Horror Aficionados discussion

I got my copy in the mail today! I'm starting it tonight!

I got my copy yesterday and read a few chapters at work. Let's read it together!

I didn't get started. I'll get it done this weekend.

I haven't had time to pick it up since Wed. But I'll get back to it soon.

Is that the name of the book or the subject?

One last thing - what is splatterpunk? Don't laugh, but I really don't know. I haven't heard of that genre until joining this group.

nevermind, just looked it up. would Jack Ketchum be in that category?

Is "Cows" a Bizarro or a Splatterpunk? I haven't heard of it.

Erica wrote: "One last thing - what is splatterpunk? Don't laugh, but I really don't know. I haven't heard of that genre until joining this group.

nevermind, just looked it up. would Jack Ketchum be in tha..."

Erica, we are discussing this on another thread. Personally, I would consider Ketchum in the Splatterpunk genre. Splatterpunk was a style created in the 80s. Basically it is just intense Horror, with an overabundance of gore and violence. David Schow and Skipp & Spector are pretty much the creators of the stuff. Their material, though, is incredibly mild when put up against the stuff Ed Lee would eventually start writing in the small press (his Leisure material is edited).

Bizarro I am wholly unfamiliar with, and I am pretty sure I am fine keeping it that way. APESHIT is bizarro, I believe, and from some of the reviews I have heard, it is nothing more than shit.

is supposed to be one of the most disgusting books out there. I've read a few chapters and it's pretty gross. I haven't gotten into the meat of the book, but so far I've been grossed out the most by the obese mother and her disgusting food. When food and gross things collide, I want to puke my guts out.

I hated Apeshit, but his The Haunted Vagina is brilliant and funny and sweet and you'll never read a story like it ever again. I recommend it highly. I think THVagina is considered bizarro. I really don't care for sub-genre labels, if that's what that is. I can understand the need for horror, romance, westerns, but that's all I need.

"I haven't gotten into the MEAT of the book..."

Tressa you punster!!! LOL!!!

That was unintentional. My corny husband likes puns, not me.

I found it to be a slight letdown.

Was going to pick it up and read it at lunch, but decided that wouldn't be a good idea. I'll have to read this one late at night when I'm nowhere near food.

Letdown? I have real low expectations. I'm just reading it for novelty's sake.

i cant wait for cows to be re-released! it'll be out february 11th 2011!!!

In e-book or just print ?

I recently finished this book. Stokoe has a way with words and is a good writer, I just hated the story and all the nasty details of this guy's life.

sorry bloody horror ive been busy, well to my surprise this item was released january 11th, so technically when you asked that question if was already out, and it's in trade paperback and indeed it's on e-book as well, i checked barnes and noble for you, and its 9.99, maybe you could find it cheaper....my copy will arrive in the mail tomorrow!!!

just got my copy yesterday! sooooo excited!!!

This is, bar none, the most disgusting thing I've ever read. Whenever I get a chance I am eager to recommend this book to anyone who would dare to read it. I bought the eBook but I think I'm going to need a print copy just to loan out to people when I preach the gospel of COWS. The title just doesn't prepare you for whats inside.

Bryan, did you ever read it?

Yes Tressa, I read it, I wasn't disappointed as far as being shocked and disturbed goes. I was entertained, and that's about as far as I can comment on terms of it's literary merit (while it does have some).

I own High Life, but have yet to read it. I heard it's worse than Cows in terms of being graphically violent, and heard it was worse than American Psycho. What is your take Paula? I would be surprised and concerned if there was a book that topped American Psycho, in terms of sheer, brutal violence.

Tressa,are you going to read it? And for anybody who read Black and Orange, this months group read, was it any good? Haven't heard to many things about it. Thanks!

Hi, Bryan. I read Cows months ago. Did not like it; thought it was pointless. Unlike Paula, I didn't get any deep meaning out of it. Maybe I'm too lowbrow, lol.

I started Black and Orange but wasn't really enjoying it so I didn't finish it. That's bad on my part because it was a group read, but I'm in a reading slump anyway and life just kept getting in the way. Check out the thread to see the comments. A lot were confused by the story or didn't like some aspects of it.

I just put the November Group Read poll up. We're doing short stories. Hope you can join us.

I can completely understand the graphic nature of COWS too much to handle but the deeper meanings should have been apparent. There were political, ethical and social undertones through out. In fact I believe the book itself would make for excellent discussion in any sociology class.

Many of the Amazon reviews for both Cows and High Life I found very informative and insightful. Kathy Acker has a quote regarding Cows. High Life involves deviant sexual extremes that I can only compare to Wrath James White Poisoning Eros I and II. I view this type of literature as transgressive and pushing boundaries. It is certainly not for everyone and I understand why. I also have Stokoe's Empty Mile that I have yet to read. If anyone has read it I would love to hear you think of it.

Yeah for October's group read I thought "Black and Orange" was a lame pick, just my honest opinion. There are so many better books we should have read for the iconic horror lover's month.

I agree there might have been some messages in COWS, but any attempt was lost in the blundering shock and awe that the author tried to provoke from his readers.

Where can I read Poisoning Eros? Or buy a copy?

NJMetal wrote: "I can completely understand the graphic nature of COWS too much to handle but the deeper meanings should have been apparent...."

Maybe they should have been, but they aren't. I think someone could find deeper meanings in any literature if they look closely enough.

yeah kyle i think it's safe to say offspring would be splatter punk, and yeah read cows, i think it's still in print and you can order it off amazon, if not let me know, i have an extra copy..

The comments and reviews just made me order this book thru Amazon. It sounds like my kind of story.

I can't find a epub version of this. :(

cows isn't disturbing at all. it is more of a existential fiction that uses the extreme to explain what most people want in life, to fit in, to have a family etc if you find this "disturbing" you haven't read it right.

Ordered Cows last week on paperback, after I have read it I'll add my comments then hehe

Grrrr been stuffed around YET AGAIN with ordering books online, ordered cows from Texas end of Feb they have only NOW refunded me money for the book cost only and not even the shipping... so have to start all over again try fin another copy and wait another month *cries*

I just picked up a copy of cows and high life. Based on this thread about it I think I may be in for a "walk on the wild side" so to speak. Probably similar to Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk. Not a lot bothers me other than snapping bones or fingers. Not sure why but those things make me cringe, all else I pretty much enjoy with a twisted glee. (I think I should be ashamed... But I'm not.)

COWS made a real impression on me. I bought it probably through reading Palahniuk. Being a huge fan (geek) of obscure cinema, COWS had me thinking of Bad Boy Bubby (first half) and even Eraserhead. The shock tactics at first made me sneer, but then you realise what impression they leave on you, certainly theres a lot of emotion in ther. Hope people who are bordering on purchasing don't hesitate. Hoping to read Stokoe's other stuff.

what is the difference between bizzaro and splatterpunk?

In a nutshell, Bizzaro is strange or weird and Splatterpunk is bloody and gross. Over simplifying a bit, maybe.

I'd never heard of Cows before, but I've gone and reserved it at the library. Something tells me I might not be able to finish this one....

I'm so sorry I mentioned it. Don't cuss me too much. Let me know what you think of it...if you can finish it.

Michael wrote: "I'd never heard of Cows before, but I've gone and reserved it at the library. Something tells me I might not be able to finish this one...."

Good luck Michael. One of the most disturbing books I have ever read.....probably THE most disturbing now that I think of it.
Reading this book on an empty stomach is always a good idea....

More gross than disturbing. Yes, do NOT eat or possibly even sip water while reading this, especially for the scenes with the disgusting mother. Ugh.

Hmmmm, you guys are starting to make me reconsider! lol

Oh, every horror/bizarro fan should read Cows once.

I'm an amazon prime member so I just downloaded it on Read For Free, and I guess I'll try and read it.

Let us know what you think, Kathy.