Customer Reviews

Are You Loathsome Tonight?

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If you're a fan of Poppy Z. Brite, you must have this collection. The stories here prove that the intensity of _Exquisite Corpse_ was no fluke. Compare this collection to her previous, _Wormwood_, and you will see how much Brite has grown in the years between the two.

As a long standing PZB fan, I was thrilled to see another trade paperback on the store shelves. Although I loved every page of the book, I felt that it paled in comparison to her previous works. The stories seemed less vivid and much more obscure...and I had seen most of them elsewhere. However, the dominant voice was pure Poppy. If you're a PZB fan, "Are You Loathsome Tonight" is a must read. If you're uinfimilar with her works, start with something else.

Though Brite's stories are not quite as impressive as her novels (Lost Souls, Drawing Blood, Exquisite Corpse, The Crow: The Lazurus Heart), they are still beautiful little gems that are worth reading. This collection was a bit weaker than her first--Wormwood, a.k.a. Swamp Foetus--but it still has some good strong stories. "Arise" and "Saved" are the finest examles in the book. Some of the worst stories are "Vermis Veritas," "America," and "Are You Loathesome Tonight?" If you are a true fan of Poppy, you won't want to miss this collection, but if you have yet to read her or are not a die-hard fan, I might have to recommend you pass on this one.

Poppy Z. Brite, Are You Loathsome Tonight? (Gauntlet, 1998)

I've read some of Poppy Z. Brite's novels over the course of the last ten years, but have somehow not read any of her short stories until now. Perhaps, judging by the reviews, this wasn't the best place to start. If so, I can't wait to get to the other collections I have lined up.

Most fans (and professional reviewers) seem to consider this one a weaker piece of output. While some of the criticisms are justified (not knowing some of the characters are from previous novels, for example, may confuse), they don't take away from the writing in general. And it's the quality of the writing in this collection that makes it worth reading. It's rather like Caitlin R. Kiernan's From Weird and Distant Shores; the subject matter may not be what the more plot-centric fans were hoping for, but the style is unmistakable, and wonderful. Probably the best book I've read in the past three weeks (and that's not as left-handed a compliment as it sounds, since that encompasses some twelve books). ****

...you'd probably appreciate this one. Poppy sticks with a formula (erotic horror/thriller fiction starring young gay men) that s/he knows how to work well. Possibly hir greatest moment is "Monday Night Special", in this fan's opinion.

I love Poppy's writings. She could publish her grocery list and I'd buy it. Having said that, her collection from Gauntlet Press is a tad uneven. The great stories are here;Arise, Self-Made man, Saved,Pin Money and Mussolini and the Axeman's Jazz. All are great genre-breaking tales. But some of the others seem to be just ramblings, incoherent musings at best. And if someone can tell me what Peter Straub's introduction was meant to do, I'd greatly appreciate it. Caitlin Kiernan's afterword is a fun reminiscence on her first meeting Ms. Brite. Recommended for fans of Poppy Z. Brite, only.

Poppy Z.Brite creates another masterpiece, as she takes herreaders back into the dark and tricky essence of a world few canventure... "Do You Feel Loathsome Tonight" will most likely be compared to her past stories (i.e. Lost Souls, Wormwood, ect.) and some might look down on it as not as great as her past work, but the author has become the reigning queen of ABYSS horror fiction. In this new story she brings you back into the strange stage that is her mind and will either confuse you or put you in a stage of euthoria. Not as good as "Drawing Blood" or "Esquisite Corpse" but a must have none the less. END

In a local bookstore last week, I sat down on the floor and read one of the stories in this book, Vine of the Soul, which catches up with Trevor and Zach from her novel, Lost Souls. I would have been tempted to buy the book just for that one very short story, except I suspected I could find it cheaper in the future. The story: love, drugs and the dawn of a new millenium in beautiful Amsterdam. I sound silly, don't I? I love Poppy's writing, though I think it is changing, becoming more complex, which can be both good and bad.

There are two reasons that I suggest you pick up Are You Loathsome Tonight. Reason number one--Poppy Z. Brite is a wonderful author. Each novel, short story, and chapbook that she has written and I have been able to get my hands on I have fully enjoyed. Are You Loathsome Tonight is no exception. It contains some excellent examples of why Poppy is a leading voice in dark horror fiction.

Reason number two--J.K. Potter's illustrations are a perfect match to Poppys writing. His visuals in this book are stunning. His art is dark, macabe and fantastic.

Together Potter and Poppy create the mood of this book. Her writing is potent and wonderful. His illustrations are haunting. Together when they are combined they will leave you (the reader) with a dark resonating image of what true excellent horror fiction and illustration can be.

Poppy z brite is the most exquisitly intelligent, literary, dark writer I have ever read. She truly changed my outlook on life, love, and murder. She captures true love and pain perfectly and its unquenchable marriage to each other. This book is only yet another reason to steal from your public library when, as I have found, it's impossible to find. If this is your first Poppy book then you must read Drawing Blood and Exquisite Corpse (both of which I have read more than twice). Poppy, wherever you are, I love you, I wish you'd write more soon, because I can't get enough of your beyond beautiful work.