Carrion Comfort by Dan Simmons Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Carrion Comfort
Book Review: Brilliant
Summary: 5 Stars
What an excellent book. This is a brilliant concept and story line, kind of a smart man's horror read. What if the outrages that have happened in this world, (i.e. war, Hitler, murders, etc.) have been a direct result of mind vampires? People with super powers who can manipulate others to do their bidding. What if these people get into their own war with each other? This is the basis for this book. I was so impressed with the depth of this book, the complex characters and the vivid descriptions. Simmons writing reminds me of Stephen King, only better. Highly recommend this book for an interesting, exciting read!Book Review: CARRION ME AWAY
Summary: 4 Stars
It's a tribute to the writing skills of Dan Simmons that "Carrion Comfort" manages to hold your interest in spite of its almost 900 pages, and it's wandering development. The concept of "mind vampires" is quite unique, and the shifting points of view, along with the first person narrative of Melanie Fuller, combine to make an almost perfect horror novel. There are some marvelous characters including the sheriff, Rob Gentry; the heroine, Natalie Preston; and even the over-used Saul Latski. I say overused only because Simmons employs a little too much reminiscing and self-pity in dealing with Saul. Indeed, most of the flashbacks incurred by the characters, tends to slow the pace down, making you want the author to get back to what's going on now. For instance, the first human chess games is novel and tense; when we go to the climaxing chess game, it seems very repetitive, tedious, and not as gripping as I imagine Simmons wanted it to be. There are tons of villains, and at times, it's hard to keep up with them. The main villain, the Oberest, Willie Borden, is such a shadow figure that when we finally meet him again, he doesn't truly live up to the expectations you have of him. The character of Tony Harod, the movie producer, is so despicable that you want him out of the book long before he gets his just desserts.But, if you stick with it, persevere with the immensity of the book itself, it is a rather major accomplishment. The ending is sort of a surprise, and it's open-endedness smelled of a sequel, which I don't think Simmons ever gave us?
Anyway, plan to spend a few days with this book.
RECOMMENDED
Book Review: Carrion Comfort- absolute must have!
Summary: 5 Stars
Quickly. If you are a horror fan, I recommend this book to your library. Immediately. Absolute grade A horror essential.Book Review: Creepy beyond creepy -- but a masterpiece as well!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the creepiest book I have ever read (sorry Stephen, you are still my favorite, but this is too creepy even for you). You will have nightmares, sleep with the lights on and eventually bring the characters into your own dreams.
I have read this book four times, cover to cover, since I purchased it 10 years ago and have the same reaction every time -- the lights in the house remain on all the time, I drive my husband crazy with the "night lights" and I keep my eyes open in the shower. The "creepiness" eventually fades, but the memory of the most frightening "chess games" never really leave me. Maybe because that part could actually happen given a very sick individual and many brain damaged followers.
Stock up on light bulbs! This one will keep you up for a month!
Book Review: Cumbersome at times, interesting during others
Summary: 3 Stars
I'm not going to rehash the plot as it has been done in most of the reviews below. I thought the author did a number of really good things in the book with extensive research and development of various themes: phychology, death camps during the holocost, and various medical areas. I found the overall theme and execution of the book creepy and interesting, but not really scary. Despite the length of the book and extensive background on many of the main characters, I never really felt any emotional connection to the characters and when some of the "good guys" get killed off throughout the book it was like, eh, I didn't really expect it but who really cares. I thought the book got bogged down in the middle and was overly cumbersome throughout with the multitude of characters, jumping forward and back in time, jumping around in location, third-person to first-person, etc. I never really got into a flow with this book. It wasn't bad, and I enjoyed the start and end portion of the book. The other part that bothered me is that it is one of those books where when things are totally destitute and the "good guys" need something to happen or some piece of equipment to help them out, it just sort of appears with a weak backstory on how that happened. So if you enjoy the horror genre, this book is decent at times and a cool concept, but for the length and time invested I was hoping for and expecting more.