Monstrosity

by Tim Curran

The Food. It seeped from the ground, a living, gushing, teratogenic nightmare. It contaminated anything that ate it, causing nature to run wild with horrible mutations, creating massive monstrosities that roam the land destroying towns and cities, feeding on livestock and human beings and one another.

Now Frank Bowman, an ordinary farmer with no military skills, must get his children to safety. And that will mean a trip through the contaminated zone of monsters, madmen, and The Food itself. Only a fool would attempt it. Or a man with a mission.

Genres: Horror, Monsters, Fiction, Apocalyptic, Adventure

242 pages, Paperback

Published March 7, 2017

About the author

Tim Curran lives in Michigan and is the author of the novels Skin Medicine, Hive, Dead Sea, Resurrection, The Devil Next Door, and Biohazard, as well as the novella The Corpse King. His short stories have appeared in such magazines as City Slab, Flesh&Blood, Book of Dark Wisdom, and Inhuman, and anthologies such as Shivers IV, High Seas Cthulhu, and Vile Things.

For DarkFuse and its imprints, he has written the bestselling The Underdwelling, the Readers Choice-Nominated novella Fear Me, Puppet Graveyard as well as Long Black Coffin.

Find him on the web at: www.corpseking.com.

Reviews

[Kenneth McKinley · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know a writer kicks ass when they can stretch your imagination to the point where, when you look back, you can't believe how much of the story you were buying. Curran does that in spades with Monstrosity. Monstrosity takes your typical rural Midwest setting and turns it on its ear in this dystopic tale.

Tremors begin happening in rural Wisconsin and out of the formed cracks oozes out what is called The Food. It looks white, marshmallow fluff and the wildlife and plants are "feeding" off of it. This isn't good because all of a sudden the animals and plants undergo a metamorphis that Lovecraft on acid couldn't have come up with. And they aren't the cute, cuddly critters either. Mother Nature has had enough and she's out to get rid of us.

That's Monstrosity in a nutshell. Sounds dumb and unbelievable, doesn't it? Not so fast, my friends. Monstrosity is probably one of the top 3 best stories I've read all year. Curran makes the unbelievable SOOOO believable. I bought into the whole story from start to finish and then couldn't believe that I did. But Curran is sneaky. He pulls the wool over your eyes by using such likable characters that you can't help yourself but to follow them blindly. He also paints such a vivid picture of the monstrosities that come out of every nook and cranny, it feels like you're there with the protagonist. He also brings you along with the ride so close to everything that you run the gamut along with the characters of the emotional rollercoaster that is Monstrosity. Curran really has been on the top of his game with his last few tales. If you're not familiar with his work, you need to be and Monstrosity is a great place to start.

4 1/2 Magic Mushrooms out of 5


You can also follow my reviews at the following links:

https://intothemacabre.com

http://intothemacabre.booklikes.com

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...

[RedemptionDenied]

Update: 09/12/17. This is currently on offer for the next 4 days 9 hrs: 0.99p in the UK and (possibly) $1.33 in the States. There may be a slight disparity with the States price, but it's on the Kindle Countdown Deal.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently taught Tim Curran's MONSTROSITY in a college-level introductory lit course -- literally titled "Monstrosities." The book exhibits Curran's wildly playful imagination when set free and allowed to take inventive extremes. I don't want to spoil any surprises, because this is a book where you begin to turn the pages dying to see what crazy creature will be unleashed next, and whether or not the author will be able to top the one you just read about, with your jaw on the floor. There are scenes in the book that will stick with me as truly frightening for a long time -- two, especially (an early one where Frank gets stuck in, oh, let's call it a hammock, and another one where the protagonist and his romantic interest get stuck in the equivalent of a house-sized Venus Fly Trap). The only weaknesses of this novel, really, are all about the plot: the action/adventure and rescue plots felt too simple and a bit predictable at times to me, but they allowed the monsters and the surprising revelations they harbored to dominate, which I enjoyed immensely. As a post-apocalyptic kaiju kind of story, it really works well and Curran just has a lot of fun. There's a lot of extreme gore, but it avoids the excesses of similar "extreme horror" fiction (I think -- not sure, because I'm kind of numb to it all), and he handles everything supremely well. The changes he dramatized -- embodied by "The Food" -- are really described in evocative ways. The book doesn't belabor the ecological nightmare that the theme implies, and I would have liked much more depth to that, but the characters make up for it and what all this means for Frank and his family relations is all worth musing over. An enjoyable, ORIGINAL book and I recommend it for anyone who is looking for a well-written, action packed, modern-day horror story. And my students, for the most part, would whole-heartedly agree.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oof, this book was something. If monsters have nightmares, those nightmares would have these monsters in them. They were unique, well described and actually creepy (when was the last time you read about a creepy monster in a modern book?).

If I had to have something to complain about, the choice of words would be one thing - Curran uses several words that we don't use very often and it causes the reader to stumble a bit and try to recall their meaning (or I'm just a backwoods idiot, one of the two). Secondly, the ending, the very last two sentences in fact. We go from a bleak outlook to the character thinking, being CERTAIN, that everything will be ok? I'd prefer a cliffhanger, sequel, being eaten by rabid penguins, anything other than a 180 like that.

Anyway, certainly a book for horror fans, fans of unique monsters or possibly even those wanting a new take on the apocalypse. Just stay away from the white stuff and anything that's been in contact with it...

[🥀 Rose 🥀 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Triffids meets lovecraftian meets Nature Gone Wild!!!
Although this Tim Curran didn't live up to my expectations following his Dead Sea book, it was fairly imaginative as far as apocalyptic world endings go.

The world setting, the "food" coming from within the earth to feed and mutate all living things was spectacularly wierd and horrific, my problem lies in the execution of the characters. They didn't feel believable at all. Vet much one dimensional and "filler people" including the main protagonist. I can't really explain it other than if any person died in this story, you as the reader would care not. No real distinction, no back stories, not in anyone's head which leads to not caring. This author can do better than this. This was a rush job and it lazy which is why 3 stars. But the horrors are for realz!

[Jon Von · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 up to 4.Do you ever read a horror novel and think, “enough of all this character development and thinking, I want MONSTERS!”? Then this may be the book for you. The story is almost absurdly simple, like a men’s magazine serial from an alternate dimension where HP Lovecraft is a common bedtime story and Harry Adam Knight’s Fungus was a massive bestseller and hit movie. This book is so overloaded with monsters, 20+ easily, from the mundane, monster bears and spider women, to... I don’t even know what; the products of a far-out imagination. It’s overkill, it’s scorched earth, it’s pedal to the metal “dude has to fight a bunch of different monsters to find his kids”, until it’s so bizarre that you’ll need a chin strap to keep your jaw in place. I love Curran, this is my fifth book of his. And the fact this is ALL meat occasionally had me feeling like Homer Simpson that time he had to eat that huge steak, “What’s happening to me, there’s still food but I don’t wanna eat it.” It’s a little much, and the fact that the characters are all pretty two-dimensional wears a little thin. But once it get into the final third of the book, it just gets so bonkers that it’s really pretty impressive.

[Kate Victoria RescueandReading · Rating 3 out of 5]

“All they knew was that it was here. A white, creeping horror like a living congealed fat that contaminated any living thing it touched.”

Ok, this was such a cool book! Some seriously messed up monstrosities and scenes that put me on the edge of my seat!!

My only critiques were the open ending (I want to know what happens to humanity!!), and that there were a lot of repetitive remarks/descriptions (ex: Frank’s inner dialogue repetitively stated he was 15 years older than her).

Give this one a read, it’s perfect for fans of Curran’s work & newbies who are just discovering him.

[Joe Geesin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting idea and a well written battle of survival, a world where everything mutates and turns against you. Not just a battle for your own survival but for your loved ones too.

The persistant madness and assault of the world upon the hero is a bit much, a little constant, so although it is a good read it's not quite the best Tim Curran. Well worth checking out though, some novel ideas and good characterisation.

[FictionFreak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun!

Monstrosity by Tim Curran was another apocalyptic tale by one of my favorite authors. Tons of beasties decorate the pages of this book. Check it out!

[John R. Dailey Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A FINE AND HORRIBLE TALE OF FUBAR IT IS...

Hello, this is one hell of a story. About as bad as it could get. Wonderfully written and entertaining. Very fresh idea. Thanks.

[Sonia Ighalo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a different type of horror, reaching into the worst case reality we all have in the back of our minds. If those environmental woes could be printed on paper this would be the end result. I liked the plot but seemed far fetched that the main characters friends all succu

To horrible deaths but the characters missing children made it through all the horrors of this new world. Furthermore, to make it alive to a church surrounded by these horrors, next to impossible.

All in all a good read.

[Jordan Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spooktober 2018 Book 3

It’s been a long time since I’ve read Curran. And maybe, that’s for the best, since, at the end there, I wasn’t exactly thrilled with his work; it began to feel stale and unoriginal and basically horror for horror’s sake with no real story or reason.

Monstrosity, thankfully, is not that. It’s a return to form for Curran. Complete with the myriad of vivid descriptions, horrific creatures, blood, gore, and a halfway decent story mixed in there too.

If you’ve read basically any Tim Curran, then Monstrosity is nothing really new or earth shattering, though fans will notice this one is definitely more “grounded”, like Leviathan. Focusing more on creature feature than the paranormal...which I think Curran is far more adept and successful in. No weirdness of Deadlock or Blackout. Just an over the top ode to B-movie monsters.

Minor complaints with the super short ending and the way the story felt, at times, to be way longer than 240ish pages. But overall, I gotta say this is the best Curran novel in the last couple of years and definitely the reminder I needed of why I was such a fan of him all those years ago.

[Michael Latiolais · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read. A lot more concise than "Dead Sea," which I thought needed some editing to really hit its stride.
So, this is my second Curran book, and the second one that I felt was an expansion of a Lovecraft short. In this case, "The Colour out of Space." Well executed. I would have liked to see the protagonist break a bit more, given the insane things happening around him. And I didn't particularly like the ending. The final conflict was ok, but it felt like he wanted to wrap things up. I would have probably cut a cabin/shack scene or two and expanded on the final scene. I think that the final scene with Ruby could have been combined with the pig farm scene, since they were a very similar "monster," and it had more of an impact. I also think the final scene with Mabel was ripe for exploration, but it was over too soon.

[Laik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zero filler, so those looking for nonstop monster action and gore with next to zero character development, then this is your book. For those looking for something more 300 pages of the author going, "but wait, there's more!" might want to look elsewhere.

This I feel like is the book equivalent of those people asking for Godzilla movies that have next to no human elements. It's possible, but it would lack the barbed hook to keep you one the line, as something like that and the recent Monsterverse movie have proven that such things aren't feasible and still be entertaining.

[Dale Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up to a 4.

Enjoyed this a lot but as the story went on I found my attention wavering and I was skipping large sections of descriptive text. It started well, the middle was a bit sluggish, then the end got better. Decent enough but not fantastic. The story felt like a portion from a bigger tale, where maybe there're different survivor tales, an explanation to what was going on, etc. Had an apocalyptic feel about it. Loved the grotesque creatures and things, one thing that Tim Curran does extremely well.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Right idea but missed the mark

The storyline was intriguing, however, the writing style wasn't phenomenal. There was a lack of depth to the characters, and to the story itself. If that had been added to the story, then it would've been a better read. Nonetheless, this made for a good, quick entertaining read if one needed something to pass the time. Just don't expect an amazing read from this book. This book was an equivalent to a corny B horror movie at its best.

[Collin Landis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed "Monstrosity." The apocalypse that besets the characters is so odd but becomes so horrifying it can't help but be engaging. In a world of cookie-cutter disasters in fiction Tim Curran has drudged up something fresh and... monstrous. Worth your time to read, which is the highest praise I can give a story.

[Susan Whitmarsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Non-stop

The author drops you in on Frank and his family and begins a relentless non-stop rush towards ... something. I never felt like I really got to know anyone; most of the attention was on making each monster worse than the last. I began skipping many of the descriptive pages just to see how it ended. Thankfully it did.

[Bogdan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Impressive horror flick, that has a frenetic pace with lots of gore (but played in a "careful' maner, not very out of place so to speak) a diverse cast of Kaiju like creatures and not only, that delivers in a big way!

I had a lot of fun with this one!

[Cathy Gudger · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was really out there! I skipped a lot if that tells you anything. I like this writer though, and will continue to read his books.

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has lots and lots of monsters. Need I say more?

[Madeleine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this! More in the beginning, but it held all the way through.

[John Debrassey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very excellent book, love it. Tim Curran's best in my opinion, a very compelling read. characters well done, also action scenes, the horror wow!!!!. This should be a movie.A+

[Paulo "paper books only" · Rating 2 out of 5]

My least favorite novel of Tim Curran.
Review to come

[Thomas Hobbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apocalyptic and a fun read. A man and his kids travel through Loisiana and they is mass chaos of monsters and bugs and other things that can kill you.

[Kara Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was amazing, but the typos made it harder to get through

[Rob Beckett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jesus Christ. What a well written book. Felt like I was there half the time. Could hardly put it down.
Tim takes scary to the next level…

[DJMikeG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another excellent book by Tim Curran. Fantastically grotesque and filled with bizarre imagery, this is one of the more original End of the World horror novels I've read. Curran is one of the most dependable authors working today, I've yet to read anything disappointing by him. Highly recommended.

[Larry · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's kind of a fun story about monsters.

A quick read. The ending felt a little rushed and forced.

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was pretty bad, but as an Amazon Prime member I downloaded it for free, so I can't complain, and it was enjoyably bad, so I don't want to complain. Modern horror writers, like Nick Cutter and Jonathan Janz, are competing among themselves, and probably with graphic novelists, to see who can unleash the most nauseating monsters on fictional small towns, and the good Mr. Curran is so determined to win this race that he barely bothers with a plot. Every twenty pages, Curran's hero, a widowed father (why is that a horror trope? -- think "The Road," "Signs," the Tom Cruise desecration of "War of the Worlds") named Frank Bowman, makes a stupid decision that will bring him nose-to-proboscis with a mutated plant, animal, or human determined to eat him. And Curran deserves some credit for varying the threats -- at various points in "Monstrosity," Frank goes mano-a-tendril with saber-toothed tadpoles, massive cicadas, demonic mushrooms and, in one memorable chapter, a mind-reading carnivorous plant that tries to ensnare him and a female traveling companion in an herbaceous Sybaris. Now that's putting the "Venus" in Venus flytrap!