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Mason's Television
Mason Williams is not a normal 13-year-old teenager. He regularly gets in trouble at school. He doesn't mind getting beaten by his father. He enjoys extremely violent movies. He talks to his television—and his television talks back. With the advice from his television, Mason begins committing violent crimes against his peers in order to achieve infamy... Jon Athan, the author of A Family of Violence and The Abuse of Ashley Collins, brings you an uncompromising vision of human horror. This book contains scenes of graphic violence, disturbing themes, and some sexual references. Most of these scenes involve violence committed by and against minors. This book is not intended for those easily offended or appalled. Please enjoy at your own discretion.
193 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 7, 2017
78 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 8, 2025
Oof, this was gruesome. Just a very graphic depiction of a blossoming psychopath. There is an extended school shooting sequence towards the end, so readers should be aware of that trigger warning. Mason is neglected, has the most disturbing ideations, and he is being guided by his television. ‘TV is not a problem unless it starts speaking.’ That is the final chilling line of the book. So the entire story focuses on Mason progressing from troubled to disturbed to sick to full blown violent. Almost like a sped up version of a serial killer’s life. He comes from a wealthy family, lovely home, has good friends, and on paper seems like a well rounded kid. But Athan plants all these seeds of events that push Mason further into his psychological abyss, ie physically abusive parents, verbally aggressive teachers, classmates that encourage him to do terrible things, and who could forget his talking TV, too. There is still something lacking in what makes Mason tick, but Jon Athan made a decent enough effort. And after that very graphic school scene at the end, there is a well placed and interesting news discussion concerning school shootings and such, with Mason being the centerpiece. It’s a sensitive topic, but that last chapter made everything tolerable and rounded. Great showing here from Jon Athan!
January 31, 2024
Another solid novel by Jon Athan.
I actually think this is one of the “less well written” novels by Jon, but the overall themes and the messages make up for it. Jon Athan is one of those rare authors that can write extreme horror while also having a solid point to the novel. He’s the hidden gem within the horror literature community.
I actually think this is one of the “less well written” novels by Jon, but the overall themes and the messages make up for it. Jon Athan is one of those rare authors that can write extreme horror while also having a solid point to the novel. He’s the hidden gem within the horror literature community.
July 29, 2025
This is my second novel based on a school shooting. First one of course was written about 50 years ago, by Richard Bachman aka Stephen King. This book called Rage has since been banned and hasn't had a reprint in many years.
Mason is a deeply disturbed 13 year old kid with abusive parents and I believe his father assaulted him so bad he started a weird friendship with his TV. I know it sounds bizarre but it's true. His television has given him absurd discussions and recommendations throughout book.
I graduated about 30 years ago. Class of 1996. And back then there was no school shootings. I believe the first was Colombine, Colorado, in 1997. School shootings have increased dramatically since. I do not condone shootings. I actually think these kids are all mentally disturbed and probably been bullied throughout their short lives.
Mason is a deeply disturbed 13 year old kid with abusive parents and I believe his father assaulted him so bad he started a weird friendship with his TV. I know it sounds bizarre but it's true. His television has given him absurd discussions and recommendations throughout book.
I graduated about 30 years ago. Class of 1996. And back then there was no school shootings. I believe the first was Colombine, Colorado, in 1997. School shootings have increased dramatically since. I do not condone shootings. I actually think these kids are all mentally disturbed and probably been bullied throughout their short lives.
April 3, 2022
MASON'S TELEVISION is an absolutely raw and brutal story that, at its core, is about the isolation and deep alienation that so many teens feel today.
Mason is 13 years old growing up in a house with a father who rules with an iron fist and a mother who simpers and pleads. He spend his time watching violent movies and talking to his television, which talks back (read the author's notes; he always has brilliant explanations for where he gets his inspiration).
The opening scene reminded me so vividly of the true crime case of killer Eric Smith and victim Derrick Robie, who was just four years old when he was brutally killed by Smith. I could definitely see the influence of that case, and it was chilling. I could also see traces of 16-year-old Luke Woodham, who killed his mother before showing up at school to kill his classmates. Finally, traces of psychopathic Columbine killer Eric Harris were deeply embedded in Mason's character.
The violence in this book was hard to stomach; however, it's simply a more graphic rendition of what's really happening with some of our disillusioned youth. Again, reading the author's notes is a MUST for this one.
Mason is 13 years old growing up in a house with a father who rules with an iron fist and a mother who simpers and pleads. He spend his time watching violent movies and talking to his television, which talks back (read the author's notes; he always has brilliant explanations for where he gets his inspiration).
The opening scene reminded me so vividly of the true crime case of killer Eric Smith and victim Derrick Robie, who was just four years old when he was brutally killed by Smith. I could definitely see the influence of that case, and it was chilling. I could also see traces of 16-year-old Luke Woodham, who killed his mother before showing up at school to kill his classmates. Finally, traces of psychopathic Columbine killer Eric Harris were deeply embedded in Mason's character.
The violence in this book was hard to stomach; however, it's simply a more graphic rendition of what's really happening with some of our disillusioned youth. Again, reading the author's notes is a MUST for this one.
April 20, 2019
THOUGHT PROVOKING HORROR!
I really enjoyed this J. Athan read. Mason, a mentally disturbed, physically abused 13yr old boy takes killer directions from his 'tv'.
Mason's TV guides him on how to be famous. unfortunately, Mason's TV is a great teacher.
I really enjoyed this J. Athan read. Mason, a mentally disturbed, physically abused 13yr old boy takes killer directions from his 'tv'.
Mason's TV guides him on how to be famous. unfortunately, Mason's TV is a great teacher.
November 28, 2025
Well this was an extremely fun read. Jon Athan never seems to let me down with his books.
This one felt pretty close to home with the fact of mental health and violent tendencies. I enjoyed this read as much as a I enjoyed Lovelorn and other books by Jon Athan
**spoilers**
Mason was a prime example of a mentally ill teen who could have been helped but fell into his own depraved mind. His strive for infamy and the extreme to best others before him was an interesting read.
I felt sorry for the victims in the story due to how real these situations are and I loved the fact that Jon Athan knew that as well. He was respectful I feel with the subject and at the end with the news report scene showing how much they try to make a show out of it and forgetting the victims giving Mason everything he wanted.
I give this book a 5/5
I am now going to read The Social Media Murders by Jon Athan because his books are genuinely good fun.
This one felt pretty close to home with the fact of mental health and violent tendencies. I enjoyed this read as much as a I enjoyed Lovelorn and other books by Jon Athan
**spoilers**
Mason was a prime example of a mentally ill teen who could have been helped but fell into his own depraved mind. His strive for infamy and the extreme to best others before him was an interesting read.
I felt sorry for the victims in the story due to how real these situations are and I loved the fact that Jon Athan knew that as well. He was respectful I feel with the subject and at the end with the news report scene showing how much they try to make a show out of it and forgetting the victims giving Mason everything he wanted.
I give this book a 5/5
I am now going to read The Social Media Murders by Jon Athan because his books are genuinely good fun.
July 22, 2022
This book didn't deliver at all for me I'm afraid,Jon Athan is normally so much better than this!! It was slow,boring and I may sound sick....but there was not enough gore,blood and torture.I wanted to be gripped to this book and unable to put it down...but this story about a school boy called Mason and his talking television telling him what to do and who to kill (all in his head...I know!!) just didn't tick all the boxes,it was almost childish.Jon Athan is one of my favorite extreme horror writers and will continue to be so...one bad book won't put me off! Only 3 stars...Sorry!! I would probably recommend this book to someone who hasn't experienced Jon Athan's kind of books and writing before and wants to start off on the tame side?
December 24, 2020
Was fame worth a premature death?
At only thirteen years old, Mason Williams was a young boy who found a sickened sense of intrigue and arousal at bloody, violent acts against another person. Sickened in his own mind, he found himself lost in the voice of his television in his bedroom, and it would be at that voice’s urging he would turn to a darkened sense of depravity he never should of unlocked within himself. A trouble maker at school, he spent countless hours facing hatred towards his own family members, having no empathy to his mother’s bearings at the hands of his abusive father. Finding glee and delights in her anguished cries and whimpering, he saw within himself a heartless killer, a barbarian in a child’s skin. His path lead him to his first murder, the brutal beating and torture of a young eight year old boy named Carlos down by the train tracks near his home. Stashing his brutalized body on the railroad tracks, he recounted the events to his television as his thoughts further sickened.
He appeared evil an distant, a treacherous boy with a wicked soul, but his kin and eager words contradicted his aura.
Listening to the voices that seemed to whisper into his ear using the television as a medium, he followed his sickest fantasies into reality, as murdering and then raping of the corpse of his young classmate, Terri Bell, became his next level of becoming the monster he was taking shape to become. Craving an infinite fame through his hate filled crimes, he longed for ideas to turn the stomachs of everyone unfortunate enough to discover his trail of death and torture.
At only thirteen years old, Mason Williams was a young boy who found a sickened sense of intrigue and arousal at bloody, violent acts against another person. Sickened in his own mind, he found himself lost in the voice of his television in his bedroom, and it would be at that voice’s urging he would turn to a darkened sense of depravity he never should of unlocked within himself. A trouble maker at school, he spent countless hours facing hatred towards his own family members, having no empathy to his mother’s bearings at the hands of his abusive father. Finding glee and delights in her anguished cries and whimpering, he saw within himself a heartless killer, a barbarian in a child’s skin. His path lead him to his first murder, the brutal beating and torture of a young eight year old boy named Carlos down by the train tracks near his home. Stashing his brutalized body on the railroad tracks, he recounted the events to his television as his thoughts further sickened.
He appeared evil an distant, a treacherous boy with a wicked soul, but his kin and eager words contradicted his aura.
Listening to the voices that seemed to whisper into his ear using the television as a medium, he followed his sickest fantasies into reality, as murdering and then raping of the corpse of his young classmate, Terri Bell, became his next level of becoming the monster he was taking shape to become. Craving an infinite fame through his hate filled crimes, he longed for ideas to turn the stomachs of everyone unfortunate enough to discover his trail of death and torture.
November 24, 2021
well written
A well written thought provoking horror!
This book was scary purely because it could so easily be a real life situation!
The characters were portrayed well with insight into them from the start, the horror, gore and violence fitted well and was not added just to bulk out the story everything fitted perfectly!
An excellent read provoking and array of emotions for the killer and his victims!
A well written thought provoking horror!
This book was scary purely because it could so easily be a real life situation!
The characters were portrayed well with insight into them from the start, the horror, gore and violence fitted well and was not added just to bulk out the story everything fitted perfectly!
An excellent read provoking and array of emotions for the killer and his victims!
December 4, 2021
This was a pretty intense read but I've come to expect nothing but brutality from Jon Athan, which I love. Masons transformation from a misbehaving troublemaker to a violent murderer was hard to turn away from so I flew through this book! Definitely a touchy subject towards the end but I think Athan accomplished what he intended to by not glorifying Masons actions but spotlighting the awfulness of it. 4/5 skulls 💀
November 13, 2019
I was interested enough to finish the book but I didn’t like any of the characters and it felt a little preachy at the end. Having a graphic murder of a young child in the first chapter was a little off-putting as well, especially because I am sure it is losely based on the murder of James Bulger. It isn’t as horrible as the story of Junko Furuta, Silvia Likens, or Suzanne Capper, but it is still not something I want to think about.
April 28, 2022
reality and horror
Truth is usually the best horror to me. As a retired law enforcement officer I appreciated the take on what role the media played in this book. I especially liked the section by Jon at the end of the book giving us his insight. And Jon, never apologize for your fiction. Thank you, another riveting multifaceted disturbing read.
Truth is usually the best horror to me. As a retired law enforcement officer I appreciated the take on what role the media played in this book. I especially liked the section by Jon at the end of the book giving us his insight. And Jon, never apologize for your fiction. Thank you, another riveting multifaceted disturbing read.
May 5, 2017
Well, this book didn't really work for me. The words "dome" and "reverse" appeared far too often and I didn't really feel much. Gratuitous violence hasn't really ever done it for me, so I guess I sholdn't be surprised.
November 12, 2018
Another Twisted Story
Wow!! Another twisted story. Dark and edgy and some things you can see coming, but others grab you & a few that will have you speechless! Thanks for another great book!! Off to read another one of your books!!
Wow!! Another twisted story. Dark and edgy and some things you can see coming, but others grab you & a few that will have you speechless! Thanks for another great book!! Off to read another one of your books!!
August 19, 2022
I love how he takes important issues and holds the darkness and horror right up to our faces and forces us to think. If you’ve ever wondered how someone could do something horrible, Jon Athan is going to show you, step by step. I just love his work! ✌🏻
December 7, 2025
Mason a 13 year old with a hard family life and mental health issues finds himself listening to his television encouraging violence/murder/rape with no remorse . with a story like this many trigger warnings for some
May 4, 2017
Good
Good writer
My 2nd book from this writer.
I'm sure I Will Read More of his books.
Thanks Jon Athan
Good writer
My 2nd book from this writer.
I'm sure I Will Read More of his books.
Thanks Jon Athan
December 21, 2018
Good book. Jon Athan never disappoints.
I like his books. I can pick one up and read it very quickly and the stories are always terrible but fun.
I like his books. I can pick one up and read it very quickly and the stories are always terrible but fun.
February 21, 2024
eh
This book just wasn’t it for me. I had doubts about reading this book and actually liking it from the beginning but after testing the reviews I said screw it and just decided to dive in. It was a waste of time tbh. Jon has so many better books out there if your into this kind of genre. Idk I feel like this one wasn’t one of his best
This book just wasn’t it for me. I had doubts about reading this book and actually liking it from the beginning but after testing the reviews I said screw it and just decided to dive in. It was a waste of time tbh. Jon has so many better books out there if your into this kind of genre. Idk I feel like this one wasn’t one of his best
July 31, 2023
A thought provoking horror that I’m sure I’ll be thinking about for a while! I loved reading about Mason’s journey to fame. It was brutal and unrelenting, it was the perfect length and I was captivated from start to finish. A 10/10 read.
May 5, 2024
Another great book by Jon Athan!
A unique story here with some social commentary. I was hooked from beginning to end! Athan never fails to write very disturbing gore, while this one may not be as brutal as his other books, I still loved the story!
4/5
A unique story here with some social commentary. I was hooked from beginning to end! Athan never fails to write very disturbing gore, while this one may not be as brutal as his other books, I still loved the story!
4/5
November 10, 2024
First instance of proper imagination in one of Jon Athan's books.
Mentally ill child.
Mentally ill child.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews