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Different Beasts
Canada's answer to Chuck Palahniuk.
A bear runs amok in a luxury hotel. A daily swim at the local pool becomes a question of life or death. The champion of a border wall faces an unexpected adversary.
The twelve stories in Different Beasts ask what it means to be both human and monster. Shape-shifting waifs, haunted stuffies, scavenging drones, insectoid demon-gods, and mutant angels all come to life in this wildly imagined debut. As do broken soldiers, disgraced politicians, tired parents, ogres and children, opportunists, and desperate survivors -- human beasts each struggling with the animalian aspects of their nature.
In this wild, fantastical, viscerally memorable debut, J.R. McConvey explores the power dynamics that undergird social relationships and crystallize into structures of fealty and worship, fear and control, aspiration and desire.
A bear runs amok in a luxury hotel. A daily swim at the local pool becomes a question of life or death. The champion of a border wall faces an unexpected adversary.
The twelve stories in Different Beasts ask what it means to be both human and monster. Shape-shifting waifs, haunted stuffies, scavenging drones, insectoid demon-gods, and mutant angels all come to life in this wildly imagined debut. As do broken soldiers, disgraced politicians, tired parents, ogres and children, opportunists, and desperate survivors -- human beasts each struggling with the animalian aspects of their nature.
In this wild, fantastical, viscerally memorable debut, J.R. McConvey explores the power dynamics that undergird social relationships and crystallize into structures of fealty and worship, fear and control, aspiration and desire.
210 pages, Paperback
First published September 17, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 3, 2020
Ok, totally ignore the "Canada's answer to Chuck Palahniuk" statement in the blurb. I think that will set people up with the wrong expectations. There is 'monstrousness' or 'beastliness' here but is more nuanced than it would be in a Chuck Palahniuk novel. I am not bashing CP, he just uses a lot more shock and horror and gruesomeness so this would seem pretty tame if that is what you are going into it for. I like the theme and how it runs throughout the stories, even if I think some are more successful than others. It was a fun read while making me consider how we are all a little monstrous!
June 12, 2023
Jazz- 'Different Beasts' is made up of 12 short stories, each with their own plot and characters but all maintaining the same theme: the ways in which humans can be monsters. It dives into some of the worst aspects of humanity, such as racism, human trafficking, and torture, and sometimes portrays a point through supernatural means; for example, in 'Sheepasnörus Rex,' a white noise device in the form of a stuffed animal terrorizes the main character as a demon and appears to seize his soul, which probably wouldn’t happen in real life. Most stories, however, are shown in a more realistic (albeit uncanny) manner, with 7 or 8 out of 12 containing no mention of possible otherworldliness at all— 'The Last Ham' might be able to go either way.
It is not always immediately clear what the point of the story is, what message the author wants the reader to take from it. Meanings are sometimes buried deep in layers of metaphors and strange mentalities I don’t particularly understand. In 'Between the Pickles,' there is a human finger found in a burger from a fast-food chain. Nobody knows how or why it ended up there. The wrapper of the burger can’t make a scene out of fear of deportation, and the burger ends up in the hands of someone else at the company, who, despite finding it disgusting, consumes it in front of the CEO in hopes of selling it intentionally. This somehow works, the CEO having found the idea intriguing and then approving it. I am not completely sure what I am supposed to take from this story; perhaps that those in golden towers are willing to do horrible things for petty reasons and can get away with it? It is an interesting tale nonetheless, easily fitting with the overall theme, but I cannot help but feel that occasionally, with these stories, I am missing something important. This isn’t a negative thing— some narratives require more rumination in order to comprehend the bigger picture, which builds useful critical thinking skills. I will likely need to expand upon mine in the future.
J.R. McConvey is a good storyteller, having been able to hold my attention by utilizing a particular style of writing throughout each story. I felt that I was really able to connect with most of the characters, see their thought process, even when that process involved things I very strongly disagree with. In 'Neutral Buoyancy,' as an example of a well-written mental state, I could near-tangibly feel the main character’s determination to survive, obsession with routine, disassociation about the situation, and guilt about her near-inaction through the text on the page. This is a very strong quality in writing, and so I am impressed.
Overall, I would recommend this book. It contains remarkably interesting anecdotes and perspectives on human behaviour, which I know many would benefit from reading. However, I do not think I can forgive the author for what happened to the dog in 'The Streetcar Goes Sideways Down Cherry Street.' I will remember that story for horrible, horrible reasons. I do not wish to deter future readers, but I would warn them to be prepared for future mental anguish.
Therefore, I give Different Beasts a 4 out of 5. Thanks for reading!
I recommend this book.
It is not always immediately clear what the point of the story is, what message the author wants the reader to take from it. Meanings are sometimes buried deep in layers of metaphors and strange mentalities I don’t particularly understand. In 'Between the Pickles,' there is a human finger found in a burger from a fast-food chain. Nobody knows how or why it ended up there. The wrapper of the burger can’t make a scene out of fear of deportation, and the burger ends up in the hands of someone else at the company, who, despite finding it disgusting, consumes it in front of the CEO in hopes of selling it intentionally. This somehow works, the CEO having found the idea intriguing and then approving it. I am not completely sure what I am supposed to take from this story; perhaps that those in golden towers are willing to do horrible things for petty reasons and can get away with it? It is an interesting tale nonetheless, easily fitting with the overall theme, but I cannot help but feel that occasionally, with these stories, I am missing something important. This isn’t a negative thing— some narratives require more rumination in order to comprehend the bigger picture, which builds useful critical thinking skills. I will likely need to expand upon mine in the future.
J.R. McConvey is a good storyteller, having been able to hold my attention by utilizing a particular style of writing throughout each story. I felt that I was really able to connect with most of the characters, see their thought process, even when that process involved things I very strongly disagree with. In 'Neutral Buoyancy,' as an example of a well-written mental state, I could near-tangibly feel the main character’s determination to survive, obsession with routine, disassociation about the situation, and guilt about her near-inaction through the text on the page. This is a very strong quality in writing, and so I am impressed.
Overall, I would recommend this book. It contains remarkably interesting anecdotes and perspectives on human behaviour, which I know many would benefit from reading. However, I do not think I can forgive the author for what happened to the dog in 'The Streetcar Goes Sideways Down Cherry Street.' I will remember that story for horrible, horrible reasons. I do not wish to deter future readers, but I would warn them to be prepared for future mental anguish.
Therefore, I give Different Beasts a 4 out of 5. Thanks for reading!
I recommend this book.
September 22, 2020
I read this book as one of the other novelists short-listed for the Kobo Rakuten Emerging Writer Prize in Speculative Fiction. Almost from the first page, I anticipated that McConvey would be the ultimate winner of the prize (and he was), given the depth and control of his writing. While I am not a horror fan, I did appreciate the sense of dread and horror that underlay many of the stories. I appreciated many of the stories for their uniqueness of perspective and the willingness to explore different ideas. An enjoyable read.
March 12, 2020
As I am not a big fan of contemporary fiction, I found I could not finish this book of short stories. As such, my rating is based on my reading up to and including Pavilion, a would-be gothic horror set in my hometown of Kingston Ontario, which is not a setting for any kind of horror, IMHO. Unless it was the old Kingston Pen. But Sir John A as a disciple of a giant cockroach from another dimension? Umm, OK. Moving on to another book.
October 15, 2019
I loved it. Be prepared to explore your dark side, but know that you will take that trip through writing that is of the highest skill and quality. McConvey has a gift for creating palpable environments resulting in gripping narratives whose already interesting characters are augmented by this gift for mood and scene.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
September 21, 2020
5 star review coming to Kendall Reviews!
January 29, 2020
An excellent, eclectic collection of approachable stories about human nature and the things we do to survive, protect, and even love. The stories are not connected, but they tell the truth about the dark side of each one of us. Thought-provoking, funny, and magical, without pretense.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews