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Rough Cut
Jude, the son of Vanna St Clair - the voluptuous star of a series of controversial British horror films in the 1970s, who died forgotten - is offered the opportunity to write her biography, a warts-and-all expose of the seamy side of the British film industry.But this proves no ordinary book, and Vanna is no ordinary subject.When Jude discovers the existence of "Charred Image", a fabled lost film - the last project Vanna worked on with director Derek Reef, her lover - his life is changed forever. Jude is led on a dark journey that leads to the Daleside, a brooding derelict mental asylum, the location where the footage was shot. Only there can he finally lay his ghosts to rest.As phantoms tumble off the silver screen, Jude realises that life, unlike most movies, doesn’t always have a neat and happy ending.Sometimes the roughest cut is the deepest.Cover illustration and design by Vincent Chong."A compelling search for a lost film and then rises to heights of visionary horror. Richly atmospheric, it builds on classic terrors to reveal new ones. Its sense of a haunted landscape is worthy of the greats." - Ramsey Campbell"An unguided tour through the secret history of the British horror film, in which its stock elements – inverted crucifixes, exposed breasts, fake blood – are revealed as a mask for something far more disturbing. McMahon prowls the backstreets of trash cinema and weird fiction with his own private agenda. His writing is fierce, intelligent and mood-swingy. Like a signet ring, this story will leave its mark on you." - Joel Lane"[A]n intelligent, well-crafted novel that was obviously written from the heart... told just as it has to be told, knife-blade straight and underlain with passion." - Terry Grimwood, Whispers of Wickedness"[E]ssentially a well crafted and very readable piece... [it] marks McMahon out as a writer of no little class and promise - definitely a name to watch for."- John Berlyne, SFRevu"McMahon can stand up proudly with the masters of the genre. [A]n expertly crafted tale by a writer who understands the horror genre."- Joe Kroeger, Horrorworld
- GenresHorror
140 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 26, 2009
3 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Gary McMahon
179 books108 followersGary McMahon lives, works and writes in West Yorkshire but posseses a New York state of mind. He shares his life with a wife, a son, and the nagging stories that won’t give him any peace until he writes them.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 30, 2013
The British horror scene is brimming with talent, but even with so many great authors there are a few who stand out from the rest. Gary McMahon is one of those authors. McMahon not only produces a high output of horror fiction (around 7 novels and 6 collections since 2008, as well as various chapbooks and stories published elsewhere, not to mention a few anthologies edited) but the fiction he puts out is consistently good.
One of his earlier chapterbooks, Rough Cut was published in 2006. The book's blurb is as follows:
Jude, the son of Vanna St Clair - the voluptuous star of a series of controversial British horror films in the 1970s, who died forgotten - is offered the opportunity to write her biography, a warts-and-all expose of the seamy side of the British film industry. But this proves no ordinary book, and Vanna is no ordinary subject. When Jude discovers the existence of "Charred Image", a fabled lost film - the last project Vanna worked on with director Derek Reef, her lover - his life is changed forever. Jude is led on a dark journey that leads to the Daleside, a brooding derelict mental asylum, the location where the footage was shot. Only there can he finally lay his ghosts to rest. As phantoms tumble off the silver screen, Jude realises that life, unlike most movies, doesn't always have a neat and happy ending. Sometimes the roughest cut is the deepest.
Rough Cut has a bit of everything to offer horror fans: evil supernatural entities, a stalking psychopath, grisly deaths, and a tense atmosphere including a derelict mental institution. McMahon excels at writing realistic, damaged characters. Jude has a certain darkness about him, and already seems to know much about the seedier side of his mother's life. Writing her autobiography isn't something that excites him, but at least he can make sure she receives the respect he feels she deserves. Once he accepts the job offer, it soon becomes clear that there are darker forces at work, forces that put not only Jude, but also his friends in danger.
McMahon's story is pretty dark, but not without a certain thread of hope throughout. In tight prose McMahon gives readers a reason to fear the dark, derelict places of the world. Definitely worth seeking out a copy.
Originally appeared on my blog, The Arkham Digest.
One of his earlier chapterbooks, Rough Cut was published in 2006. The book's blurb is as follows:
Jude, the son of Vanna St Clair - the voluptuous star of a series of controversial British horror films in the 1970s, who died forgotten - is offered the opportunity to write her biography, a warts-and-all expose of the seamy side of the British film industry. But this proves no ordinary book, and Vanna is no ordinary subject. When Jude discovers the existence of "Charred Image", a fabled lost film - the last project Vanna worked on with director Derek Reef, her lover - his life is changed forever. Jude is led on a dark journey that leads to the Daleside, a brooding derelict mental asylum, the location where the footage was shot. Only there can he finally lay his ghosts to rest. As phantoms tumble off the silver screen, Jude realises that life, unlike most movies, doesn't always have a neat and happy ending. Sometimes the roughest cut is the deepest.
Rough Cut has a bit of everything to offer horror fans: evil supernatural entities, a stalking psychopath, grisly deaths, and a tense atmosphere including a derelict mental institution. McMahon excels at writing realistic, damaged characters. Jude has a certain darkness about him, and already seems to know much about the seedier side of his mother's life. Writing her autobiography isn't something that excites him, but at least he can make sure she receives the respect he feels she deserves. Once he accepts the job offer, it soon becomes clear that there are darker forces at work, forces that put not only Jude, but also his friends in danger.
McMahon's story is pretty dark, but not without a certain thread of hope throughout. In tight prose McMahon gives readers a reason to fear the dark, derelict places of the world. Definitely worth seeking out a copy.
Originally appeared on my blog, The Arkham Digest.
August 3, 2017
My second Gary McMahon book and another fantastic horror!
I love the story of the horror film actress encountering a real and nasty horror. This book took me back to the 1980's and the video boom that I grew up with.
I was immersed in the story and characters. Very well written and a joy to read.
I love the story of the horror film actress encountering a real and nasty horror. This book took me back to the 1980's and the video boom that I grew up with.
I was immersed in the story and characters. Very well written and a joy to read.
August 29, 2024
I first read Gary McMahon's Rough Cut about 15 years ago when it was published by Pendragon Press. And I fancied a reread, as I'm currently immersing myself in books and novellas about the dark side of Hollywood, cursed films, lost videotapes, and the links between cinema and the occult.
Rough Cut certainly doesn't disappoint. It's pitch-black in tone, and takes its subject matter seriously. McMahon is a fantastic writer and this wonderfully paced novella is full of his trademark style - visceral prose, dark subject matter, broken characters and unflinchingly honest plotting. I read this in two sittings, it's a fever-dream of British horror. Superb stuff.
Rough Cut certainly doesn't disappoint. It's pitch-black in tone, and takes its subject matter seriously. McMahon is a fantastic writer and this wonderfully paced novella is full of his trademark style - visceral prose, dark subject matter, broken characters and unflinchingly honest plotting. I read this in two sittings, it's a fever-dream of British horror. Superb stuff.
March 11, 2016
A most curious, uneven work. It reads as if it was a novelization of a horror movie made by Pete Walker of a story by H.P. Lovecraft. Aficionados of the works of both gentlemen will readily acknowledge that would be a very strange combination, indeed. (Of course, I’ll admit that I’d be in the audience for THAT one!)
The main drawback for me is that much of the story is just too pat. Words naturally conjure images. This one caused me to imagine someone watching a movie and transcribing the action and the dialogue. There was a curious distance between me and the characters. Also, part of what I enjoy about a good horror tale is having some loose ends that engage my imagination, encouraging me to be a participant. Everything was explained for me here.
On the positive side, I am naturally intrigued by stories of lost film footage. Ramsey Campbell did quite a good one with ANCIENT IMAGES that involved the hunt for an unusually lurid (and presumed lost) Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi film. And then there was Marisha Pessl’s deliriously disturbing NIGHT FILM. The missing film footage here would be closer to horrific documentary footage … which has my attention, but doesn’t possess the power of the other two.
The abandoned asylum location is a good one. I wish that more time had been spent within its eerie walls. There were also some nicely drawn characters. I especially liked the on-again, off-again girlfriend. Again, I just wish I didn’t feel as if I was being kept at arm’s length.
The bottom line is that this is not a mind-numbing, scream out loud, rollercoaster ride into horror. It is more of a slow track-car ride through a carnival spook house. That being said, I often enjoy the ride through the carnival spook house, and I found very good things to like in this book.
The main drawback for me is that much of the story is just too pat. Words naturally conjure images. This one caused me to imagine someone watching a movie and transcribing the action and the dialogue. There was a curious distance between me and the characters. Also, part of what I enjoy about a good horror tale is having some loose ends that engage my imagination, encouraging me to be a participant. Everything was explained for me here.
On the positive side, I am naturally intrigued by stories of lost film footage. Ramsey Campbell did quite a good one with ANCIENT IMAGES that involved the hunt for an unusually lurid (and presumed lost) Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi film. And then there was Marisha Pessl’s deliriously disturbing NIGHT FILM. The missing film footage here would be closer to horrific documentary footage … which has my attention, but doesn’t possess the power of the other two.
The abandoned asylum location is a good one. I wish that more time had been spent within its eerie walls. There were also some nicely drawn characters. I especially liked the on-again, off-again girlfriend. Again, I just wish I didn’t feel as if I was being kept at arm’s length.
The bottom line is that this is not a mind-numbing, scream out loud, rollercoaster ride into horror. It is more of a slow track-car ride through a carnival spook house. That being said, I often enjoy the ride through the carnival spook house, and I found very good things to like in this book.
October 14, 2009
A great novel, with real pace and a clear love for the genre and 70s horror flicks, this is a brilliant novella that deserves to be read more widely. Highly recommended.
May 24, 2011
I liked this, but was slightly derivative - partly this is deliberate, as old B-movies are a theme. But still felt like more a pastiche than a full on horror novella. Some good touches.
February 10, 2012
I think this was Gary McMahon's first published novel. It was good to read something from the beginning of one of my fave authors.
July 12, 2012
A great little novella by who is rapidly becoming my favourite author. The North has never been grimmer...
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews