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Blanky
In the wake of his infant daughter's tragic death, Steve Brannigan is struggling to keep himself together. Estranged from his wife, who refuses to be inside the house where the unthinkable happened, and unable to work, he seeks solace in an endless parade of old sitcoms and a bottle of bourbon.
Until one night he hears a sound from his daughter's old room, a room now stripped bare of anything that identified it as hers...except for her security blanket, affectionately known as Blanky.
Blanky, old and frayed, with its antiquated patchwork of badly sewn rabbits with black button eyes, who appear to be staring at the viewer...
Blanky, purchased from a strange old man at an antique stall selling "BABY CLOSE" at a discount.
The presence of Blanky in his dead daughter's room heralds nothing short of an unspeakable nightmare that threatens to take away what little light remains in Steve's shattered world.
Because his daughter loved Blanky so much, he buried her with it.
Until one night he hears a sound from his daughter's old room, a room now stripped bare of anything that identified it as hers...except for her security blanket, affectionately known as Blanky.
Blanky, old and frayed, with its antiquated patchwork of badly sewn rabbits with black button eyes, who appear to be staring at the viewer...
Blanky, purchased from a strange old man at an antique stall selling "BABY CLOSE" at a discount.
The presence of Blanky in his dead daughter's room heralds nothing short of an unspeakable nightmare that threatens to take away what little light remains in Steve's shattered world.
Because his daughter loved Blanky so much, he buried her with it.
73 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 12, 2017
103 people are currently reading
6263 people want to read
About the author
Kealan Patrick Burke
194 books2,326 followersHailed by Booklist as “one of the most clever and original talents in contemporary horror,” Kealan Patrick Burke was born and raised in Ireland and emigrated to the United States a few weeks before 9/11.
Since then, he has written six novels, among them the popular southern gothic Kin, and over two hundred short stories and novellas, many of which are in various stages of development for film/TV.
A five-time nominee, Burke won the Bram Stoker Award in 2005 for his coming-of-age novella The Turtle Boy, the first book in the acclaimed Timmy Quinn series.
As editor, he helmed the anthologies Night Visions 12, Taverns of the Dead, and Quietly Now, a tribute anthology to one of Burke’s influences, the late Charles L. Grant.
More recently, he wrote the screenplays for Sour Candy (based on his novella), and the remake of the iconic horror film The Changeling (1980), for producer Joel B. Michaels.
He also adapted Sour Candy as a graphic novel for John Carpenter's Night Terrors.
His most recent release is Cottonmouth, a prequel to Kin. The Widows of Winding Gale, a maritime horror novel set in Ireland, is due for release in October as a signed limited edition from Earthling Publications.
Kealan is represented by Merrilee Heifetz at Writers House.
He lives in Ohio with a Scooby Doo lookalike rescue named Red.
Since then, he has written six novels, among them the popular southern gothic Kin, and over two hundred short stories and novellas, many of which are in various stages of development for film/TV.
A five-time nominee, Burke won the Bram Stoker Award in 2005 for his coming-of-age novella The Turtle Boy, the first book in the acclaimed Timmy Quinn series.
As editor, he helmed the anthologies Night Visions 12, Taverns of the Dead, and Quietly Now, a tribute anthology to one of Burke’s influences, the late Charles L. Grant.
More recently, he wrote the screenplays for Sour Candy (based on his novella), and the remake of the iconic horror film The Changeling (1980), for producer Joel B. Michaels.
He also adapted Sour Candy as a graphic novel for John Carpenter's Night Terrors.
His most recent release is Cottonmouth, a prequel to Kin. The Widows of Winding Gale, a maritime horror novel set in Ireland, is due for release in October as a signed limited edition from Earthling Publications.
Kealan is represented by Merrilee Heifetz at Writers House.
He lives in Ohio with a Scooby Doo lookalike rescue named Red.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 683 reviews
September 23, 2017
Lord have mercy! This was good and creepy! It's a very short novella on Kindle Unlimited for those that have it 😊
Stephen and Lexi had a baby girl named Robin who died.
You say you can't imagine what it must be like to lose a child.
Let me make it easy for you.
It's the beginning of the end of your world
Stephen is left in their home alone as Lexi is staying with her parents. I mean I would have sold that house. Just sayin'
The author does a brilliant job of setting up the creepy atmosphere and the grief in this book.
The creaking of timbers settling, of joints tightening, that was familiar. A dragging sound was not. Up there, through that ceiling, was the floor of an empty room. But once upon a time, not very long ago, it had been Robin's room.
Blanky comes home. . .
You would not believe the things Stephen sees through-out this book!
Obviously things take a turn for the worse and there is a surprise scenario and ending. There were some things I didn't understand at first but when the pieces started to click, my light bulb went off!
I enjoyed this little novella
Mel ❤️
November 1, 2020
Really enjoyed this one! It was just as sad as it was creepy and there was some seriously disturbing imagery that I will not soon forget.
May 17, 2025
A horror novella that approaches the subject of possibly the worst grief imaginable. A couple, Stephen and Lexi, are torn apart by the death of their infant daughter.
Blanky starts quite beautifully written, as they try to slowly repair their relationship over time. This starts because Stephen has found a blanket that belonged to their daughter that was thought to be lost. But it just appears, seemingly out of thin air, one day on the floor.
But soon, another horrible tragedy happens to Stephen, and it links to the blanket he found.
”Blanky. Such an innocuous name for something that had now cemented itself as the locus of my grief and horror and rage.”
There’s a very creepy, horror-filled description of one of Stephen’s nightmares quite early on. He sees a mysterious woman and a horde of creepy looking dolls. But will parts of this nightmare come true? And how does this link to the Blanky? 💀
Blanky starts quite beautifully written, as they try to slowly repair their relationship over time. This starts because Stephen has found a blanket that belonged to their daughter that was thought to be lost. But it just appears, seemingly out of thin air, one day on the floor.
But soon, another horrible tragedy happens to Stephen, and it links to the blanket he found.
”Blanky. Such an innocuous name for something that had now cemented itself as the locus of my grief and horror and rage.”
There’s a very creepy, horror-filled description of one of Stephen’s nightmares quite early on. He sees a mysterious woman and a horde of creepy looking dolls. But will parts of this nightmare come true? And how does this link to the Blanky? 💀
September 27, 2017
Steve Brannigan’s life has turned into a nightmare full of jagged edges. His dreams are filled with menacing images – a room full of dolls, baby fingers, and a hideous old woman with long yellow fingernails that make scritching sounds as they tap tap tap on the table, waiting.
And now, here is that damn misbegotten baby blanky that is at the heart of all the trouble, turning up yet again. You know, the one with the glowering bunnies .
And now, here is that damn misbegotten baby blanky that is at the heart of all the trouble, turning up yet again. You know, the one with the glowering bunnies .
August 6, 2019
A chilling short story about horror, grief and a child's death.
It's not easy for me to read contemporary horror, because, let's be honest, if you are a horror aficionado like me, you likely have read/saw everything. Every single trope, plot twist, horrific image, cursed child, demon, porcelain doll, animal mask etc. I mean, we see these things so much that it's almost impossible not to feel at least a bit annoyed when you find them in a story. You can't help but thinking "on no, another cursed object purchased from a suspicious old man who sells second-hand stuff in a suspicious market", or "oh no, teeth" (which, by the way, are still one of the creepiest horror tropes since Edgar Allan Poe).
Sometimes though, the story itself is so good that almost makes you forget about some cheesy details, and this, for me, was the case with Blanky. I must admit I haven't been this chilled by written words since my last Stephen King's book. There are some moments in this novella which are real nightmare fuel (dare I say teeth...?).
But, truly, my favourite elements of this story, and the reason for the high rating, are the final plot twist (which shouldn't have been a plot twist, I mean I should have been clever enough to think it could have been like that but hey, I wasn't giving enough credit to the author, my bad) and the way the element of grief is treated through the story. In particular, what really got me is the fact that this grieving man, the protagonist, is so overwhelmed by pain that he's not even bothered by the horrific events which are happening in his life: this choice the author made, to give him a cold attitude towards the nightmares, because his feelings have been numbed by the pain of loss, made me reconsider a lot of reactions from other horror characters I saw/read in the past. It made me think that, in a similar situation, I'd be more likely to react more like the protagonist than any crazy demanding-to-change-house-because-it's-haunted wife in a horror movie. I mean, who cares if, I don't know, a ghost is making my walls bleed when I literally just lost my child? I wouldn't care for my life or sanity without my little one. That is the main reason why I appreciated this story so much. I would love to see this became a good horror movie.
It's not easy for me to read contemporary horror, because, let's be honest, if you are a horror aficionado like me, you likely have read/saw everything. Every single trope, plot twist, horrific image, cursed child, demon, porcelain doll, animal mask etc. I mean, we see these things so much that it's almost impossible not to feel at least a bit annoyed when you find them in a story. You can't help but thinking "on no, another cursed object purchased from a suspicious old man who sells second-hand stuff in a suspicious market", or "oh no, teeth" (which, by the way, are still one of the creepiest horror tropes since Edgar Allan Poe).
Sometimes though, the story itself is so good that almost makes you forget about some cheesy details, and this, for me, was the case with Blanky. I must admit I haven't been this chilled by written words since my last Stephen King's book. There are some moments in this novella which are real nightmare fuel (dare I say teeth...?).
But, truly, my favourite elements of this story, and the reason for the high rating, are the final plot twist (which shouldn't have been a plot twist, I mean I should have been clever enough to think it could have been like that but hey, I wasn't giving enough credit to the author, my bad) and the way the element of grief is treated through the story. In particular, what really got me is the fact that this grieving man, the protagonist, is so overwhelmed by pain that he's not even bothered by the horrific events which are happening in his life: this choice the author made, to give him a cold attitude towards the nightmares, because his feelings have been numbed by the pain of loss, made me reconsider a lot of reactions from other horror characters I saw/read in the past. It made me think that, in a similar situation, I'd be more likely to react more like the protagonist than any crazy demanding-to-change-house-because-it's-haunted wife in a horror movie. I mean, who cares if, I don't know, a ghost is making my walls bleed when I literally just lost my child? I wouldn't care for my life or sanity without my little one. That is the main reason why I appreciated this story so much. I would love to see this became a good horror movie.
January 7, 2018
A horror story of grief and pain begin with the loss of a child in Kealan Patrick Burke's wicked little novella BLANKY and then.....
Intensify as evil thoughts and dark visions pervade the mind of a father....haunting him into a realm of madness....fueled by something always watching....following....and seeking him out.
CREEPY!
July 2, 2018
I buy into this one because the writing is just that good. You may guess where the story goes, but maybe you're the one being led. Tragedy and heartbreak turn to paranormal with an baby's blanket at the center of these parent's nightmare. Thought I had it all figured out...and then the last page.
October 15, 2017
They say there are seven stages of grief.
They are wrong.
There are eight.
The final stage is....BLANKY.
This review is a bit more personal than is my norm, as this novella hit me harder and deeper than pretty much anything I've read in living memory. Having recently lost a loved one, and still in the grip of grief, reading BLANKY was a cathartic experience, for good horror brings the fear....great horror goes to the emotions that underlie the fear. And no one writing today knows that territory like Kealan Patrick Burke. He knows what grief is, and the fine line between despair and insanity. He knows it and shares it with his readers on an empathic level. This novella brought me more than a few sleepless nights.....and more than a few of tears.
Burke raises the bar on horror every time he sets pen to paper.
Highest possible recommendation.
They are wrong.
There are eight.
The final stage is....BLANKY.
This review is a bit more personal than is my norm, as this novella hit me harder and deeper than pretty much anything I've read in living memory. Having recently lost a loved one, and still in the grip of grief, reading BLANKY was a cathartic experience, for good horror brings the fear....great horror goes to the emotions that underlie the fear. And no one writing today knows that territory like Kealan Patrick Burke. He knows what grief is, and the fine line between despair and insanity. He knows it and shares it with his readers on an empathic level. This novella brought me more than a few sleepless nights.....and more than a few of tears.
Burke raises the bar on horror every time he sets pen to paper.
Highest possible recommendation.
May 9, 2018
Long listed for my Top 17 Books of 2017!
Blanky is dark, creepy and delightfully disturbing. This brilliant novella creeps up on you as you turn the pages before revealing its plot whammy and leaving you gasping for air. I'll never look at a baby blanket the same way again.
Kealan is a talented and clever writer. His writing is smooth, impacting and engaging on every level. You don't get bored reading books from Mr Burke and Blanky is no exception.
This horror novella is unique in plot and I really liked the way the story built up word upon word. I was intrigued from page one to the very end. Plot reveals are chilling and visually impacting to say the least. This would make one heck of a good movie.
A great novella that packs a lot in. Highly recommended. I'm a big fan of Kealan's work and have the bug to read more. 5 stars!
Blanky is dark, creepy and delightfully disturbing. This brilliant novella creeps up on you as you turn the pages before revealing its plot whammy and leaving you gasping for air. I'll never look at a baby blanket the same way again.
Kealan is a talented and clever writer. His writing is smooth, impacting and engaging on every level. You don't get bored reading books from Mr Burke and Blanky is no exception.
This horror novella is unique in plot and I really liked the way the story built up word upon word. I was intrigued from page one to the very end. Plot reveals are chilling and visually impacting to say the least. This would make one heck of a good movie.
A great novella that packs a lot in. Highly recommended. I'm a big fan of Kealan's work and have the bug to read more. 5 stars!
September 17, 2020
BLANKY, by Kealan Patrick Burke, is an emotional, literary work of art–nothing less than I’d expect from this veteran storyteller! While the title may seem innocent enough, the cover clearly shouts out an eerie malevolence, giving the reader a sense of unease just as they are about to turn to that first page.
“You say you can’t imagine what it must be like to lose a child. Let me make it easy for you. It’s the beginning of the end of your world.”
Stephen is struggling with the recent loss of his infant daughter, Robin. His wife, Lexi, has “temporarily” moved in with her parents in order to grieve alone.
“. . . everyone has lost someone, and nobody knows how to cope . . .”
The sense of overwhelming loss immediately permeates the reader’s senses. We endure Stephen’s loss of his child, his wife, the normalcy and routine that his life once had, and even his own will and convictions.
“. . . Self-preservation is an amazing thing. It can make fighters of the fallen . . . but it can’t last forever . . . When you’re beaten, sometimes it’s best just to stop struggling and embrace the end . . . “
The darkness of this novella was impossible to dispel–yet at the same time, I found myself perversely not wanting it to end. The words Burke uses evoke the feelings with such certainty and fluency that they are simply magical on a page.
“. . . Losing someone makes you lose yourself . . . “
Stephen’s depression is compounded further by the physical distance between he and his wife. With Lexi choosing to grieve on her own, she is, in effect, blocking out her husband as well, citing the memories of their house– “. . . The house where we became us . . . “ –as too painful for her.
As usual, Burke nails overwhelmingly, not only the atmosphere and tension of this tale, but also that of the characterization of all of the individuals involved. The heartfelt meaning of this story is unequivocally natural human emotions and how some try to go on after a horrific loss. The prose is simply . . . perfect . . . at conveying the exact thoughts and feelings you would honestly find in a situation like this.
“. . . All these moments, even the less pleasant ones, are snapshots we can never replace once they’re lost, and it leaves us wishing for just the slightest glimpse of them if it means we can feel whole again. If it means we can pretend just for an instant that we’re still alive . . . “
There are times, too, of optimism, of “maybe they will be able to move on”. Unquestionably, Burke is a master when it comes to the human psyche, and his words are able to effortlessly guide the reader along the paths he wishes to show us.
However, there is much more to this story than that.
Before little Robin’s birth, Lexi had procured for her a strange baby blanket at a vendor’s market. The seller, an old man with a misspelled sign that read “Baby Close”. At first, nothing appeared “off” with Blanky, and Lexi even went as far as to say it was the infant’s favorite toy.
When Stephen later thinks he hears a noise coming from the now-empty nursery upstairs, he goes in to find Blanky now lying on the otherwise bare floor. A tangible part of his departed daughter’s life, he and Lexi are soon wrapped up in happy memories of their baby girl.
Slowly though, sinister thoughts and dreams begin to plague Stephen each day and night. He couldn’t voice the problem that nagged at him, but once accepted, he couldn’t “pretend” otherwise.
“. . . We should never have seen Blanky again. Because we buried her with it . . . "
With this, the story instantly crosses over into psychological horror. We’ve passed from the logical emotive side of things, and gone into a realm where anything is possible, where nothing can be predicted with any amount of certainty. Yet Burke is able to seamlessly weld these two worlds together, making them inseparable to both Stephen and the reader as the nightmarish journey continues.
“. . . the edges of the world can cut you . . .”
When the reality you count on can no longer be trusted, do you surrender your sanity, or fight back no matter how unlikely the result may be?
“. . . Blanky had come home . . . "
BLANKY is another spectacular tale from Kealan Patrick Burke. This is a story that is rich with “real” characters, poignant emotions, and that darker side which can truly take your imagination . . . anywhere. Few authors can make a story work as well as this one.
Highest recommendation!
**Re-read September 16, 2020--5* **
“You say you can’t imagine what it must be like to lose a child. Let me make it easy for you. It’s the beginning of the end of your world.”
Stephen is struggling with the recent loss of his infant daughter, Robin. His wife, Lexi, has “temporarily” moved in with her parents in order to grieve alone.
“. . . everyone has lost someone, and nobody knows how to cope . . .”
The sense of overwhelming loss immediately permeates the reader’s senses. We endure Stephen’s loss of his child, his wife, the normalcy and routine that his life once had, and even his own will and convictions.
“. . . Self-preservation is an amazing thing. It can make fighters of the fallen . . . but it can’t last forever . . . When you’re beaten, sometimes it’s best just to stop struggling and embrace the end . . . “
The darkness of this novella was impossible to dispel–yet at the same time, I found myself perversely not wanting it to end. The words Burke uses evoke the feelings with such certainty and fluency that they are simply magical on a page.
“. . . Losing someone makes you lose yourself . . . “
Stephen’s depression is compounded further by the physical distance between he and his wife. With Lexi choosing to grieve on her own, she is, in effect, blocking out her husband as well, citing the memories of their house– “. . . The house where we became us . . . “ –as too painful for her.
As usual, Burke nails overwhelmingly, not only the atmosphere and tension of this tale, but also that of the characterization of all of the individuals involved. The heartfelt meaning of this story is unequivocally natural human emotions and how some try to go on after a horrific loss. The prose is simply . . . perfect . . . at conveying the exact thoughts and feelings you would honestly find in a situation like this.
“. . . All these moments, even the less pleasant ones, are snapshots we can never replace once they’re lost, and it leaves us wishing for just the slightest glimpse of them if it means we can feel whole again. If it means we can pretend just for an instant that we’re still alive . . . “
There are times, too, of optimism, of “maybe they will be able to move on”. Unquestionably, Burke is a master when it comes to the human psyche, and his words are able to effortlessly guide the reader along the paths he wishes to show us.
However, there is much more to this story than that.
Before little Robin’s birth, Lexi had procured for her a strange baby blanket at a vendor’s market. The seller, an old man with a misspelled sign that read “Baby Close”. At first, nothing appeared “off” with Blanky, and Lexi even went as far as to say it was the infant’s favorite toy.
When Stephen later thinks he hears a noise coming from the now-empty nursery upstairs, he goes in to find Blanky now lying on the otherwise bare floor. A tangible part of his departed daughter’s life, he and Lexi are soon wrapped up in happy memories of their baby girl.
Slowly though, sinister thoughts and dreams begin to plague Stephen each day and night. He couldn’t voice the problem that nagged at him, but once accepted, he couldn’t “pretend” otherwise.
“. . . We should never have seen Blanky again. Because we buried her with it . . . "
With this, the story instantly crosses over into psychological horror. We’ve passed from the logical emotive side of things, and gone into a realm where anything is possible, where nothing can be predicted with any amount of certainty. Yet Burke is able to seamlessly weld these two worlds together, making them inseparable to both Stephen and the reader as the nightmarish journey continues.
“. . . the edges of the world can cut you . . .”
When the reality you count on can no longer be trusted, do you surrender your sanity, or fight back no matter how unlikely the result may be?
“. . . Blanky had come home . . . "
BLANKY is another spectacular tale from Kealan Patrick Burke. This is a story that is rich with “real” characters, poignant emotions, and that darker side which can truly take your imagination . . . anywhere. Few authors can make a story work as well as this one.
Highest recommendation!
**Re-read September 16, 2020--5* **
April 30, 2020
It’s official. Kealan Patrick Burke is the KING of novellas and short stories. He always manages to pack such a gut wrenching punch to the stomach in the smallest package and it blows my mind every single damn time! Blanky is just packed to the brim with so much emotion and dread and it was just SO haunting! I could literally feel the heartbreak soaking through the pages and reaching deep down inside of me and sinking it’s hooks in. I think this just might be my favourite Burke story I’ve read yet, it was absolutely brilliant!
October 11, 2017
Blanky is a grief saturated read that will ring true for anyone who has ever lost anyone prematurely. It nails those dark, hopeless feelings that envelop you in the early stages of grief. It’s sad and it’s scary and it packs an incredible punch in so few pages. This kind of writing, the kind that is able to creep into my heart and shatter it, is what keeps me coming back to books when there are always so many other things trying to pull me away from them.
“One rainy night I put her to bed and when I woke up, she was dead. That was the beginning of the end of my world. This is the rest of it.”
Steve is drowning in grief and he is all alone. His wife, unable to deal with their loss, has left to live with her parents for a while and Steve’s isolation and sadness is a living, breathing, soul sucking thing.
"We always said nothing would come between us, that there was nothing we couldn’t conquer. I know at the time we never imagined in a million years it would be something this fucking apocalyptic, but still...I meant it then and I mean it now. We’re stronger together than we’ll ever be alone.” “I know, but...I see her in you, Stephen. She had your eyes, and it got so that looking at you felt like looking at her, and all I could see was the accusation, the blame. I couldn’t bear it. I still can’t.”
Ouch, right? Talk about raw emotion. The writing here is so strong that it almost physically hurts to read these thoughts and experience the sadness that engulfs both of them.
One day Steve ventures into his deceased baby’s room and finds her blanky. The blanky that he could’ve sworn she was swaddled in when she was handed over to the paramedics. The blanky that should not be in her room . . . Finding the blanky stirs a series of events that become increasingly sinister. Is Steve experiencing something supernatural or is it something far worse? I’m not a jerk and am not going to be the one to tell you!
This story gets all the stars. It is bleak and it may haunt you but I think all of you horror people should read it.
“One rainy night I put her to bed and when I woke up, she was dead. That was the beginning of the end of my world. This is the rest of it.”
Steve is drowning in grief and he is all alone. His wife, unable to deal with their loss, has left to live with her parents for a while and Steve’s isolation and sadness is a living, breathing, soul sucking thing.
"We always said nothing would come between us, that there was nothing we couldn’t conquer. I know at the time we never imagined in a million years it would be something this fucking apocalyptic, but still...I meant it then and I mean it now. We’re stronger together than we’ll ever be alone.” “I know, but...I see her in you, Stephen. She had your eyes, and it got so that looking at you felt like looking at her, and all I could see was the accusation, the blame. I couldn’t bear it. I still can’t.”
Ouch, right? Talk about raw emotion. The writing here is so strong that it almost physically hurts to read these thoughts and experience the sadness that engulfs both of them.
One day Steve ventures into his deceased baby’s room and finds her blanky. The blanky that he could’ve sworn she was swaddled in when she was handed over to the paramedics. The blanky that should not be in her room . . . Finding the blanky stirs a series of events that become increasingly sinister. Is Steve experiencing something supernatural or is it something far worse? I’m not a jerk and am not going to be the one to tell you!
This story gets all the stars. It is bleak and it may haunt you but I think all of you horror people should read it.
November 1, 2017
What a perfect book to read on the last day of October, Halloween. I had been hearing about Kealan Patrick Burke for quite some time now but this book, Blanky was recommended to me specifically by several people who read a lot of horror and who typically enjoy the same books I do.
So I bought it and of course I read it in one sitting (the day I got it) because it's a short story.
Read the plot summary if you want those kind of details but I suggest you just go into it blind.
My review, my non-spoilery thoughts on this read go like this:
Burke managed to pull a few fast ones over on me with the art of distraction. He kept me looking over *here* while he was working on something insidious over *there*.
And then after an emotional ride, I found myself in the middle of a nightmare--the bowels of a horror story.
What clever storytelling. I enjoyed it very much. I'll tell you what Kealan told me:
"For the ultimate immersion: (a) Pour yourself a Scotch (or apple juice), (b) have M*A*S*H on low in the background, (c) Be alone."
This is a must read for horror fans but be warned, if you read this--you're going to need all of Burke's books. *here, take my money*
So I bought it and of course I read it in one sitting (the day I got it) because it's a short story.
Read the plot summary if you want those kind of details but I suggest you just go into it blind.
My review, my non-spoilery thoughts on this read go like this:
Burke managed to pull a few fast ones over on me with the art of distraction. He kept me looking over *here* while he was working on something insidious over *there*.
And then after an emotional ride, I found myself in the middle of a nightmare--the bowels of a horror story.
What clever storytelling. I enjoyed it very much. I'll tell you what Kealan told me:
"For the ultimate immersion: (a) Pour yourself a Scotch (or apple juice), (b) have M*A*S*H on low in the background, (c) Be alone."
This is a must read for horror fans but be warned, if you read this--you're going to need all of Burke's books. *here, take my money*
March 9, 2018
A gripping and expertly written horror novella, Blanky affects the reader on more than one level. The main character is struggling with overwhelming loss, and his grief is palpable. The unnerving dreams that occupy his nocturnal hours are ominous, threatening to emerge into his daily reality. This is a psychological study that asks us to suspend disbelief. Supernatural overtures, grief-driven actions and the looming reality of death combine to weave a not-so-cuddly blanket of suspense and uncertainty. Recommended.
March 16, 2018
BLANKY is a powerful novella, full of grief, pain, and horrors previously unknown-those both real and imagined.
You can't let Kealan deceive you with that innocent looking cover. Any of you already familiar with his work wouldn't fall for that anyway. This is a tale that touches on everything it is to be human, both good and bad.
The time we spend with our families, even the irritating or angry times, are all something special. We may only want to focus on the fun, good memories, but that's not reality. BLANKY makes you think about, made ME think about- exactly what reality is.
With this story, be prepared to bring a piece of yourself and leave it upon the altar of Kealan Patrick Burke.
My highest recommendation. Period.
*I bought this novella with my hard earned money and reading it cost a small piece of my soul.*
You can't let Kealan deceive you with that innocent looking cover. Any of you already familiar with his work wouldn't fall for that anyway. This is a tale that touches on everything it is to be human, both good and bad.
The time we spend with our families, even the irritating or angry times, are all something special. We may only want to focus on the fun, good memories, but that's not reality. BLANKY makes you think about, made ME think about- exactly what reality is.
With this story, be prepared to bring a piece of yourself and leave it upon the altar of Kealan Patrick Burke.
My highest recommendation. Period.
*I bought this novella with my hard earned money and reading it cost a small piece of my soul.*
May 5, 2021
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"You say you can't imagine what it must be like to lose a child. Let me make it easy for you. It's the beginning of the end of your world."
I was an instant fan of Kealan Patrick Burke after reading the fantastic horror novel Kin. Frantic, bloody and brutal, yet also extremely well written. It is somewhat of a hidden gem in the genre of horror literature and I highly suggest you pick that one up. With the novella Blanky I got a very different but equally rewarding experience.
The quality of writing is still there, as you would expect it to be. If anything, I think the bar to be slightly raised in this one. Where Kin was shocking and graphic, Blanky is subtle, disturbing, unpleasant and atmospheric. The story focuses on Stephen Brannigan, a father who has recently lost his newly born daughter as a result of cot death. The first few pages are harrowing and Burke taps in to that deep rooted fear of loosing a child and paints the grief and torment superbly. Brannigan acts as the narrator of the story and the author fantastically illustrates the internal turmoil he's suffering as he constantly skirts the praecipe of a mental collapse.
"All these moments, even the less pleasant ones are snapshots we can never replace once they're lost, and it leaves us wishing for just the slightest glimpse of them."
One evening, Stephen hears a noise from his daughter's room and finds her old Blanky has returned. The question that presents itself from that point is what drives this story, and I'll refrain from spelling it out as I don't want to spoil any surprise you may have. What I will say is that the author uses subtle techniques to constantly build atmosphere and tension and keep the reader on a knife edge. You're sucked into this narrative and it would take a heart of stone not to feel for the main character. The death of the child is handled in such a sensitive yet traumatising way it almost puts you there and for anyone who's a parent it's extremely tough reading but very compelling.
There's no doubt about it. Kealan Patrick Burke can write and he is truly on point here. I was tempted to give this 4.5 starts due to it's length, but I'm going to rate it purely as a short novella. Consequently, this gets the full five. I highly recommend this one for anyone who likes a dark, sinister tale and can handle a tough subject matter. So sit down, buckle up your seat belt and take a ride through a dark and tormented mindscape. Dark times are on the horizon, Enjoy!
Kealan Patrick Burke
"You say you can't imagine what it must be like to lose a child. Let me make it easy for you. It's the beginning of the end of your world."
I was an instant fan of Kealan Patrick Burke after reading the fantastic horror novel Kin. Frantic, bloody and brutal, yet also extremely well written. It is somewhat of a hidden gem in the genre of horror literature and I highly suggest you pick that one up. With the novella Blanky I got a very different but equally rewarding experience.
The quality of writing is still there, as you would expect it to be. If anything, I think the bar to be slightly raised in this one. Where Kin was shocking and graphic, Blanky is subtle, disturbing, unpleasant and atmospheric. The story focuses on Stephen Brannigan, a father who has recently lost his newly born daughter as a result of cot death. The first few pages are harrowing and Burke taps in to that deep rooted fear of loosing a child and paints the grief and torment superbly. Brannigan acts as the narrator of the story and the author fantastically illustrates the internal turmoil he's suffering as he constantly skirts the praecipe of a mental collapse.
"All these moments, even the less pleasant ones are snapshots we can never replace once they're lost, and it leaves us wishing for just the slightest glimpse of them."
One evening, Stephen hears a noise from his daughter's room and finds her old Blanky has returned. The question that presents itself from that point is what drives this story, and I'll refrain from spelling it out as I don't want to spoil any surprise you may have. What I will say is that the author uses subtle techniques to constantly build atmosphere and tension and keep the reader on a knife edge. You're sucked into this narrative and it would take a heart of stone not to feel for the main character. The death of the child is handled in such a sensitive yet traumatising way it almost puts you there and for anyone who's a parent it's extremely tough reading but very compelling.
There's no doubt about it. Kealan Patrick Burke can write and he is truly on point here. I was tempted to give this 4.5 starts due to it's length, but I'm going to rate it purely as a short novella. Consequently, this gets the full five. I highly recommend this one for anyone who likes a dark, sinister tale and can handle a tough subject matter. So sit down, buckle up your seat belt and take a ride through a dark and tormented mindscape. Dark times are on the horizon, Enjoy!
Kealan Patrick Burke
October 30, 2020
This story was something else. I struggled through it at first but after a bit it really starts to pick up. It had me questioning what the true events of this story really were and it had some really terrifying parts in it.
October 11, 2017
Kealan Patrick Burke has rocked it again with his latest novella and lands an effective balance of sadness and terror in this story about a man who loses his infant daughter to crib death and struggles to move on. But things take a darker turn when his daughter's blanky reappears, the blanky that was buried with her.
Burke takes one of the most horrific things that can happen to a parent and punches it up even more with the idea that there might be something much darker behind it all. And like most of the writers I love, his writing is deceptively simple, where you believe for a while that you're reading a simple horror tale because it has all the regular trappings, but then Burke sneaks up and punches you in the nose with genuine emotion and you realize that you're reading something else entirely. It also works in the reverse as well, where you think you're comfortably reading simply a well-written melancholy novella about the loss of a child, but then Burke turns your head and shows you something that creeps the crap out of you.
Can't wait to read even more of his work.
Burke takes one of the most horrific things that can happen to a parent and punches it up even more with the idea that there might be something much darker behind it all. And like most of the writers I love, his writing is deceptively simple, where you believe for a while that you're reading a simple horror tale because it has all the regular trappings, but then Burke sneaks up and punches you in the nose with genuine emotion and you realize that you're reading something else entirely. It also works in the reverse as well, where you think you're comfortably reading simply a well-written melancholy novella about the loss of a child, but then Burke turns your head and shows you something that creeps the crap out of you.
Can't wait to read even more of his work.
November 18, 2017
"All these moments, even the less pleasant ones, are snapshots we can never replace once they're lost."
Following the tragic death of his infant daughter, Steve Brannigan is lost in grief, finding solace in alcohol and bad TV. His estranged wife can no longer be in the house where they lost their child, so Steve is left to himself in their family home. That is, until he hears a noise upstairs...
I must admit, I get pretty nervous when it comes to reading the books of an author who is so present on instagram - particularly when it's someone I've conversed with a number of times and he's just SO NICE. But, in this instance, I really had nothing to worry about. Blanky is pretty awesome!! It's heartbreaking and terrifying in equal measures, reminding me of how I felt reading Pet Sematary by the King - and I think everyone knows how I feel about that book.
Burke's writing is incredible, it's intricate and detailed, yet so readable. And there's so much emotion in this book that you can really feel from the very first page. The very first line even! It's heartbreaking to even imagine what parents must go through following the loss of a child, and even sadder when it leads to the devastating disintegration of a relationship. I want to leave out as many details as possible, because there's so much I just didn't see coming and that's how this story should be experienced.
It's staggering how much Burke fits into such a short novella, that building sense of dread, you feel like you're on tenterhooks just waiting for the other shoe to drop. And Burke delivers. I actually would LOVE to see this adapted into a movie - there's so many terrifying sights that Burke describes that I think would work incredibly well visually. It would be pure nightmare fuel, but that's what we want when we read horror, don't we?
My only slight complaint would be that I wanted more - what can I say, I'm greedy when it comes to unrelenting terror. Don't get me wrong, it works perfectly as a novella, but... I just wanted to spend even more time in this story! Burke is a great writer, and I'm looking forward to reading more from him. 4 stars out of 5 from me! I highly recommend picking this one up for a quick scare. With heart.
Following the tragic death of his infant daughter, Steve Brannigan is lost in grief, finding solace in alcohol and bad TV. His estranged wife can no longer be in the house where they lost their child, so Steve is left to himself in their family home. That is, until he hears a noise upstairs...
I must admit, I get pretty nervous when it comes to reading the books of an author who is so present on instagram - particularly when it's someone I've conversed with a number of times and he's just SO NICE. But, in this instance, I really had nothing to worry about. Blanky is pretty awesome!! It's heartbreaking and terrifying in equal measures, reminding me of how I felt reading Pet Sematary by the King - and I think everyone knows how I feel about that book.
Burke's writing is incredible, it's intricate and detailed, yet so readable. And there's so much emotion in this book that you can really feel from the very first page. The very first line even! It's heartbreaking to even imagine what parents must go through following the loss of a child, and even sadder when it leads to the devastating disintegration of a relationship. I want to leave out as many details as possible, because there's so much I just didn't see coming and that's how this story should be experienced.
It's staggering how much Burke fits into such a short novella, that building sense of dread, you feel like you're on tenterhooks just waiting for the other shoe to drop. And Burke delivers. I actually would LOVE to see this adapted into a movie - there's so many terrifying sights that Burke describes that I think would work incredibly well visually. It would be pure nightmare fuel, but that's what we want when we read horror, don't we?
My only slight complaint would be that I wanted more - what can I say, I'm greedy when it comes to unrelenting terror. Don't get me wrong, it works perfectly as a novella, but... I just wanted to spend even more time in this story! Burke is a great writer, and I'm looking forward to reading more from him. 4 stars out of 5 from me! I highly recommend picking this one up for a quick scare. With heart.
September 30, 2019
The sign on the rickety old stall read : Baby Close
The blanket was faded blue cotton, with rabbits and balloons on it-a baby’s favorite “blanky”, until she the night she died.
The World is full of evil...could some of this EVIL actually be contained in a blanket?
A disturbing, little HORROR novella, just in time for Halloween.
Trigger Warning: Not graphic, but Baby’s cot death is basis of story.
The blanket was faded blue cotton, with rabbits and balloons on it-a baby’s favorite “blanky”, until she the night she died.
The World is full of evil...could some of this EVIL actually be contained in a blanket?
A disturbing, little HORROR novella, just in time for Halloween.
Trigger Warning: Not graphic, but Baby’s cot death is basis of story.
September 21, 2017
4.5 stars! What a treat this was!
All these moments, even the less pleasant ones, are snapshots we can never replace once they’re lost, and it leaves us wishing for just the slightest glimpse of them if it means we can feel whole again. If it means we can pretend just for an instant that we’re still alive.
Kealan Patrick Burke continues to be one of my go to authors for really great, original, and (in this case) sad horror.
Steve Brannigan is grieving. The loss of his nine month old daughter Robin devastated him, and his marriage. How do you say goodbye when a loss that rips you apart like that? How do you grieve when your world is ending?
How do you handle it when your child's 'Blanky' shows up on their bedroom floor, a place VERY far from where you last saw it?
*cue spooky music*
Not...not that music.
Oh, whatever. Let's go with it.
Blanky was really good! A haunting exploration of grief and the horrifying ways it can manifest. I don't want to say much about the plot except HOLY SHIT. Way to channel horrific sorrow into a creepy tale full of death, baby teeth, and anger.
I may have lost my mind for a time, but grief makes everyone crazy.
Just read it, okay? Read and enjoy.
And beware the hollow eyes and baby fingers.
-------------------
Original Pre-review
New KPB novella?
Oh I am so there.
All these moments, even the less pleasant ones, are snapshots we can never replace once they’re lost, and it leaves us wishing for just the slightest glimpse of them if it means we can feel whole again. If it means we can pretend just for an instant that we’re still alive.
Kealan Patrick Burke continues to be one of my go to authors for really great, original, and (in this case) sad horror.
Steve Brannigan is grieving. The loss of his nine month old daughter Robin devastated him, and his marriage. How do you say goodbye when a loss that rips you apart like that? How do you grieve when your world is ending?
How do you handle it when your child's 'Blanky' shows up on their bedroom floor, a place VERY far from where you last saw it?
*cue spooky music*
Not...not that music.
Oh, whatever. Let's go with it.
Blanky was really good! A haunting exploration of grief and the horrifying ways it can manifest. I don't want to say much about the plot except HOLY SHIT. Way to channel horrific sorrow into a creepy tale full of death, baby teeth, and anger.
I may have lost my mind for a time, but grief makes everyone crazy.
Just read it, okay? Read and enjoy.
And beware the hollow eyes and baby fingers.
-------------------
Original Pre-review
New KPB novella?
Oh I am so there.
May 22, 2018
Grief works in mysterious ways. Anyone who has lost someone deals with the sadness and emptiness left in their own way. No way is more right than another. Time actually does not heal all wounds and that gaping hole left by the person who is no longer with us feels endless.
The author takes us on Steve's journey after the death of his 11 month old daughter and that damn Blanky she seemed to adore. Why does this keep showing up? They DID bury her with it, right?
This is one of those novellas that leaves you wondering what actually happened within the story. Whose perspective is correct and just how far would your grief take you - or are you the sole cause of your own grief and you can NEVER EVER run away from THAT?
I love that this is set in Ohio and Burke's referencing the true nature of an OSU Buckeyes fan! Little details like this are ones that really get to me sometimes. So thank you, Kealan, for that since I lived in Ohio for 16 years and TOTALLY get it.
Again, he packs a lot of story into a short amount of book and is clearly a master of storytelling. Do yourself a favor and pick up some of his work. Any horror fan would be smart in doing so ;)
The author takes us on Steve's journey after the death of his 11 month old daughter and that damn Blanky she seemed to adore. Why does this keep showing up? They DID bury her with it, right?
This is one of those novellas that leaves you wondering what actually happened within the story. Whose perspective is correct and just how far would your grief take you - or are you the sole cause of your own grief and you can NEVER EVER run away from THAT?
I love that this is set in Ohio and Burke's referencing the true nature of an OSU Buckeyes fan! Little details like this are ones that really get to me sometimes. So thank you, Kealan, for that since I lived in Ohio for 16 years and TOTALLY get it.
Again, he packs a lot of story into a short amount of book and is clearly a master of storytelling. Do yourself a favor and pick up some of his work. Any horror fan would be smart in doing so ;)
March 17, 2018
BLANKY, by Kealan Patrick Burke, is an emotional, literary work of art–nothing less than I’d expect from this veteran storyteller! While the title may seem innocent enough, the cover clearly shouts out an eerie malevolence, giving the reader a sense of unease just as they are about to turn to that first page.
“You say you can’t imagine what it must be like to lose a child. Let me make it easy for you. It’s the beginning of the end of your world.”
Stephen is struggling with the recent loss of his infant daughter, Robin. His wife, Lexi, has “temporarily” moved in with her parents in order to grieve alone.
“. . . everyone has lost someone, and nobody knows how to cope . . .”
The sense of overwhelming loss immediately permeates the reader’s senses. We endure Stephen’s loss of his child, his wife, the normalcy and routine that his life once had, and even his own will and convictions.
“. . . Self-preservation is an amazing thing. It can make fighters of the fallen . . . but it can’t last forever . . . When you’re beaten, sometimes it’s best just to stop struggling and embrace the end . . . “
The darkness of this novella was impossible to dispel–yet at the same time, I found myself perversely not wanting it to end. The words Burke uses evoke the feelings with such certainty and fluency that they are simply magical on a page.
“. . . Losing someone makes you lose yourself . . . “
Stephen’s depression is compounded further by the physical distance between he and his wife. With Lexi choosing to grieve on her own, she is, in effect, blocking out her husband as well, citing the memories of their house– “. . . The house where we became us . . . “ –as too painful for her.
As usual, Burke nails overwhelmingly, not only the atmosphere and tension of this tale, but also that of the characterization of all of the individuals involved. The heartfelt meaning of this story is unequivocally natural human emotions and how some try to go on after a horrific loss. The prose is simply . . . perfect . . . at conveying the exact thoughts and feelings you would honestly find in a situation like this.
“. . . All these moments, even the less pleasant ones, are snapshots we can never replace once they’re lost, and it leaves us wishing for just the slightest glimpse of them if it means we can feel whole again. If it means we can pretend just for an instant that we’re still alive . . . “
There are times, too, of optimism, of “maybe they will be able to move on”. Unquestionably, Burke is a master when it comes to the human psyche, and his words are able to effortlessly guide the reader along the paths he wishes to show us.
However, there is much more to this story than that.
Before little Robin’s birth, Lexi had procured for her a strange baby blanket at a vendor’s market. The seller, an old man with a misspelled sign that read “Baby Close”. At first, nothing appeared “off” with Blanky, and Lexi even went as far as to say it was the infant’s favorite toy.
When Stephen later thinks he hears a noise coming from the now-empty nursery upstairs, he goes in to find Blanky now lying on the otherwise bare floor. A tangible part of his departed daughter’s life, he and Lexi are soon wrapped up in happy memories of their baby girl.
Slowly though, sinister thoughts and dreams begin to plague Stephen each day and night. He couldn’t voice the problem that nagged at him, but once accepted, he couldn’t “pretend” otherwise.
“. . . We should never have seen Blanky again. Because we buried her with it . . . "
With this, the story instantly crosses over into psychological horror. We’ve passed from the logical emotive side of things, and gone into a realm where anything is possible, where nothing can be predicted with any amount of certainty. Yet Burke is able to seamlessly weld these two worlds together, making them inseparable to both Stephen and the reader as the nightmarish journey continues.
“. . . the edges of the world can cut you . . .”
When the reality you count on can no longer be trusted, do you surrender your sanity, or fight back no matter how unlikely the result may be?
“. . . Blanky had come home . . . "
BLANKY is another spectacular tale from Kealan Patrick Burke. This is a story that is rich with “real” characters, poignant emotions, and that darker side which can truly take your imagination . . . anywhere. Few authors can make a story work as well as this one.
Highest recommendation!
**Re-read 3/17/18: Review stands as is. This is one of those powerful novellas that can't help but affect the reader no matter how often you read it....**
“You say you can’t imagine what it must be like to lose a child. Let me make it easy for you. It’s the beginning of the end of your world.”
Stephen is struggling with the recent loss of his infant daughter, Robin. His wife, Lexi, has “temporarily” moved in with her parents in order to grieve alone.
“. . . everyone has lost someone, and nobody knows how to cope . . .”
The sense of overwhelming loss immediately permeates the reader’s senses. We endure Stephen’s loss of his child, his wife, the normalcy and routine that his life once had, and even his own will and convictions.
“. . . Self-preservation is an amazing thing. It can make fighters of the fallen . . . but it can’t last forever . . . When you’re beaten, sometimes it’s best just to stop struggling and embrace the end . . . “
The darkness of this novella was impossible to dispel–yet at the same time, I found myself perversely not wanting it to end. The words Burke uses evoke the feelings with such certainty and fluency that they are simply magical on a page.
“. . . Losing someone makes you lose yourself . . . “
Stephen’s depression is compounded further by the physical distance between he and his wife. With Lexi choosing to grieve on her own, she is, in effect, blocking out her husband as well, citing the memories of their house– “. . . The house where we became us . . . “ –as too painful for her.
As usual, Burke nails overwhelmingly, not only the atmosphere and tension of this tale, but also that of the characterization of all of the individuals involved. The heartfelt meaning of this story is unequivocally natural human emotions and how some try to go on after a horrific loss. The prose is simply . . . perfect . . . at conveying the exact thoughts and feelings you would honestly find in a situation like this.
“. . . All these moments, even the less pleasant ones, are snapshots we can never replace once they’re lost, and it leaves us wishing for just the slightest glimpse of them if it means we can feel whole again. If it means we can pretend just for an instant that we’re still alive . . . “
There are times, too, of optimism, of “maybe they will be able to move on”. Unquestionably, Burke is a master when it comes to the human psyche, and his words are able to effortlessly guide the reader along the paths he wishes to show us.
However, there is much more to this story than that.
Before little Robin’s birth, Lexi had procured for her a strange baby blanket at a vendor’s market. The seller, an old man with a misspelled sign that read “Baby Close”. At first, nothing appeared “off” with Blanky, and Lexi even went as far as to say it was the infant’s favorite toy.
When Stephen later thinks he hears a noise coming from the now-empty nursery upstairs, he goes in to find Blanky now lying on the otherwise bare floor. A tangible part of his departed daughter’s life, he and Lexi are soon wrapped up in happy memories of their baby girl.
Slowly though, sinister thoughts and dreams begin to plague Stephen each day and night. He couldn’t voice the problem that nagged at him, but once accepted, he couldn’t “pretend” otherwise.
“. . . We should never have seen Blanky again. Because we buried her with it . . . "
With this, the story instantly crosses over into psychological horror. We’ve passed from the logical emotive side of things, and gone into a realm where anything is possible, where nothing can be predicted with any amount of certainty. Yet Burke is able to seamlessly weld these two worlds together, making them inseparable to both Stephen and the reader as the nightmarish journey continues.
“. . . the edges of the world can cut you . . .”
When the reality you count on can no longer be trusted, do you surrender your sanity, or fight back no matter how unlikely the result may be?
“. . . Blanky had come home . . . "
BLANKY is another spectacular tale from Kealan Patrick Burke. This is a story that is rich with “real” characters, poignant emotions, and that darker side which can truly take your imagination . . . anywhere. Few authors can make a story work as well as this one.
Highest recommendation!
**Re-read 3/17/18: Review stands as is. This is one of those powerful novellas that can't help but affect the reader no matter how often you read it....**
November 28, 2021
From the opening line, "You say you can’t imagine what it must be like to lose a child. Let me make it easy for you. It’s the beginning of the end of the world.”...... the reader knows what to expect and this author delivers, capturing all of the emotions, the guilt, the blame, the grief and sorrow, and the heart-rending pain of parents who suddenly lose their nine-month-old daughter. For the father, Steve Brannigan, the narrator of the story, it is suddenly a lonely life and he retreats to mindless TV sitcom reruns and alcohol. His wife, Lexi, escapes to her parents’ home, unable to be in the house where her daughter died or to face her husband. The story’s tone is quickly and creepily altered when, in her empty bedroom, Steve discovers his daughter’s favorite “blanky” lying on the floor. Steve knows it can't possibly be there since he and his wife buried it with the baby. The appearance of the “blanky” not only allows for the buildup of suspense...but also for a Kealan Patrick Burke trademark...mind-numbing, goose-bump producing, terror. The story continues to vividly escalate the terror with more and more ghastly events. If you are a horror fan but dislike the gore that comes with some books of the genre...you will find the terror in this story to be personal...painful...nerve wracking...and entirely, unforgettable.
August 13, 2023
My first KPB book read was Guests, and I loved it. It really creeped me out with the imagery and I was engaged throughout the entire story.
Blanky, my second KPB read, was overall okay but I found myself losing interest a bit half way through. I didn’t find the story as interesting as the previous KPB read.
I expected to be creeped out and welp, no los creepies. Still looking forward to reading his other stories, as I loved Guests. I said that already.
You should read that one first.
Blanky, my second KPB read, was overall okay but I found myself losing interest a bit half way through. I didn’t find the story as interesting as the previous KPB read.
I expected to be creeped out and welp, no los creepies. Still looking forward to reading his other stories, as I loved Guests. I said that already.
You should read that one first.
November 17, 2017
I'm going to suggest that if you haven't read this novella yet that you stop reading this right now and go read it instead. Honestly, the best way to go into this story is knowing nothing about it. If you have the paperback, like me, don't even read the blurb on the back. Just read it. And if you aren't planning on reading this novella; read it anyway. It's 73 pages long, and 100% a single-sitting read.
For those of you who have read blanky, join me in appreciating another fantastic story from Kealan Patrick Burke. I may get a bit spoilery here, because discussing the story almost demands it, but I'm going to try to not give away all of the story's secrets.
Firstly, I'm amazed at how much Burke can pack into 73 pages of story. This one is hard to read, and that's because the grief is palpable. From the very beginning I was hurting for these people, and the more I read the worse it got. Then the dread kicked in, and I knew that Burke was kicking it up a notch. I didn't expect anything that happened in this novella, and so when something big did happen, I was absolutely floored.
I loved Burke's description of blanky. Such a creepy little child's blanket! I also love that Steve is an unreliable narrator. I love ambiguity in stories, and Burke delivered. That was a twist that I definitely didn't expect, and it was perfect.
This novella is going to haunt me for a while, and that's how you know you have found a fantastically crafted horror story. I read this before going to bed last night, and that may have been a bad idea. Nah. This is the kind of story that should be read in the middle of the night. I thought about it for a long time before I fell asleep, and I've been thinking about it all morning. This is definitely a story that is an absolute gift from the author to the reader. I can't wait to read more form Burke.
For those of you who have read blanky, join me in appreciating another fantastic story from Kealan Patrick Burke. I may get a bit spoilery here, because discussing the story almost demands it, but I'm going to try to not give away all of the story's secrets.
Firstly, I'm amazed at how much Burke can pack into 73 pages of story. This one is hard to read, and that's because the grief is palpable. From the very beginning I was hurting for these people, and the more I read the worse it got. Then the dread kicked in, and I knew that Burke was kicking it up a notch. I didn't expect anything that happened in this novella, and so when something big did happen, I was absolutely floored.
I loved Burke's description of blanky. Such a creepy little child's blanket! I also love that Steve is an unreliable narrator. I love ambiguity in stories, and Burke delivered. That was a twist that I definitely didn't expect, and it was perfect.
This novella is going to haunt me for a while, and that's how you know you have found a fantastically crafted horror story. I read this before going to bed last night, and that may have been a bad idea. Nah. This is the kind of story that should be read in the middle of the night. I thought about it for a long time before I fell asleep, and I've been thinking about it all morning. This is definitely a story that is an absolute gift from the author to the reader. I can't wait to read more form Burke.
October 2, 2017
get ready, cause this one is a tear jerker. I don't think I've read a book this hard to read (emotionally) since I was 13 and reading the vampire book that sparked my love for those undead creatures. The story starts out about a couple that has just lost their baby daughter. and yes, your going to cry right along with them. then it goes all to hell for Steve. the dreams may be my second favorite dream sequence ever (first place goes to Ambrose Bierce, sorry Kealan but I do love him very much). The dreams will haunt you well after your done with this book. The writing is beautiful and flawless and haunting. Mr. Burke is very talented and i can't wait til I've read all of his books & novellas.
September 17, 2017
When I was first introduced to Kealan Patrick Burke by way of his short story in Bad Apples 2: Six Slices of Halloween Horror, I knew immediately he was an author I would be reading more of. After checking out Sour Candy and, now, Blanky the only thing I don't know is why I haven't read more of his work. It's a personal deficiency seriously in need of correcting.
Burke goes for the emotional jugular with this one, sinking his nails in deep and ripping loose scores of entrails chockfull of feelings. This novella is drenched in loss, uncertainty, and misery. Steve is a broken man, attempting to soften his shattered soul with whiskey in the weeks following his infant daughter's death. He and his wife have temporarily separated, but he's hopeful for reconciliation, particularly after they share a tender moment following the rediscovery of their infant's favorite blanket.
Except...that blanky? Didn't they bury it with their daughter?
What follows is a seriously intense examination of heartbreaking loss, of families torn apart, and of a strange and mysterious malevolence. This book is a short but wicked sucker punch, and I think anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one will recognize the fundamental emotional truths on display here.
Burke's writing is top-notch, with a wonderful focus on its characters. There's a beautiful sort of economy at work within Burke's wordplay, and in just a few sentences he's able to get you close to tears, scare the hell out of you, and have you hoping for some kind of victory for Steve. He toys with reader's expectations every bit as much as he does with Steve, and there were a few moments that seriously shook me. Burke may be a sadistic storyteller, but when the books are this good, I don't mind reading them with masochistic glee.
Burke goes for the emotional jugular with this one, sinking his nails in deep and ripping loose scores of entrails chockfull of feelings. This novella is drenched in loss, uncertainty, and misery. Steve is a broken man, attempting to soften his shattered soul with whiskey in the weeks following his infant daughter's death. He and his wife have temporarily separated, but he's hopeful for reconciliation, particularly after they share a tender moment following the rediscovery of their infant's favorite blanket.
Except...that blanky? Didn't they bury it with their daughter?
What follows is a seriously intense examination of heartbreaking loss, of families torn apart, and of a strange and mysterious malevolence. This book is a short but wicked sucker punch, and I think anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one will recognize the fundamental emotional truths on display here.
Burke's writing is top-notch, with a wonderful focus on its characters. There's a beautiful sort of economy at work within Burke's wordplay, and in just a few sentences he's able to get you close to tears, scare the hell out of you, and have you hoping for some kind of victory for Steve. He toys with reader's expectations every bit as much as he does with Steve, and there were a few moments that seriously shook me. Burke may be a sadistic storyteller, but when the books are this good, I don't mind reading them with masochistic glee.
October 23, 2017
Steve doesn't think his life can get any worse. His nine-month-old baby girl mysteriously dies in her crib. His grief stricken wife, Lexi, can't bear to be around Steve and the house where their daughter died. So, she moves back in with her parents, leaving Steve all alone to face the misery by himself. Then the mysterious baby blanket shows up out of the blue. Where did that come from? Didn't that become lost when they were clearing their daughter's room of all the belongings? What is going on? Are we starting to see a man's frayed ends of sanity?
Blanky is a boot kick to the solar plexus as the reader sucks wind, trying to find respite from Steve's all-encompassing world of grief. The thought of losing your only child, just as their life got started, is a parent's worst nightmare. To have to go through that grief alone would be hell on earth. Burke doesn't let up. He provides what looks like an escape hatch for our protagonist and then promptly smashes his fingers with the lid when he tries to use it as an exit. Another thing that I'm impressed with is Kealon's word choice throughout the story. He flexes his wordsmith muscle without coming across as frivolous or arrogant. A dark, disturbing story that was perfect with Halloween around the corner.
5 Hidden Baby Teeth out of 5
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com
http://intothemacabre.booklikes.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
Blanky is a boot kick to the solar plexus as the reader sucks wind, trying to find respite from Steve's all-encompassing world of grief. The thought of losing your only child, just as their life got started, is a parent's worst nightmare. To have to go through that grief alone would be hell on earth. Burke doesn't let up. He provides what looks like an escape hatch for our protagonist and then promptly smashes his fingers with the lid when he tries to use it as an exit. Another thing that I'm impressed with is Kealon's word choice throughout the story. He flexes his wordsmith muscle without coming across as frivolous or arrogant. A dark, disturbing story that was perfect with Halloween around the corner.
5 Hidden Baby Teeth out of 5
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com
http://intothemacabre.booklikes.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
December 4, 2020
“After all, if I could fix an old coat, then surely, I could find a way to sew myself back together.”
This is only my second KPB book (even though I have Kin sitting on my shelf and silently judging me since more a year now) and I was really excited to read this short novella, only 73 pages but loved so much from the Bookstagram community.
Because it's so short I won't give any details about the plot, but this heartbreaking horror novella is about grief, love, loneliness, resilience. It's a story that is both real and supernatural at the same time and Kealan Patrick Burke did an outstanding job in guiding you through the horror of this broken family, making you think you knew where the story was going and then surprising you with twists and turns that you really didn't expect. I couldn't stop reading but I also wanted to enjoy the story, so I really had to force myself into slowing down and finishing it in a couple of days instead of one sitting.
I didn't give it 5 stars because I really wanted it to be longer, at least 50 pages longer. I guess it's time I read longer novels by KPB - Kin, you're next!
Much like this story, my review is also going to be concise. Blanky is a great novella and it's definitely recommended if you want to read something short and get familiar with KPB's style.
4 stars.
This is only my second KPB book (even though I have Kin sitting on my shelf and silently judging me since more a year now) and I was really excited to read this short novella, only 73 pages but loved so much from the Bookstagram community.
Because it's so short I won't give any details about the plot, but this heartbreaking horror novella is about grief, love, loneliness, resilience. It's a story that is both real and supernatural at the same time and Kealan Patrick Burke did an outstanding job in guiding you through the horror of this broken family, making you think you knew where the story was going and then surprising you with twists and turns that you really didn't expect. I couldn't stop reading but I also wanted to enjoy the story, so I really had to force myself into slowing down and finishing it in a couple of days instead of one sitting.
I didn't give it 5 stars because I really wanted it to be longer, at least 50 pages longer. I guess it's time I read longer novels by KPB - Kin, you're next!
Much like this story, my review is also going to be concise. Blanky is a great novella and it's definitely recommended if you want to read something short and get familiar with KPB's style.
4 stars.
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