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Ouroboros
In a small coastal town, an ancient force stirs, drawn by the cumulative power of life and death, grief and sorrow, and ultimately, endless love.
OUROBOROS - life out of death.
Tom Christiansen's wife of 35-years, Dolly, is dead. His world suddenly shattered, Tom takes refuge in his house to grieve and reflect. Tom's thin veil of reality and fantasy begins to crack and slip. He hears things: the rusty creak of the backyard swing; the tap to tiny feet from an upstairs room. And he sees things, as well: a small rubber ball bouncing slowly down the stairs; birds like silent sentinels on electrical wires; a strange little pigtailed girl suddenly appearing in his yard, and what is that mysterious figure lying in the upstairs bed that he used to share with his beloved wife?
OUROBOROS - a new cycle has begun.
Tom's long-time neighbors, and dearest friends, Mick and Robbi Hamlin begin to notice strange behavior from grief-stricken Tom. The witness dinner place-settings for two. They hear hushed conversations from the old house, as if Tom is speaking to himself, as if he is not alone. There is a pale little girl in the backyard, swinging ceaselessly. And something is rustling in the bushes, peering out from the undergrowth with inquisitive eyes.
OUROBOROS - the end is just the beginning.
"With this expertly-written tale of madness and terror, Carol Weekes and Michael Kelly have immediately established themselves as a force to be reckoned with Mystifying and deeply unsettling, Ouroboros is as thought-provoking and intelligent as it is terrifying. This is horror for grownups. Once Ouroboros finds its way into your head and begins to nest, good luck getting it out." --Greg G. Gifune, Children of Chaos
Michael Kelly and Carol Weekes have written a gem of a novel...Horror fans will enjoy the book, but those who tend to veer away from the darker fiction are going to miss out on a damned good read. -- Gef of Good Reads
"Quaintly humorous at times, and occasionally stomach turning in it colourful descriptiveness of gore, it is suspense which drives this story. Once you begin reading, you will find yourself nearly unable to put it down...from its touching scenes of interpersonal kindness to its frightfully vivid scenes of unspeakable terrors, Ouroboros is a gripping read. -- Horrorbound Online Magazine
"This is a must read for any horror fan!" -- Readaholic
"Ouroboros is, quite literally, haunting. Its dark themes are brought to life by scenes and characters hard to forget, immeasurably enriched by the skillful exploration of friendship and duty that extend beyond the grave. I can recall only two horror novels that so effectively depict the fear of dying, and what lies beyond, or that resonate so long after the final page is turned: Stephen King's Pet Semetery, and William Sloan's The Edge of Running Water. Kelly and Weekes are keeping very good company. " -- Stephen R. George (Jack Ellis) Author of The Forgotten, and Dark Miracle
OUROBOROS - life out of death.
Tom Christiansen's wife of 35-years, Dolly, is dead. His world suddenly shattered, Tom takes refuge in his house to grieve and reflect. Tom's thin veil of reality and fantasy begins to crack and slip. He hears things: the rusty creak of the backyard swing; the tap to tiny feet from an upstairs room. And he sees things, as well: a small rubber ball bouncing slowly down the stairs; birds like silent sentinels on electrical wires; a strange little pigtailed girl suddenly appearing in his yard, and what is that mysterious figure lying in the upstairs bed that he used to share with his beloved wife?
OUROBOROS - a new cycle has begun.
Tom's long-time neighbors, and dearest friends, Mick and Robbi Hamlin begin to notice strange behavior from grief-stricken Tom. The witness dinner place-settings for two. They hear hushed conversations from the old house, as if Tom is speaking to himself, as if he is not alone. There is a pale little girl in the backyard, swinging ceaselessly. And something is rustling in the bushes, peering out from the undergrowth with inquisitive eyes.
OUROBOROS - the end is just the beginning.
"With this expertly-written tale of madness and terror, Carol Weekes and Michael Kelly have immediately established themselves as a force to be reckoned with Mystifying and deeply unsettling, Ouroboros is as thought-provoking and intelligent as it is terrifying. This is horror for grownups. Once Ouroboros finds its way into your head and begins to nest, good luck getting it out." --Greg G. Gifune, Children of Chaos
Michael Kelly and Carol Weekes have written a gem of a novel...Horror fans will enjoy the book, but those who tend to veer away from the darker fiction are going to miss out on a damned good read. -- Gef of Good Reads
"Quaintly humorous at times, and occasionally stomach turning in it colourful descriptiveness of gore, it is suspense which drives this story. Once you begin reading, you will find yourself nearly unable to put it down...from its touching scenes of interpersonal kindness to its frightfully vivid scenes of unspeakable terrors, Ouroboros is a gripping read. -- Horrorbound Online Magazine
"This is a must read for any horror fan!" -- Readaholic
"Ouroboros is, quite literally, haunting. Its dark themes are brought to life by scenes and characters hard to forget, immeasurably enriched by the skillful exploration of friendship and duty that extend beyond the grave. I can recall only two horror novels that so effectively depict the fear of dying, and what lies beyond, or that resonate so long after the final page is turned: Stephen King's Pet Semetery, and William Sloan's The Edge of Running Water. Kelly and Weekes are keeping very good company. " -- Stephen R. George (Jack Ellis) Author of The Forgotten, and Dark Miracle
- GenresHorror
244 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
39 people want to read
About the author
Michael Kelly
74 books67 followersMichael Kelly is the Series Editor for the Year's Best Weird Fiction, and author of Undertow and Other Laments, and Scratching the Surface; as well as co-author of the novel Ouroboros.
His short fiction has appeared in a number of journals and anthologies, including All Hallows, Best New Horror, Black Static, Dark Arts, the Hint Fiction Anthology, PostScripts, Space & Time, Supernatural Tales, Tesseracts 13, and Weird Fiction Review.
Michael is a World Fantasy Award, Shirley Jackson Award and British Fantasy Award Nominee.
His short fiction has appeared in a number of journals and anthologies, including All Hallows, Best New Horror, Black Static, Dark Arts, the Hint Fiction Anthology, PostScripts, Space & Time, Supernatural Tales, Tesseracts 13, and Weird Fiction Review.
Michael is a World Fantasy Award, Shirley Jackson Award and British Fantasy Award Nominee.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 5, 2010
For a full review, check the Bitten by Books website: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/
November 3, 2009
Dorothy "Dolly" Hooper dies due to breast cancer, leaving behind a devastated husband, Tom. Grief-stricken, Tom becomes reclusive and seems to implode as life goes on without the love of his life. His neighbors and best friends, Mick and Robbie Hamlin, are also heartbroken by Dolly's death, but doubly effected as they watch Tom gradually decay in his sorrow, both physically and mentally. Mick becomes especially concerned in the weeks that follow, as Tom's behavior changes radically and seems to adopt a delusion that Dolly is still in the house with him. Tom and his wife, Robbie, try to be understanding, but when he starts to see strange and disturbing things occurring next door, he starts to wonder if there is something more insidious at work than merely a widower's loneliness.
Under the graying autumn skies of the eastern coast of Nova Scotia, Canada--my home province--we are given a haunting glimpse into one man's torment of watching his friend succumb to the loss of a great love and the insurgence of an ancient evil. Also, we are treated with the alternate view of events as the second part of the novel changes point of view from Mick to Tom, and we are given an even more disturbing glimpse into a life of mourning, delusion, and desperation compounded by the pernicious entity now inside his home. Cancer may have stolen Dolly from all of their lives, but something far worse could end them all.
Loved. This. Book.
I don't get the chance to get in on the ground floor when a great novel comes along, as my acquisitions come from used-book stores and libraries, so I feel fortunate to be one of the first to read Ouroboros. That's because I have the distinct feeling this book is something special. Norm Rubenstein stated that it transcended genre in his extolment for the novel, and I think that's an apt appraisal. Horror fans will enjoy the book, but those who tend to veer away from the darker fiction are going to miss out on a damned good read.
For a brief two-hundred and some-odd pages, there is a powerful and packed story contained in this book's pages. I may be a little biased given the setting is Nova Scotia, but this is a story that would resonate equally no matter where Kelly and Weekes set the stage. The characters are refreshing to read in both their realism and their age--I'm tired of teens being the focus of horror stories and welcome a few septuagenarians (seventy-year-olds, in case you don't know) to take the lead roles.
There is a somewhat mismatched opening scene in the prologue involving a wanderer in the ancient Egyptian desert, but it works over the long haul and you appreciate the sense of history that's going to creep (or slither) into the lives of the Coopers and the Hamlins, not to mention the unfortunate fodder characters that run afoul of the supernatural entities at work. And while I don't want to spoil anything, I will say that I will never look at a snake or an owl the same way ever again. Animals are spooky, boys and girls.
Michael Kelly and Carol Weekes have written a gem of a novel. Read it if you ever get the chance. I have a few more '09 releases sitting on my bookshelf waiting to be read, but I distinctly believe I have read my favorite book of 2009.
Under the graying autumn skies of the eastern coast of Nova Scotia, Canada--my home province--we are given a haunting glimpse into one man's torment of watching his friend succumb to the loss of a great love and the insurgence of an ancient evil. Also, we are treated with the alternate view of events as the second part of the novel changes point of view from Mick to Tom, and we are given an even more disturbing glimpse into a life of mourning, delusion, and desperation compounded by the pernicious entity now inside his home. Cancer may have stolen Dolly from all of their lives, but something far worse could end them all.
Loved. This. Book.
I don't get the chance to get in on the ground floor when a great novel comes along, as my acquisitions come from used-book stores and libraries, so I feel fortunate to be one of the first to read Ouroboros. That's because I have the distinct feeling this book is something special. Norm Rubenstein stated that it transcended genre in his extolment for the novel, and I think that's an apt appraisal. Horror fans will enjoy the book, but those who tend to veer away from the darker fiction are going to miss out on a damned good read.
For a brief two-hundred and some-odd pages, there is a powerful and packed story contained in this book's pages. I may be a little biased given the setting is Nova Scotia, but this is a story that would resonate equally no matter where Kelly and Weekes set the stage. The characters are refreshing to read in both their realism and their age--I'm tired of teens being the focus of horror stories and welcome a few septuagenarians (seventy-year-olds, in case you don't know) to take the lead roles.
There is a somewhat mismatched opening scene in the prologue involving a wanderer in the ancient Egyptian desert, but it works over the long haul and you appreciate the sense of history that's going to creep (or slither) into the lives of the Coopers and the Hamlins, not to mention the unfortunate fodder characters that run afoul of the supernatural entities at work. And while I don't want to spoil anything, I will say that I will never look at a snake or an owl the same way ever again. Animals are spooky, boys and girls.
Michael Kelly and Carol Weekes have written a gem of a novel. Read it if you ever get the chance. I have a few more '09 releases sitting on my bookshelf waiting to be read, but I distinctly believe I have read my favorite book of 2009.
December 2, 2010
I started out loving this book.It had me sobbing for the first 60 pages.A little history is that I also lost my first spouse to cancer so the beginning of this book was very painful for me to read.Those of you who haven't experienced this I am sure would not have become as unglued as I did because of what has happened to me.
That said the book has some interesting concepts which I really liked.The biggest thing that I didn't like about this book is that it didn't explain why things were happening to these specific people.There was no belief by the parties in Eastern religion so it didn't make a lot of sense in why this creature Ouroboros was latched on to these characters.I found that kind of confusing.I think if you can get by with that questioned unanswered you will enjoy this book.I read it over the course of a night and day so I had continuity which I think is helpful.
It's not a great book but it was enjoyable.I also didn't find it particularly scary but there were some disturbing things that did happen to the main protagonists.
That said the book has some interesting concepts which I really liked.The biggest thing that I didn't like about this book is that it didn't explain why things were happening to these specific people.There was no belief by the parties in Eastern religion so it didn't make a lot of sense in why this creature Ouroboros was latched on to these characters.I found that kind of confusing.I think if you can get by with that questioned unanswered you will enjoy this book.I read it over the course of a night and day so I had continuity which I think is helpful.
It's not a great book but it was enjoyable.I also didn't find it particularly scary but there were some disturbing things that did happen to the main protagonists.
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December 10, 2010Mick and Robbi Hamlin live next door to Tom and Dolly Christiansen. They are not just neighbors, but are also long time best friends. That friendship quickly unravels after Dolly's death. Try as they might, Mick and Robbi are unable to break Tom out of his cycle of despair. Tom wants time alone to grieve, and shuts his long-time friends out. Unable to cope with the loss of his wife of 35 years, Tom succumbs to his heartbreak, inviting in ancient, mystic forces that are beyond his control.
An unknown child begins to appear around Tom's house. Birds and other wild animal life congregate around his property, attacking Mick if he tries to interfere. Ghostly figures appear in second floor windows, and Tom is heard speaking to someone, when no one should be around. In concern for his friend, Mick seeks to help Tom in any way he can, but only succeeds in creating a deeper chasm in their friendship. In one last ditch effort, Mick bears witness to more than he bargains for inside the Christiansen home.
While not lengthy,, Ouroboros is by no means a quick read. Emphasizing ancient Eastern philosophies, Kelly and Weekes have crafted an extremely deep tale of love and friendship, loss and heartache, and the cycle of life and death. Ouroboros forces readers to contemplate their own relationships and mortality in a truly provocative way. If purchased, this would work well in an adult horror collection within a public library setting.
Contains: scenes of mild violence and gore.
Reviewed by: Kelly Fann
An unknown child begins to appear around Tom's house. Birds and other wild animal life congregate around his property, attacking Mick if he tries to interfere. Ghostly figures appear in second floor windows, and Tom is heard speaking to someone, when no one should be around. In concern for his friend, Mick seeks to help Tom in any way he can, but only succeeds in creating a deeper chasm in their friendship. In one last ditch effort, Mick bears witness to more than he bargains for inside the Christiansen home.
While not lengthy,, Ouroboros is by no means a quick read. Emphasizing ancient Eastern philosophies, Kelly and Weekes have crafted an extremely deep tale of love and friendship, loss and heartache, and the cycle of life and death. Ouroboros forces readers to contemplate their own relationships and mortality in a truly provocative way. If purchased, this would work well in an adult horror collection within a public library setting.
Contains: scenes of mild violence and gore.
Reviewed by: Kelly Fann
September 3, 2011
A great novel that takes three characters and makes them completely three-dimensional. It's rare that I get as attached to characters as I did in this book. There was a point in the book where there was a little too much time spent with one character alone in his house and creepy thing after creepy thing happening for page after page, but besides that it really is a great novel.
September 26, 2012
Fantastic and interesting novel about death,grief and possible life after death.
Wonderful book by these two authors.
Wonderful book by these two authors.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews