The worms

by Al Sarrantonio

Worms conjured up by a seventeenth-century Massachusetts witch are released in the twentieth century when a toxic waste dump is built on the site where they were buried

Genres: Horror, Audiobook

179 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Al Sarrantonio was an American horror and science fiction writer, editor and publisher who authored more than 50 books and 90 short stories. He also edited numerous anthologies.

Reviews

[Jon Von · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of horror novels go for a nightmarish tone but few reach the level of being such an incoherent and sketchy mess that it actually feels like a nightmare. An assortment of paper-thin characters in a quiet suburb are besiged by human-sized worm creatures with huge stingers in their tails. The monsters proceed to sting people, turn people into worms, and parade them down the street like dogs. A particularly weird b-movie. A hazy worm monster fever dream.

[Karl]

This book is Al Sarrantonio's first book.

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook edition of this.

Not a bad little story of a scorned witch enacting revenge of an untimely demise via giant worms. It's a short, action-packed one. Nothing ground-breaking, nothing SUPER exciting, but definitely a solid time passer.

[Paul Preston · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was entertaining but I didn’t connect with the characters. The ending seemed a bit too easy also

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is only science fiction insofar as something like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are science fiction. I don't know if Doubleday just didn't have a horror imprint back in the day or what, but the label is laughable. Especially considering it's not even clear if the toxic waste has any bearing on the story at all.

That said, The Worms is not, objectively, a good book. It reads like something that should be hosted by Elvira or Joe Bob Briggs; that is to say, it's schlock. But I'll be damned if it isn't entertaining schlock.

The story wastes absolutely no time in throwing the monsters at us, after establishing their backstory in centuries-old witchcraft. From there, it's full-throttle into a town being cut off from the outside world, and the residents being overwhelmed by mutant devil worms. It's exactly as silly and outrageous as it sounds, but it's a quick read, and it knows exactly what it is.

If you happen across The Worms at the library or something, and you're looking for a palette-cleanser, in between other books, it's worth a few hours of your time. If you have fond memories of late night horror flicks on cable TV, or grew up watching Mystery Science Theater 3000, you'll probably get a kick out of this one.

[Signor Mambrino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleasantly surprised with this. A lot of fun.

[Geoffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this ages ago... I don't remember much except for people getting stung by giant worms with stingers, and eventually turning into (literally) insectoids from Hell. I'll have to give it another go-around for old time's sake.