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Stranger Words
A song that turns people into maniacs, a terrified street where only one child is allowed to trick ‘r treat, a broken man who is slowly turning into a Christmas tree, or a ghost with no home left to haunt. These are strange and frightening things, and the words needed to describe them must be stranger and more frightening still because who knows when such horrors might show up at your own door… Here are fourteen new stories of the unsettling and weird from Jef Rouner (The Rook Circle), eight of which have never been published before. Presented with an intent for teaching people new ways to talk about the most monstrous of circumstances, the collection mixes empathy with the macabre to create a new, dark language. Prepare to define terror.
- GenresShort Stories
274 pages, Paperback
Published September 10, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 30, 2022
A song that turns people into maniacs, a terrified street where only one child is allowed to trick ‘r treat, a broken man who is slowly turning into a Christmas tree, or a ghost with no home left to haunt. These are strange and frightening things, and the words needed to describe them must be stranger and more frightening still because who knows when such horrors might show up at your own door…
Hmmmmm now I’m a bit conflicted about this one because out of the 14 stories that were in the book there were a few that I would have definitely given 5/5 to and I rather enjoyed. But then there were others that were just blurrrggghhhh and I didn’t enjoy in the slightest. Which for me is why the whole collection kinda ended in a middle of the road rating for me.
His writing style is great and at times for a horror writer can be very poignant but for me I think the collection just didn’t merge well together, or maybe I was just in a particularly meh kinda mood when I was making my way through it.
However, I have not gave up hope completely and I will check out some more of his work because there definitely were a few wee hidden gems in there - particularly being of the female gender I thoroughly enjoyed ‘click-bait!’ Hahaha! Not for the faint hearted or males of a sensitive disposition.
Hmmmmm now I’m a bit conflicted about this one because out of the 14 stories that were in the book there were a few that I would have definitely given 5/5 to and I rather enjoyed. But then there were others that were just blurrrggghhhh and I didn’t enjoy in the slightest. Which for me is why the whole collection kinda ended in a middle of the road rating for me.
His writing style is great and at times for a horror writer can be very poignant but for me I think the collection just didn’t merge well together, or maybe I was just in a particularly meh kinda mood when I was making my way through it.
However, I have not gave up hope completely and I will check out some more of his work because there definitely were a few wee hidden gems in there - particularly being of the female gender I thoroughly enjoyed ‘click-bait!’ Hahaha! Not for the faint hearted or males of a sensitive disposition.
January 11, 2022
With words that are really nowhere near as strange as the worlds they describe, this collection of short stories takes the reader to some dark, dark places and does it with style, imagination and originality you just have to admire.
I’ve never heard of the author, prior to finding his book on Netgalley. Now, having read it, foreword and afterword and all the things in-between, it seems that Rouner is a man who’s been to some dark places and emerged with stories to tell. Really, really good stories.
These short stories are on a longer side and read like completely self-contained and completely disturbing tales. The author appears to have a knack for setting up a perfectly normal seeming scenario and that twisting it into something terrifying or morbid or both. But more than that, there’s some genuinely good writing here, especially character writing, Enough to have you connect with the protagonists, engage with their narratives, and immerse in their stories.
That’s what a good scary story ought to do. Disturb its readers in a profound, even cathartic, way. Literature in general, and genre fiction specifically, is therapeutic by nature. Science fiction allows you to dream of a future. Fantasy takes you away from this world completely. And horror allows you to process your inner fears. Rouner seems to have a profound understanding of this fact and utilizes it perfectly. His tales are macabre in just the right way.
I enjoyed this collection tremendously and absolutely would recommend it for any genre fan. These tales are literary, engaging, terrifying and take abyss gazing to a new darker still level. Very good, indeed. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
I’ve never heard of the author, prior to finding his book on Netgalley. Now, having read it, foreword and afterword and all the things in-between, it seems that Rouner is a man who’s been to some dark places and emerged with stories to tell. Really, really good stories.
These short stories are on a longer side and read like completely self-contained and completely disturbing tales. The author appears to have a knack for setting up a perfectly normal seeming scenario and that twisting it into something terrifying or morbid or both. But more than that, there’s some genuinely good writing here, especially character writing, Enough to have you connect with the protagonists, engage with their narratives, and immerse in their stories.
That’s what a good scary story ought to do. Disturb its readers in a profound, even cathartic, way. Literature in general, and genre fiction specifically, is therapeutic by nature. Science fiction allows you to dream of a future. Fantasy takes you away from this world completely. And horror allows you to process your inner fears. Rouner seems to have a profound understanding of this fact and utilizes it perfectly. His tales are macabre in just the right way.
I enjoyed this collection tremendously and absolutely would recommend it for any genre fan. These tales are literary, engaging, terrifying and take abyss gazing to a new darker still level. Very good, indeed. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
September 28, 2021
This collection of stories held some unique gems, a couple chilling tales, but mostly, for me anyway, it had stories I couldn't get into. The writing style rubs me the wrong way; I either find passages confusing or out of place so much so that I can't get back into my it.
November 25, 2021
It is ironic that the first story involves editing—albeit editing movies—as editing is what this anthology definitely needs. Many of the stories are at least twice as long as they should be, there are some distracting typos and off-kilter phrasing. All in all, it was readable, just not very enjoyable.
December 30, 2021
Pronto la reseña.
October 17, 2021
When I first began Stranger Words my expectations were weren't too high because I wasn't really in the mood for short stories, but I try to make my netgalley books a priority so off I went. I immediately knew that my expectations were off base and that this was going to be fun. The title "Stranger Words" is very apropos. The stories are all strange and weird, some are creepy and some are rather sweet or bittersweet. They aren't exactly terrifying, but that's okay. I like them the way they are. A couple of my favorites are Sleep Deprivation (I have my own bouts of Sleep Paralysis, yikes!) and How To Sell A Holiday. When you've read the story be sure to read the author's Liner Notes at the end. I found those very interesting and telling and they give the stories a very personal and meaningful slant. Thank you #netgalley for allowing me to read and review #StrangerWords. I enjoyed this one.
July 10, 2022
I loved these. Most of the short stories felt as fleshed out as full novels.
Earworm: I was always fond of the "Gloomy Sunday" urban legend, and this was the story I wish I had written about it.
How to Sell a Holiday: It read like an SCP entry. I kind of wished for more but it was written succinctly perfect as it was.
New Game +: Great concept and payout.
Just a Kiss Away: Great choice for a title. Interesting to read.
Please File Your Nightmares Alphabetically: Hard to keep track of twenty six different plots but they were great quick reads.
Flood God: This was a little thinner in substance than the others so far. Still had a good on-target ending.
Slim and the Almost Queen: I was surprised that this didn't get better reception from readers (according to the author). This one was by far my favorite. The eclectic narrative style made it even more compelling.
Click Bait: Didn't really care for.
The Alligator Principle: Dull beginning, great ending.
Sleep Deprivation: You know where this is going with the title. Didn't hate it.
Just Up the Street and Back: Love how it explored the depths of the trauma related to the somewhat vague curse, as well as the wild card who caused things to go awry.
To Serve Manual: A little vague for my tastes, but satisfying enough.
Have You Met Caliban?: Another one of my favorites, and a good glimpse into old school Hollywood horror fandom.
Tannenbaum: Not much going on. Its quietude made it a great last story for this collection.
Earworm: I was always fond of the "Gloomy Sunday" urban legend, and this was the story I wish I had written about it.
How to Sell a Holiday: It read like an SCP entry. I kind of wished for more but it was written succinctly perfect as it was.
New Game +: Great concept and payout.
Just a Kiss Away: Great choice for a title. Interesting to read.
Please File Your Nightmares Alphabetically: Hard to keep track of twenty six different plots but they were great quick reads.
Flood God: This was a little thinner in substance than the others so far. Still had a good on-target ending.
Slim and the Almost Queen: I was surprised that this didn't get better reception from readers (according to the author). This one was by far my favorite. The eclectic narrative style made it even more compelling.
Click Bait: Didn't really care for.
The Alligator Principle: Dull beginning, great ending.
Sleep Deprivation: You know where this is going with the title. Didn't hate it.
Just Up the Street and Back: Love how it explored the depths of the trauma related to the somewhat vague curse, as well as the wild card who caused things to go awry.
To Serve Manual: A little vague for my tastes, but satisfying enough.
Have You Met Caliban?: Another one of my favorites, and a good glimpse into old school Hollywood horror fandom.
Tannenbaum: Not much going on. Its quietude made it a great last story for this collection.
October 6, 2021
I don't think I've read any horror since reading a lot of Stephen King in the 80s and 90s, so this was a very different book for me. I find nearly all short-story collections are hit and miss, but this one was at times too much for my tastes.
Some highlights:
The first story, Earworm, was suitably creepy and intriguing. It strongly captured my attention, but ended with an anti climactic finish.
How to Sell a Holiday was amusing and very clever.
Slim and Almost-Queen was probably my favourite story, although the twist was predictable. I was surprised to read in the notes at the end it is generally not as well received.
Tannenbaum was sweet and, while unusual, didn't seem to fit the horror theme. I liked the author's note about it at the end.
However, there were a couple of very big misses. New Game and Just a Kiss Away were back to back and both really didn't work for me. They were both OTT and gratuitous with violence. While in New Game that unfortunately reflects a reality that exists in our society - I don't want to read about it or dwell on it. When I reached Click Bait, which was also offensive (but clearly done as a comment about males who are offensive in our society), I wondered if I would finish the book, but the good stories kept me going..
I enjoyed the horror, not so much the violence and misogynistic sex.
Some highlights:
The first story, Earworm, was suitably creepy and intriguing. It strongly captured my attention, but ended with an anti climactic finish.
How to Sell a Holiday was amusing and very clever.
Slim and Almost-Queen was probably my favourite story, although the twist was predictable. I was surprised to read in the notes at the end it is generally not as well received.
Tannenbaum was sweet and, while unusual, didn't seem to fit the horror theme. I liked the author's note about it at the end.
However, there were a couple of very big misses. New Game and Just a Kiss Away were back to back and both really didn't work for me. They were both OTT and gratuitous with violence. While in New Game that unfortunately reflects a reality that exists in our society - I don't want to read about it or dwell on it. When I reached Click Bait, which was also offensive (but clearly done as a comment about males who are offensive in our society), I wondered if I would finish the book, but the good stories kept me going..
I enjoyed the horror, not so much the violence and misogynistic sex.
September 30, 2021
A refreshing grouping of short stories…
Above anything, I enjoy an author with heart; and who is brave enough to put pen to paper & give you an inward glimpse. Stranger Words is a beautifully haunting collection, as well as a very intimate forward & epilogue, that I found entirely enchanting. New Game+ was one of my favorites.
Above anything, I enjoy an author with heart; and who is brave enough to put pen to paper & give you an inward glimpse. Stranger Words is a beautifully haunting collection, as well as a very intimate forward & epilogue, that I found entirely enchanting. New Game+ was one of my favorites.
October 15, 2021
Amazing set of stories. I was able to gain a digital copy of this book from Netgalley for my honest review. My honest review is that there was only one story that I thought was just okay. The rest were absolutely great. It starts off with a unpredictable story, and then just keeps going. While most of it is horror, not all of it is. I will definitely read more from this writer.
October 2, 2021
It's hard to pick a favorite from among this collection of gems of all shapes and sizes. Jef Rouner has a spicy imagination, and this book feels perfectly timed for those of us who need help processing the absurdities of the last few years - taming horror (as he suggests in his foreword) through the structure a well-written story provides. Even as an older reader on whom some of the specific pop culture references are lost, I thoroughly enjoyed his Gogolian feel for the banal and often even hilarious nature of what some call Evil. His characters are complex and accessible, even the ones you wouldn't ever want to meet. Recommended!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews