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Brain Cheese Buffet
You've seen Cannibal Holocaust. You've seen Salo. You've seen Nekromantik. You ain't seen shit! Zombie prostitutes, religious rapists, horny werewolves, death by vomit, and sexual fetishes scraped off the sidewalk. From sex prisons to mafia torture chambers, hold on tight because you're about to enter the perverted and twisted mind of Edward Lee. Once you've seen what he has to show you - there's no coming back. Brain Cheese Buffet collects nine of Lee's most sought after tales of violence and body fluids. Featuring the Stoker nominated "Mr. Torso," the legendary gross-out piece "the Dritiphilist," the notorious "The McCrath Model SS40-C, Series S," and six more stories to test your gag reflex.
179 pages, Paperback
First published May 14, 2010
17 people are currently reading
913 people want to read
About the author
Edward Lee
267 books1,450 followersLibrarian 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.
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.
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June 1, 2025
Now I need Carnal Surgery. Stat.
January 22, 2022
A sick, vile and twisted collection of stories from the master himself. This has a story that made me almost gag, so be warned.
January 6, 2019
3.5. Brain Cheese Buffet was a fun read that contained several gross-out stories. Shock horror and body horror is always a good time if you ask me. Overall, the collection didn't wow me, but it did have a standout story that tested my gag reflex and it deserves a million gold stars for creativity. This would have made a wonderful horror anthology show.
May 28, 2025
Edward Lee is one of my favorite authors. I absolutely love his writing style. His stories are wildly creative, provocatively disturbing, brilliantly written, and unapologetically stomach-churning.
Brain Cheese Buffet is a delightful showcase of his unique and twisted talent. Out of the nine stories in the collection, seven were solid five-star reads for me. Even the ones I liked a bit less were still excellent. That’s why I didn’t hesitate to give this collection the highest rating possible.
Among my favorites were:
“Mr. Torso,” “The Dritiphilist,” “The Baby,” and “The McCrath Model SS40-C, Series S.”
These stories stirred up a full range of emotions, from disgust to laughter to awe.
🔪 Mr. Torso
I was especially drawn to the duality of Mr. Torso’s character. He speaks with a huge rural accent, but beneath that, he discusses profound philosophical theories with surprising clarity. He’s clearly intelligent, even if his hillbilly way of speaking totally obscures it. And the way he chooses to apply those theories, are completely deranged and thoroughly entertaining.
🪰 The Dritiphilist
This is hands-down one of the grossest and smartest stories I’ve ever read. It genuinely made me feel physically sick 🤢, and I loved every second of it 🤣.
👶 The Baby
Set in the disturbing town of the infamous Harkins quadruplets, this story is a masterpiece of grotesque humor. Trust me: you do not want to visit this town, or meet the baby and his mother. I found myself laughing out loud at scenes that were horribly disgusting and utterly absurd.
🔧 The McCrath Model SS40-C, Series S
The final story follows Vinchetti, a man with a disturbingly creative way of making people pay when they wrong him. It’s both hilarious and horrifying. It’s a perfect blend of comedy and cruelty. Poor Vinny’s victims!
While these four stood out to me the most, the other stories ("Miss Torso,” “Grub Girl in the Prison of Dead Women,” “Makak,” and “The Wrong Guy”) are also very strong. There’s not a weak entry in the bunch.
If you enjoy Extreme Horror, Splatterpunk, and Bizarro, I highly recommend this collection. Edward Lee doesn’t just push boundaries, he violates them with gleeful, grotesque brilliance. He is a master of his craft.
Brain Cheese Buffet is a delightful showcase of his unique and twisted talent. Out of the nine stories in the collection, seven were solid five-star reads for me. Even the ones I liked a bit less were still excellent. That’s why I didn’t hesitate to give this collection the highest rating possible.
Among my favorites were:
“Mr. Torso,” “The Dritiphilist,” “The Baby,” and “The McCrath Model SS40-C, Series S.”
These stories stirred up a full range of emotions, from disgust to laughter to awe.
🔪 Mr. Torso
I was especially drawn to the duality of Mr. Torso’s character. He speaks with a huge rural accent, but beneath that, he discusses profound philosophical theories with surprising clarity. He’s clearly intelligent, even if his hillbilly way of speaking totally obscures it. And the way he chooses to apply those theories, are completely deranged and thoroughly entertaining.
🪰 The Dritiphilist
This is hands-down one of the grossest and smartest stories I’ve ever read. It genuinely made me feel physically sick 🤢, and I loved every second of it 🤣.
👶 The Baby
Set in the disturbing town of the infamous Harkins quadruplets, this story is a masterpiece of grotesque humor. Trust me: you do not want to visit this town, or meet the baby and his mother. I found myself laughing out loud at scenes that were horribly disgusting and utterly absurd.
🔧 The McCrath Model SS40-C, Series S
The final story follows Vinchetti, a man with a disturbingly creative way of making people pay when they wrong him. It’s both hilarious and horrifying. It’s a perfect blend of comedy and cruelty. Poor Vinny’s victims!
While these four stood out to me the most, the other stories ("Miss Torso,” “Grub Girl in the Prison of Dead Women,” “Makak,” and “The Wrong Guy”) are also very strong. There’s not a weak entry in the bunch.
If you enjoy Extreme Horror, Splatterpunk, and Bizarro, I highly recommend this collection. Edward Lee doesn’t just push boundaries, he violates them with gleeful, grotesque brilliance. He is a master of his craft.
October 31, 2012
I discussed this book and Carnal Surgery over on my site, I Read Odd Books. You can read the entire discussion here.
Review snippet:
But the final reason I just hated this story relates back to bad dialogue. It happens when the cop confronts the hillbilly pervert and notices his book shelf is filled with philosophy books by the likes of Sartre, Kant, Aquinas, Plato, Hegel, and begins a conversation with the redneck-torso-rapist-lobotomizer-killer-black-market-adoption-schemer-self-taught-philosopher:
“…An’ I’se ain’t no psykerpath.”
“What are you then?” Tipps’ question grated like gravel.
Calmly, Mr. Torso went on, “I’se a perveyer of sorts, ya know? A perveyer of objectified human dynamics. Volunteeristic idealism’s what they’se call it, son. See, the abserlute will is an irrational force ‘less ya apply it ta the mechanistics of casual posertivity as a kinda counter-force ta the evil concreteness of neeherlistic doctrine. What I mean, son, is as inderviduals of the self-same unerverse, we’se all subject to the metterphysical duality scape, and we must realize what we’se are as transcendental units of bein an’ then engage ourselves with objectertive acts, son, ta turn the do-dads of our units of bein’ into a functional deliverance of subjecterive posertivity in the ways of The Man Upstairs. No, I ain’t no psykerpath. I’se a vassal an’ perpetcheratorer of Kiergegaardian fundermentals of human purpose.”
Tipps stared as though he’d downed a fifth of Johnny Black in one chug. Holy fucking shit! he thought. Mr. Torso is… a teleologic Christian phenomenalist!
This story was nominated for a fucking Stoker award. And it’s clear why. This is perfect dialogue that maintains tension in a confrontation between the law and a killer and every word rings true and isn’t pompous, pretentious and incomprehensible in turns. As Mr. Oddbooks read this, he asked, “This is a joke, right? Is he having us on or is he just an asshole?”
My answer is that I don’t know. If this is humor, it fails, and if it isn’t humor, it fails. All it is is fail.
Review snippet:
But the final reason I just hated this story relates back to bad dialogue. It happens when the cop confronts the hillbilly pervert and notices his book shelf is filled with philosophy books by the likes of Sartre, Kant, Aquinas, Plato, Hegel, and begins a conversation with the redneck-torso-rapist-lobotomizer-killer-black-market-adoption-schemer-self-taught-philosopher:
“…An’ I’se ain’t no psykerpath.”
“What are you then?” Tipps’ question grated like gravel.
Calmly, Mr. Torso went on, “I’se a perveyer of sorts, ya know? A perveyer of objectified human dynamics. Volunteeristic idealism’s what they’se call it, son. See, the abserlute will is an irrational force ‘less ya apply it ta the mechanistics of casual posertivity as a kinda counter-force ta the evil concreteness of neeherlistic doctrine. What I mean, son, is as inderviduals of the self-same unerverse, we’se all subject to the metterphysical duality scape, and we must realize what we’se are as transcendental units of bein an’ then engage ourselves with objectertive acts, son, ta turn the do-dads of our units of bein’ into a functional deliverance of subjecterive posertivity in the ways of The Man Upstairs. No, I ain’t no psykerpath. I’se a vassal an’ perpetcheratorer of Kiergegaardian fundermentals of human purpose.”
Tipps stared as though he’d downed a fifth of Johnny Black in one chug. Holy fucking shit! he thought. Mr. Torso is… a teleologic Christian phenomenalist!
This story was nominated for a fucking Stoker award. And it’s clear why. This is perfect dialogue that maintains tension in a confrontation between the law and a killer and every word rings true and isn’t pompous, pretentious and incomprehensible in turns. As Mr. Oddbooks read this, he asked, “This is a joke, right? Is he having us on or is he just an asshole?”
My answer is that I don’t know. If this is humor, it fails, and if it isn’t humor, it fails. All it is is fail.
December 5, 2019
I first became a fan of Mr. Lee with the Infernal series. Sadly, this book is the end of a love affair with this once revered author. *le sigh
I'm not opposed to gore or the total "gross out" factor as long as there is a good story that's being told. I felt this was the case in the beginning of the Infernal series. But after the last few books in the series as well as his latest "Lucier's Lottery" and then this collection of "let's ditch the story and see how many times we can test the reader's gag reflex" - I am sorely disappointed by the lack of great story telling that once had me running to the bookstores to get the latest Lee release. I actually felt "dirty" after reading this book.
Oh well.
I have his other short story collection "Bullet Through The Brain" and am actually reluctant to read it but read it I will. More than likely, it will be my last read by Edward Lee.
I'm not opposed to gore or the total "gross out" factor as long as there is a good story that's being told. I felt this was the case in the beginning of the Infernal series. But after the last few books in the series as well as his latest "Lucier's Lottery" and then this collection of "let's ditch the story and see how many times we can test the reader's gag reflex" - I am sorely disappointed by the lack of great story telling that once had me running to the bookstores to get the latest Lee release. I actually felt "dirty" after reading this book.
Oh well.
I have his other short story collection "Bullet Through The Brain" and am actually reluctant to read it but read it I will. More than likely, it will be my last read by Edward Lee.
December 21, 2014
I suppose I am the rare reader that sees this collection as a 3 star book. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy Edward Lee's over-the-top attributes he brings to his hard core writings. Every year or so I need a guilty pleasure read and his books sufficiently meet that quota every time. But I do recognize that Lee's characters and general execution of horror is fairly pedestrian and, as some would describe, juvenile.
If one does not realize what they are getting into, reading these nine short stories could utterly ruin your day. But they are so ludicrous and downright hilarious at times, it really isn't even horror anymore, but a near Monty Python experience. I always take Lee lightly because I can tell he enjoys what he does and gets a kick out of trying his best to gross out his readers. And he succeeds with much of this collection, especially in the story, "The Baby".
However, if you are looking to be scared, this is not the author to read. Try Richard Laymon or Jack Ketchum. Or for completely original horror, try Tim Waggoner, Tim Curran, or Bentley Little. But if you are a fan of the Troma movies or Frank Hennenlotter's body of work, you will be delighted by Edward Lee's sense of humor and NC-17 situations. It's a wet, sticky, cringing mess, but one I find strangely charming.
If one does not realize what they are getting into, reading these nine short stories could utterly ruin your day. But they are so ludicrous and downright hilarious at times, it really isn't even horror anymore, but a near Monty Python experience. I always take Lee lightly because I can tell he enjoys what he does and gets a kick out of trying his best to gross out his readers. And he succeeds with much of this collection, especially in the story, "The Baby".
However, if you are looking to be scared, this is not the author to read. Try Richard Laymon or Jack Ketchum. Or for completely original horror, try Tim Waggoner, Tim Curran, or Bentley Little. But if you are a fan of the Troma movies or Frank Hennenlotter's body of work, you will be delighted by Edward Lee's sense of humor and NC-17 situations. It's a wet, sticky, cringing mess, but one I find strangely charming.
February 23, 2013
I've grown weary of hillbilly accents babbling about nonsense, it makes my head hurt. Sweaty, smelly, armless, legless, headless sex and mutilation is boring. Sodomy, human sacrifice, abominations, curses, addiction, envy, greed, drugs, hallucinations, demons, apocalypse, revelations, beastiality, etc, etc. booooooorrrrrinnng. I'm sick of vomit and puke stains on my lap. I can't stand next to another bloody body pit without rolling my eyes and thinking, "It's been done before!"
I need to find a better class of single-minded, brainwashed, nonsensical, bigotted zealots, with murderous psycho/sociopathic suicidal tendencies. My next read will be I expect to be shunned, crucified, burned at the stake, and stoned for this review. But maybe, just maybe, I'll find the thrill and excitement I'm looking for at this point. It's worth a try anyway.
I need to find a better class of single-minded, brainwashed, nonsensical, bigotted zealots, with murderous psycho/sociopathic suicidal tendencies. My next read will be I expect to be shunned, crucified, burned at the stake, and stoned for this review. But maybe, just maybe, I'll find the thrill and excitement I'm looking for at this point. It's worth a try anyway.
January 13, 2014
Another book I stopped reading half way through ...
Well, let me put it like this: I'm 40+ and I'm into Horror since I was a teen, thus I have seen/read hundreds of movies/books of all kinds and variations. Yet Lee puts some images in my head I'd rather not have there. Well, some of his ideas are "OK", but actually the stories are pretty dull - no tension, no suspense - and the shallow "twist" is usually quite foreseeable. If you've read one story you know them all - it's all just similar disgusting sequences of sexual violent perversions.
I'm pretty sure Lee has his fellowship, but I'm glad not to be one of those ...
Well, let me put it like this: I'm 40+ and I'm into Horror since I was a teen, thus I have seen/read hundreds of movies/books of all kinds and variations. Yet Lee puts some images in my head I'd rather not have there. Well, some of his ideas are "OK", but actually the stories are pretty dull - no tension, no suspense - and the shallow "twist" is usually quite foreseeable. If you've read one story you know them all - it's all just similar disgusting sequences of sexual violent perversions.
I'm pretty sure Lee has his fellowship, but I'm glad not to be one of those ...
November 4, 2021
Edward Lee's collection of 9 of his stories was a terrific read from start to finish...I couldn't put it down,after finishing one story I just couldn't help but start the next.I have to say some were better than others but all were extremely good,well written, interesting,gory,sickening and mind blowing with blood and torture. A word of warning though...if you are easily offended please don't even think about looking at this book...the front cover says it all!! Edward Lee you have the mind that I truly crave for!!!
November 11, 2013
Another piece of evidence that Lee is hit or miss as an author. I especially get put out over over the top southern accents and stereotypical white trash language and thought process. I really get the impression that Mr Lee has never even met anyone from the south or Appalachia yet he writes like he is an authority. These people are poor not out and out stupid. The situations are unbelievable and border on outrageous for the shock value only. Shock does not always equal good story!
September 30, 2011
“Brain Cheese Buffet” is my 2nd Ed Lee book in as many days and although I was able to finish this one in only a few short hours, I’m still unimpressed with Lee as an author.
I didn’t like “The Bighead” due to it’s over exploited shock value, but I did give credit to Lee for being able to craft a good story somewhere among it’s pages. “Brain Cheese Buffet” follows the same formula, and is just as bad, if not worse, than the novel. The collected stories go nowhere, do nothing (except make the reader feel queasy, perhaps) and generally are written in a fickle attempt to see how gross and disgusting the author can be.
EVERY single short in here is an experiment in sexual debauchery and exploitation. I don’t even want to waste my time trying to describe any of said stories because even though the characters may be different, as are the settings and lengths, they’re all basically the same plot, same story, same stab at trying to gross out the reader.
I suppose, if I had to pick a story in here that was ok, that would fall on “The Dritiphilist”. This may have been the most gross of the book, but not in the sexual way that Lee seems to think all of his stories must have. Sure, this is a piece about a guy who enjoys swallowing phlegm, so it’s not typical reading material, but of the 9 stories, this is the only one I enjoyed.
After 2 Ed Lee books, I have to ask, what is the draw to this guy? I know horror and sex go together like a PB&J sandwich, but to put it in just for shock factor, and using it as the only engine in which to write your books, is rather childish and quite ridiculous. Honestly, “Brain Cheese Buffet” isn’t worth your time.
I didn’t like “The Bighead” due to it’s over exploited shock value, but I did give credit to Lee for being able to craft a good story somewhere among it’s pages. “Brain Cheese Buffet” follows the same formula, and is just as bad, if not worse, than the novel. The collected stories go nowhere, do nothing (except make the reader feel queasy, perhaps) and generally are written in a fickle attempt to see how gross and disgusting the author can be.
EVERY single short in here is an experiment in sexual debauchery and exploitation. I don’t even want to waste my time trying to describe any of said stories because even though the characters may be different, as are the settings and lengths, they’re all basically the same plot, same story, same stab at trying to gross out the reader.
I suppose, if I had to pick a story in here that was ok, that would fall on “The Dritiphilist”. This may have been the most gross of the book, but not in the sexual way that Lee seems to think all of his stories must have. Sure, this is a piece about a guy who enjoys swallowing phlegm, so it’s not typical reading material, but of the 9 stories, this is the only one I enjoyed.
After 2 Ed Lee books, I have to ask, what is the draw to this guy? I know horror and sex go together like a PB&J sandwich, but to put it in just for shock factor, and using it as the only engine in which to write your books, is rather childish and quite ridiculous. Honestly, “Brain Cheese Buffet” isn’t worth your time.
October 2, 2022
Some books you read just for the fun of it. This is one of those books. If you're looking for structure or an awesome storyline or a meaningful storyline, Go grab another book. These 9 short stories are to be read with no expectations except for the fun of it. This book has some mixed reviews. Me, I loved it!! I love everything Lee puts out. Yea, he has written better books. But If you go into this one for just the love of Splatterpunk or Extreme Horror then you are in for a treat. Lee covers all the gross-out bases in these 9 short little gems. Classic Lee! Classic Splatterpunk!
Happy Reading and Splatter On.....
Happy Reading and Splatter On.....
May 30, 2012
I rated this a 4 1/2 on my blog.
I do not do reviews to re-tell or summarize what I have just read. My reviews offer what I think about book and the story(ies) within them. If you are looking for a summary or complete re-tell, do not bother reading any further.
Let me just say I love Edward Lee. His twistedness suits my style so perfectly! He always leaves me saying, “Oh man, I could totally envision that in my head clear as day.” Yes, I may be considered a sicko for that ability, but who cares. His books are fun! The stories he colors for me in my mind allow me to get away from everyday horrors such as politics and incessant babble from idiots living with and around me on Earth.
Brain Cheese Buffet is a nice little collection of stories. They are all typical Edward Lee and I loved every grotesque moment within.
Mr. Torso:
Hillbilly-speak tends to get boring to read after awhile, but it still remains fun in that the disgusting nature of the story is still in the forefront.
Lud (a.k.a Mr. Torso) is completely disgusting. The things he does to these women are utterly unbelievable. I asked myself several times through this particular story how exactly one would even conceive of pulling off some of the things done. Edward Lee’s vivid descriptions encapsulate your imagination with very specific details. At one point I caught myself saying out loud, “AAAghhhh!! What the…..” Incorporating a religious aspect to the story was also done with zany wickedness.
Ahh Lee, so far, you’ve yet to disappoint me!
Mrs. Torso:
Let’s do some math here boys and girls. Mafia plus torture plus a hooker-junkie with no arms or legs named Spooky plus Wet-Naps equals what the f*^&ery!
How can anyone pass up a chance to read about the mafia doing illegal stuff? This is way beyond any mafia behind-the-scenes you have experienced on television or the movies. It truly is no-holds-barred with this freaky hooker-junkie. For those wondering, no she doesn’t simply lay there and get got by these mafia-men. She has quite the mouth on her and boy oh boy it sure does get her in trouble. The vile things they do to her are pretty sickening, but this is an Edward Lee book after all!! The ending leaves a quirky smirk on my face. All I will say is, if you are going to do something, make sure you do it right the first time.
This is another goodie.
Grub Girl in the Prison of Dead Women:
I must say immediately that I am not a zombie type of person. Zombies bore me to death and the only two zombie movies I enjoy are the original “Night of the Living Dead” and “Zombieland”. (I have a soft-spot for Woody Harrelson.) I do not purposely read zombie book either.
As you have guessed this little story is about zombies. The only thing that captured my attention was the variation Lee used for the zombies (grubs as they are called in the story). He went into detail about the exact food they can eat and what would happen if they ate anything other than raw food. In my mind, the story was plausible if a zombie apocalypse did really happen. It was refreshing from the usual, “brains!!” stereotype.
He also went into detail about sex and the detention center they get sent to if they get out of line. They were basically like humans, but dead and free of disease. It was the detention center that drew me in further. The things that occurred there were unsavory to say the least. Once inside there is, as usual, some douche bag, who is big and bad. The one guy who thinks he is high and almighty. He was almighty alright…almighty sorry.
This was a fun read despite it being about zombies.
The Dritiphilist:
This story made me look away quite a few times in absolute disgust. I found myself saying, “Ackk!! Ugh!!! Oh God!” out loud. I do not get grossed out easily, but this story was pretty awful. The story was great, but the content was simply disturbing.
Fetishes are something of the norm these days. No, most of them are still hidden from public view, but everyone knows they exist somewhere in the dark corner of people’s imaginations (or in some cases secret rooms in their homes). If you dare read this story, you will be invited into one man’s fetish. Just thinking about it makes me throw up in my mouth a little. At least his therapist could appreciate that.
I liked this story simply for the gross-out factor. It was completely and utterly grotesque. I hope no one I know has this fetish because I might have to rethink our friendship. I just couldn’t sit and look at them the same ever again.
You noticed how I haven’t said what the fetish is? That is because I would love to surprise you with how disgusting it is. Sometimes not knowing before you read makes it an even better read. I had no idea before reading it and I am glad. It made for such a more hardcore experience sitting on my bed reading.
Keep the grotesque coming Lee. You haven’t disgusted me enough….yet!
The Mother:
What if you found discarded sludge in the lake behind your house? I think I would sell my house and move elsewhere. It would be the right thing to do. I also wouldn’t allow anyone I knew near it.
Nightmares of this sludge contaminating a family could cause anyone to go insane. Did the dad really just see what he saw or was it a nightmare? Who’s to say! Either way it is completely gross.
What if you have children who get into the sludge? There is just no good way to explain to a child that some people are dumbasses and like to litter. Sometimes the litter they leave behind is not good for people to be around. Nightmares would be a nightly occurrence.
What if the nightmares weren’t bedtime nightmares at all, but a real life nightmare happening to your family? Could you handle it? Would you fight it?
I asked a lot of questions for my review. There is just no good way to review this story without giving important details away. It would ruin the fun at the end! I don’t want to ruin the fun for you!
This story isn’t as gross as other Edward Lee stories, but it is pretty interesting to see where it is heading.
The Wrong Guy:
This story was great. It wasn’t incredibly gross, but revenge is awesome! There is nothing like a good revenge story. I really do not care who it is against and someone somewhere is wishing/planning theirs. If you read this story, you get to see what happens when the act of revenge is played out in spectacular detail. Yes, it gets a bit goofy here and there, but hey, we need a little goofy with our grotesque sometimes.
This was fun to read and I didn’t feel too dirty at the end!
The Baby:
If you have kids and/or are sensitive, please do not read this story. You will be completely ruined for life and probably a little pissed off. I generally do not read gory stories with little kids in them because I am sensitive to them. When I started this story I didn’t know something foul would involve a baby to the extent it did. I got through it though.
This story made me gag a little too. Not because of the story itself, but because of some of the imagery Lee describes. There are just some things that I do not need to picture. I am absolutely sure you will feel the same. I wish I had some eye bleach to unsee what I read in certain points. I guess if I did that, the story would not make sense!
The story overall was decent. I loved the ending with my entire blackened heart!
The McCrath Model SS40-C, Series S:
I read, “She’ll have to eat it….otherwise she’ll drown.” Oh mafia guys, how I love thee. How many other ways can you find to torture people? Lee found another way and it is completely disturbing. I think if I were to torture someone I would totally use the McCrath Model SS40-C, Series S. What a handy tool! This planet would be a lot less polluted with BS with it in my hands.
This is a fabulously wicked story with a nice ending. Now, don’t think Lee’s books have nice endings (as in oh what a happy ending that was), but it does have a spectacular case of revenge at the end. It left me cheering for the mafia boss.
I definitely recommend this story to those with twisted minds.
Brain Cheese Buffet is a great book of short stories by Edward Lee. If you are looking for a variety of stories that are quick to read, this is the book for you. If you are not into the grotesquely disturbing, this is a never-read. Edward Lee doesn’t paint rainbows and unicorns imagery in his books. Although, if he did, there would be some sort of torture porn incorporating the unicorn’s horn into some hooker’s hoo-haa and out her mouth. Ouch!
Find this review and others on my blog: http://deviant-muse.blogspot.com
I do not do reviews to re-tell or summarize what I have just read. My reviews offer what I think about book and the story(ies) within them. If you are looking for a summary or complete re-tell, do not bother reading any further.
Let me just say I love Edward Lee. His twistedness suits my style so perfectly! He always leaves me saying, “Oh man, I could totally envision that in my head clear as day.” Yes, I may be considered a sicko for that ability, but who cares. His books are fun! The stories he colors for me in my mind allow me to get away from everyday horrors such as politics and incessant babble from idiots living with and around me on Earth.
Brain Cheese Buffet is a nice little collection of stories. They are all typical Edward Lee and I loved every grotesque moment within.
Mr. Torso:
Hillbilly-speak tends to get boring to read after awhile, but it still remains fun in that the disgusting nature of the story is still in the forefront.
Lud (a.k.a Mr. Torso) is completely disgusting. The things he does to these women are utterly unbelievable. I asked myself several times through this particular story how exactly one would even conceive of pulling off some of the things done. Edward Lee’s vivid descriptions encapsulate your imagination with very specific details. At one point I caught myself saying out loud, “AAAghhhh!! What the…..” Incorporating a religious aspect to the story was also done with zany wickedness.
Ahh Lee, so far, you’ve yet to disappoint me!
Mrs. Torso:
Let’s do some math here boys and girls. Mafia plus torture plus a hooker-junkie with no arms or legs named Spooky plus Wet-Naps equals what the f*^&ery!
How can anyone pass up a chance to read about the mafia doing illegal stuff? This is way beyond any mafia behind-the-scenes you have experienced on television or the movies. It truly is no-holds-barred with this freaky hooker-junkie. For those wondering, no she doesn’t simply lay there and get got by these mafia-men. She has quite the mouth on her and boy oh boy it sure does get her in trouble. The vile things they do to her are pretty sickening, but this is an Edward Lee book after all!! The ending leaves a quirky smirk on my face. All I will say is, if you are going to do something, make sure you do it right the first time.
This is another goodie.
Grub Girl in the Prison of Dead Women:
I must say immediately that I am not a zombie type of person. Zombies bore me to death and the only two zombie movies I enjoy are the original “Night of the Living Dead” and “Zombieland”. (I have a soft-spot for Woody Harrelson.) I do not purposely read zombie book either.
As you have guessed this little story is about zombies. The only thing that captured my attention was the variation Lee used for the zombies (grubs as they are called in the story). He went into detail about the exact food they can eat and what would happen if they ate anything other than raw food. In my mind, the story was plausible if a zombie apocalypse did really happen. It was refreshing from the usual, “brains!!” stereotype.
He also went into detail about sex and the detention center they get sent to if they get out of line. They were basically like humans, but dead and free of disease. It was the detention center that drew me in further. The things that occurred there were unsavory to say the least. Once inside there is, as usual, some douche bag, who is big and bad. The one guy who thinks he is high and almighty. He was almighty alright…almighty sorry.
This was a fun read despite it being about zombies.
The Dritiphilist:
This story made me look away quite a few times in absolute disgust. I found myself saying, “Ackk!! Ugh!!! Oh God!” out loud. I do not get grossed out easily, but this story was pretty awful. The story was great, but the content was simply disturbing.
Fetishes are something of the norm these days. No, most of them are still hidden from public view, but everyone knows they exist somewhere in the dark corner of people’s imaginations (or in some cases secret rooms in their homes). If you dare read this story, you will be invited into one man’s fetish. Just thinking about it makes me throw up in my mouth a little. At least his therapist could appreciate that.
I liked this story simply for the gross-out factor. It was completely and utterly grotesque. I hope no one I know has this fetish because I might have to rethink our friendship. I just couldn’t sit and look at them the same ever again.
You noticed how I haven’t said what the fetish is? That is because I would love to surprise you with how disgusting it is. Sometimes not knowing before you read makes it an even better read. I had no idea before reading it and I am glad. It made for such a more hardcore experience sitting on my bed reading.
Keep the grotesque coming Lee. You haven’t disgusted me enough….yet!
The Mother:
What if you found discarded sludge in the lake behind your house? I think I would sell my house and move elsewhere. It would be the right thing to do. I also wouldn’t allow anyone I knew near it.
Nightmares of this sludge contaminating a family could cause anyone to go insane. Did the dad really just see what he saw or was it a nightmare? Who’s to say! Either way it is completely gross.
What if you have children who get into the sludge? There is just no good way to explain to a child that some people are dumbasses and like to litter. Sometimes the litter they leave behind is not good for people to be around. Nightmares would be a nightly occurrence.
What if the nightmares weren’t bedtime nightmares at all, but a real life nightmare happening to your family? Could you handle it? Would you fight it?
I asked a lot of questions for my review. There is just no good way to review this story without giving important details away. It would ruin the fun at the end! I don’t want to ruin the fun for you!
This story isn’t as gross as other Edward Lee stories, but it is pretty interesting to see where it is heading.
The Wrong Guy:
This story was great. It wasn’t incredibly gross, but revenge is awesome! There is nothing like a good revenge story. I really do not care who it is against and someone somewhere is wishing/planning theirs. If you read this story, you get to see what happens when the act of revenge is played out in spectacular detail. Yes, it gets a bit goofy here and there, but hey, we need a little goofy with our grotesque sometimes.
This was fun to read and I didn’t feel too dirty at the end!
The Baby:
If you have kids and/or are sensitive, please do not read this story. You will be completely ruined for life and probably a little pissed off. I generally do not read gory stories with little kids in them because I am sensitive to them. When I started this story I didn’t know something foul would involve a baby to the extent it did. I got through it though.
This story made me gag a little too. Not because of the story itself, but because of some of the imagery Lee describes. There are just some things that I do not need to picture. I am absolutely sure you will feel the same. I wish I had some eye bleach to unsee what I read in certain points. I guess if I did that, the story would not make sense!
The story overall was decent. I loved the ending with my entire blackened heart!
The McCrath Model SS40-C, Series S:
I read, “She’ll have to eat it….otherwise she’ll drown.” Oh mafia guys, how I love thee. How many other ways can you find to torture people? Lee found another way and it is completely disturbing. I think if I were to torture someone I would totally use the McCrath Model SS40-C, Series S. What a handy tool! This planet would be a lot less polluted with BS with it in my hands.
This is a fabulously wicked story with a nice ending. Now, don’t think Lee’s books have nice endings (as in oh what a happy ending that was), but it does have a spectacular case of revenge at the end. It left me cheering for the mafia boss.
I definitely recommend this story to those with twisted minds.
Brain Cheese Buffet is a great book of short stories by Edward Lee. If you are looking for a variety of stories that are quick to read, this is the book for you. If you are not into the grotesquely disturbing, this is a never-read. Edward Lee doesn’t paint rainbows and unicorns imagery in his books. Although, if he did, there would be some sort of torture porn incorporating the unicorn’s horn into some hooker’s hoo-haa and out her mouth. Ouch!
Find this review and others on my blog: http://deviant-muse.blogspot.com
February 18, 2022
Like its title suggest, this book is a spread of super gross content.
Feast to your hearts delight if you are a fan.
I'm not exactly one but I love any book that challenges me.. Be it visual or mental.
For me, this was a visual challenge. Ya know.. reading about all that stuff makes you imagine them because you start to wonder, are these actually feasible.. in theory? Haha...
So on to my review of the 9 short stories:
Mr. Torso
I felt that this was the great piece to start the entire anthology. It kept me hooked till the end because Lud was… very interesting. Here was a man who thought he was carrying out god’s work through his atrocities, and Tipps almost bought into the story. Kind of expected Tipps to go down, and sort of expected an even sicker twist like Lud collecting “the potion” from Tipps for the torsos and enjoying it but hey, didn’t turn out that way and I really wonder how Tipps is gonna manage it himself.
Ms. Torso
Okay so I felt really bad for Ms Torso. Thought I would see vengeance meted out and the two guys getting what they deserved from Vinch for “killing” Spooky. Instead, the story concentrated on Spooky, whose fate continued to plunge and then tada here’s her happily ever after with Lud.
GrubThe first sci-fi piece in the book which I also enjoyed. All that scat and gore gets me jaded after awhile, but the storyline was intriguing and i really find myself rooting for the main character. I’m glad it was a happy ending! What doesn’t make sense though was that Grubs could go a year without eating or sleeping. Where’d they get their energy from? I wished it was a standalone novel.
Dritiphily
All I could think about was during the whole story was does such a condition really exist? I mean… that is just downright disgusting. I don’t even want to think about all that phlegm. Great job there Edward…
Makak
Didn’t really cared about this one
The Mother
This. The story lost me at the beginning. All I can see are repeated emphasis on toxic waste which was boring as hell
The Wrong Guy
Whew that was one steamy story. Kinda reminds me of Wol-vriey’s books. There’s those psycho girls hell bent on sex and then having gore for dessert. Great read after those two stories that I didnt care for. Wished it didn’t end just there. I was really psyched for more.
Baby
I read this over a few chuckles. Dude got himself into a shit hole and thought he was lucky to have escaped the Harkins quadruplets, only to end up in an even shittier situation. I wonder if he had preferred being caught by the quadruplets instead…
McCraft ****
Title's too long for me to remember. But this one was also a tad funny. I like how there were crossovers to the other short stories. Like Vinchetti over here was also mentioned in Ms.Torso.
This piece reminds me of The Human Centipede... The author did really dish out something like that, and a little extra.. Because why just ingest feces? How about vomit? Pretty sure the guy in Dritiphily with that phlegm syndrom would have loved being in Darcy's position ;)
All in all, great read and not too shabby for an anthology, considering how much I hate them
Feast to your hearts delight if you are a fan.
I'm not exactly one but I love any book that challenges me.. Be it visual or mental.
For me, this was a visual challenge. Ya know.. reading about all that stuff makes you imagine them because you start to wonder, are these actually feasible.. in theory? Haha...
So on to my review of the 9 short stories:
Mr. Torso
I felt that this was the great piece to start the entire anthology. It kept me hooked till the end because Lud was… very interesting. Here was a man who thought he was carrying out god’s work through his atrocities, and Tipps almost bought into the story. Kind of expected Tipps to go down, and sort of expected an even sicker twist like Lud collecting “the potion” from Tipps for the torsos and enjoying it but hey, didn’t turn out that way and I really wonder how Tipps is gonna manage it himself.
Ms. Torso
Okay so I felt really bad for Ms Torso. Thought I would see vengeance meted out and the two guys getting what they deserved from Vinch for “killing” Spooky. Instead, the story concentrated on Spooky, whose fate continued to plunge and then tada here’s her happily ever after with Lud.
GrubThe first sci-fi piece in the book which I also enjoyed. All that scat and gore gets me jaded after awhile, but the storyline was intriguing and i really find myself rooting for the main character. I’m glad it was a happy ending! What doesn’t make sense though was that Grubs could go a year without eating or sleeping. Where’d they get their energy from? I wished it was a standalone novel.
Dritiphily
All I could think about was during the whole story was does such a condition really exist? I mean… that is just downright disgusting. I don’t even want to think about all that phlegm. Great job there Edward…
Makak
Didn’t really cared about this one
The Mother
This. The story lost me at the beginning. All I can see are repeated emphasis on toxic waste which was boring as hell
The Wrong Guy
Whew that was one steamy story. Kinda reminds me of Wol-vriey’s books. There’s those psycho girls hell bent on sex and then having gore for dessert. Great read after those two stories that I didnt care for. Wished it didn’t end just there. I was really psyched for more.
Baby
I read this over a few chuckles. Dude got himself into a shit hole and thought he was lucky to have escaped the Harkins quadruplets, only to end up in an even shittier situation. I wonder if he had preferred being caught by the quadruplets instead…
McCraft ****
Title's too long for me to remember. But this one was also a tad funny. I like how there were crossovers to the other short stories. Like Vinchetti over here was also mentioned in Ms.Torso.
This piece reminds me of The Human Centipede... The author did really dish out something like that, and a little extra.. Because why just ingest feces? How about vomit? Pretty sure the guy in Dritiphily with that phlegm syndrom would have loved being in Darcy's position ;)
All in all, great read and not too shabby for an anthology, considering how much I hate them
March 22, 2014
Depending on whether you err on the side of "literature must advance the human race" or "crafting the most despicable work of hardcore horror is in and of itself an achievement" this is either a 1-star or a 5-star read. Since I'm a fan of the grotesque and transgressive, I'll err on the side of 5-star, because this is without a doubt the most unwholesome book I've ever read. It traumatized me and haunts my nightmares to this day, some three years later, and I'm a 31-year-old adult.
Let me reiterate that: this book will mess you up and stay with you. A series of short stories, I think the worst (by which I mean the best - well, you know, whatever, morality is upside-down when it comes to reviewing extreme horror) is Mr. Torso. I tried to burn my eyes out with lye after reading Mr. Torso, but sadly no one has yet developed a lye that can burn the stain off my soul. Also of particularly queasy note is The McCrath Model SS40-C, Series S, which features BOTH a rape contest AND a surgical procedure that makes The Human Centipede look like an episode of the Care Bears.
Well, I'll tell you what, I won't beat a dead horse. If you're the kind of person who started reading my review and said, "That sounds like a challenge!" which, yes, was indeed me three years ago, then please, by all means, enjoy the horrorcoaster. If you're the kind of person who found Pee Wee's Big Adventure freaky because of Large Marge, then please rest assured that I'm not just yanking your chain and you don't want to start the hardcore horror feast with a buffet of brain cheese.
Let me reiterate that: this book will mess you up and stay with you. A series of short stories, I think the worst (by which I mean the best - well, you know, whatever, morality is upside-down when it comes to reviewing extreme horror) is Mr. Torso. I tried to burn my eyes out with lye after reading Mr. Torso, but sadly no one has yet developed a lye that can burn the stain off my soul. Also of particularly queasy note is The McCrath Model SS40-C, Series S, which features BOTH a rape contest AND a surgical procedure that makes The Human Centipede look like an episode of the Care Bears.
Well, I'll tell you what, I won't beat a dead horse. If you're the kind of person who started reading my review and said, "That sounds like a challenge!" which, yes, was indeed me three years ago, then please, by all means, enjoy the horrorcoaster. If you're the kind of person who found Pee Wee's Big Adventure freaky because of Large Marge, then please rest assured that I'm not just yanking your chain and you don't want to start the hardcore horror feast with a buffet of brain cheese.
February 21, 2019
An all around solid collection of bizarro-tinged body horror. The opening story “Mr. Torso” was GREAT. I certainly see why it was nominated for the Stoker. The rest were all pretty good.
July 31, 2021
Edward Lee isn't for everybody but he sure is for me. Brain Cheese Buffet (2010) resembles the contorted side of a road mishap. Untidy and horrendous, and despite the fact that we would prefer not to snoop, we can't turn away.
I will give Lee excellent grades on his well-developed storylines. He is very innovative with the plots—very sickening as well—and that is reviving in a way subsequent to perusing such countless redundant ideas with dismay. I do notwithstanding think his sexual portrayals are strange.
Makes me consider how horny adolescent young people would talk. Lee's plots likewise seem like the kind of savage/sexual dreams that adolescent youngsters might have. A few stories in, I quit evaluating the preposterousness and attempted to accept it as maybe it was planned—a ridiculous dream intended to pull in extreme horror fans who don't peruse the verbose writing of Stephen King, and still couldn't want anything more than to find out about the bloody stuff. Or then again, I could be absolutely off-base about his 'sort' of fans, but after finishing this delicious collection of 9 tales, and with Brain Cheese Buffett being my first foray into Edward Lee’s unique imagine, I have become a fan myself.
Without further meandering, here are my favorite stories ranked by preference:
1. The McCrath Model SS40-C, Series S
2. The Dritiphilist
3. The Baby
4. Makak
5. Mr. Torso
6. Miss Torso
7. Grub Girl in the Prison of Dead Women
8. The Mother
9. The Wrong Guy
I didn't adore it, yet I didn't detest it. Furthermore, I will allow Lee another opportunity by reading another of his works in the near future. I'm available to ideas still since I may just have one more chance at this before I'm excessively netted out to attempt a third book. Brain Cheese Buffet does not feature gore for gore’s sake, but actually has brilliant narratives that will most probably haunt your dreams. After relishing my first Edward Lee reading experience, I would now be able to wear this as a symbol of honor since many consider him to be an extreme horror master, and perhaps, rightfully so.
I suggest this assortment to the non-faint hearted, and of course, for those whose indulgences are frequent steamy dreams, or maybe it’s for somebody who simply needs to read something outside their comfort zone every once in a while.
Read this review on my website Lit Retreat: https://www.literaryretreat.com/brain...
I will give Lee excellent grades on his well-developed storylines. He is very innovative with the plots—very sickening as well—and that is reviving in a way subsequent to perusing such countless redundant ideas with dismay. I do notwithstanding think his sexual portrayals are strange.
Makes me consider how horny adolescent young people would talk. Lee's plots likewise seem like the kind of savage/sexual dreams that adolescent youngsters might have. A few stories in, I quit evaluating the preposterousness and attempted to accept it as maybe it was planned—a ridiculous dream intended to pull in extreme horror fans who don't peruse the verbose writing of Stephen King, and still couldn't want anything more than to find out about the bloody stuff. Or then again, I could be absolutely off-base about his 'sort' of fans, but after finishing this delicious collection of 9 tales, and with Brain Cheese Buffett being my first foray into Edward Lee’s unique imagine, I have become a fan myself.
Without further meandering, here are my favorite stories ranked by preference:
1. The McCrath Model SS40-C, Series S
2. The Dritiphilist
3. The Baby
4. Makak
5. Mr. Torso
6. Miss Torso
7. Grub Girl in the Prison of Dead Women
8. The Mother
9. The Wrong Guy
I didn't adore it, yet I didn't detest it. Furthermore, I will allow Lee another opportunity by reading another of his works in the near future. I'm available to ideas still since I may just have one more chance at this before I'm excessively netted out to attempt a third book. Brain Cheese Buffet does not feature gore for gore’s sake, but actually has brilliant narratives that will most probably haunt your dreams. After relishing my first Edward Lee reading experience, I would now be able to wear this as a symbol of honor since many consider him to be an extreme horror master, and perhaps, rightfully so.
I suggest this assortment to the non-faint hearted, and of course, for those whose indulgences are frequent steamy dreams, or maybe it’s for somebody who simply needs to read something outside their comfort zone every once in a while.
Read this review on my website Lit Retreat: https://www.literaryretreat.com/brain...
February 5, 2024
Edward Lee is an author whose work I enjoy a great deal. Despite his novels being grotesque and violent, they are also very fun and insane stories. His work can be intelligent, dark, funny, and demented. You never quite know what you're going to get exactly with one of his works, but what you do know is that it's going to be nasty. I've never read any of his short stories, however, but since I managed to pick up this short story collection a little while ago I thought it was finally time to do something about that.
Mr. Torso:
When the torso of a defiled woman is found in a cornfield, it seems Mr Torso has struck again. The killer has been on the prowl for 3 years, but it would seem his time has finally run out. Is the killer a psychotic pervert or is there something far more to him than meets the eye? Tipps is a policeman who's tried to find a purpose his entire life and he may very well be about to find it.
I will keep each review of these short stories sweet and simple so as not to give anything away. Mr Torso is suitably violent, grotesque, and demented in the best way possible. It's a spine-chilling story with a very interesting villain who seems to think he's doing something great for the world, what exactly I won't say but it's jaw-dropping! The ending to this one took me by surprise, I had a theory as to what it might be and I was completely wrong but I'm glad, because what Lee had in store for us instead is horrifying! 10/10
Miss Torso:
Spooky used to be quite the model but with an intense amount of money heading her way it wasn't long before she fell in with some very bad people and drugs. Worst of all her dealers are members of the mafia. Now she is armless and being used for scat films, but she still has quite the attitude. Tonight however might very well be the night she finally goes too far.
I wasn't very keen on this one unfortunately, I just didn't get anything from this story. It's a meh sequel to Mr Torso that whilst it has an interesting plotline of two members of the mafia trying to cover up a dreadful mistake, it doesn't feel like it goes anywhere. The ending itself also felt very contrived and didn't make much sense in itself. Others may like it, but this just wasn't anywhere near as interesting or terrifying as the first story. 4/10
Grub Girl in The Prison of Dead Women:
After a test for a plane goes wrong and radiation begins to seep out, people across the city exposed to the outdoors soon collapse into death. But wake up alive as zombies or rather 'Grubs'. But how does society see them and how will the government treat them? A prostitute has a story to tell of the time she liberated a prison of dead women.
Edward Lee has written an incredible short story that whilst it is very bizarre, grotesque, and filled with some of Lee's gruesome imagery is quite an interesting yarn on how harmful and devastating segregation is when it's out in full force. Some of the scenes in this story are both simultaneously heartbreaking and oddly unique. It's a horrifying story with a creative narrative style that makes this story all the more fascinating. 10/10
The Dritiphilist:
Barrows has a gross and unique addiction to swallowing phlegm for sexual entertainment. He wants to recover from this outlandish disorder and visits a psychiatrist. Dr. Untermann is all too happy to help.
I wasn't a fan of this one but I didn't dislike it either. It's a crude little tale that brings acknowledgment towards how some people can only get their rocks off from feasting off somebody else's body fluids. It's not a bad story per se but it isn't particularly anything amazing or terrifying. I liked the twist at the end, but yeah this one has me conflicted. 5/10
Makak:
The United States has cut down massively on drug trafficking and now dealers are struggling to keep up their work. Hull has arrived in Peru to get in touch with a millionaire who knows how to smuggle substances into the country in mass quantities without it all being detected. But with security being tight how does he do it? Hull is about to find out and the truth isn't pretty.
Despite this having a sex scene, this story feels a lot different from all the other stories in this collection so far and honestly, it makes for a nice change of pace. It is a story with a curious mystery and a diabolical millionaire with a taste for young girls. The revelation at the end of this story was honestly really shocking and I loved the little clues Lee hid throughout the narrative. A very well-thought-out story with a gruesome conclusion. 9/10
The Mother:
When his daughter finds a mysterious toxic waste barrel out in the nearby woods, Smith's life is about to change forever. Why are the women around him acting oddly and why do they keep asking him if he's ready? Time will tell.
I honestly have no idea what happened here. I guess that the toxic waste barrels are the fallout of a crash landing from the stars and when individuals inspect them they become attached to the toxins within and hope to breed a new species. Yeah, it's not very clear, this is a story with several sex scenes, a spill of toxic waste, and a very macabre autopsy scene. I didn't get this one at all and honestly, I can see an idea in this story working but either the story isn't long enough or it isn't very clear on what's going on. A very odd little story that left me baffled. 3/10
The Wrong Guy:
Wendlyn and Rena are two sexual psychopaths who inflict brutal mutilation and torture on men for the sick joy of it. They believe themselves to be making the world a better place by removing any man innocent or not with the utmost cruelty. But they never thought they might one day pick up the wrong guy to mess with...
Lee has written a disturbing and somewhat darkly humorous tale on two female psychopaths, it's a demented piece with some really gruesome imagery. There are small sprinkles of humor spread throughout the story to take the load off slightly from this dark tale. The twist at the end of this story took me by surprise and oddly enough I quite liked it. Nothing amazing, but a fun and disturbing tale all the same. 8/10
The Baby:
Rosser is on the run after being blamed for a construction incident that wasn't his fault. But finding himself in Luntville he soon finds himself in a situation with a prostitute and her baby. It isn't long before his stay here goes south...
I didn't mind the setup of this story but as soon as Rosser is framed for a gruesome crime he didn't commit, I knew this tale wasn't for me. This story was just too grotesque and perverted for my tastes and went into a place I find very uncomfortable. I would have liked this tale more I think if we had seen the villain of this piece get their just deserts, so the ending left me very underwhelmed. 2/10
The McCrath Model SS40-C, Series S:
Doctor Prouty has been in serious trouble with the mafia ever since losing himself to gambling, now his only way to survive is to help Vinchetti develop some of the most grotesque and deviant snuff films out there. Survival of the fittest can lead people to come up with the most shocking alternatives to their own demise and with a new little device created for surgical operations, he's found a brand new method of torture.
Edward Lee has written a story that makes for both a gruesome and somewhat thought-provoking read. On one hand, it's similar in ways to The Human Centipede except thankfully quite a bit dialed down, but it's also an interesting tale of what someone would willingly come up with to save their own miserable skin. It is a gruesome and shocking read but it highlights that even though some people may have a high regard for morality and a sense of kindness, will do a 360 when their own lives are put in jeopardy. In my opinion, this makes the story oddly more terrifying. But Lee does manage to intersperse small bites of humor throughout the narrative thankfully as well. 8/10
Overall: If you have a strong stomach it might be worth a read, if not stay away from this book like it's the plague! Brain Cheese Buffet is arguably the book that represents Lee's work the best. It's a bunch of different short stories that in some way or another have sex. Some of it is thought-provoking, and intelligent, whilst others are humorous and extremely silly. I have mixed thoughts on this collection because when it's great, it's brilliant. But when it's bad, oh boy is it something! Not for everyone and some of the stories definitely went way too far for my tastes. 6/10
Mr. Torso:
When the torso of a defiled woman is found in a cornfield, it seems Mr Torso has struck again. The killer has been on the prowl for 3 years, but it would seem his time has finally run out. Is the killer a psychotic pervert or is there something far more to him than meets the eye? Tipps is a policeman who's tried to find a purpose his entire life and he may very well be about to find it.
I will keep each review of these short stories sweet and simple so as not to give anything away. Mr Torso is suitably violent, grotesque, and demented in the best way possible. It's a spine-chilling story with a very interesting villain who seems to think he's doing something great for the world, what exactly I won't say but it's jaw-dropping! The ending to this one took me by surprise, I had a theory as to what it might be and I was completely wrong but I'm glad, because what Lee had in store for us instead is horrifying! 10/10
Miss Torso:
Spooky used to be quite the model but with an intense amount of money heading her way it wasn't long before she fell in with some very bad people and drugs. Worst of all her dealers are members of the mafia. Now she is armless and being used for scat films, but she still has quite the attitude. Tonight however might very well be the night she finally goes too far.
I wasn't very keen on this one unfortunately, I just didn't get anything from this story. It's a meh sequel to Mr Torso that whilst it has an interesting plotline of two members of the mafia trying to cover up a dreadful mistake, it doesn't feel like it goes anywhere. The ending itself also felt very contrived and didn't make much sense in itself. Others may like it, but this just wasn't anywhere near as interesting or terrifying as the first story. 4/10
Grub Girl in The Prison of Dead Women:
After a test for a plane goes wrong and radiation begins to seep out, people across the city exposed to the outdoors soon collapse into death. But wake up alive as zombies or rather 'Grubs'. But how does society see them and how will the government treat them? A prostitute has a story to tell of the time she liberated a prison of dead women.
Edward Lee has written an incredible short story that whilst it is very bizarre, grotesque, and filled with some of Lee's gruesome imagery is quite an interesting yarn on how harmful and devastating segregation is when it's out in full force. Some of the scenes in this story are both simultaneously heartbreaking and oddly unique. It's a horrifying story with a creative narrative style that makes this story all the more fascinating. 10/10
The Dritiphilist:
Barrows has a gross and unique addiction to swallowing phlegm for sexual entertainment. He wants to recover from this outlandish disorder and visits a psychiatrist. Dr. Untermann is all too happy to help.
I wasn't a fan of this one but I didn't dislike it either. It's a crude little tale that brings acknowledgment towards how some people can only get their rocks off from feasting off somebody else's body fluids. It's not a bad story per se but it isn't particularly anything amazing or terrifying. I liked the twist at the end, but yeah this one has me conflicted. 5/10
Makak:
The United States has cut down massively on drug trafficking and now dealers are struggling to keep up their work. Hull has arrived in Peru to get in touch with a millionaire who knows how to smuggle substances into the country in mass quantities without it all being detected. But with security being tight how does he do it? Hull is about to find out and the truth isn't pretty.
Despite this having a sex scene, this story feels a lot different from all the other stories in this collection so far and honestly, it makes for a nice change of pace. It is a story with a curious mystery and a diabolical millionaire with a taste for young girls. The revelation at the end of this story was honestly really shocking and I loved the little clues Lee hid throughout the narrative. A very well-thought-out story with a gruesome conclusion. 9/10
The Mother:
When his daughter finds a mysterious toxic waste barrel out in the nearby woods, Smith's life is about to change forever. Why are the women around him acting oddly and why do they keep asking him if he's ready? Time will tell.
I honestly have no idea what happened here. I guess that the toxic waste barrels are the fallout of a crash landing from the stars and when individuals inspect them they become attached to the toxins within and hope to breed a new species. Yeah, it's not very clear, this is a story with several sex scenes, a spill of toxic waste, and a very macabre autopsy scene. I didn't get this one at all and honestly, I can see an idea in this story working but either the story isn't long enough or it isn't very clear on what's going on. A very odd little story that left me baffled. 3/10
The Wrong Guy:
Wendlyn and Rena are two sexual psychopaths who inflict brutal mutilation and torture on men for the sick joy of it. They believe themselves to be making the world a better place by removing any man innocent or not with the utmost cruelty. But they never thought they might one day pick up the wrong guy to mess with...
Lee has written a disturbing and somewhat darkly humorous tale on two female psychopaths, it's a demented piece with some really gruesome imagery. There are small sprinkles of humor spread throughout the story to take the load off slightly from this dark tale. The twist at the end of this story took me by surprise and oddly enough I quite liked it. Nothing amazing, but a fun and disturbing tale all the same. 8/10
The Baby:
Rosser is on the run after being blamed for a construction incident that wasn't his fault. But finding himself in Luntville he soon finds himself in a situation with a prostitute and her baby. It isn't long before his stay here goes south...
I didn't mind the setup of this story but as soon as Rosser is framed for a gruesome crime he didn't commit, I knew this tale wasn't for me. This story was just too grotesque and perverted for my tastes and went into a place I find very uncomfortable. I would have liked this tale more I think if we had seen the villain of this piece get their just deserts, so the ending left me very underwhelmed. 2/10
The McCrath Model SS40-C, Series S:
Doctor Prouty has been in serious trouble with the mafia ever since losing himself to gambling, now his only way to survive is to help Vinchetti develop some of the most grotesque and deviant snuff films out there. Survival of the fittest can lead people to come up with the most shocking alternatives to their own demise and with a new little device created for surgical operations, he's found a brand new method of torture.
Edward Lee has written a story that makes for both a gruesome and somewhat thought-provoking read. On one hand, it's similar in ways to The Human Centipede except thankfully quite a bit dialed down, but it's also an interesting tale of what someone would willingly come up with to save their own miserable skin. It is a gruesome and shocking read but it highlights that even though some people may have a high regard for morality and a sense of kindness, will do a 360 when their own lives are put in jeopardy. In my opinion, this makes the story oddly more terrifying. But Lee does manage to intersperse small bites of humor throughout the narrative thankfully as well. 8/10
Overall: If you have a strong stomach it might be worth a read, if not stay away from this book like it's the plague! Brain Cheese Buffet is arguably the book that represents Lee's work the best. It's a bunch of different short stories that in some way or another have sex. Some of it is thought-provoking, and intelligent, whilst others are humorous and extremely silly. I have mixed thoughts on this collection because when it's great, it's brilliant. But when it's bad, oh boy is it something! Not for everyone and some of the stories definitely went way too far for my tastes. 6/10
September 3, 2012
Mr Torso was the best story in the bunch, however, they are all funny/disgusting in their own way. I read this at the same time as Ryan Harding's book Genital Grinder and I found this to be the stronger collection.
I think I have just gone past enjoying pure gore (a few years ago I would have found these books to be absolutely enthralling I'm sure), so Edward Lee's stories came across as more interesting as they had other things going on besides.
For fans of gore I would recommend this book. But I don't think these types of stories will appeal to that many people.
I think I have just gone past enjoying pure gore (a few years ago I would have found these books to be absolutely enthralling I'm sure), so Edward Lee's stories came across as more interesting as they had other things going on besides.
For fans of gore I would recommend this book. But I don't think these types of stories will appeal to that many people.
March 18, 2012
Ugly as sin and full of terrible truths. Some horror describes mankind confronting the unspeakable. Lee says the unspeakable. These are the rotten mysteries of the soul.
September 27, 2015
3.5/5 I've read a fair amount of bizarre stuff. a few of these seriously made me squirm. one of them honest to Bob almost made me vomit! great stuff!!
November 12, 2015
This collection of stories is so sick and twisted it almost made me barf. Almost.
January 23, 2022
Great selection of short stories, beware the "The Dritiphilist" . You can never go wrong with Edward Lee, this collection just cements this. Disgustingly good!
December 11, 2022
A school mate lend me this and told me this was going to be the grossest thing I have ever read and he was not wrong. There is a lot of gore involved, that I can totally deal with like a champ but when it comes to disgusting things, there is where the real horror starts from me.
These part contains spoilers - summary of the short stories (some of them are interconnected):
Mr. Torso - guy thinks he is god and wants to put more children in the world. He kidnaps prostitutes gives them lobotomies, chops off their limbs and fucks them pregnant, will sell the babies after. When he gets too old to do the job, finds a guy and does exactly the same thing to him so he will make the babies. He has a girl for every month.
Miss Torso - crackhead girl messes up with a mafia guy, he gets half her arms cut off; she works for him in his porn bussiness now "fist fucking" people. she gets her legs cut off at some point and is found by the crazy maniac torso guy from the first story
Grub girl in the prison of dead women - some virus infected half the population that became undead functional rational zombies. When they have problems with the law they get sent to prisons where they receive inhumane treatments. This undead girl gets fed up with all that and blows up the whole place killing everyone in it but the other zombies. zombie prison riot basically
The Dritiphilist - this is the grossest most disgusting thing I have ever read in my life until now. This wall street guy is addicted to eating phlegm from other people. There are extended descriptions about him lurking in skid row waiting for the next homeless guy to drop a loogie on the floor so he can go there and scoop it into his mouth or paid obesse prostitutes that will spit phlegm in his mouth with rotten teeth and all. His therepist is addicted to eating vomit. ew
Makak - zombie drug mules basically
The Mother - black gew and white gew together makes babies from outta space
The wrong guy - a pair of female serial killers encounter a werewolve and that was the end of them
The baby - another super gross one with extended descriptions of how this extremely fat hooker and her baby looked like. She would give blow jobs to dudes and feed their sperm to the baby.
There are also some quadriplets in town that smash your balls with a mallet
The Mccarth Model SS40-C, Series S - The same mafia guy again and his experiments on traitors... there is like a human centoped of vomit among other things
These part contains spoilers - summary of the short stories (some of them are interconnected):
Mr. Torso - guy thinks he is god and wants to put more children in the world. He kidnaps prostitutes gives them lobotomies, chops off their limbs and fucks them pregnant, will sell the babies after. When he gets too old to do the job, finds a guy and does exactly the same thing to him so he will make the babies. He has a girl for every month.
Miss Torso - crackhead girl messes up with a mafia guy, he gets half her arms cut off; she works for him in his porn bussiness now "fist fucking" people. she gets her legs cut off at some point and is found by the crazy maniac torso guy from the first story
Grub girl in the prison of dead women - some virus infected half the population that became undead functional rational zombies. When they have problems with the law they get sent to prisons where they receive inhumane treatments. This undead girl gets fed up with all that and blows up the whole place killing everyone in it but the other zombies. zombie prison riot basically
The Dritiphilist - this is the grossest most disgusting thing I have ever read in my life until now. This wall street guy is addicted to eating phlegm from other people. There are extended descriptions about him lurking in skid row waiting for the next homeless guy to drop a loogie on the floor so he can go there and scoop it into his mouth or paid obesse prostitutes that will spit phlegm in his mouth with rotten teeth and all. His therepist is addicted to eating vomit. ew
Makak - zombie drug mules basically
The Mother - black gew and white gew together makes babies from outta space
The wrong guy - a pair of female serial killers encounter a werewolve and that was the end of them
The baby - another super gross one with extended descriptions of how this extremely fat hooker and her baby looked like. She would give blow jobs to dudes and feed their sperm to the baby.
There are also some quadriplets in town that smash your balls with a mallet
The Mccarth Model SS40-C, Series S - The same mafia guy again and his experiments on traitors... there is like a human centoped of vomit among other things
August 16, 2024
Endlich! Eine Kurzgeschichtensammlung, die sich auf das Ekelhafteste konzentriert, was Edward Lee zu bieten hat. Doch eine Warnung vorweg: Wenn Ihr zart besaitet, leicht angewidert seid oder Bücher mit einem netten Happy End erwartet – bleibt soweit weg wie möglich von diesem Band!
Zu den Geschichten selbst muss ich wohl nicht mehr viel sagen, außer dass mich keine davon enttäuscht hat, und das kommt selten vor und soll was heißen. Wer von Edward Lee bisher noch nichts gelesen hat, für den ist dieser KG-Band ein prima Einstieg, um zu schauen, ob Herr Lee einen begeistern kann - oder auch wenn Ihr vom Mainstream-Horror gelangweilt seid, ihn als repetitiv empfindet oder man einfach denkt, man hat bisher alles gelesen, dann schlagt hier zu - wenn Ihr Euch traut!
Für mich einer der besten Festa Extrem Bände.
In einer anderen Rezension habe ich gelesen, dass derjenige hofft, dass es solche Abscheulichkeiten nicht in der Realität gibt. Ich denke, die gibt es sehr wohl. Ich schaue seit Jahren US-Gerichtsverhandlungen auf Youtube und bin mir seitdem sicher, Autoren wie Edward Lee finden dort ihre Inspiration...
Nur zur Info: Ich habe die deutsche Ausgabe aus dem Festa-Verlag unter dem Titel „Mr. Torso“ gelesen.
Zu den Geschichten selbst muss ich wohl nicht mehr viel sagen, außer dass mich keine davon enttäuscht hat, und das kommt selten vor und soll was heißen. Wer von Edward Lee bisher noch nichts gelesen hat, für den ist dieser KG-Band ein prima Einstieg, um zu schauen, ob Herr Lee einen begeistern kann - oder auch wenn Ihr vom Mainstream-Horror gelangweilt seid, ihn als repetitiv empfindet oder man einfach denkt, man hat bisher alles gelesen, dann schlagt hier zu - wenn Ihr Euch traut!
Für mich einer der besten Festa Extrem Bände.
In einer anderen Rezension habe ich gelesen, dass derjenige hofft, dass es solche Abscheulichkeiten nicht in der Realität gibt. Ich denke, die gibt es sehr wohl. Ich schaue seit Jahren US-Gerichtsverhandlungen auf Youtube und bin mir seitdem sicher, Autoren wie Edward Lee finden dort ihre Inspiration...
Nur zur Info: Ich habe die deutsche Ausgabe aus dem Festa-Verlag unter dem Titel „Mr. Torso“ gelesen.
June 18, 2022
Има цял раздел литература, която е "ужаси" ама бая по-кървави от Стивън Кинг и другите там мейнстрийм автори - явно са по-кървави и ужасни отколкото стандартния читател може да понесе. И не, не ми казвайте че Стивън Кинг не е за стандартния читател - той си е норми автор отвсякъде, със стотици милиони фенове.
В тия, да речем второразредни книжки авторите си позволяват да му отпуснат края на кървищата, мъченията и сексуалното насилие. Но за съжаление литературните им умения най-често са под всякаква критика.
И да, това е общо ревю за почти всички такива книжки които съм прочел, няма смисъл да ги изброявам отделно, не че има разлика между тях, освен основния сюжет.
В тия, да речем второразредни книжки авторите си позволяват да му отпуснат края на кървищата, мъченията и сексуалното насилие. Но за съжаление литературните им умения най-често са под всякаква критика.
И да, това е общо ревю за почти всички такива книжки които съм прочел, няма смисъл да ги изброявам отделно, не че има разлика между тях, освен основния сюжет.
July 17, 2022
Everything you'd expect from Edward Lee and then some. I've read most of his work and the gross outs here rival the likes of Header, Creekers, and even The Teratologist. That being said, this is far from the reason I keep coming back for more. I could honestly do without some of the sex and gore - it's his sense of humor that hooks me. I consistently find myself laughing out loud with many of his works and this was no exception. It was nice to visit Luntville once again as well as seeing my favorite New York crime family. I'd recommend Brain Cheese Buffet to long time fans as and also anyone looking to get into Edward Lee.
July 12, 2019
I give this a five star rating. Not because the stories in it are the best I've ever read, though they were all pretty good. But because the stories contained in this book brought out more emotion in myself than any other has recently. I physically gagged and almost vomited reading one of the stories. I had to put other stories down and just try to think as my brain was melting by just how fucked up what I was reading really was. I give this a five stars because Ed Lee taught me there's no boundries in writing.
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