Generation Angst: A new breed of Horror

by Forest Raymond

90’s angst, grunge music references, packed full of nostalgic references and a young man afraid of losing his humanity—this is the book you’ve been looking for!

12-year-old Jeremy suffers insomnia and hallucinations as well as a deep desire not to conform. He lives in a perpetual state of inner conflict like so many of us do while searching for the meaning of it all. What’s an existential crisis without grunge music?

Jeremy’s fear of losing his humanity and getting violet due to lack of sleep will lead him down a path of self-discovery.

But sometimes, not knowing the truth is better. Because the narrator’s mind is playing tricks on him in the worst possible way. Can he learn about and solve the unknown problems plaguing him before it’s too late and his whole life falls apart? Or is he doomed to forever be stuck in an unexpected place?

Follow young Jeremy and a narrator at war with himself navigate the 90’s and search for meaning in life by getting your copy of Generation Angst, now!

Immerse yourself even more by enjoying the soundtrack to this book while reading by following this

118 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 10, 2022

Reviews

[Nurliyana · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an editor, I have recently had the opportunity to read a copy of "Generation Angst" by Kunal Roy, and I would like to provide an honest and professional review of this book.
The title itself, "Generation Angst," hints at a narrative that delves into the struggles and internal conflicts faced by a generation. This book is composed of ten compelling chapters, but what sets it apart is a thought-provoking quote on the cover page: "Angst isn't just medicated profanity; it's the voice of my generation." This quote immediately piqued my curiosity and served as a driving force throughout my reading experience.
The story commences with Jeremy, a character grappling with insomnia. As the narrative unfolds, we are introduced to his friends, including Kaz and Dazey. Jeremy adeptly paints vivid portraits of these characters and their shared experiences, shedding light on their perceptions of the world, the injustices perpetuated by the media, and the misconceptions held by society. Jeremy's journey takes us through his personal experiences, his emotional struggles, and his cathartic release through the written word.
Upon completing "Generation Angst," I found a deep resonance with the protagonist. What struck me most about Jeremy and his friends is their willingness to engage in open and honest discussions about their innermost thoughts and emotions, despite occasionally resorting to questionable actions. Their collective efforts to understand their own minds and adapt to their circumstances are commendable.
The characters in this book are meticulously developed and highly relatable. Among them, Dazey emerged as a personal favorite due to his unwavering support and loyalty to his friends, acting as a steadfast pillar in their lives.
The author skillfully narrates this engaging story, making it easily accessible and compelling to follow. "Generation Angst" not only provides an insightful exploration of angst but also offers diverse perspectives from its characters. The book effectively conveys profound messages that resonate with a broad audience.
In summary, the author has crafted a remarkable work in "Generation Angst." It contains a wealth of meaningful messages that transcend its pages. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to young adults and those who appreciate the horror genre with a unique twist. It offers a fresh and captivating experience that is sure to leave a lasting impact.

[Salma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just wanted to share my thoughts after reading this book with my 10-year-old cousin. In her own words, "the cover looks nice, but the book isn't all that interesting." I can see where she's coming from, especially since she's probably used to books with smoother, more straightforward plots. This one might be a bit challenging not just for 10-year-olds but for a wider audience due to its chaotic narrative. Understanding and following the story can be a bit of a struggle given its erratic nature.

However, having read similar books before, I can somewhat grasp the book's trajectory. We journey through the protagonist's turbulent imagination and deteriorating mental health, which is portrayed vividly. The book effectively highlights how often mental health issues go unnoticed, and I appreciate that it doesn't overdo it to the point of becoming confusing. There are moments of clarity amidst the chaos, making it a compelling read.

I'm giving it three stars because I understand the author's message – that we often only see the surface of people's mental health struggles without truly comprehending the inner turmoil. While I might not be the target audience for this book, I found it intriguing, chaotic, and somewhat informative in terms of gaining insight into how other people's minds work.

Finally, I want to reference the 90's music shared in the book and how I believe it shaped the protagonist's thought process. And I quite agree with chapter 9 on a serious level, recommendations for mental health are usually prescriptive and not corrective. In the sense that no one offers a lasting solution, just a temporary antidote with adverse effects and no consideration for the affected.

I do believe the book could have benefited greatly with some good editing; development and copy.

Disclaimer: my 10-year-old cousin didn't read the parts with strong language

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Generation Angst is truly a spectacular novel! You see into the mind of someone who struggles with not only sleep issues, but other psychological issues such as BPD and ADD. The novel also touches on sensitive subjects such as the influence of social media on the vast majority of people. There are also numerous metaphors and correlations to philosophers, zodiacs, religion, among others that truly entrap you as a reader. I couldn’t stop reading once I started, the imagery and thought process behind the characters was truly rewarding to read! It’s a book that’s valuable to have in this day and age.

Through means of word choice it truly entraps you. For example the author uses descriptive language, similes, and metaphors to get a clear image of what the main character is going through. Partway through the novel the main character speaks of how he had never been an angry person, however, as his insomnia progressed he was staying awake for days on end. This led to him having hallucinations, along with terrible thoughts of hurting himself or others. The way the main character thinks may be resonating for those who have these disorders or those who hurt themselves because they feel numb.

My favorite part of the novel to read was when the main character starts to have lucid dreams and runs into a girl who warns him of his future. The main character ultimately chooses to follow his own path, taking his fate into his own hands. It was definitely a monumental moment for him, and truly showed growth! Overall, the novel is amazing, I highly recommend it to those who want to get a different, maybe even similar perspective on the world.

[Qara Yashar'El · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very different and enjoyable book. I think it was great to give a for warning in the beginning, allowing anyone to stop right then if the book wasn't for them. I love how it was in the first-person perspective and opens up to give an introduction to people who will be in the book. Chapter 6 there was a memory of how the grandmother gave some vital advice about his anger, and that stuck with him. Moments like that shows how the author took to heart what was said by those close to him. For me, chapter 8 was my favorite. The author shared how he came across teenagers who were harming a dog and he showed that he would not stand by and allow that. Plus his writing, Angry Again was good.



This book was like a walk-through life of the author and how it was explained made me feel like I was personally there. I felt welcomed into his life and could relate to how things can happen where others would think it's crazy. I believe this book has many sayings situations that we could learn from, such as truly treating others how you would want to be treated. Also, seeing the many writings throughout the book encourage journaling as well.



I highly recommend this for people who think outside of the box. It's a good length for a book that has a lot to it.

I have received a complimentary copy, and I am providing my honest feedback as a editor.

[Kat T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this book and this review is an honest opinion as an editor.
I must say that it's the first time in a while I've been sent such an interesting book to read.
The author tackles difficult and complex subjects from the perspective of a 12-year old boy struggling from insomnia who contemplate the intricates of life along side his equally complex but reliable friends.
The author uses humor and a unique perspective to draw readers in and make them consider the world through a different perspective.
What's real? What's not? Or what's important? That's left for the reader to figure out as the characters already know.
Would highly recommend this book and any others by the author.

[Hanna Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting and unique horror story that I have not seen before. I liked the story and the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.