Bullet Through Your Face

by Edward Lee

No writer is more extreme, perverted, or gross than Edward Lee. His world is one of psychopathic redneck rapists, sex addicted demons, and semen stealing aliens. Brace yourself, the king of splatterspunk is guaranteed to shock, offend, and make you laugh until you vomit. Bullet Through Your Face collects three novellas demonstrating Lee's mind-blasting talent. Ever Nat - One man is forced to endure an unimaginable torment just to stay alive, one night at a time. The Salt-Diviner - A touching story of one couple and the quadriplegic, homeless fortune teller locked in their basement. The Refrigerator Full of Sperm - Why are all the men of Luntville falling into comas with their pants down and dicks up?

Genres: Horror, Fiction, Splatterpunk, Adult

203 pages, Paperback

First published May 14, 2010

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Edward Lee is an American novelist specializing in the field of horror, and has authored 40 books, more than half of which have been published by mass-market New York paperback companies such as Leisure/Dorchester, Berkley, and Zebra/Kensington. He is a Bram Stoker award nominee for his story "Mr. Torso," and his short stories have appeared in over a dozen mass-market anthologies, including THE BEST AMERICAN MYSTERY STORIES OF 2000, Pocket's HOT BLOOD series, and the award-wining 999. Several of his novels have sold translation rights to Germany, Greece, and Romania. He also publishes quite actively in the small-press/limited-edition hardcover market; many of his books in this category have become collector's items. While a number of Lee's projects have been optioned for film, only one has been made, HEADER, which was released on DVD to mixed reviews in June, 2009, by Synapse Films.

Lee is particularly known for over-the-top occult concepts and an accelerated treatment of erotic and/or morbid sexual imagery and visceral violence.

He was born on May 25, 1957 in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Bowie, Maryland. In the late-70s he served in the U.S. Army's 1st Armored Division, in Erlangen, West Germany, then, for a short time, was a municipal police officer in Cottage City, Maryland. Lee also attended the University of Maryland as an English major but quit in his last semester to pursue his dream of being a horror novelist. For over 15 years, he worked as the night manager for a security company in Annapolis, Maryland, while writing in his spare time. In 1997, however, he became a full-time writer, first spending several years in Seattle and then moving to St. Pete Beach, Florida, where he currently resides.

Of note, the author cites as his strongest influence horror legend H. P. Lovecraft; in 2007, Lee embarked on what he calls his "Lovecraft kick" and wrote a spate of novels and novellas which tribute Lovecraft and his famous Cthulhu Mythos. Among these projects are THE INNSWICH HORROR, "Trolley No. 1852," HAUNTER OF THE THRESHOLD, GOING MONSTERING, "Pages Torn From A Travel Journal," and "You Are My Everything." Lee promises more Lovecraftian work on the horizon.

Reviews

[Ga.selle (Semi-hiatus) Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

'EVER NAT' 🤢🤮😵‍💫

[Not Now...Mommy's Reading · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I never have to read the expression "petersnot" again - it won't be soon enough. *le siiiigh

And thus ends my love affair with Edward Lee. The first story was eh, the second was readable but the third one...geez wally, I don't even know if I finished the third sorry tale.

Again, I have no issues with gore or perversity or sadistic mutilations and unusual fetishes - JUST TELL ME A GOOD STORY!!!

Edward Lee - major FAIL with this one.

Gore reflex is functioning quite well, thank you very much. IQ fell out the bottom of my shoes the more I continued to read.

I expected more from the likes of someone who once blew me away with his Infernal series.

R.I.P. *places book gently in box and shoves box to the back of closet

[Shawn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Weird, extremely sexual stories are not new for "the new weird" movement, and I've enjoyed similarly smutty works such as this in the past. But this one is very one-note, happy with simply trying to one up itself as far as sexual gross outs can go. A quick read, but I'll probably forget it just as fast.

[Signor Mambrino · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've read decent books by this author. This wasn't one of them. I'm a dunce, but this was too silly to finish.

[Matthew Vaughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A refrigerator full of sperm was hilarious!

[Catastrophe Queen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is disturbing as hell, but I admit I enjoyed how disgustingly good it was made. Although it was stupid of me to read this while I ate chocolate cake because I almost barfed in the process but still this is a horrifically interesting novel.

[/Fitbrah/ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely disgusting and degenerate. Everyone who enjoys reading this is a bad person.

[Danny Welch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edward Lee has written many different and unique stories throughout the years, many of them being in the horror genre. He has written black comedies, backwoods horror, government conspiracies, eldritch nightmares and so much more. His work doesn't always land for me, but many of his stories do. He's a brilliant author with a wild and insane imagination. His collections can be hit-and-miss with me, so let's see how Bullet Through Your Face pans out for me.

Ever Nat:
Clay is a bit of a geek, loaded with money but with two ex-wives and a disregard for domestic life. But when he sees a pretty backwoods prostitute walking up a backroad every night, he decides to proposition her for sexual favors. However, Kari-Ann despite being a decent individual isn't exactly innocent, and her brothers are anything but 'decent'. Clay is in for a truly nightmarish experience, that he'll have to endure 'ever nat' for possibly the rest of his life.

Edward Lee has written a very harrowing tale that is grotesque, horrifying, and downright brutal. It's a very uncomfortable tale of a man who foolishly takes up an offer of sexual solicitation only to find himself getting kidnapped before being repeatedly tortured and r*ped. It's a disturbing story not for the faint of heart that concludes with a particularly mortifying finale. It's a story that reminds you to be careful out there and to remain vigilant at all times because unfortunately, the events described in this novella happen more often than not in real life. 9/10

The Salt-Diviner:
Rudy has a gambling addiction and he's in trouble with the mafia, so when a homeless and demonic fortune teller enters a bar one night it seems his problems are about to be solved. But having paid off his debt, Rudy doesn't know when to stop, and his fiance Beth is suffering for it.

Edward Lee has written a supernatural black comedy that is hilarious and infuriating because Rudy is truly a disgusting misogynistic piece of crap, so much so you pray for his inevitable downfall. It's a fun little story with a silly premise, but one with plenty of humor and a satisfying if not grim conclusion. 8/10

The Refrigerator Full of Sperm:
Micah Hayes has always been popular among the girls of Luntville despite him being a misogynistic charlatan, his exploits have become practically legendary in the town, and Chief Kinion has gotten tired of his subordinate and his tales of sex and morbidity. But when a Doctor is murdered and his wife is kidnapped, something strange is going on in Luntville and to make matters worse unconscious men throughout the town are being found in a state of unconsciousness with their dicks hard. It seems it's up to Micah Hayes to save the day.

Edward Lee has written a comedy that is gross, gruesome, funny, and downright insane. The characters in this story are shitty people, but I couldn't help but find their antics to be quite frankly hilarious at times. The ending didn't surprise me too much, but that's because the synopsis on the back spoiled it for me. It's a fun read that won't be for everyone. 8/10

Overall: 25/30

[Thom Brannan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, this is my own fault, I suppose. I didn't do any homework on the author, just picked the collection because of the title. And as an aside, there were surprisingly few bullets through faces, given that's the name of the thing. But I digress.

It starts off a little weird, and then it's all downhill from there, somehow staying on a downward trajectory the entire time. Like another reviewer said, I don't mind all the smut and whatever, but tell me a good story.

And the southern/redneck caricatures are so goddamn thick. When I was in the Navy and worked in the oilfield, I worked with a lot of guys from all across the south, and not one of them sounded like these boys.

I stopped reading after the second story to cleanse my palate with a solid oldie-but-goodie, and then dove back into this to read the last story.

Not making this mistake again.

[Arny · Rating 4 out of 5]

WTF! Very raw, very raw but also original. Weirdest stories I have read since a long time. Got to have a strong stomach. Don't know of I like them or hate them, but I'm sure I wont forget them for a long time. How horrible it was, couldn't stop reading. These images in my mind need to wear off for a while, but eventually , I'm going to find me another Edward Lee Book.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contains three stories. The first two, Ever Nat and The Salt-Diviner I read in a previous collection but read them again here because they are excellent - probably two of his top stories (#1 has to be Mr. Torso). The third story here, The Refrigerator Full of Sperm is a mess, figuratively and literally.

Ed seems to have a problem with women and he definitely has a problem with people he considers to be rednecks. I would not be surprised if the FBI has a flag on him.

[Kain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now I don't know how I managed to finish this book, I damn near tore my hair out at the third if the three stories. The first two, decent even if slightly basic. Interesting ideas but fell a little flat in my opinion. Barely any gore. No horror per say to me other then gross out sex. Perhaps that's what Lee is known for but just not my thing.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, hilarious, and disgusting. Exactly what you want in an Edward Lee book.

[Jesse Zabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

All three stories were entertainment in only the way lee can write. Loved the salt diviner best

[Mark Sutcliffe · Rating 1 out of 5]

All getting a bit same

[Liana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first time I’ve questioned what I’m reading lol

[Aurora Dimitre · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

if i never have to read "sheee-it" again it will be too soon

[lovelybird · Rating 3 out of 5]

only read the first short story “Ever Nat”, and wtfff lmao. homo hippies imprisoning a poor guy and brutalizing him every night but its so ridiculous it’s kinda funny

[Karli Luehring Ratheal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stories were cool, writing in a southern dialect was an interesting choice. I have a southern accent, and it felt like I was reading a second language.

[William M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 AND 1/2 STARS

This is a collection of 3 previously published novellas by extreme horror author Edward Lee. Unlike Lee's mass market paperback books, these are his more uncensored and hardcore stories that would easily get slapped with an NC-17 rating if they were ever made into a movie. You need a strong stomach to delve into this material, but boy is it a lot of fun. If you have a good sense of humor and don't take the material too seriously, you will enjoy this collection.

My favorite in the collection is the first, titled "Ever Nat". Lee keeps you on your toes by not knowing what will happen next, and at the same time, tosses some horrific descriptions at you that will either have you cringing, gasping, or downright throwing up. The second story, "The Salt-Diviner" is a lot of fun, but once the premise is exposed, it continues fairly predictably. The final tale, "The Refrigerator Full of Sperm", has a plethora of deprave acts and some very spot-on political observations, but overstays its welcome with some repetitive story devices. I was a little disappointed in the number of typos I found (not the on-purpose misspellings from the characters), especially for stories that were previously published. This really is inexcusable.

My order of preference for the stories was written in reverse chronological order by Lee; "Refrigerator" in 1998, "Salt-Diviner" in 1999, and the highlight in the collection, "Ever Nat", in 2003. It is great to see these small stories being published in collections like these to allow fans of Lee's mass market work to show where he really shines. This book might not be scary, but you won't find a better guilty-pleasure read this year. If you have a strong stomach, I would definitely recommend this book.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edward Lee is one of the modern day kings of splatterpunk horror guaranteed to shock most readers; and the three stories in the collection will do just that.[return][return]'Ever Nat' - is a tale of kidnapping turned sordid enough to make you wish it never happens to you as one man must do what he can to survive. 'The Salt Diviner' - is a supernatural story of a fortune teller and the affects he has on a young couple. 'The Refrigerator Full of Sperm' - featuring a red-neck town, a sex obsessed police officer and an alien conspiracy you won't believe.[return][return]These three stories all offer something different enough to make them all interesting to read and are fast enough paced to make sure you finish the collection as quickly as possible. Whilst the redneck speak can get annoying this doesn't ruin any of the stories as they are sick and twisted enough to entertain you. Another collection go Edward Lee tales NOT for the faint hearted (or faint stomached).[return][return]4/5

[chucklesthescot · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the first story in the book. 'Ever Nat' A man has noticed that a pretty hitchiker seems to be on the road he travels every night and he starts getting fantasies about her being a willing whore that he can pick up. Beaten to it one night by another car, he decides to make sure he find her the next night. However after being taken to her house for sex, he becomes the prisoner of her two perverted brothers to be used and abused in every way until he is no longer wanted. It is the usual offering of sexual violence and torture except the victim this time was a man. There is some amusing twisted humour which makes this an interesting and entertaining read.

I rate the story itself 3 stars but didn't like the other stories much.

[Nathan Flamank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edward Lee is a master at this kind of fiction. Hardcore horror that takes sick to whole new levels; every kind of sexual perversity is laid bare (literally) on the page and his descriptive prose gives the reader nowhere to hide.

Sick, perverse, ludicrous, disgusting and vile AND I loved it.

Edward Lee writes with an almost poetic ability to truly shock, offend and gross the reader out, and even after reading horror novels and stories for 30 years I always find something in Lee's work to make my stomach turn.

Not for the easily offended or even the not-so-easily offended. Superb stories crafted by a master at the top of his game.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bullet Through Your Face contains three novels from the God of Splatter punk, Edward Lee. Once again he taps into the dark side of human nature and shows us a world that only exists in our nightmares. Aside from the violence there is a subtle sense of humor

Bullet Through Your Face is a collection that die hard Lee fans will devour and may even pick up some new ones. Each novella is well written but lack the shock value of Ever Nat. Lee is good at writing stories that defy logic and force you to travel out of your comfort zone. You wade through the violence and become absorbed in the story itself and that is what makes Lee so good

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly seminal work in the Lee gross-out canon. Gross-out does not equal poor writing. There is a fantastic display of craftsmanship in these disgusting, arguably erotic and sometimes violent stories. If you don't mind lots of bodily fluids passing in nightmarish situations -- and are curious how this can be written about vividly and often humorously -- read this book. Includes "Ever Nat," about psychopathic horny rednecks, "The Salt-Diviner," about a fortune teller with a libido to match his corresponding endowments, and "The Refrigerator Full of Sperm," about, well, the title says it.

[Matthew · Rating 2 out of 5]

The worst I've read by Lee, so far. I've generally liked his other works and have definitely never taken them any more serious that I would a B-horror movie, but these stories I didn't like much... If at all.

[Konnie Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome!! I was cracking up when I found out the reason for the title Ever Nat, which was my favorite story in the book. The others were good, too!

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fuuu..... How is it that he keeps getting grosser

[Killer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dudes got an imagination.

[Johann Ingi · Rating 2 out of 5]

another redneck gorefilled splatter stories from Edward. this has gotten tiresome and these stories are just disgusting. not his best