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Bad Strings: An Existential Comedy
"As darkly funny as it is thought-provoking..." "What a delightful short book this is..." "Hilarious and thoughtful..." "Very funny..." "An existential comedy indeed..." "Dumb. Not funny. Not even close..."
We are not in control.
Cosmic parasites that multiply via the suicides of their hosts have invaded Earth, hell-bent on all life’s destruction, one dark thought at a time. For no reason in particular, they decide to start their grand invasion with Hugo. A nobody.
As Hugo’s parasite grows in strength - injecting thoughts, twisting feelings, never letting up for even a second - Hugo lashes out at those around him. Not understanding what is happening, Hugo spirals into a dark tunnel with seemingly only one exit...
"I've never read a book quite like it."
Inspired by the writings of Kurt Vonnegut, Albert Camus, Bret Easton Ellis, Donald Glover, and Jesse Armstrong, this existential absurdist comedy asks who's pulling your strings, and whether you should cut them.
Someone pass the scissors.
Cover art by the incredible Max Rugers.
We are not in control.
Cosmic parasites that multiply via the suicides of their hosts have invaded Earth, hell-bent on all life’s destruction, one dark thought at a time. For no reason in particular, they decide to start their grand invasion with Hugo. A nobody.
As Hugo’s parasite grows in strength - injecting thoughts, twisting feelings, never letting up for even a second - Hugo lashes out at those around him. Not understanding what is happening, Hugo spirals into a dark tunnel with seemingly only one exit...
"I've never read a book quite like it."
Inspired by the writings of Kurt Vonnegut, Albert Camus, Bret Easton Ellis, Donald Glover, and Jesse Armstrong, this existential absurdist comedy asks who's pulling your strings, and whether you should cut them.
Someone pass the scissors.
Cover art by the incredible Max Rugers.
196 pages, Paperback
Published January 9, 2022
14 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Henry Hinder
7 books9 followersOne name. One man. Won no awards.
Henry Hinder is an author of several novels and novellas, specialising in dark comedy, and following in the footsteps of writers such as Bret Easton Ellis, George Saunders, Kurt Vonnegut, and Hunter S. Thompson.
hwhinder.com
Henry Hinder is an author of several novels and novellas, specialising in dark comedy, and following in the footsteps of writers such as Bret Easton Ellis, George Saunders, Kurt Vonnegut, and Hunter S. Thompson.
hwhinder.com
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 6, 2022
It's not often that I pick up a book from a relative unknown so early into their career. However on the recommendation of a friend who sighted this as "a black comedy Sci fi book" I figured there wasn't any harm. Bad Strings is a very blatant satire of Nihilism and has some pretty heartfelt, borderline Existentialist arguments. However the dialogue is cheesy more than funny, the narrative drags on a bit and jumps around. Towards the end I was just outright skipping these extra pov chapters and still had a complete narrative. Despite this I had a good time with the novel.
January 17, 2022
A multifaceted story that follows the life of Hugo, a writer. We traverse the story through Hugo's perspective and the perspective of a parasite to explore their thoughts, feelings, and existential questions. The balance of comedy and mental health makes this book a grounded and different portrayal of our psyche mainly asking if we're really in control.
January 26, 2022
I'm a big fan of Hinder's. His narration is simultaneously sly, thought-provoking, and melancholy. Bad Strings is all three of those things. I loved its theme of optimism in the face of total nihilism. I look forward to more from this author.
January 30, 2022
an existential comedy indeed
Perhaps your bad thoughts and self doubt are really the product of an alien parasite intent on destroying the human race one person at a time. For those of us who have suffered through depression, that actually makes a certain kind of sense. It is also the premise of this book, which I came across in the existentialism subreddit. I figured I’d give it a shot, and I really enjoyed it.
Perhaps your bad thoughts and self doubt are really the product of an alien parasite intent on destroying the human race one person at a time. For those of us who have suffered through depression, that actually makes a certain kind of sense. It is also the premise of this book, which I came across in the existentialism subreddit. I figured I’d give it a shot, and I really enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews