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Saint Sadist
"It's stylistically and conceptually ambitious, and while the subject matter and themes are dark and disturbing, this is an instance where it's done well and with a purpose beyond simply shocking and disgusting the reader (and with considerable style no less)." - Biblioculus
"Dangerous literature at its finest." - Max Booth III (Author of Carnivorous Lunar Activities)
"It is a story of becoming. Of enduring strength in the center of madness that surrounds you." - Autumn Christian (Author of Girl Like a Bomb)
"An enthralling story written with the dark style of a flowing classic." - Bibliophilia Templum
"This is an unpleasant, raw, and disgusting masterpiece." - Meltdown Messiah
Pregnant with her father's child, nineteen-year-old Courtney is a girl on the run, willing to do anything to make her way on the road. When a car accident leaves her wounded by the side of a desolate highway, she is taken in by an environmentalist doomsday cult led by the enigmatic Saint Ambrose, a charismatic preacher and ex-environmental scientist who gave up everything after claiming to see the face of God. When he meets the seemingly vulnerable Courtney, he is taken by her beauty and her wounded soul. Now, with the promise of salvation hanging in the balance, Courtney must undergo a series of trials, each more painful and humiliating than the last, her incestuously conceived baby growing in her womb, a strange presence visiting her at night and telling her Ambrose has lost his way and it is she who must overthrow him.
This book contains disturbing content.
"Dangerous literature at its finest." - Max Booth III (Author of Carnivorous Lunar Activities)
"It is a story of becoming. Of enduring strength in the center of madness that surrounds you." - Autumn Christian (Author of Girl Like a Bomb)
"An enthralling story written with the dark style of a flowing classic." - Bibliophilia Templum
"This is an unpleasant, raw, and disgusting masterpiece." - Meltdown Messiah
Pregnant with her father's child, nineteen-year-old Courtney is a girl on the run, willing to do anything to make her way on the road. When a car accident leaves her wounded by the side of a desolate highway, she is taken in by an environmentalist doomsday cult led by the enigmatic Saint Ambrose, a charismatic preacher and ex-environmental scientist who gave up everything after claiming to see the face of God. When he meets the seemingly vulnerable Courtney, he is taken by her beauty and her wounded soul. Now, with the promise of salvation hanging in the balance, Courtney must undergo a series of trials, each more painful and humiliating than the last, her incestuously conceived baby growing in her womb, a strange presence visiting her at night and telling her Ambrose has lost his way and it is she who must overthrow him.
This book contains disturbing content.
132 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 16, 2019
15 people are currently reading
430 people want to read
About the author
Lucas Mangum
51 books126 followersLucas Mangum is an author currently living in Austin, TX.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
March 1, 2019
Courtney is a young girl who has survived multiple forms of abuse from her father. Pregnant and frightened, she escapes her home in search of safety for herself and her unborn child. Little does she know that the group she is about to encounter is an ecological cult headed by a dangerous leader. Rather than finding the safety that she seeks, Courtney is compelled to follow both her instincts and a vision that appears to her during the night. Her paths cross with those who have wronged her, but Courtney is determined to find the one person who can grant her serenity. Her search is often brutal and discouraging, but she is on a path that cannot be blocked. While her route is circular, her ultimate destination offers her the ability to make herself whole. This is a compelling story of challenging circumstances and the ultimate fortitude that is found within oneself.
Many thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC of this book. My review reflects my unbiased and honest opinions.
Many thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC of this book. My review reflects my unbiased and honest opinions.
May 1, 2019
While certain parts of this book certainly made me uncomfortable (which was clearly the intent, ha ha) none of it really felt exploitative, instead Mangum has the writing chops to earn the reader's trust while taking them to all the dark places Saint Sadist goes. Symbolism and style reign supreme here as this book explores the black heart at the core of all relationships, both between people and each other, and people and the Earth. Lucas Mangum is a writer not to be trifled with.
May 20, 2021
He reaches inside me and I hear my baby’s voice and look toward it. Finally, through the agony and amniotic muck, I glimpse the screaming face of God.
April 15, 2022
Story 3.5/5
Narration 4/5
Narration 4/5
June 13, 2024
3,5⭐️
This story devastated me. It felt like a religious hallucination with a trauma twist. Thoroughly enjoyed this book, but I wish we could get a bit more of Courtney, her character development and her path.
This story devastated me. It felt like a religious hallucination with a trauma twist. Thoroughly enjoyed this book, but I wish we could get a bit more of Courtney, her character development and her path.
December 25, 2021
Damn, what a wild ride. I re read the ending a few times and each time I've come to a new conclusion. Mangum weaves a story of pure insanity and truly made the reader feel as if they were in the mind of a crazy person. This book was bleak and brutal, with a bit of nastiness thrown in. Check it out now.
May 14, 2024
Courtney's lived a rough life. Daddy always was tough on her, beat her until it hurt. One day she decided to take matters into her own hands and take control of her life.
Time goes by and she escapes her hell, only to step into an even worse hell. All while Courtney is pregnant and fighting with God and Satan in her head and soul.
Wow! This was.....intense. I felt real uncomfy at times but was this ever good! The fight of good and evil inside of Courtney, the cult she comes across, all the bad shit that happened to her...fit perfectly in this story! I loved the battle between Courtney, you could feel that! I think Mangum did an excellent job and I can't wait to pick up another book from him! If you love fucked up cults and insane family dynamics, read this!
Time goes by and she escapes her hell, only to step into an even worse hell. All while Courtney is pregnant and fighting with God and Satan in her head and soul.
Wow! This was.....intense. I felt real uncomfy at times but was this ever good! The fight of good and evil inside of Courtney, the cult she comes across, all the bad shit that happened to her...fit perfectly in this story! I loved the battle between Courtney, you could feel that! I think Mangum did an excellent job and I can't wait to pick up another book from him! If you love fucked up cults and insane family dynamics, read this!
May 20, 2019
Sometimes a reader needs a punch to the gut, as long as there is still something else to the story. Hell, sometimes those are the best ones. In this case, the subject matter may be uncomfortable, but the writing ability makes it palatable and easier to identify with the lead character. And Mangum doesn't fixate on them. Instead, the raw emotion associated with many of the subjects touched on in this read adds a certain power that only benefits the story in the end. An interesting and creative tale written by someone unafraid to go to these extremes to bring you a story. This was my first experience with the author, and definitely not the last.
March 13, 2019
Review is up on Sci Fi and Scary:
“This is a brand-new beginning for me, full of infinite possibilities, which includes the notion that there is nothing infinite, only moments dotted throughout the yawning void.”
The brutal premise of this story intrigued me. Topics such as rape and child abuse toe a line with me, and until just a bit over midway into the story, I was still on board. Mangum uses good focus at times; the quote above is evidence of some of my favorite writing in the story. His main character is crafted well through the first half and I appreciated the diversity of relationships that came a bit later.
Perhaps because I grew to know the main character so well, decisions she made in the latter half of the book seemed completely unrealistic to me. As a reader, I also needed more time in each of the main locations, particularly the cult referenced in the synopsis. I enjoy doomsday cult stories, but for me, I need more depth and some of that focus I mentioned earlier. It would make the storyline more engrossing and believable.
Add to that some relationships that were a bit flat, and some of the most poignant, disturbing scenes fell flat because I was uninvested. I wanted more transitions or lead-ins to some of the more intangible scenes. I'm fine with extreme horror, but I need more of a path to it. The last section had at least one continuity error and it rushed to the end when I wanted it to slow down.
Finally, this is just a reminder that this was my experience as a reader and perhaps this will work for others. Personally, I will certainly check out more from this author in hopes that I can connect with a different piece of his writing.
TW: rape, child abuse
“This is a brand-new beginning for me, full of infinite possibilities, which includes the notion that there is nothing infinite, only moments dotted throughout the yawning void.”
The brutal premise of this story intrigued me. Topics such as rape and child abuse toe a line with me, and until just a bit over midway into the story, I was still on board. Mangum uses good focus at times; the quote above is evidence of some of my favorite writing in the story. His main character is crafted well through the first half and I appreciated the diversity of relationships that came a bit later.
Perhaps because I grew to know the main character so well, decisions she made in the latter half of the book seemed completely unrealistic to me. As a reader, I also needed more time in each of the main locations, particularly the cult referenced in the synopsis. I enjoy doomsday cult stories, but for me, I need more depth and some of that focus I mentioned earlier. It would make the storyline more engrossing and believable.
Add to that some relationships that were a bit flat, and some of the most poignant, disturbing scenes fell flat because I was uninvested. I wanted more transitions or lead-ins to some of the more intangible scenes. I'm fine with extreme horror, but I need more of a path to it. The last section had at least one continuity error and it rushed to the end when I wanted it to slow down.
Finally, this is just a reminder that this was my experience as a reader and perhaps this will work for others. Personally, I will certainly check out more from this author in hopes that I can connect with a different piece of his writing.
TW: rape, child abuse
September 1, 2021
***3.5 stars***
November 4, 2023
3.5 stars
Amazing writing, the first half of the book was everything I wished for. But the other half, I was totally lost. Too sci fi/surnatural for me
Amazing writing, the first half of the book was everything I wished for. But the other half, I was totally lost. Too sci fi/surnatural for me
November 7, 2023
‘Dream, dream, dream’
Simply think of this book as a fantastic mixture of Bible verse, an incestuous abusive relationship, cult worship with hints of good old Salem witchcraft and a familiar hardness similar to that found in The Handmaid’s Tale.
A dark fantasy twister, given more than a touch of the supernaturals. Yep, truly dreamlike, to be sure!
Really enjoyed this cleverly constructed, disturbing, yet highly absorbing, short tale of absolute craziness.
Highly recommended.
Rating: 4.4 stars.
Simply think of this book as a fantastic mixture of Bible verse, an incestuous abusive relationship, cult worship with hints of good old Salem witchcraft and a familiar hardness similar to that found in The Handmaid’s Tale.
A dark fantasy twister, given more than a touch of the supernaturals. Yep, truly dreamlike, to be sure!
Really enjoyed this cleverly constructed, disturbing, yet highly absorbing, short tale of absolute craziness.
Highly recommended.
Rating: 4.4 stars.
October 7, 2022
Courtney is struggling to make a living alone on the street after running away from the clutches of her sexually abusive father who impregnated her. After nearly losing her life in a car accident, she is miraculously taken into the care of a group of healers who belong to a bizarre doomsday cult led by the inhumanly charismatic Saint Ambrose. Courtney thinks she has finally found a safe haven to live in peace, but she soon realizes that she and her baby have been swept up in a cruel twist of fate that will push their broken souls to the very limit.
This little novella had some excellent prose and imagery, both invigoratingly lucid and nightmarishly grotesque. The writing and imagination behind it are insanely creative, but it became extremely hard to comprehend after a while. It switches between traumatic reality, religious mania and mind-breaking psychological trips, slowly fusing together more and more with each chapter until all the varying levels of real and unreal begin to blend together.
I really enjoyed the first half of the book because of this, but around the halfway mark it became nearly uninterpretable to me. The ridiculously fast pacing didn't make it any easier to follow. I loved the prose and themes of the book, but it rushed through each plot point a little too fast so they didn't have time to stick the landing and truly develop in my opinion. After a while I just stopped understanding what was supposed to be happening or what the subtext behind all the metaphorical ravings were meant to portray.
That being said, this was very dark and unique and I'm sure others will be able to see something in it that I missed. I'll definitely check out the author's other work at some point.
My rating: 3.3/5
This little novella had some excellent prose and imagery, both invigoratingly lucid and nightmarishly grotesque. The writing and imagination behind it are insanely creative, but it became extremely hard to comprehend after a while. It switches between traumatic reality, religious mania and mind-breaking psychological trips, slowly fusing together more and more with each chapter until all the varying levels of real and unreal begin to blend together.
I really enjoyed the first half of the book because of this, but around the halfway mark it became nearly uninterpretable to me. The ridiculously fast pacing didn't make it any easier to follow. I loved the prose and themes of the book, but it rushed through each plot point a little too fast so they didn't have time to stick the landing and truly develop in my opinion. After a while I just stopped understanding what was supposed to be happening or what the subtext behind all the metaphorical ravings were meant to portray.
That being said, this was very dark and unique and I'm sure others will be able to see something in it that I missed. I'll definitely check out the author's other work at some point.
My rating: 3.3/5
March 16, 2019
Be warned right off the bat that SAINT SADIST is not going to be a book for everyone. Dealing with the topics of abuse, incest, torture, sex and religion, this story can really cause a roller-coaster of emotions from the reader.
Courtney has grown up in a home where she was physically and sexually abused by her father. When she becomes pregnant with her fathers child, she decides to leave home and attempt to start a new life with her child. After having to turn to prostitution for money, Courtney finds herself taken in at a homestead run by a mysteriously captivating man who promises her a safe place to live and wishes her to follow his religion based around the earth. I this new place safe for her, and what of her growing baby? A battle is about to be waged and Courtney will find herself playing a part she never imagined.
Now you might think that these are all some pretty heavy topics to all be covered in this single story. In any other hands they might be, but the author's writing style is perfectly fitted for this tale. And there could not be a better word to use than "style". This is just a beautifully written book. The regular narrative is at time interrupted by random thoughts, quotes and bible references, but not in a way that disrupts the flow of the story. They give us more insight into the main character and her actions and reactions to the world around her.
It is also a very interesting clash when the topic of religion is addressed. Ambrose, the leader of the homestead teaches a kind of earth religion, where Courtney was raised in a christian way. (Although it is hard to believe her family followed the church when you see the hell she has been subjected to as a child). Courtney's inner battle between the religion she knows and the new one presented to her is a main driving point in the story. There is some very harsh religious symbolism used at times and will likely give people a very Barkeresque feeling.
The author does a wonderful job of keeping the reader guessing. At times the line between what is real and what is not is very fine. Is it really happening or is it just a construct of a very disturbed and abused young woman. A lot of these questions you will still be asking as you turn the last page.
Reading this story is an experience that you should not pass up.
Courtney has grown up in a home where she was physically and sexually abused by her father. When she becomes pregnant with her fathers child, she decides to leave home and attempt to start a new life with her child. After having to turn to prostitution for money, Courtney finds herself taken in at a homestead run by a mysteriously captivating man who promises her a safe place to live and wishes her to follow his religion based around the earth. I this new place safe for her, and what of her growing baby? A battle is about to be waged and Courtney will find herself playing a part she never imagined.
Now you might think that these are all some pretty heavy topics to all be covered in this single story. In any other hands they might be, but the author's writing style is perfectly fitted for this tale. And there could not be a better word to use than "style". This is just a beautifully written book. The regular narrative is at time interrupted by random thoughts, quotes and bible references, but not in a way that disrupts the flow of the story. They give us more insight into the main character and her actions and reactions to the world around her.
It is also a very interesting clash when the topic of religion is addressed. Ambrose, the leader of the homestead teaches a kind of earth religion, where Courtney was raised in a christian way. (Although it is hard to believe her family followed the church when you see the hell she has been subjected to as a child). Courtney's inner battle between the religion she knows and the new one presented to her is a main driving point in the story. There is some very harsh religious symbolism used at times and will likely give people a very Barkeresque feeling.
The author does a wonderful job of keeping the reader guessing. At times the line between what is real and what is not is very fine. Is it really happening or is it just a construct of a very disturbed and abused young woman. A lot of these questions you will still be asking as you turn the last page.
Reading this story is an experience that you should not pass up.
February 2, 2020
In my opinion this is Lucas Mangum's best book yet. Hardcore horror, with a surreal and dream-like center. Courtney is pregnant as the product of incest, and has to endure religious horrors after being abducted by a mysterious cult. It is a story of becoming. Of enduring strength in the center of madness that surrounds you.
To quote from the book "If you're triggered by reading this, imagine living it."
My only complaint is that this book seemed a bit stretched for a novella. I would have liked to linger a bit longer in each scenario, as Lucas created a very interesting and expansive mythology that in some parts is never quite realized. And many great setups feel finished before I get a chance to linger in them. But I suspect the detail was sacrificed to keep length.
To quote from the book "If you're triggered by reading this, imagine living it."
My only complaint is that this book seemed a bit stretched for a novella. I would have liked to linger a bit longer in each scenario, as Lucas created a very interesting and expansive mythology that in some parts is never quite realized. And many great setups feel finished before I get a chance to linger in them. But I suspect the detail was sacrificed to keep length.
December 24, 2021
I really wanted to love this, especially with such a beautiful book cover, but I’m really sad to say it didn’t hit those marks for me.
I really tried to roll with the imagery/symbolism and not think logically while reading, but entirely, I wasn’t entirely digging it. The dialogue felt stilted & the sex scenes were quite cringey, which I was struggling to get past as it kept pulling me out of the scene. I think the start of the book was really captivating but began to slowly roll down the hill until I wasn’t really caring what happened to the MC.
Overall, I’m curious about Mangum’s other works, but I didn’t enjoy Saint Sadist as much as I had hoped.
INSTA | TWITTER
I really tried to roll with the imagery/symbolism and not think logically while reading, but entirely, I wasn’t entirely digging it. The dialogue felt stilted & the sex scenes were quite cringey, which I was struggling to get past as it kept pulling me out of the scene. I think the start of the book was really captivating but began to slowly roll down the hill until I wasn’t really caring what happened to the MC.
Overall, I’m curious about Mangum’s other works, but I didn’t enjoy Saint Sadist as much as I had hoped.
INSTA | TWITTER
March 29, 2022
Well that was a bleak,dark, brutal, fucked up roller coaster of a story. Lucas Mangum can fucking write. This is my second read from him and this dude is a beast. The way he developed the charecters and just weaves one fucked up story together is just insanely good. My only complaint is that this one was to short I wanted more. 5 screaming faces of God from me
April 24, 2025
This was my first Lucas Mangum & it certainly won’t be my last. I did my best to go into this blind, but full disclosure I was told that this had parallels to Scissor Me Timbers so I had to see for myself. 😬 Luckily, it’s in whole other dimensions, but after the 4th or 5th chapter, I went from nervous apprehension to just nervous WHAT IS GOING ON. The story sucked me in. We jump from one crazy family dynamic, to a somehow more intense situation flawlessly. Then the story just kept amping up from there.
Quick synopsis:
Finding herself in one of the worst situations imaginable, our main character has to get out while she can. Realizing she would be escaping for two now, she takes her leave but is met with more unexpected adversity. Just when she thought she was getting away from one evil, she finds herself under the care of a flock run by a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Now she has to make another escape, this time from something bigger than her and much more sinister.
So this story kept me dialed in, even though I knew from the very beginning that this was going to be dark. A lot of heavy subjects were dealt with but handled very well. Magnum showed a lot of talent in his storytelling and his prose. He also crafted a very difficult character with multiple internal struggles, yet he does it in a way that keeps the reader rooting for her but also wondering HOW IS THIS GOING TO END?! The last half becomes a fever dream of religious imagery and insane scenarios, but there’s a definite method to Lucas’s madness. How else would one explain something so incredibly supernatural, it’s not natural by default. 🤷🏽♂️ This won’t be for everyone, especially being a pretty bleak story, but it’s an experience that I highly recommend. A great start from an author that I look forward to reading more of!
P.s. That cover. 😻
Quick synopsis:
Finding herself in one of the worst situations imaginable, our main character has to get out while she can. Realizing she would be escaping for two now, she takes her leave but is met with more unexpected adversity. Just when she thought she was getting away from one evil, she finds herself under the care of a flock run by a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Now she has to make another escape, this time from something bigger than her and much more sinister.
So this story kept me dialed in, even though I knew from the very beginning that this was going to be dark. A lot of heavy subjects were dealt with but handled very well. Magnum showed a lot of talent in his storytelling and his prose. He also crafted a very difficult character with multiple internal struggles, yet he does it in a way that keeps the reader rooting for her but also wondering HOW IS THIS GOING TO END?! The last half becomes a fever dream of religious imagery and insane scenarios, but there’s a definite method to Lucas’s madness. How else would one explain something so incredibly supernatural, it’s not natural by default. 🤷🏽♂️ This won’t be for everyone, especially being a pretty bleak story, but it’s an experience that I highly recommend. A great start from an author that I look forward to reading more of!
P.s. That cover. 😻
June 17, 2019
I used to be a huge fan of hardcore horror, fawning over everything Deadite and Necro Press released. In the past few years my tastes have tempered; when I choose to go down a dark path, I'm pretty selective over writers and titles. I don't think it's necessarily fair to call Lucas Mangum an extreme horror writer, for his output's pretty diverse, but when he decides to go dark, it hits hard.
This book is probably Mangum's most extreme release. Courtney, a young woman pregnant with her father's child, leaves home and finds refuge with a religious cult. Plot-wise, that's all you need to know. Things get very, very offensive; imagine Jack Ketchum's The Girl Next Door with the theological themes of Martyrs, and you're on the right track. Yet even through a whole lot of unpleasantness, there's a draw to this book--this is Mangum writing at his best. The prose here shines, reading like a cross between poetry and Ellroy minimalism.
The biggest critique I can give the book is actually unusual for my usual criticisms of the genre--this book is too short. Normally this works in favor of hardcore horror, which I feel is better in short form. But ultimately, there was a lot more I wanted to know here. Things feel rushed once Courtney gets to the compound, and things go off the rails quickly once she arrives. I would have liked more world-building here. I wanted to get to know the place more before things took their dark turn.
This criticism aside, Saint Sadist has a lot to love, especially for those who like their horror soul-crushing. Lucas Mangum is once again proving that he's an important voice in the world of modern horror. If you're not listening, you're missing out.
This book is probably Mangum's most extreme release. Courtney, a young woman pregnant with her father's child, leaves home and finds refuge with a religious cult. Plot-wise, that's all you need to know. Things get very, very offensive; imagine Jack Ketchum's The Girl Next Door with the theological themes of Martyrs, and you're on the right track. Yet even through a whole lot of unpleasantness, there's a draw to this book--this is Mangum writing at his best. The prose here shines, reading like a cross between poetry and Ellroy minimalism.
The biggest critique I can give the book is actually unusual for my usual criticisms of the genre--this book is too short. Normally this works in favor of hardcore horror, which I feel is better in short form. But ultimately, there was a lot more I wanted to know here. Things feel rushed once Courtney gets to the compound, and things go off the rails quickly once she arrives. I would have liked more world-building here. I wanted to get to know the place more before things took their dark turn.
This criticism aside, Saint Sadist has a lot to love, especially for those who like their horror soul-crushing. Lucas Mangum is once again proving that he's an important voice in the world of modern horror. If you're not listening, you're missing out.
May 19, 2021
Filth and purity.
These words will mean something to you as you follow along with Courtney's awful narrative. They're appropriate words to have in mind as you read Mangum's Saint Sadist. In a strange sense, there's an overarching theme of filth and purity, the duality of those two things, and the way they reflect one another throughout the whole story.
Courtney's father was a violent and abusive man, until she discovered she could use her burgeoning sexuality as a shield to protect herself from those bouts of cruelty and violence. Becoming a victim of a wholly different sort of abuse, teenage Courtney believes she's taken control of the situation, both protecting herself and preying upon her father's weakness.
Then she gets pregnant.
Reading this, you might think this is the end...but it's only the beginning.
Courtney escapes from her home, hoping to provide a better life for her incestuous offspring by living the life of a harlot.
Few authors would look at what they'd created thus far and decide they haven't gone far enough. Lucas Mangum is one of those few.
The story grows increasingly vile and violent. The voice in Courtney's head and the visions she experiences force us to wonder how much is real and how much is the result of severe psychological damage and depravity visited upon a young girl.
This is an unpleasant, raw, and disgusting masterpiece.
Melody Muzljakovich breathes life into both Courtney's Texas drawl and the hissing whispers and chanting of her inner voice with equal skill. Other characters are similarly well-narrated.
These words will mean something to you as you follow along with Courtney's awful narrative. They're appropriate words to have in mind as you read Mangum's Saint Sadist. In a strange sense, there's an overarching theme of filth and purity, the duality of those two things, and the way they reflect one another throughout the whole story.
Courtney's father was a violent and abusive man, until she discovered she could use her burgeoning sexuality as a shield to protect herself from those bouts of cruelty and violence. Becoming a victim of a wholly different sort of abuse, teenage Courtney believes she's taken control of the situation, both protecting herself and preying upon her father's weakness.
Then she gets pregnant.
Reading this, you might think this is the end...but it's only the beginning.
Courtney escapes from her home, hoping to provide a better life for her incestuous offspring by living the life of a harlot.
Few authors would look at what they'd created thus far and decide they haven't gone far enough. Lucas Mangum is one of those few.
The story grows increasingly vile and violent. The voice in Courtney's head and the visions she experiences force us to wonder how much is real and how much is the result of severe psychological damage and depravity visited upon a young girl.
This is an unpleasant, raw, and disgusting masterpiece.
Melody Muzljakovich breathes life into both Courtney's Texas drawl and the hissing whispers and chanting of her inner voice with equal skill. Other characters are similarly well-narrated.
October 1, 2019
Minor Spoilers
4.5/5
After a father impregnates his teenage daughter Courtney, she runs away and performs various sexual favors to survive, and after one thing leads to another, she is taken in by a religious cult. This is not your typical fanatic gathering- the leader Ambrose, who has a background as a climate scientist, inspires his followers to worship Mother Earth Herself, or the Gospel of Gaia.
Make no mistake, the novella parallels beauty and nature with furious carnage. Courtney’s narrative provides a philosophical coming-of-age experience during her young pregnancy, yet her visions and encounters typically lead to grotesque outcomes. The author shockingly pieces together a passage involving a serpent and uterus, but with divine intervention.
Grindhouse Press is a publisher I’m somewhat unfamiliar with. I will definitely check out some of their future releases.
4.5/5
After a father impregnates his teenage daughter Courtney, she runs away and performs various sexual favors to survive, and after one thing leads to another, she is taken in by a religious cult. This is not your typical fanatic gathering- the leader Ambrose, who has a background as a climate scientist, inspires his followers to worship Mother Earth Herself, or the Gospel of Gaia.
Make no mistake, the novella parallels beauty and nature with furious carnage. Courtney’s narrative provides a philosophical coming-of-age experience during her young pregnancy, yet her visions and encounters typically lead to grotesque outcomes. The author shockingly pieces together a passage involving a serpent and uterus, but with divine intervention.
Grindhouse Press is a publisher I’m somewhat unfamiliar with. I will definitely check out some of their future releases.
Read
March 27, 2019I'm a reader that leans one extreme or the other, take everything too literally and at face value, or completely let myself go and just roll with the imagery and symbolism. With Saint Sadist I started out in "literal mode", but switched into "imagery/symbolism mode" early in the story thanks to a Twitter Q&A the author was hosting, which made for what could have been two completely different opinions on the book. Luckily I ended up really impressed by this novella. It's stylistically and conceptually ambitious, and while the subject matter and themes are dark and disturbing, this is an instance where it's done well and with a purpose beyond simply shocking and disgusting the reader (and with considerable style no less). I think this is going to be a love it or hate it read, but it's well worth the read to see where you land.
April 19, 2021
Some stories are fucked up in a trashy, exploitative way (and there's a place for that, I'm not knocking it), and then some are fucked up in a way you can't stop thinking about on a more soulful level. "Transcendent" is an overused term associated with bourgeois rationalizing of "acceptable" horror. So I guess I won't use that term here. But I could.
April 23, 2020
Are you a horror junkie like me? Do you like books that make your jaw drop and give you a book hangover? If so, you might want to add this one to your list. When it comes to obtaining a true adrenaline fix, good horror does it for me. Well-written horror fiction is what gets me jazzed. Whether I’m scared, or just left stunned and speechless, it’s a serious rush. These type of reads make me want to get to work promoting horror and singing the author’s praises, and SAINT SADIST was that type of book for me.
If you read the synopsis, you’ll know that this story contains some heavy stuff. Right from the first page, I could sense it was going to be a difficult read at times. It was, but I simply could not pull myself away from this one. I was immediately drawn into the story, and propelled along by both the short chapters and the style of the prose. The author has a great ability to tackle some heartbreaking topics while injecting the story with stunning language and hints of hope for the characters’ redemption.
I really enjoyed the insight given into the main character’s mental state. The look into her thoughts and motivation behind her actions made the reading experience more immersive for me. I especially enjoyed the descriptions of her ambivalence about where she belonged, and the visions that she experiences throughout her journey. These scenes were visceral and they intensify as the story progresses. I’ve always been fascinated by cults, so I enjoyed that aspect of this tale, as well as the exploration of other themes, including religion and the effects of abuse. I’m also a fan of well-done figurative language, and this book contains some gorgeous and emotionally effective phrases that I found myself reading more than once.
I feel like giving any more detail would spoil the story, so I’ll end by saying this: I totally understand why this book was nominated for a Splatterpunk award. It pushes the envelope and takes the reader to uncomfortable places, while providing an exploration of some touchy subjects. This read truly packs a punch. Mangum’s writing explores some of the worst horrors of humanity with a touch of grace, and I’m excited to experience more of his work.
If you read the synopsis, you’ll know that this story contains some heavy stuff. Right from the first page, I could sense it was going to be a difficult read at times. It was, but I simply could not pull myself away from this one. I was immediately drawn into the story, and propelled along by both the short chapters and the style of the prose. The author has a great ability to tackle some heartbreaking topics while injecting the story with stunning language and hints of hope for the characters’ redemption.
I really enjoyed the insight given into the main character’s mental state. The look into her thoughts and motivation behind her actions made the reading experience more immersive for me. I especially enjoyed the descriptions of her ambivalence about where she belonged, and the visions that she experiences throughout her journey. These scenes were visceral and they intensify as the story progresses. I’ve always been fascinated by cults, so I enjoyed that aspect of this tale, as well as the exploration of other themes, including religion and the effects of abuse. I’m also a fan of well-done figurative language, and this book contains some gorgeous and emotionally effective phrases that I found myself reading more than once.
I feel like giving any more detail would spoil the story, so I’ll end by saying this: I totally understand why this book was nominated for a Splatterpunk award. It pushes the envelope and takes the reader to uncomfortable places, while providing an exploration of some touchy subjects. This read truly packs a punch. Mangum’s writing explores some of the worst horrors of humanity with a touch of grace, and I’m excited to experience more of his work.
October 18, 2019
I got comfortable with my copy of Saint Sadist by Lucas Mangum and settled in for some light reading. As I opened the cover, I realized I did not have a bookmark handy. Oh well, not the first time. I had no intention of getting up to get one. I was two pages in when a book card fell out of the back of the book, one of the perks of buying a book from the author at a con. How convenient! Now I had an acceptable bookmark. Ultimately, I didn’t need one. I read the book cover to cover in one sitting. And, for the record, it was not light reading.
Saint Sadist is an enthralling story written with the dark style of a flowing classic. The content, however, places the book definitively in Extreme Horror. As indicated in the synopsis, Saint Sadist deals with abuse, incest, and disturbing violence. It is not for everyone despite its deep and impactful storyline.
The story is told in powerful first person. Mangum twists both your mind and gut with the graphic sequences and the psychology of the main character. I was especially taken with the incredible depth of the story as a whole. The uncomfortable realism of the subject matter, the mind of the abuse victim, the way the main character expresses herself: these things are illustrated with horrifying acuity.
I looked at the cover, read the synopsis, and expected a light, general horror read in spite of the author’s words to me when I purchased the book. I was wrong. This is a philosophically deep, gut-wrenching tale of horror.
Mangum has gone a step beyond psychological horror, beyond extreme horror, beyond the comfort zone of explaining things away. Saint Sadist is a shelf-worthy piece I will read again and again.
Saint Sadist is an enthralling story written with the dark style of a flowing classic. The content, however, places the book definitively in Extreme Horror. As indicated in the synopsis, Saint Sadist deals with abuse, incest, and disturbing violence. It is not for everyone despite its deep and impactful storyline.
The story is told in powerful first person. Mangum twists both your mind and gut with the graphic sequences and the psychology of the main character. I was especially taken with the incredible depth of the story as a whole. The uncomfortable realism of the subject matter, the mind of the abuse victim, the way the main character expresses herself: these things are illustrated with horrifying acuity.
I looked at the cover, read the synopsis, and expected a light, general horror read in spite of the author’s words to me when I purchased the book. I was wrong. This is a philosophically deep, gut-wrenching tale of horror.
Mangum has gone a step beyond psychological horror, beyond extreme horror, beyond the comfort zone of explaining things away. Saint Sadist is a shelf-worthy piece I will read again and again.
March 2, 2019
'Saint Sadist' is the epitome of transgressive excellence. It showcases a daring author at the height of his unearthly powers, and should be a must-read for any and all horror aficionados. Mangum writes with purity and confidence; he tackles difficult topics such as incest, trauma, religious fanaticism, and cult mentality, but he never falters under the weight of his subject matter. The idiosyncratic nature of his style is indicative of a talented writer who has a self-assured command over his narrative voice, as well as a deep understanding of the tonal nuances necessary for a work of this magnitude.
It's books like this one that give me hope for the future of challenging literature.
It's books like this one that give me hope for the future of challenging literature.
August 10, 2020
I read this in one sitting. The beginning was so horrifying, it sucked me in until the end.
However, if incest, prostitution and sexual situations bother you, this is not the book for you.
There's a sickly sweet allure to Courtney's journey. Once you get to know this trainwreck of a person, you have to know what happens.
Hightly recommended for fans of Jack Ketchum.
However, if incest, prostitution and sexual situations bother you, this is not the book for you.
There's a sickly sweet allure to Courtney's journey. Once you get to know this trainwreck of a person, you have to know what happens.
Hightly recommended for fans of Jack Ketchum.
September 20, 2021
This is a novella of fine writing. Some parts of it were almost poetic. There are a couple of cringe worthy scenes. I really enjoyed the story, and at one point I wished it were longer. I usually love novellas, but I would have loved learning more about the cult. It did get kinda weird towards the end, but then it got normal again and redeemed itself.
March 30, 2020
"If you're triggered by reading this, imagine living it." This is a quote from the book that made me stop and start writing my review even before finishing. I didn't want to forget the quote (the scene the quote was about, yes I would really like to forget that one, please! Maybe a little mental bleach would help? Anyone have bleach?? Please!!!)
After finishing I'm still trying to wrap my head around this story. There are moments that are very uncomfortable to read about. The author does a great job of navigating some awful, and sometimes disgusting, situations. This book was well written and the characters fleshed out in a way that made then seem very real. This is extream horror with some beautiful and horrific writing that deals with topics of abuse, incest, sex, cults, religion and more sex. If the topics of religions or sex bothers you, you may want to consider skipping this one.
The story revolves around Courtney, a 19 year old pregnant with her father's child. Since the age of 12 she has been sexually and physically abused by her father. When she finds she is pregnant she decides to run away to try to give her child a better life. Unfortunately she ends up having to sell her body to make money. After a car accident leaves her broken on the side of the road a cult finds her and takes her to their Homestead to recover. There she meets Ambrose, the charismatic leader of the cult, the "sexy Aryan Jesus." He convinces her to join their cult. She feels like this might be a place that can accept her and her unborn child. Then everything goes downhill in a spectacular fashion! Courteney needs to find a way out, but it won't be easy to leave, and where would she go? But returning to her father might be better then what the cult may have in store for her.
So read this book at your own risk. If blasphemy bothers you ohhhh please don't read this!!! But if it doesn't this is a good book and worth reading. I'm not religious and still there were scenes that bothered me but overall I really did like the story.
After finishing I'm still trying to wrap my head around this story. There are moments that are very uncomfortable to read about. The author does a great job of navigating some awful, and sometimes disgusting, situations. This book was well written and the characters fleshed out in a way that made then seem very real. This is extream horror with some beautiful and horrific writing that deals with topics of abuse, incest, sex, cults, religion and more sex. If the topics of religions or sex bothers you, you may want to consider skipping this one.
The story revolves around Courtney, a 19 year old pregnant with her father's child. Since the age of 12 she has been sexually and physically abused by her father. When she finds she is pregnant she decides to run away to try to give her child a better life. Unfortunately she ends up having to sell her body to make money. After a car accident leaves her broken on the side of the road a cult finds her and takes her to their Homestead to recover. There she meets Ambrose, the charismatic leader of the cult, the "sexy Aryan Jesus." He convinces her to join their cult. She feels like this might be a place that can accept her and her unborn child. Then everything goes downhill in a spectacular fashion! Courteney needs to find a way out, but it won't be easy to leave, and where would she go? But returning to her father might be better then what the cult may have in store for her.
So read this book at your own risk. If blasphemy bothers you ohhhh please don't read this!!! But if it doesn't this is a good book and worth reading. I'm not religious and still there were scenes that bothered me but overall I really did like the story.
July 12, 2020
Warning: This book is not an easy read. It's beautifully written, but the subject matter is disturbing and told from the first person point of view. This means there is little (actually no) break or distance from the horror of rape and molestation and the trials that Courtney, the protagonist, endures as she falls prey--pregnant with her father's baby, no less--to a doomsday cult. The payoff, however, is her final confrontation with the cult and its leader in an ascendancy that is absolutely fitting even though I never saw it coming. Lucas Mangum does a terrific job building the story through vivid description, rich language, and visions inspired by Paradise Lost that will rattle even the most jaded sensibility. This book is about suffering, madness, and monsters who prey upon us by befriending us (or begetting us) and sucking us into their nightmares. As a testament to its effectiveness, it feels like there's a much higher body count and a lot more blood spilled in this story than there actually is. If you made it through Jack Ketchum's The Girl Next Door, you will have much to appreciate in the horrific world of Saint Sadist.
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