What do you think?
Rate this book
Mutter
Holly ist nicht mehr sie selbst.
Früher einmal war sie eine schöne junge Frau gewesen – gesund, kräftig und voller Liebe zu ihrem Mann Richard. Als sie schwanger wurde, war er wie berauscht gewesen. Endlich würden sie ein gemeinsames Kind bekommen, um ihr Glück perfekt zu machen.
Doch dann beginnt sich Holly zu verändern.
Sie fängt an, seltsame alte Bücher zu lesen und sich viel mit der mysteriösen Hebamme Mrs. Crouch abzugeben. Mit jedem Tag verschwindet mehr von der Frau, die Richard geheiratet hat, und verwandelt sich schrittweise in etwas Böses, Monströses.
Das Kind, welches sie in sich trägt, ist nicht von ihm. Tatsächlich ist es nicht einmal menschlich.
Es ist ein unaussprechliches, höllisches Grauen, und Holly wird es zur Welt bringen.
Früher einmal war sie eine schöne junge Frau gewesen – gesund, kräftig und voller Liebe zu ihrem Mann Richard. Als sie schwanger wurde, war er wie berauscht gewesen. Endlich würden sie ein gemeinsames Kind bekommen, um ihr Glück perfekt zu machen.
Doch dann beginnt sich Holly zu verändern.
Sie fängt an, seltsame alte Bücher zu lesen und sich viel mit der mysteriösen Hebamme Mrs. Crouch abzugeben. Mit jedem Tag verschwindet mehr von der Frau, die Richard geheiratet hat, und verwandelt sich schrittweise in etwas Böses, Monströses.
Das Kind, welches sie in sich trägt, ist nicht von ihm. Tatsächlich ist es nicht einmal menschlich.
Es ist ein unaussprechliches, höllisches Grauen, und Holly wird es zur Welt bringen.
118 pages, Paperback
First published July 7, 2013
6 people are currently reading
327 people want to read
About the author
Tim Curran
149 books599 followersTim Curran lives in Michigan and is the author of the novels Skin Medicine, Hive, Dead Sea, Resurrection, The Devil Next Door, and Biohazard, as well as the novella The Corpse King. His short stories have appeared in such magazines as City Slab, Flesh&Blood, Book of Dark Wisdom, and Inhuman, and anthologies such as Shivers IV, High Seas Cthulhu, and Vile Things.
For DarkFuse and its imprints, he has written the bestselling The Underdwelling, the Readers Choice-Nominated novella Fear Me, Puppet Graveyard as well as Long Black Coffin.
Find him on the web at: www.corpseking.com.
For DarkFuse and its imprints, he has written the bestselling The Underdwelling, the Readers Choice-Nominated novella Fear Me, Puppet Graveyard as well as Long Black Coffin.
Find him on the web at: www.corpseking.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
April 14, 2020
i'll give you a second to read the description of the book:
Holly is not herself.
She was once a pretty young woman, healthy and strong, completely devoted to her husband Richard. When she became pregnant, he was ecstatic. They would finally have a child to complete their love.
But then Holly began to change.
She began reading strange, old books and consorting with a mysterious midwife named Mrs. Crouch. Day by day, she becomes less like the woman Richard married, slowly degenerating into something evil and monstrous.
The child she carries is not his. In fact, it's not even human.
Holly is about to unleash hell into the world.
in another author's hands, this could have easily become a psychological suspense-y type book springing from that male discomfort with the feminine mystery of fertility and childbirth, and the fear of impending fatherhood and its responsibilities, where there might be an ambiguous disconnect between what he "sees" and what really "is." is he going mad, or has his wife in fact turned into a giant pig-creature with a terrifying number of nipples and a demon watchdog-creature glowering malevolently nearby??? do others see what he sees, or is this all simply delusion?
but not with tim curran.
tim curran writes about giant worms coming up out of the sewer to kill people through their genitals, after all.
he's not going to be coy.
this is not anything more than what it appears to be on the surface: a woman turned into an incubator for a dark and ancient power. a dark and ancient power that will not let anything prevent it from being born, least of all some puny human who has been rather foolishly attached to the body of his wife before it got taken over by the eeeevil. silly puny human. you, your friends, your furniture, your genitals….. none are safe from THE SOW!!
wonderful sicko fun.
come to my blog!
December 1, 2016
Richard is convinced his pregnant wife Holly is possessed and carrying something unholy within her womb. Does it have something to do the centuries old account of a witch she'd been reading about or is Richard simply going out of his mind?
This is the seventh book in my Kindle Unlimited Experiment. For the 30 day trial, I'm only reading books that are part of the program and keeping track what the total cost of the books would have been.
With the rise of the e-book, the novella is making a comeback as a viable form of writing. Tim Curran is pretty damn good at using that form.
Sow is a revolting tale of a man and his bedridden, pregnant wife. As the pregnancy progresses and she continues changing, it quickly becomes apparent that things aren't exactly kosher. It plays on the fact that men can never know what it's like to be pregnant and runs with it.
I just mentioned the tale is revolting. As far as I know, it's the only time I've ever felt nauseous from something I've read. Holly's transformation is disgusting, especially during the later stages. The book didn't end quite like I wanted it to but it was pretty apparent early on that it wasn't going to be a joyous pig roast at the end.
The DarkFuse novella series continues to knock them out of the park. I'm really glad this was a novella and not a full length book since I don't think I could have stomached much more. 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Current Kindle Unlimited Savings Total: $38.11.
This is the seventh book in my Kindle Unlimited Experiment. For the 30 day trial, I'm only reading books that are part of the program and keeping track what the total cost of the books would have been.
With the rise of the e-book, the novella is making a comeback as a viable form of writing. Tim Curran is pretty damn good at using that form.
Sow is a revolting tale of a man and his bedridden, pregnant wife. As the pregnancy progresses and she continues changing, it quickly becomes apparent that things aren't exactly kosher. It plays on the fact that men can never know what it's like to be pregnant and runs with it.
I just mentioned the tale is revolting. As far as I know, it's the only time I've ever felt nauseous from something I've read. Holly's transformation is disgusting, especially during the later stages. The book didn't end quite like I wanted it to but it was pretty apparent early on that it wasn't going to be a joyous pig roast at the end.
The DarkFuse novella series continues to knock them out of the park. I'm really glad this was a novella and not a full length book since I don't think I could have stomached much more. 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Current Kindle Unlimited Savings Total: $38.11.
July 22, 2013
4.5 stars!
This book put me off of bacon. Forever. I will never again enjoy a pork chop or a pulled pork sandwich. OK, I may be exaggerating a little bit. But seriously? I won't be eating any pork at all for a while.
A previously happy couple have their lives turned upside down. However, the pregnant wife (Holly) is not privy to any of it. How could that be? You will have to read this to find out.
Tim Curran, once again, showcases his talents for description. Especially his descriptions of loathsome and revolting things. Some of the scenes in this book necessitate the use of brain bleach. Since such a thing does not exist, expect these scenes to live on in all their nastiness in said brain, for a long time to come.
Once again, the Darkfuse Kindle Club delivers. The novellas released by this publisher have time and again impressed the hell out of me. Most especially those by Tim Curran, such as Fear Me and Puppet Graveyard. Mr. Curran has fast become one of my favorite authors and Darkfuse one of my favorite publishers. I know when I receive my novel and novella every month that they will be top notch reads. I don't have to wade through reviews or ask my friends because I KNOW they will be good.
As far as SOW goes, if disgusting descriptions make you laugh or wince, but you still continue reading anyway? SOW is for you. Buy it now! (But eat some bacon before you start reading, because AFTER reading, you may not be eating bacon again for a long, long time.)
This book put me off of bacon. Forever. I will never again enjoy a pork chop or a pulled pork sandwich. OK, I may be exaggerating a little bit. But seriously? I won't be eating any pork at all for a while.
A previously happy couple have their lives turned upside down. However, the pregnant wife (Holly) is not privy to any of it. How could that be? You will have to read this to find out.
Tim Curran, once again, showcases his talents for description. Especially his descriptions of loathsome and revolting things. Some of the scenes in this book necessitate the use of brain bleach. Since such a thing does not exist, expect these scenes to live on in all their nastiness in said brain, for a long time to come.
Once again, the Darkfuse Kindle Club delivers. The novellas released by this publisher have time and again impressed the hell out of me. Most especially those by Tim Curran, such as Fear Me and Puppet Graveyard. Mr. Curran has fast become one of my favorite authors and Darkfuse one of my favorite publishers. I know when I receive my novel and novella every month that they will be top notch reads. I don't have to wade through reviews or ask my friends because I KNOW they will be good.
As far as SOW goes, if disgusting descriptions make you laugh or wince, but you still continue reading anyway? SOW is for you. Buy it now! (But eat some bacon before you start reading, because AFTER reading, you may not be eating bacon again for a long, long time.)
July 13, 2013
First off, a word of advice: this is NOT the story you want to read before making dinner for your family. The images and smells that Curran conjures with his words have the power to actually nauseate you! By the time you have finished this amazing novella, you'll find yourself physically needing to scrub yourself clean.
His characters, as usual, come alive instantly, and are so well fleshed out that you feel like you're actually witnessing the scenes before you. It takes a true master to take something so impossible, and turn it into something that actually feels plausible while you're reading. This is what Tim Curran does so well. I have read many novels/novellas by him that easily fall into my "top ten"--SOW has just join the ranks, among other favorites such as PUPPET GRAVEYARD, and FEAR ME.
Highly recommended!
His characters, as usual, come alive instantly, and are so well fleshed out that you feel like you're actually witnessing the scenes before you. It takes a true master to take something so impossible, and turn it into something that actually feels plausible while you're reading. This is what Tim Curran does so well. I have read many novels/novellas by him that easily fall into my "top ten"--SOW has just join the ranks, among other favorites such as PUPPET GRAVEYARD, and FEAR ME.
Highly recommended!
September 7, 2013
Rated 4.5*
I've read only a few of Currans novellas but Sow is another rock solid read from him. The book cranks up the tension from the start when the father to be, Richard, is wondering about the strange transformation of his pregnant wife, Holly. In the beginning you wonder if Richard is actually imagining it all but as Holly's behaviour becomes more bizarre it becomes clear there's a lot more at play.
This was such a fun read. I'm a big fan of gruesome, disgusting horror so this was right up my alley. The writing is so vivid that at time you feel like you're placed right in the action, able to smell and feel everything that Richard is describing. I'm extremely glad I couldn't as some of the scenes are stomach churning.
Highly recommended.
I've read only a few of Currans novellas but Sow is another rock solid read from him. The book cranks up the tension from the start when the father to be, Richard, is wondering about the strange transformation of his pregnant wife, Holly. In the beginning you wonder if Richard is actually imagining it all but as Holly's behaviour becomes more bizarre it becomes clear there's a lot more at play.
This was such a fun read. I'm a big fan of gruesome, disgusting horror so this was right up my alley. The writing is so vivid that at time you feel like you're placed right in the action, able to smell and feel everything that Richard is describing. I'm extremely glad I couldn't as some of the scenes are stomach churning.
Highly recommended.
November 16, 2014
I hated this story. Everything I write will be biased because I hate pigs.
With that out of the way, let me explain why I hated it and why I am not rating it lower. I hated it because one of the most prominent things in this story is a huge, disgusting sow. What saves it?
First, I knew what I am getting into when I started reading it. The blurb is quite clear without being spoiler-y.
Second, it has paranormal elements - that definitely saves it since I am not a fan of real life horror stories. I know people do horrible things, I don't need to be reminded of that when I want to be entertained.
Third, Tim Curran has a way with words when it comes to describing terrible things. The imagery he creates is quite powerful, here even nauseating. This is one of the most disgusting stories I've ever read; to use his own words it is appalling and offensive. I was sickened by the changes Richard's wife goes through, her behaviour and physical descriptions.
The thing is, I do see how well written this story is. I still hate it. I wish I skipped it.
With that out of the way, let me explain why I hated it and why I am not rating it lower. I hated it because one of the most prominent things in this story is a huge, disgusting sow. What saves it?
First, I knew what I am getting into when I started reading it. The blurb is quite clear without being spoiler-y.
Second, it has paranormal elements - that definitely saves it since I am not a fan of real life horror stories. I know people do horrible things, I don't need to be reminded of that when I want to be entertained.
Third, Tim Curran has a way with words when it comes to describing terrible things. The imagery he creates is quite powerful, here even nauseating. This is one of the most disgusting stories I've ever read; to use his own words it is appalling and offensive. I was sickened by the changes Richard's wife goes through, her behaviour and physical descriptions.
The thing is, I do see how well written this story is. I still hate it. I wish I skipped it.
Want to read
July 10, 2017This mini-hardcover is copy 17 of 100 copies produced. signed by Tim Curran.
March 11, 2014
Richard’s joy at his wife’s pregnancy is extremely short lived as his bed-ridden wife Holly changes before his eyes, possessed it seems by something completely evil, yet gone in an instant as soon as visitors appear.
His wife now reads a very old book on witchcraft and has a strange mid-wife that only visits when he’s out. He must backtrack and find out what’s transformed his wife from a loving person to an old witch with ancient and diabolical intentions.
This is disgustingly dark fiction from a warped mind but what an imagination Tim Curran has and it’s well worth exploring, I now have the majority of his work and plan to read it all this year.
His wife now reads a very old book on witchcraft and has a strange mid-wife that only visits when he’s out. He must backtrack and find out what’s transformed his wife from a loving person to an old witch with ancient and diabolical intentions.
This is disgustingly dark fiction from a warped mind but what an imagination Tim Curran has and it’s well worth exploring, I now have the majority of his work and plan to read it all this year.
November 16, 2015
It may not be the most memorable Tim Curran novella; in fact, it may not even be in the best five of his books I've read. But Sow is a dense, descriptive ride into the darkness of a different kind of possession.
Sow goes where you think a Tim Curran book will go, and offers little in the way of surprises, but there are some very intense scenes where Curran effectively conveys the helpless horror of his protagonist.
And as always, Curran's eloquent, evocative prose is on display, with some wonderfully written moments - even if he does occasionally slip into unnecessary detail, and this slows the pace of what should be a fast pulse-pounding read down to a stuttering staccato.
Recommended to fans of Curran or body horror.
3.5 Squeals of an Animal Kind (3 Here; 4 on Amazon) for Sow.
Sow goes where you think a Tim Curran book will go, and offers little in the way of surprises, but there are some very intense scenes where Curran effectively conveys the helpless horror of his protagonist.
And as always, Curran's eloquent, evocative prose is on display, with some wonderfully written moments - even if he does occasionally slip into unnecessary detail, and this slows the pace of what should be a fast pulse-pounding read down to a stuttering staccato.
Recommended to fans of Curran or body horror.
3.5 Squeals of an Animal Kind (3 Here; 4 on Amazon) for Sow.
July 12, 2013
With this seed I do sow.
Seeds of evil do grow,
within my loins do they burrow.
For in the sowing of my oats.
A force took over to corrupt.
I did not get to say my goodbyes.
It smothered my soul in the blink of an eye.
by Nikki
The story of Holly being taken over by an entity during her pregnancy is a sad one. Her and her husband Richard didn't seem to have a chance at fighting what was stealing their happiness and ruining their family.
I think that is the reason this read did not get more stars. It was hopeless. When Richard thought he could be strong, the witch would implant some images in his mind to cow him.
The descriptions were well done, but his execution is still off. Where were the twists and hills? We walked a predictable line to a predictable ending. There were no detours or unexpected hail-Mary's. And having the baby name be Damien was lame.
Still, Tim is a good writer. I just expect more. I can see his work on the big screen like King. He just needs some hidden doorways and forks in the road.
Seeds of evil do grow,
within my loins do they burrow.
For in the sowing of my oats.
A force took over to corrupt.
I did not get to say my goodbyes.
It smothered my soul in the blink of an eye.
by Nikki
The story of Holly being taken over by an entity during her pregnancy is a sad one. Her and her husband Richard didn't seem to have a chance at fighting what was stealing their happiness and ruining their family.
I think that is the reason this read did not get more stars. It was hopeless. When Richard thought he could be strong, the witch would implant some images in his mind to cow him.
The descriptions were well done, but his execution is still off. Where were the twists and hills? We walked a predictable line to a predictable ending. There were no detours or unexpected hail-Mary's. And having the baby name be Damien was lame.
Still, Tim is a good writer. I just expect more. I can see his work on the big screen like King. He just needs some hidden doorways and forks in the road.
July 9, 2013
Tim Curran is one of my favorite authors and he does not disappoint with Sow. Tim wastes no time thrusting us into the upside down world of Robert and Holly, who are expecting their first child. It hits the fan in a big way and needless to say the pregnancy does not go as planned. As a matter of fact they go very, very wrong. Ancient evil has come to breed and is using Roberts’s wife as the incubator.
Tim’s colorfully nasty and descriptive prose is absolutely amazing and as usual, he weaves one hell of a tale. At times while I was reading this, I swear I could almost taste the fetid smell of pig sh*t. The character Pigwicken was classic! Curran has some serious issues...(and I’m glad) 4.5 Stars! Highly Recommended!
Tim’s colorfully nasty and descriptive prose is absolutely amazing and as usual, he weaves one hell of a tale. At times while I was reading this, I swear I could almost taste the fetid smell of pig sh*t. The character Pigwicken was classic! Curran has some serious issues...(and I’m glad) 4.5 Stars! Highly Recommended!
December 19, 2014
I tried, I really tried to like this book. It just didn't happen. I truth the book is fantastic, amazingly well written. Characterization with astounding depth. Detail - the filth pours from the page. One can really understand and feel the disgust experienced within it's pages. Unfortunately, with all of this going for it, I just couldn't get into it. I have seen all of the reviews written by readers who loved it and wished I was one of them. I have other books by the author in my collection and I will be giving Tim Curran another chance.
Read
August 8, 2013Tim Curran is the poet laureate of the grotesque.
June 30, 2013
A young married couple, deeply in love, prepares for the joy of having their first child, and life is perfect. Cue the soft focus, birds chirping, happy sunshine, right? Nothing can ruin this time in their lives. Don’t be too sure about that. Enter the vilest of evils, far beyond spinning head and projectile green vomit! We are not talking pregnancy hormonal changes or pre-fatherly fears, we are talking evil, dark, malevolent, foul.
Nothing could have prepared me for Sow by Tim Curran. Nothing. If you’re like me and tend to enter the world created by the author by jumping in with both feet, I suggest you watch where you step! Oh, and do NOT eat prior to or during the reading of Sow, and maybe you might want to hold your breath, close your eyes and stuff your ears with cotton! I swear I was in a nightmare I couldn’t wake up from! Did I put the book down? Oh heck, no! Will I ever look at bacon the same? Probably not for a long time! As a matter of fact, Sow could be THE secret weapon in the battle to lose a few pounds, just read or think of one of many select passages and voila! No appetite!
Tim Curran has a gift, a HUGE gift for building each scene and filling it with such graphic detail, the images will be forever burned into my mind, every hair, every fly, and every bodily fluid. The thoughts and actions of his characters had me giving mental advice, trying to will it through my Kindle. For imagination and execution Sow and Tim Curran deserve 5 stars, the creepy-gross-disgust factor alone is off the charts! So, you’re all thinking I loved this book-NOPE, I loved the author’s creative genius, and I'm going to take the average of the two ratings in my mind.
An ARC edition was provided by NetGalley and Darkfuse in exchange for my honest review.
Expected Publication Date: July 30, 2013
Publisher: Darkfuse
Genre: Horror, Sci-fi, Dark Fantasy
Age Recommendation: Adult
My Rating: 3 stars
For more reviews check out Tome Tender's Book Blog or find us on Facebook.
Nothing could have prepared me for Sow by Tim Curran. Nothing. If you’re like me and tend to enter the world created by the author by jumping in with both feet, I suggest you watch where you step! Oh, and do NOT eat prior to or during the reading of Sow, and maybe you might want to hold your breath, close your eyes and stuff your ears with cotton! I swear I was in a nightmare I couldn’t wake up from! Did I put the book down? Oh heck, no! Will I ever look at bacon the same? Probably not for a long time! As a matter of fact, Sow could be THE secret weapon in the battle to lose a few pounds, just read or think of one of many select passages and voila! No appetite!
Tim Curran has a gift, a HUGE gift for building each scene and filling it with such graphic detail, the images will be forever burned into my mind, every hair, every fly, and every bodily fluid. The thoughts and actions of his characters had me giving mental advice, trying to will it through my Kindle. For imagination and execution Sow and Tim Curran deserve 5 stars, the creepy-gross-disgust factor alone is off the charts! So, you’re all thinking I loved this book-NOPE, I loved the author’s creative genius, and I'm going to take the average of the two ratings in my mind.
An ARC edition was provided by NetGalley and Darkfuse in exchange for my honest review.
Expected Publication Date: July 30, 2013
Publisher: Darkfuse
Genre: Horror, Sci-fi, Dark Fantasy
Age Recommendation: Adult
My Rating: 3 stars
For more reviews check out Tome Tender's Book Blog or find us on Facebook.
February 21, 2015
Curran is the master at describing a scene. By the time he's done setting it up, you can not only see it in your mind, you can smell it, taste it, hear it, and feel it down in the marrow of your bones. Sow is no exception. My gag reflex was on autopilot as he made me experience all the nastiness of the sow and it's living conditions. But Sow is not simply an exercise in grossing you out. The story is a clever take on pregnancy, haunted houses and witchcraft and Curran weaves them all together in an expertly crafted brew that will stay with you long after you've put it down. So sit down at your breakfast table with that delicious plate of crispy bacon and enjoy Sow. I dare ya.
5 out of 5 stars
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2J1...
TWITTER - @KenMcKinley5
5 out of 5 stars
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2J1...
TWITTER - @KenMcKinley5
June 24, 2014
Richard has noticed his pregnant wife, Holly, has suddenly been not acting like herself, and not in the usual way befitting a woman soon to give birth to their first child. At first, its subtle, and he thinks its just hormones, but then she begins to change, her voice, moods, appetite suggest otherwise...and when she takes on the horrific appearance of an infamous midwife named Mrs. Crouch, Richard realizes what has happened to his beloved wife is nightmarish beyond comprehension. And he may be powerless to stop it.
Tim Curran has crafted another stunningly chilling novella that will never make you look at swine, or that lovely and delectable Easter ham, the same way again. And if you haven't read Curran, you should.
Tim Curran has crafted another stunningly chilling novella that will never make you look at swine, or that lovely and delectable Easter ham, the same way again. And if you haven't read Curran, you should.
August 29, 2013
As always, another creepy macabre story by Tim.
August 21, 2020
2.1/5 - Geschte 2v2 in diesem Doppelband.
So viele Fragen. Und dann: Ach egal.
So viele Fragen. Und dann: Ach egal.
August 29, 2013
Darkfuse is publishing great cutting edge horror these days by some of the best writers in the business. Not the biggest names like King and Koontz, however if you are serious about dark fiction, you know them well---or you should.
Tim Curran knows his roots and it shows in everything he writes. He is versed in the classics and his works echo with the voices of Lovecraft, Machen, Hodgson, M. R. James and Poe. However, his works are not pastiche, and Curran's own voice rips through like a buzz saw with the result being that his work reaches you on several levels.
From my reading of several other of his works I can tell you that you must prepare yourself before getting into one of his stories. The evil will be particularly invasive, personal and relentless, the tone will be dark enough to bend light, the scenes will be horrific and memorable and you will not be surprised when it does not go well for the parties involved.
Sow is a particularly nasty tale of possession. Bleak. Harrowing. Gruesome in the extreme.
Fair warning.
Tim Curran knows his roots and it shows in everything he writes. He is versed in the classics and his works echo with the voices of Lovecraft, Machen, Hodgson, M. R. James and Poe. However, his works are not pastiche, and Curran's own voice rips through like a buzz saw with the result being that his work reaches you on several levels.
From my reading of several other of his works I can tell you that you must prepare yourself before getting into one of his stories. The evil will be particularly invasive, personal and relentless, the tone will be dark enough to bend light, the scenes will be horrific and memorable and you will not be surprised when it does not go well for the parties involved.
Sow is a particularly nasty tale of possession. Bleak. Harrowing. Gruesome in the extreme.
Fair warning.
July 27, 2013
"Later on, Richard decided it was during the second trimester that his wife stopped being pregnant and started being possessed."
The rest of the novel was as awesome as that opening sentence.
The rest of the novel was as awesome as that opening sentence.
March 31, 2014
Thx Bill for lending me this book.
This was a quick read, read it the same day as Puppet Graveyard, found the second a bit better and maybe because I'm a sucker for happy endings...
Tim Curran has become for sure the author I will be reading, but after 3 books in a row, it's time to jump on something else.
This was a quick read, read it the same day as Puppet Graveyard, found the second a bit better and maybe because I'm a sucker for happy endings...
Tim Curran has become for sure the author I will be reading, but after 3 books in a row, it's time to jump on something else.
July 13, 2013
The story was great and the descriptions as always are amazing! Tim Curran does it once again!
July 11, 2013
Tim Curran is a master of imagery and the images this story brought to mind I would just as soon forget...it made me cringe!
June 27, 2021
Richard and Holly are a happy couple expecting to start a new life in a new home with a beautiful baby on the way, but Holly's mysterious midwife Mrs. Crouch has different plans for the married couple. Planting forbidden texts in Holly's room and turning her body into the surrogate vessel of a higher being, the mother-to-be begins to transform into something otherworldly as the child growing inside her is replaced by something sinister and ancient. Before the monster can be brought into the world, Richard has to find a way to stop the sadistic, bloated abomination that is now wearing his wife's skin.
Another fast-paced and disgusting thriller from Curran. The way he writes sensory details and body horror always makes me want to gag and take a shower. Sow is no exception. The situation takes the regular horrors of pregnancy and dials it up to a hundred with all kinds of gruesome details involving witchcraft, bloodbaths, human sacrifice, festering filth, satanic feasts and humans mimicking all the gross behaviors of literal pigs. Creepy, gross and surprisingly funny at times.
Another fast-paced and disgusting thriller from Curran. The way he writes sensory details and body horror always makes me want to gag and take a shower. Sow is no exception. The situation takes the regular horrors of pregnancy and dials it up to a hundred with all kinds of gruesome details involving witchcraft, bloodbaths, human sacrifice, festering filth, satanic feasts and humans mimicking all the gross behaviors of literal pigs. Creepy, gross and surprisingly funny at times.
March 6, 2025
Review to come.
September 8, 2013
Sow by Tim Curran is a novella depicts the worst kind of nightmare for expectant parents. Most parents-to-be are obsessed about morning sickness, fetal development, prenatal care, and comfort of the expectant mother. Richard and Holly, expecting their first child, are faced with something not covered in any how-to books on pregnancy. Holly becomes possessed by something unfathomable (a demon, a spirit of a witch from the 1600s?), and descends into the inescapable grasp of the monster. Richard, of course, is at his wits end trying to figure out exactly what is going on and what to do about it. Holly, who transforms into an old hag, taunts Richard unmercifully, but that image is nothing compared to the next transformation when the old hag/Holly transforms into a pig-like creature of primal origins - the stuff of pagan ritual. Richard’s efforts to deal with this madness and his fears about what exactly this “sow” is breeding comprise the bulk of the novella.
The novella is very well written (I only noticed two minor continuity errors). Mr. Curran has a strong grasp of his narrative and does not hold back on his description of the impact of this nightmare on Richard and a few other minor characters. Much of the story is pretty disgusting stuff: their bedroom takes on the appearance of a pigsty with rancid conditions, mud and fecal matter are everywhere, maggots and other revolting life forms permeate the story… feelings of revulsion are ever present. The author has Richard do some investigative work in an effort to understand the origins of this haunting, and succeeds in presenting an interesting historical backdrop. Much of the human backdrop is also revolting and dovetails well with the events Richard is experiencing.
The disgusting features of the story are the driving horror components in the work. This makes for unsettling storytelling, and certainly kept me reading to the ultimate conclusion. There were times when I was hoping for a little more than revulsion to propel the story forward, which did happen to some extend towards the end. While revulsion can be a supportive factor in a good horror tale, wallowing in gross-out descriptions (and we’re not talking about blood and guts here, but fetid conditions) carries you only so far. Nonetheless, Sow is a gripping novella and another good release from Darkfuse.
The novella is very well written (I only noticed two minor continuity errors). Mr. Curran has a strong grasp of his narrative and does not hold back on his description of the impact of this nightmare on Richard and a few other minor characters. Much of the story is pretty disgusting stuff: their bedroom takes on the appearance of a pigsty with rancid conditions, mud and fecal matter are everywhere, maggots and other revolting life forms permeate the story… feelings of revulsion are ever present. The author has Richard do some investigative work in an effort to understand the origins of this haunting, and succeeds in presenting an interesting historical backdrop. Much of the human backdrop is also revolting and dovetails well with the events Richard is experiencing.
The disgusting features of the story are the driving horror components in the work. This makes for unsettling storytelling, and certainly kept me reading to the ultimate conclusion. There were times when I was hoping for a little more than revulsion to propel the story forward, which did happen to some extend towards the end. While revulsion can be a supportive factor in a good horror tale, wallowing in gross-out descriptions (and we’re not talking about blood and guts here, but fetid conditions) carries you only so far. Nonetheless, Sow is a gripping novella and another good release from Darkfuse.
July 31, 2013
Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/reviews/...
Sow is a disgusting, vile little thing of a book. Surprisingly, those are its most redeeming qualities. If “The Exorcist” made you squirm, then Sow will definitely make you gag.
Richard’s wife, Holly, is pregnant. At first, everything is just peachy. Holly and the baby are doing great, and Richard couldn’t be prouder. But then, Holly begins to change. She goes through horrible episodes where she acts like a completely different person. Even her features begin to change. When other people are around, she still resembles the Holly Richard knew and fell in love with. But when they’re alone, she sometimes turns into a horrific, terrifying monster that makes Richard scared out of his mind.
If you’re looking ofr subtle horror, then I’ll tell you straight on, Sow isn’t for you. If they ever made this into a movie, it would be a lot more along the lines of “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” than “The Others”, in terms of horror, gore, and the what-the-fuck-oh-gross effect. Richard is a sorry character. At the start, it isn’t clear if he’s simply losing his mind, or something terrible is really going on. Nevertheless, his unwillingness to give up, also shows that he has more qualities than I first grave him credit for. Holly’s transformation is truly gruesome and frightening. I’m not usually scared of possession stories, like “The Exorcist”, but Sow hit a nerve with me. Now, on to the list of ‘scary stuff’, I’ll get to add pigs. Oh goodie.
What didn’t work for me, was the swearing however. When Holly completely turns into the Sow, there’s a lot of swearing, most unnecessary, and some scenes that are just plain yuck. They’re not even scary. Just ew. Also, the story of how Holly got possessed is predictable and bland.
There were some original elements here that stood out, and the writing was decent as well. However, there weren’t enough unpredictable twists and turns to make this a truly outstanding book. Especially at the end, the gore and disgusting events often overruled the scary aspects of the story.
A decent horror read, but not ideal for fans of subtle horror. I liked it, but it’s not one of my favourites.
Sow is a disgusting, vile little thing of a book. Surprisingly, those are its most redeeming qualities. If “The Exorcist” made you squirm, then Sow will definitely make you gag.
Richard’s wife, Holly, is pregnant. At first, everything is just peachy. Holly and the baby are doing great, and Richard couldn’t be prouder. But then, Holly begins to change. She goes through horrible episodes where she acts like a completely different person. Even her features begin to change. When other people are around, she still resembles the Holly Richard knew and fell in love with. But when they’re alone, she sometimes turns into a horrific, terrifying monster that makes Richard scared out of his mind.
If you’re looking ofr subtle horror, then I’ll tell you straight on, Sow isn’t for you. If they ever made this into a movie, it would be a lot more along the lines of “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” than “The Others”, in terms of horror, gore, and the what-the-fuck-oh-gross effect. Richard is a sorry character. At the start, it isn’t clear if he’s simply losing his mind, or something terrible is really going on. Nevertheless, his unwillingness to give up, also shows that he has more qualities than I first grave him credit for. Holly’s transformation is truly gruesome and frightening. I’m not usually scared of possession stories, like “The Exorcist”, but Sow hit a nerve with me. Now, on to the list of ‘scary stuff’, I’ll get to add pigs. Oh goodie.
What didn’t work for me, was the swearing however. When Holly completely turns into the Sow, there’s a lot of swearing, most unnecessary, and some scenes that are just plain yuck. They’re not even scary. Just ew. Also, the story of how Holly got possessed is predictable and bland.
There were some original elements here that stood out, and the writing was decent as well. However, there weren’t enough unpredictable twists and turns to make this a truly outstanding book. Especially at the end, the gore and disgusting events often overruled the scary aspects of the story.
A decent horror read, but not ideal for fans of subtle horror. I liked it, but it’s not one of my favourites.
February 20, 2020
Maljka - per RFS
.
Credo che questo sia uno dei più inquietanti e terrificanti libri mai letti in vita mia.
Uno di quei libri capaci di provocare incubi fino al momento in cui finalmente si giunge alla parola fine e il cervello può concentrarsi su un’altra lettura decisamente più leggera e frivola.
Holly e Richard sono i due protagonisti principali. Lei un tempo era una donna bella, sana e forte, completamente devota a suo marito Richard. Poi succede qualcosa. Il giorno in cui decidono di andare a vedere una vecchissima fattoria abbandonata per acquistarla e potervi costruire il loro futuro accade qualcosa di agghiacciante.
Quando lei è rimasta incinta, il marito è al settimo cielo. Finalmente avrebbero coronato il loro amore con la nascita di un figlio.
Richard è un uomo amorevole, che le dà tutte le attenzioni possibili pur essendo costretta a letto.
Un giorno Holly comincia a leggere strani e antichi libri e a frequentare una misteriosa levatrice chiamata Mrs. Crouch, una vecchietta alquanto arzilla e inquietante che tutto sembra fuorché ciò che dice di essere. Giorno dopo giorno, la protagonista è sempre meno simile alla donna che Richard ha sposato, degenerando lentamente in qualcosa di malvagio e mostruoso.
Il bambino che porta in grembo non è suo… anzi, non è neppure umano.
Tutto sembra riportare a una vecchia leggenda di possessione accaduta nell’Essex: Alizon Clove, era una vecchia pazza impiccata per stregoneria nel 1584, che durante il processo sosteneva di aver venduto la sua anima a un demone pagano chiamato vecchio Jack Hobb. Da qui in poi la storia si sviluppa, ma non voglio svelare altro per lasciarvi con il fiato sospeso.
E’ un romanzo disturbante e perverso che molte volte, leggendolo la notte, mi ha causato incubi. Tim Curran fa un ottimo lavoro nel narrare la storia dei personaggi, includendo feedback e leggende che creano un’atmosfera cupa e terrificante nel cervello del lettore. I personaggi sono estremamente realistici e ricchi di spessore, così come le ambientazioni stesse.
Un romanzo breve ma assolutamente da leggere se volete provare il brivido del terrore.
.
Credo che questo sia uno dei più inquietanti e terrificanti libri mai letti in vita mia.
Uno di quei libri capaci di provocare incubi fino al momento in cui finalmente si giunge alla parola fine e il cervello può concentrarsi su un’altra lettura decisamente più leggera e frivola.
Holly e Richard sono i due protagonisti principali. Lei un tempo era una donna bella, sana e forte, completamente devota a suo marito Richard. Poi succede qualcosa. Il giorno in cui decidono di andare a vedere una vecchissima fattoria abbandonata per acquistarla e potervi costruire il loro futuro accade qualcosa di agghiacciante.
Quando lei è rimasta incinta, il marito è al settimo cielo. Finalmente avrebbero coronato il loro amore con la nascita di un figlio.
Richard è un uomo amorevole, che le dà tutte le attenzioni possibili pur essendo costretta a letto.
Un giorno Holly comincia a leggere strani e antichi libri e a frequentare una misteriosa levatrice chiamata Mrs. Crouch, una vecchietta alquanto arzilla e inquietante che tutto sembra fuorché ciò che dice di essere. Giorno dopo giorno, la protagonista è sempre meno simile alla donna che Richard ha sposato, degenerando lentamente in qualcosa di malvagio e mostruoso.
Il bambino che porta in grembo non è suo… anzi, non è neppure umano.
Tutto sembra riportare a una vecchia leggenda di possessione accaduta nell’Essex: Alizon Clove, era una vecchia pazza impiccata per stregoneria nel 1584, che durante il processo sosteneva di aver venduto la sua anima a un demone pagano chiamato vecchio Jack Hobb. Da qui in poi la storia si sviluppa, ma non voglio svelare altro per lasciarvi con il fiato sospeso.
E’ un romanzo disturbante e perverso che molte volte, leggendolo la notte, mi ha causato incubi. Tim Curran fa un ottimo lavoro nel narrare la storia dei personaggi, includendo feedback e leggende che creano un’atmosfera cupa e terrificante nel cervello del lettore. I personaggi sono estremamente realistici e ricchi di spessore, così come le ambientazioni stesse.
Un romanzo breve ma assolutamente da leggere se volete provare il brivido del terrore.
July 11, 2013
From page one to the end there is tension and terror for a man who's pregnant wife is going through horrific changes. The author sucks readers into the vortex of revulsion, making them care about the cast of characters: the frightened husband, the victim wife, the friend just trying to help out. Clearly the author researched the horror behind this story and it's not just something weird happening with no explanation. Tim Curran is good about having some kind of rhyme and reason behind his monsters. The cover art gives away more about the plot than the clever synopsis. It's a fast, furious read that will make you want to explore even more from one of the more talented hard-working horror writers out there today.
I did feel the main character should have remembered sooner in the story the run-in at the farm. It jolted me a bit in the story from a plausibility standpoint. Overall, another solid horror novella read. Give me more! 4 stars. 1,447 Kindle locations.
I did feel the main character should have remembered sooner in the story the run-in at the farm. It jolted me a bit in the story from a plausibility standpoint. Overall, another solid horror novella read. Give me more! 4 stars. 1,447 Kindle locations.
August 8, 2013
3.5 Stars
A very twisted horror novella about a pregnant woman who becomes possessed. The story itself is about Richard the woman's husband as he deals with this perverse monstrosity that his pig-demon possessed wife is turning into.
It's a quick read and if you're one for visceral nasty horror you'll like this. A different sort of take on the possession genre that was entertaining but not amazing.
Be warned this book is very graphically disgusting and a lot of times sexually so. This novella can kill a boner faster than a blade pressed to your bullocks.
A very twisted horror novella about a pregnant woman who becomes possessed. The story itself is about Richard the woman's husband as he deals with this perverse monstrosity that his pig-demon possessed wife is turning into.
It's a quick read and if you're one for visceral nasty horror you'll like this. A different sort of take on the possession genre that was entertaining but not amazing.
Be warned this book is very graphically disgusting and a lot of times sexually so. This novella can kill a boner faster than a blade pressed to your bullocks.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews