He Digs a Hole

by Danger Slater

Get a job. Get married. Buy a house. Cut off your hands and replace them with gardening tools. Dig a hole. Can you hear the worms calling? Keep digging.

Genres: Horror, Bizarro Fiction, Fiction, Novella, Humor, Fantasy, Adult

138 pages, Paperback

Published February 14, 2018

About the author

Wonderland Award winning author Danger Slater is the world’s most flammable writer! He likes to use a lot of exclamation points!

Reviews

[karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

marital bed death, bizarro-style:

…let’s talk about the day that Harrison and Tabitha’s genitalia disappeared.

Or maybe disappeared is the wrong word. It was more like they…healed over.

This happened years ago. Before the morning that Tabitha woke up alone. Before Harrison cut off his hands and replaced them with gardening tools. Long before he began to dig.

It wasn’t immediate. A magician didn’t come by and wave his wand like abracadabra and then *poof* both of their bits were suddenly flat-patched. There was no horror in this discovery either. No shrieking morning, after the Sex Organ Bandit absconded away in the night. It was more like…a slow recession. The ebbing of a tide. A mountain eroding. The penis retreating back into the body, the vagina closing itself up like two tectonic plates that had been pushed together. Their genitals receding, until the only thing both of them contained between their legs was just smooth skin, raw and red, like mosquito bites. They hardly even noticed.

what else do you need to know about this book?? because on the one hand, yeah - it’s another bizarro book about midlife malaise and dissatisfaction, but it’s also full of fourth-wall breakage, including a scene in which he addresses the very fact that this is another goddamn book about the existential ennui of the white male middle class, but also that it is NOT about that and then there’s the requisite over-the-top imagery and symbolism and holes and worms and bugs and bugs and worms and holes, but danger slater always transcends his own icky-sticky mud puddles, and he is - at heart - a true romantic.

This is going to get gross.
Yes, this is going to get weird.
Because sometimes love is gross and weird.
And sometimes love is tender and soft.
And sometimes love is violent and terrifying.
And sometimes love is all these things, all at once. Especially when the seeds inside your body are flowering and flourishing and looking for a way to push themselves out. Sometimes love is not a thing that comes to you, like a gift from the gods, but something you have to discover, fight for, and earn. Sometimes it hibernates, deep within, and when it finally wakes up, it’s ready to burn hotter than all the stars in the sky combined.

if that ain’t on a valentine’s day card yet, i don’t know what hallmark’s waiting for…

come to my blog!

[Matthew Vaughn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Danger Slaters books always surprise me. Not his writing, I've read all but two of his books, I believe, so I know he's a great writer. I know going into one of his books I won't be disappointed. But for some reason I get these wierd ideas in my head about what a book will be like before I start reading it. For example, He Digs A Hole is about a guy that cuts off his hands, replaces them with gardening tools, and begins to dig a hole. Sounds like some standard Bizarro right? But, much like Dangers other books, it's more than just that. It becomes a journey of self discovery for protagonist Harrison as he moves on from the boring, mundane life he was leading into the one that awaits him down the large hole he has dug. It's an Alice and Wonderland type adventure into a new world that brings Harrison to a realization about what he loves because this book is also a love story.
Danger puts a lot into this short book, it easily propels you along, eagerly following the journey until you reach that ending, which was probably my most farovite thing about the book. We've all read those books that may be great for about 75 to 85 percent of it and then the ending juat lets you down. But not here,  Danger knew what he was doing and where the story needed to go, and it was lovely.

[Rebecca Gransden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Usually I’m allergic to referencing other works in reviews, as making comparisons of this kind can be hollow and not really very illuminating. “This book is ‘this’ crossed with ‘this’ with a bit of ‘this’ and a hell of a lot of ‘this’” etc. Truth being, throughout this novella I was constantly prompted - in a pop science Pavlov way - to think of a plethora of other works. I’ll pick three, because that is more than enough.

First comparison: Beetlejuice. The suburban gothic of the more comic tinged flounces of Burton’s catalogue show up frequently. Hard to pinpoint specifics without spoilering as the most Burtonesque moments occur well into the novella, but the delightful cartoonish menace is very similar in tone at points, and carried off charmingly.

Second comparison: The Princess Bride (the film, because that’s all I know). There is some narrative deconstruction and 4th wall breaking, which is the obvious place to compare the two, but again I’m concentrating on the tone, which has a lightness to it, whilst at the same time having an underlying edge and playfulness. 4th wall breaking can be annoying as hell, but I’m glad to say I enjoyed this aspect very much.

Third and final comparison: Mr Sycamore. This is a film where Jason Robards stars as a man who one day gets the urge to dig a hole in his back garden, plonk his feet in this hole, and will himself into taking root and turning into a tree. His wife struggles to understand him.

This is my first Danger Slater book. Very strange as he’s a name that’s been around for ages and is well regarded. For some reason I’ve ignored him. Not any more! Predominant impression is that Slater is an extremely clever and entertaining writer, intelligent enough to never get bogged down in the cleverness. The ideas are densely packed for a relatively short book. All is skilfully woven, and he essentially tells you this himself, several times haha. Very pleasing level of the bizarre and uncanny, the transportation to other worlds handled with the right mix of absurdity, the grotesque, and twisted humour. Funnest fun.

[Miya (severe pain struggles, slower at the moment) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay wow. I was not expecting to read what I just read. I couldn't put this book down. I finished in one day. I have never read a book so incredibly unique and fascinating. Weird af, but it the best possible way. I loved it. I feel so vibrant, and I love when I finish a book and feel this way. It is rare. All the feels in this novel. All of them. So flipping unexpected. I am just blown away right now. I will definitely tell people about this one. This is one of those kinds of books. You have to tell people about it. Nice job Danger Slater. You have a new fan.

[Leo Robertson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slater's gonna slate!

Killer novel(la?) from one of my favourite contemporary authors. He takes on the contemporary suburban marriage with aplomb. Leagues above most.

Unfortunately as an avid Slaterphile I know what he's capable of. He's bent my mind harder before—but I still know one day he'll crumple it up and throw it in the garbage.

I pray for that day and so should you. So support your local Slater today!!

[Seb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Update 2024: I often wonder what my favorite books are. Even though I keep a special shelf on GR to keep track of them, I frequently question my choices. Danger Slater is the main author of the books on this shelf. And he totally deserves it!

Once again, I was blown away by this book, even though it was a reread.

He Digs a Hole is the perfect blend of metaphor and metafiction. Both the story and the narrative hit the spot for me. I love this book!

=============================

Wow. Wow. Wow! I don't even know where to start... But Wow!

He Digs a Hole is a wonderful love story, a true love story with its ups and downs, and especially one of the downs at the beginning. Harrison and Tabitha are a seasoned couple who have forgotten what their passion days were and are living a life of habits. That all is shattered the day Harrison decided to dig a hole in their backyard. And then, well, it all turned weird and ugly. I won't say more here 'cause I don't want to spoil anything but boy could I go on ^^ But this is a review and not an essay, which could be fun and quite elaborate if I ventured to write one!

still, I have to, HAVE TO, say that the tone and narrative process of He Digs a Hole is worth reading on its own. Not only do I rarely laugh so much while reading, although it is now a habit when I read Danger Slater books, but it's also smartly written, with a great sense of how to enlighten the story (and all the same adding somme quite useless information you couldn't live without after all 😆). The narrative is a story within a story and even now that I've read the whole book I'm not really sure which story was the main one, and I don't think it really matters.

Thank you, M. Slater, for such a good time 🙏🙃

[Ronyell]

Just look at that cover! I just got to get this book!

[Matthew Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure if this one was for me initially. There were lots of obvious metaphors and breaking the 4th wall. About halfway through, however, I got it. The story really picked up once we progressed underground, and I ended up really enjoying the narrator's comments, at times getting side tracked and taking the piss out of himself. It was cleverly written, and the ending was from another planet. Planet Spleenfruit.

[Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've finished. I'll discuss my reactions to the book very soon on Bizzong! Full review will be posted after that.

[exorcismemily · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Harrison Moss was going to be okay. He had never felt more certain. And then he shoved both of his hands into the whirling blade."

I am not even sure what to say about this book. It was so strange & extreme, yet oddly enjoyable. I guess I would call this bizarre fiction / horror comedy with a lot of emphasis on bizarre 😂. There were some disgusting insect parts (as you may be able to tell from the cover), but humor is woven into everything in this book. Danger Slater is hilarious, and I will definitely be reading more from him.

[Aqsa]

Recommended by karen

[J. Peter W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things needed for a new baby:

DIAPERING

Diaper changing pads, Diaper rash ointment, 4 waterproof pads for changing table, Rattles and small toys, Dirty diaper receptacle, Wipes or cotton cloths, Small thermos to hold warm water (for cleaning babies younger than 6 weeks), Plastic wipes holder (for the diaper bag), 2 packages newborn diapers

CLOTHING

1 pack T-shirts, 6 one-piece outfits that snap at the crotch (long- and shortsleeved), 4 pajama sets, 6 pairs socks, 2 pairs soft booties, 2 pairs stretch cotton pants, 3 bibs, Cotton sweater, Knit cap, Sun hat, Zip-up sweatshirt, 15 baby hangers

FEEDING

Nursing pillow, 6 burp cloths, 6 bottles equipped with newborn nipples, Bottle brush, Insulated bottle holder for diaper bag, Nursing bras, Nursing pads for bras, Breast pump

CLEANING

3 hooded towels, 2 packs of washcloths, Cotton swabs, Baby shampoo, Baby body wash, Infant bathing tub, Baby nail clippers, Baby brush and comb, Rubbing alcohol, Petroleum jelly, Digital thermometer, Bulb nasal aspirator, Mild soap for laundry

LINENS

4 receiving blankets, 2 cotton blankets, Cradle or bassinet with cotton sheets, 2 crib mattress pads, 2 waterproof liners (one for the bassinet and one for the crib)

NURSERY

Crib and mattress, Glider/rocking chair and footrest, Dresser, Hamper, Baby monitor with 2 receivers, Changing table, Cool mist humidifier or vaporizer, Lullaby CDs or audiotapes

ON THE GO

Rear-facing infant car seat with head support padding, Stroller, Sun shields for car windows, Portable playpen, Diaper bag, Sling or soft front carrier

PLAY

Bouncy seat, Baby books, Digital camera or camcorder, Baby music CDs or audiotapes, Playmat with toys attached, Squishy baby ball

Your new baby will be all-consuming. It will be a supermassive blackhole in your life.

[Christopher Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bio-horror tribute to Life's tragic comedy

HE DIGS A HOLE is a deep pit sucking in much more than the insane concept of self-mutilation in the name of worms and holes and stagnant marriages. Imagine if David Lynch produced a gritty, raw, live-action JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH. Without the cute characters. Adding much more threatening ones to take their place. Flesh trees yielding organ-like fruit. Nematode-human sex scenes. Robotic neighbors. And it wouldn't be a Danger Slater book without a super graphic and extremely uncomfortable nod at a facet of existentialism.

As the back cover professes, protagonist Harrison Moss chops off his hands and replaces them with gardening tools in a brutal scene reminiscent of a Sam Raimi production, then digs a big hole in his backyard. This is the introduction. From there, He Digs a Hole gets very dark.

The language is provocative and direct, Slater's writing hinting at a strong Vonnegut influence in his deliberate wit and matter-of-fact style. The characters are well developed and show growth, some forward and some downward--at times, very abruptly downward. The story is intriguing, split into three parts that go above, below, and in between the setting. My only reserve was the author's use of Fourth Wall to interrupt the story for comic relief. Albeit, it was hilarious each time--and I appreciated the clever use of the mechanism to amp the chaos and momentum building to the climax as it was very well done--but it was perhaps a bit too much at points. But that is my opinion and from a comedy perspective it was a hit.

As with the other titles in the quickly expanding Danger Slater universe, He Digs a Hole is a fantastically written allegory about life; specifically, He Digs a Hole is about the loss of meaning in life and the struggle to escape bland, day-to-day existence in a dead marriage. It's a snapshot of what life looks like when we hit the absolute rock bottom of a meaningless existence and start to dig. A great story with page-to-page intrigue and a concept that will make you steer clear of the lawn and garden section for the rest of your life.

[Isaac Thorne · Rating 5 out of 5]

If there were subgenres of bizarro fiction, HE DIGS A HOLE would best fit under a Personal Apocalyptic subgenre. But that's the whole point of bizarro, isn't it? It just can't be put in a box. Danger Slater is a masterful storyteller who knows how to effectively and hilariously break the fourth wall. His two primary characters in HE DIGS A HOLE, Harrison and Tabitha, have reached *that* point in their lives and relationship, that point that we all think we're past once we stop asking "is that everything?" after opening a dozen or so birthday gifts from family and friends. If you haven't yet experienced your own mid-life crisis, readers, I hope yours is a minor inconvenience compared to this couple's personal apocalypse! Fantastic read and highly recommended.

[Marvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harrison Moss decides to dig a hole. It isn't so much a desire as a compulsion and it may have something to do with the seed that he swallowed that came from the unusual tree in his backyard. He goes into the tool shed, cuts off his hands, and replaces them with digging implements. His wife Tabitha is understandably upset with this and his neighbors are a little confused. Yet this is nothing compared to what happens when Harrison and Tabitha falls into the newly dug hole.

Not all Bizarro novels are horror but this one certainly is. Yet Danger Slater is not happy with just scaring you and grossing you out. There is something else happening here. The author occasionally takes a Italo Calvino styled look at the mechanics of the novel, letting the reader look inside his mind. In doing so, he involves the reader and addresses the reader as the pages are turned. From the books I have read by the author I am fairly sure he has some kind of obsession with insects and he does not back down on that obsession. It is difficult to describe what goes on in this book except to say Slater has a gift at describing the grotesque. However among all the weirdness, this seems to be a novel about relationships, separations, and reunions. He Digs a Hole is a joy to read. No matter how strange it gets, the author still has both feet on the ground and knows the reader must see some type of connection between holes, bugs and their own life. It is a feat Slater completes effortlessly.

Yet it is important to state when all is said and done, this is a horror novel. There is much about physical transformation which puts it into the strange and uncomfortable genre of body horror. For those who can understand and revel in such weirdness, He Digs a Hole will be well received. It also will be well received by anyone who enjoys masterful writing.

[Shane Douglas Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll have a full review up in a few days but don't let that delay you. This terrific short novel lives on the ragged fringes of what I think of as bizarro and literary fiction, packed with metaphors and allegories, and even some allegorical metaphors, it tells a twisted tale of romance and self discovery as Harrison and Tabitha Moss go through the ugly process of losing themselves and one another and then finding them once again. It's a dark, delightful modern day fairy tale with a huge twist as author Danger Slater takes us literally down the proverbial rabbit hole in his newest bizarro fantasy, He Digs a Hole.

[John Esse · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 - nooooooo! Danger whyyyyyyy?!?! I hate giving 5/10 ratings like this. Because it's not bad, in fact half of it is disgusting and profound and beautiful and hilarious and amazing. But THEN every fourth paragraph is this insufferable meta-fiction navel-gazey bullshit. I'm sorry, but having this many 4th wall breaks may be hazardous to my health because my eyes might get stuck backwards from rolling so hard.

[Jo Quenell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my third Danger Slater read. While I've enjoyed them all, this is hands down the best. He Digs a Hole is dark, hilarious, weird, and violent--much more so than I expected. Imagine Vonnegut and Burroughs co-writing a Splatterpunk novel and you're getting close to the craziness inside these pages. Don't swallow the seed!

[Melly · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a rockin' space adventure!

[Luke Kondor · Rating 5 out of 5]

My second Danger Slater read and I have to say he's a new favourite of mine. If you like weird, whimsy, horror, humour, and stylish prose, he could be your new favourite, too!

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This title gave me some very bizarre visuals. The scenes felt like a mix of Clive Barker, Neil Gaiman, and Tim Burton, with all the creepy, gross, and poetic sequences. I highly recommend Danger Slater's titles. Bizarro fiction has become one of my favorite categories of books.

[Shane Blackheart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harrison and Tabitha met in a Home Depot.

Ironically, after having hit it off very quickly due to an in-depth, philosophical conversation, they ended up living a very meaningless life. Your typical suburb, backyard barbecues, plastic smile, sickeningly polite, average life. They'd laughed at Brad and Jennifer Flatly, two of the most average and boring neighbors you could ever dread sharing a space with. Yet, they realized after being so dull and uninterested in their marriage, as well as losing their naughty bits due to a fading interest -- likening them to a Ken and Barbie doll -- they'd fallen victim to the same fate.

So one night, after eating a strange seed from a spleen fruit that grew on a horrific tree resembling arms and hands, Brad Moss replaced his arms with a trowel and a garden rake, and he began to dig. And the whispers in his head demanded he continue. It was more important than he could explain. There was definitely more to that odd tree in the Moss's yard that was one of a kind.

What proceeds is an adventure unlike anything you would expect, but to be fair, nothing about this book is to be expected. A sea of blood, worm monsters, three introspective trials, and all of the body horror to make your stomach queasy follows a leap of faith into an ever-expanding hole. And despite the grotesquery and otherwise bizarre plot, there is a deeper message to be had here about relationships and maintaining enthusiasm for them. About the struggles and impossible ideals that can destroy them.

This is my second Danger Slater book, and I wasn't disappointed. The way he weaves philosophical meaning into the craziest of bizarro plots is something I never knew I needed. It was the thing to refresh my love for reading, so I definitely give him huge props for that. As it's bizarro fiction, you're going to have to read with an open mind that is ready to accept anything. And I mean anything. This includes oddly sexy worms with slime and all. It was a fun ride that I sat back and enjoyed.

Danger truly does steer the ride for us, rather we want him to or not. The narrator and the reader, especially, are characters in this book. At times, Harrison and Tabitha are able to see what is being written and react to it, and it's clear the main characters are not in control of the story, but helpless to the author's whims. I genuinely love some good fourth wall breaking stuff, and while it did make the book campy and gave it unique character, there were a few parts near the end where it seemed to get a bit too lengthy. Some people may not like being told what to think while reading, no matter how comical it may get, but if you're open-minded to that, it doesn't ruin the experience.

Everything in the book hit me out of nowhere in the way bizarro tends to, and I found myself genuinely surprised at each new chapter and scene. While time jumps around enthusiastically in this book, it works. It falls in line with the theme.

As I was expecting, the philosophical nature of this book made me happy. It made me think, which is a winning quality in my opinion. It made the ending feel that much more powerful and meaningful, and it really made me think about our ideas of a perfect relationship, what we expect out of them, and what the reality is. Underneath all of the craziness in this book, it's heartwrenching and tugged at my emotions.

Overall, despite the author's control over the book, I truly enjoyed it. I didn't deduct a star because the overbearing narration, at times, became so comical and very much Danger that I forgave it. I'd recommend this book to those who are open-minded and willing to accept that rules are meant to be broken, and all of the rules were broken. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more Danger.

[Zé Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danger Slater’s “He Digs a Hole” makes you go: “Wow!” “What?” and “Haha!” all at once, producing a weird “Whawoha?!” noise when reading. This slim volume (only 135 pages) captured my attention on page 1 and held on firmly to the last word.

It is the story of a suburbanite man who (you guessed it) digs a hole. He does so by removing his hands and replacing them with gardening tools. The plot may be fantastical, but its narration style is even more unique. Not only is the book aware of itself, the characters at times are aware of the story they’re in, even arguing with the narrator. Slater unabashedly breaks the fourth wall, often with humorous consequences.

The entire story is rife with allegory about mundanity of life that is neither heavy-handed nor pedantic. As a writer, it’s one of those books that makes you hate the author, because you know you’ll never write as well as him.

As you float along in the beautiful rhythm of Slater’s narration, you’ll find yourself cackling aloud. When people ask you what you’re laughing about, you struggle to explain it. The whole book is an amalgam of humor and excellent writing.

One sentence: “He was a very handsome worm” may be new favorite line in all of literature.

My complaints are few in number. The first part had a magic to it that was lacking in the other two parts, a barely noticeable change in momentum as I repeatedly asked myself: “what the heck is going on?” Still, it carried the reader along with the same enthusiasm and wasn’t a detriment to the story.

I would recommend this book to almost anyone, not just fans of Bizarro fiction. It’s a beautiful piece of literature that makes you think and laugh. The one prerequisite: One must have a stomach for gore. There is plenty of it in there.

[Vladimir Beaverhausen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Initially it seems somewhat formulaic, we have heard it before many times, boy meets girl in the rope aisle of a DIY store, while contemplating which one might best hold their weight. Boy and girl fall in love, get married, buy a beautiful home in a quiet neighbourhood, marriage becomes stale, boredom and contempt set in. The boy, now a man, rips of his hands with a power saw and rams digging tools into the bloody stumps and commences digging a very, very deep hole. Are you seeing the subtext? Are the metaphors becoming clear? You had better hope so, or the narrator will not be at all pleased.
At some point, the man and his wife disappear into his massive hole, and quickly realise what a pointless waste their lives are, and in the end they are nothing more than worm food, or perhaps sex toys for worms.
At some later point, (no spoilers here), they probably have some kind of realisation, which could crush them completely, or make them stronger, helping them to conquer and overcome their situation, I would not like to say which.
Modern human existence comes in for some scathing analysis, however the story is not depressing, but witty, fearless, horrific and funny. Written in a flowing, friendly, 'bantery', manner, the narrator made me laugh often, and I believed he was talking directly to me.
In my opinion, Carlton Mellick III has been the King of Bizarro fiction for years. Look out Mr III, Danger is gaining on you fast!
Read this book, you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll google worm porn, you'll vomit up your gizzards!

[Horror DNA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some days, you can feel okay going through the motions: work, coffee, lunch, work. Other days, a seed from a mutant tree compels you to shove your hands into a table saw and affix gardening implements to the nubs in order to dig a hole. Fortunately for us, the protagonist of Danger Slater’s He Digs a Hole is feeling the latter, otherwise this book title would be blatantly false advertising. Could you imagine a book called He Digs a Hole with no actual holes in it? Like, what if that movie, Holes, had nothing to do with holes? Did that movie star the kid from Malcom in the Middle or am I remembering that wrong? I suppose I could just look that up and find the answer, or do I prefer to keep the mystery? Has our culture gone down a hole? Because in He Digs a Hole, Harrison Moss and his wife Tabitha discover that it has, in a way – along with lakes of blood and man-sized earthworms who ride rhinoceros beetles to work. But anyway, I’m getting ahead of myself here.

You can read Matt's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.

[Kevin Lintner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harrison Moss is having one helluva mid-life crisis. He chops off his hands, replaces then with gardening tools, and begins digging a hole in his backyard. A really big hole. A hole so big and so deep that eventually Harrison, his long-suffering wife Tabitha, their house, and their entire neighborhood are swallowed up when the hole gives way to a horrifying underworld where the bugs are the humans. They go through all the motions humans do. They go to work, they live in houses, they party in clubs. They don't know why they do it. They just do it, because it is the routine, and routine is law. This is one of the many metaphors Slater uses to point out the horrible boredom of everyday life and almost everyone is willing to settle because it seems to be the thing everyone else is doing. "He Digs A Hole" is beautifully written and Slater's creative use of the narrator makes it a lot of fun to read.

[Jeff Beesler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most Bizarre Book I've Ever Read

Coming into this book, I suspected that the author, Danger Slater, would warp my brain even further than it already is. Mr. Slater did not disappoint, especially in the last 46% of this book.

Perhaps the best way to enjoy this book is to think of it as The Twilight Zone in print, if Rod Serling was trying to give all literary convention the middle finger. Not only does it break the fourth wall many times, it at times nukes the damn wall by making the reader think. The thing that holds this book together, and does it so masterfully, is the theme of nothing ever making sense. Hold onto that thought as you read, and Mr. Slater will own your reader's soul to the last page.

It will be interesting to see how he will try to outdo this tale of Harrison and Tabitha Moss. But if anyone has proven himself as a contender in bizarro literature, it's Mr. Slater. Well done, sir!

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

He Digs a Hole by Danger Slater

I love Bizarro as a genre. I never know where it is going. And it isn’t weird for the sake of weird, though it can feel like that when taking the journey that is, as example, this book.

What we have is a man who eats a seed from a weird tree that replaces his hands for gardening tools and digs a hole that takes him and his wife to an underground city of worms and insects who become part of their journey and transformation.

In all, the novel is, to me, a discussion of loneliness, complacency, and the natural order of things all whilst breaking the fourth wall (fourth page? Heh) and making the reader a part of the story without a Luck Dragon.

I knew going in I would end up enjoying it, and I thoroughly did. I don’t know how to recommend except enjoy the ride and embrace it. Especially when it gets weird.

[S.T. Cartledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

So the book is about this adventure through a strange subterranean landscape, but it’s also about the push and pull between two people stuck in a rut, trying to discover themselves and their relationship with each other. He’s got a lot of clever details throughout the story which help to enrich the narrative through its many tangents, giving some feeling of order and logic to the chaos, but the unreliable narrator also seems to be fighting against conventional narrative structures and the idea of character development and conflict resolution. There’s a lot of humour and surprise developments in the story to satisfy the reader, but really, it’s the attention to detail and unique voice which really makes this book stand out. I loved it right from the beginning through to the very end.

[Andrew Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the best book I've read about digging holes since Holes.

Okay, I've never read Holes, but I saw the movie when I was a kid, and Shia was in it, so the book MUST have been GOOD.

He Digs a Hole is another fun, fast-paced book from Danger Slater full of existentialism, break-throughs, and finding oneself. It is also about falling out and in and out and in love. Love is obsession, especially when it doesn't make sense, which shouldn't be surprising c0ming from the man who wrote I Will Rot Without You.

This might not be Slater's best, but it sure is damn good, and whether or not you're familiar with Slater's work, this book is definitely worth the read.

So cut off your hands and staple this book to the stumps, it's a wild ride you mustn't miss!