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Casper
What do you do when you are bullied at school and beaten at home? When you have no one to turn to, nowhere to go? What do you do when nothing is safe?
A young boy finds himself in this unenviable position after the baddest of all bad days. Something’s gotta give. Unfortunately, perhaps not for him, what may give is his sanity.
'Casper' is a novelette from the psychological thriller anthology How To Make A Monster: The Loveliest Shade of Red.
A young boy finds himself in this unenviable position after the baddest of all bad days. Something’s gotta give. Unfortunately, perhaps not for him, what may give is his sanity.
'Casper' is a novelette from the psychological thriller anthology How To Make A Monster: The Loveliest Shade of Red.
33 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 19, 2020
1 person is currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Felix I.D. Dimaro
18 books109 followersBorn in Nigeria, raised in Toronto, Felix I.D. Dimaro is an author of allegorical, dark, psychological fiction often centering around morality, mental health, societal conditions, the environment, or the real-life issues he has experienced. He has released eleven books to date, including the eco-thriller, “Black Bloom: A Story of Survival,” the extreme horror novel, “Humane Sacrifice: The Story of the Aztec Killer," and the tale of cat cloning gone wrong, "In the Darkness, Eyes and Teeth.”
When not writing, Dimaro is usually reading, watching professional wrestling, or running even though no one is chasing him.
To find out more about Dimaro and his books, head over to https://www.thingsthatkeepmeupatnight...
When not writing, Dimaro is usually reading, watching professional wrestling, or running even though no one is chasing him.
To find out more about Dimaro and his books, head over to https://www.thingsthatkeepmeupatnight...
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 29, 2020
5 ghostly stars
'Being laughed at hurts no matter what the reason is. You wouldn't think that a sound that's supposed to indicate pleasure could cause so much pain.'
Fan Art by The Magic Book Corner
"Casper" is a novelette from the psychological thriller anthology "How To Make A Monster: The Loveliest Shade of Red"
Written in a gripping and compelling manner, that I have already come to associate with Felix I.D. Dimaro, Casper deals with yet another way of turning a perfectly normal and kind human being into a monster.
Just as Dimaro's other stories, this one is also uncomfortable and a bit difficult to read at times. Because it sets the reader face to face with the darkest parts of human nature. No sugarcoating, hinting, or beating around the bush. No happy endings or candy-canes.
Just ... rip off the band-aid and display the festering wound type of truth. Difficult to accept at times and even to witness at others. Painful, unbearable, discomfiting and sadly... very real. This author is a master at laying it all out for everyone to see.
'Even Casper the Friendly Ghost got back at his mean old uncles from time to time right?'
And this is exactly what this particular novelette will show you here.
Fan Art by The Magic Book Corner
What do you do when you're constantly hurt, abused and also ignored? Do you get used to all of it after a while and learn never to get up again? Or do you do what even sweet little Casper did?
When a young boy is being both bullied at school and beaten at home; when he is forced to live in a world where something as inconsequential as the score of a baseball game can predict his physical well being - a world where no one gives a damn - Something’s gotta give.
Unfortunately, perhaps not for him, what may give is his sanity.
How does it feel like to be a ghost? To vanish? That too when you live in a world of pain?
Read Casper and find out.
Find this review and more on my book review and cover art blog The Magic Book Corner
'Being laughed at hurts no matter what the reason is. You wouldn't think that a sound that's supposed to indicate pleasure could cause so much pain.'
Fan Art by The Magic Book Corner
"Casper" is a novelette from the psychological thriller anthology "How To Make A Monster: The Loveliest Shade of Red"
Written in a gripping and compelling manner, that I have already come to associate with Felix I.D. Dimaro, Casper deals with yet another way of turning a perfectly normal and kind human being into a monster.
Just as Dimaro's other stories, this one is also uncomfortable and a bit difficult to read at times. Because it sets the reader face to face with the darkest parts of human nature. No sugarcoating, hinting, or beating around the bush. No happy endings or candy-canes.
Just ... rip off the band-aid and display the festering wound type of truth. Difficult to accept at times and even to witness at others. Painful, unbearable, discomfiting and sadly... very real. This author is a master at laying it all out for everyone to see.
'Even Casper the Friendly Ghost got back at his mean old uncles from time to time right?'
And this is exactly what this particular novelette will show you here.
Fan Art by The Magic Book Corner
What do you do when you're constantly hurt, abused and also ignored? Do you get used to all of it after a while and learn never to get up again? Or do you do what even sweet little Casper did?
When a young boy is being both bullied at school and beaten at home; when he is forced to live in a world where something as inconsequential as the score of a baseball game can predict his physical well being - a world where no one gives a damn - Something’s gotta give.
Unfortunately, perhaps not for him, what may give is his sanity.
How does it feel like to be a ghost? To vanish? That too when you live in a world of pain?
Read Casper and find out.
Find this review and more on my book review and cover art blog The Magic Book Corner
May 18, 2022
‘Revenge is sweet, even for ghosts!’
Casper is a young boy who is bullied in school and abused at home, so everyday living has become more than tough. Until that is, he finally flips and decides that now is the time to take action, and matters, entirely into his own hands.
A good, well written short story that certainly packs a punch, but unfortunately I also found that it lacked the twists and turns that would have transformed this rather predictable and familiar storyline into an altogether special level of true excellence. However, an enjoyable read that is bound to entertain…for at least an hour or two.
And just in case you were wondering…NO, it’s NOT about THAT Casper…that universally loved, friendly ‘white-as-a-sheet’ phantom wee laddie ghostie!
Rating: 4.1 satisfyingly bright stars of retributive justice.
Casper is a young boy who is bullied in school and abused at home, so everyday living has become more than tough. Until that is, he finally flips and decides that now is the time to take action, and matters, entirely into his own hands.
A good, well written short story that certainly packs a punch, but unfortunately I also found that it lacked the twists and turns that would have transformed this rather predictable and familiar storyline into an altogether special level of true excellence. However, an enjoyable read that is bound to entertain…for at least an hour or two.
And just in case you were wondering…NO, it’s NOT about THAT Casper…that universally loved, friendly ‘white-as-a-sheet’ phantom wee laddie ghostie!
Rating: 4.1 satisfyingly bright stars of retributive justice.
April 10, 2021
I freely admit to anyone who will listen that I am obsessed with anything written by Dimaro. His story collection, How To Make A Monster happens to be my favorite of his, and Casper is one of the stories in that collection. Casper is an incredibly raw look into how a boy who is bullied relentlessly at school and home becomes a true human monster. It’s an extremely powerful story, and one I think everyone should read. It will make you angry, it will make you sad, it may even make you sick. But above all, it will make you think about how quickly someone can change, and how monstrous that change and the following events can be.
April 21, 2021
Wow... would a little bit of actual caring have changed things. This short story is harsh! It’s a real mental check for me. This just confirms why we need to come out of our bubble and “see” the people around us. Another great story, Felix.
May 7, 2020
I wanted them to know what I went through every single goddamn day.
🦄🦄🦄
Casper has always been invisible.
His peers don't acknowledge him and his family treats him worse than the dirt under their shoes, his step-father is abusive and his mother pretends not to notice.
But Casper does not want to be invisible anymore, he wants to be seen and heard and one day when he's pushed too far, he gets what he wants.
🦄🦄🦄
Casper us a short story by Felix I.D. Dimaro from the anthology How To Make A Monster: The Loveliest Shade of Red.
This story is reality and horror rolled into one because as much as we hate it, a person's actions stem from how they are treated at home and by the society.
People aren't born bad or evil, but they have experiences and traumas that shape them into who they are and that's exactly what happens to Casper.
Even though it has a dark and horrifying ending, no one can say it wasn't expected.
I loved this short story and I'm looking forward to reading the whole anthology soon.
🦄🦄🦄
Rated 10/10
Melina L.
🦄🦄🦄
Casper has always been invisible.
His peers don't acknowledge him and his family treats him worse than the dirt under their shoes, his step-father is abusive and his mother pretends not to notice.
But Casper does not want to be invisible anymore, he wants to be seen and heard and one day when he's pushed too far, he gets what he wants.
🦄🦄🦄
Casper us a short story by Felix I.D. Dimaro from the anthology How To Make A Monster: The Loveliest Shade of Red.
This story is reality and horror rolled into one because as much as we hate it, a person's actions stem from how they are treated at home and by the society.
People aren't born bad or evil, but they have experiences and traumas that shape them into who they are and that's exactly what happens to Casper.
Even though it has a dark and horrifying ending, no one can say it wasn't expected.
I loved this short story and I'm looking forward to reading the whole anthology soon.
🦄🦄🦄
Rated 10/10
Melina L.
April 11, 2021
🎃Gloom Review🎃
"Being laughed at hurts no matter what the reason is. You wouldn't think that a sound that's supposed to indicate pleasure could cause so much pain."
Whoa.
This story was heavy.
If you've ever experienced bullying, there's plenty to relate to. Maybe some trigger warnings, as Felix does a tremendous job exploring all the pain and embarrassment that accompanies it.
Monsters are often created, not born. The same can be said for ghosts...
"Being laughed at hurts no matter what the reason is. You wouldn't think that a sound that's supposed to indicate pleasure could cause so much pain."
Whoa.
This story was heavy.
If you've ever experienced bullying, there's plenty to relate to. Maybe some trigger warnings, as Felix does a tremendous job exploring all the pain and embarrassment that accompanies it.
Monsters are often created, not born. The same can be said for ghosts...
November 7, 2021
*mild spoilers*
Casper is the story of a teenage boy who feels unseen and unheard. He is virtually everyone's punching bag and this short story is written from his point of view. The story focuses more on the why behind the crimes he later commits, rather than focusing on the crimes themselves (although there is a lot of classic Dimaro gore in this one).
It flowed well and kept me interested with just enough information to keep me turning the page.
Casper is the story of a teenage boy who feels unseen and unheard. He is virtually everyone's punching bag and this short story is written from his point of view. The story focuses more on the why behind the crimes he later commits, rather than focusing on the crimes themselves (although there is a lot of classic Dimaro gore in this one).
It flowed well and kept me interested with just enough information to keep me turning the page.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2021
I will just say that Dimaro was so good at pretending this was based on a real newspaper article that I believed it was genuine until I was actually told it wasn't.
I read this story months ago and I still remember perfectly, that is saying a lot. It's also part of a stellar anthology, so you might want to get the whole book.
I read this story months ago and I still remember perfectly, that is saying a lot. It's also part of a stellar anthology, so you might want to get the whole book.
April 7, 2021
Five stars on this story that I didn't really like! The writing and the story itself were very moving and definitely held my interest. The story was so realistic that it really stuck with me in a very haunting way. I have no similarities with any of the characters but to be so deeply affected by it says A LOT to me about the talent of the writer.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews