lo que ocurre cuando se encuentra con un grupo de supervivientes mientras todos ellos intentan entender qué es realmente el supermercado, quien es la chica del vestido azul y qué ocurrió allí durante “la terrible cosa” que destruyó el mundo.
February 6, 2017
This is a nicely done Mellick bizarro book with a surprise ending that I did not see coming even when he made the set cleanly for me. I cringe a little in the beginning parts when I waded through the obligatory narrative where I wonder, again, if Carlton Mellick is 12 years old or in middle school. Sigh.
Middle school boy mentality is the defining characteristic of bizarro, and the narrative was drowning, it was floundering, in a sea of middle school boy fantasy, and I am a fifty-year-old woman who doesn't put up with much.
But I waded through it because it was a short story, and it was more of a pond than a sea to get through, and I was glad that I did. He pulled it off.
What a great novella! I loved the premise and that he was able to move it to the end in a short work. Minus one star for a sloppyish ending, and a work that could use some better editing. Still, read in one sitting and is a definite recommend.
As an ending for my review, my husband liked the premise but thought the novella was an utter work of crap. He does not want more like this on his reading stack.
Middle school boy mentality is the defining characteristic of bizarro, and the narrative was drowning, it was floundering, in a sea of middle school boy fantasy, and I am a fifty-year-old woman who doesn't put up with much.
But I waded through it because it was a short story, and it was more of a pond than a sea to get through, and I was glad that I did. He pulled it off.
What a great novella! I loved the premise and that he was able to move it to the end in a short work. Minus one star for a sloppyish ending, and a work that could use some better editing. Still, read in one sitting and is a definite recommend.
As an ending for my review, my husband liked the premise but thought the novella was an utter work of crap. He does not want more like this on his reading stack.
January 30, 2017
Reading the synopsis of The Terrible Thing That Happens, I really loved the premise, but the execution is even better. Mellick introduces the reader to the world right away, a desolate wasteland where dying is inevitable. One just tries to survive as long as you can. Our protagonist, Chocky, soon discovers something that potentially changes everything for not only him, but for all survivors. Mellick has really outdone himself with this one and I really connected with it.
The characters, world building, dialogue and reactions are all perfect in my book. The twists and turns, especially the revelation near the end was so flawless and amazing, it nearly took my breath away. Perhaps this book is not as 'weird' as some of Mellick's other stories, but I am interested in good and original storytelling and don't care about if it should fit into typical Bizarro or horror or whatever categories. This book gets my highest recommendation.
The characters, world building, dialogue and reactions are all perfect in my book. The twists and turns, especially the revelation near the end was so flawless and amazing, it nearly took my breath away. Perhaps this book is not as 'weird' as some of Mellick's other stories, but I am interested in good and original storytelling and don't care about if it should fit into typical Bizarro or horror or whatever categories. This book gets my highest recommendation.
June 15, 2024
"We're all going to die because you want to seed a ghost."
"Having fun creating stories is the most worthwhile reason to write in the first place." - quoted from the afterword
I feel like many writers forget why they began writing in the first place, and it makes me wonder how many of them actually enjoy what they're doing, and how many of them are just depositing their manuscripts into an ATM. CM3 may never write perfect novels, or what is considered "a pure tour de force" by the New York Times, but they never fail to amuse me. How many other authors would conjure up a post-apocalyptic world whose only source of food is a haunted grocery store?
"Having fun creating stories is the most worthwhile reason to write in the first place." - quoted from the afterword
I feel like many writers forget why they began writing in the first place, and it makes me wonder how many of them actually enjoy what they're doing, and how many of them are just depositing their manuscripts into an ATM. CM3 may never write perfect novels, or what is considered "a pure tour de force" by the New York Times, but they never fail to amuse me. How many other authors would conjure up a post-apocalyptic world whose only source of food is a haunted grocery store?
January 23, 2017
Initially, I had some difficulty investing myself in the plot. Pacing and bare description left me uncertain, yet interested. It is in the second act that this story truly sated my lust. Imagery becomes vibrant with sparse wording, and a general feeling of excited panic swept over me. Its conclusion left me more than satisfied, after a late-game series of fun surprises. This is the first Carlton Mellick III book I have read, but will not be my last.
November 13, 2016
This is not as amusing or thought provoking as most of Mellick's work (that I've read so far), but it was far from disappointing. The story was weird and original, but it was the ending that really made this book as I wasn't sure where it was headed and was taken by surprise. The bonus section comic was also pretty awesome.
July 29, 2018
Something terrible happened in this grocery store. It was a massacre. Many deaths. Something this terrible has the ability to repeat itself over and over. When the world is dying and this grocery store is the last functioning one, you will do whatever it takes to get groceries from it. Excellent read
September 6, 2019
This one did not meet my expectations.
A few nice ideas, and a unique approach to the ghost story, but in total, it could not really entice me. Like half of a nondescript chocolate bar, it was gone before I knew it, and not much stayed with me.
That said, the reasoning behind what is happening, and the logical follow-up with the final twist, are pretty cool.
A few nice ideas, and a unique approach to the ghost story, but in total, it could not really entice me. Like half of a nondescript chocolate bar, it was gone before I knew it, and not much stayed with me.
That said, the reasoning behind what is happening, and the logical follow-up with the final twist, are pretty cool.
January 10, 2020
Great story and great title
Great story about a haunted grocery store store on a world that has been reduced to wasteland. I haven't read anything by this author before but I certainly intend to read more.
Great story about a haunted grocery store store on a world that has been reduced to wasteland. I haven't read anything by this author before but I certainly intend to read more.
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