Customer Reviews

Miss Corpus

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

So yes, we can all agree that this book is definitely not for everyone. But my God, when the right people find it... they'll be in for one heck of a good read. It's a motley crew of characters, but all have heart -- which is why what they do doesn't matter as much as why they do it in the first place. I'd say this is an author who's going far... and it all starts here.

When I first started reading this book I didn't think I was going to make it past the first couple of pages. I enjoyed the authors previous release (a collection of short stories), but I doubted my capabilities of enjoying an intact book. Despite my hesitancy towards reading novels, I began to process the words. As I ran into the different characters and situations I found myself sympathizing with them (which is nothing to take lightly, considering the extremity of the characters). It felt at times like I was in the back seat experiencing everything the author was describing in vivid detail. Its not his imagery that entraps you in this twisted tale of love and death, but through his choice of words which perfectly flow in a mesmerizing stream, leaving you questioning your state of mind.

I must warn you, some of his images are at times a bit difficult to stomach, and to be honest- disgusting, but I personally felt what was intended, and if I may say so, is an accomplishment on the authors part.

I'm about 9 times farther in this book than I thought I would be by now. I find putting this novel down harder than getting up for school at 7 am every morning. Some of it can be a little gruesome at times but its all in good taste- Written for purpose and not written solely for reaction. The livelihood of the dead is amazing.
I still have a few more chapters to go, and I'm looking forward to the "miles ahead" towards the Chapman patented twisted ending. From the personification of the South, to the corpse in the cooler, its a guaranteed trip down an awkward yet enlightening bumpy road (no pun intended). For Chapman's first novel, its quite an accomplishment. Pick it up-see for yourself.

I loved Clay McLeod Chapman's Rest Area. Such a twisted yet lovable collection of short stories and I was not disappointed by Miss Corpus. The story telling is amazing. The way he writes makes you feel as if you are really there, that you are sitting in the back of the car and the characters are talking to you. You empathize with them even though you know what they are doing is heinous. You can't help but love them despite their faults. Despite some of the grotesque imagery the story is so emotional, a whole roller coaster of emotions, and I find myself not wanting to get off. I believe it's very much a love story (between the characters and also for the South in general). A very dark one! That's what is so appealing about it though. It's not typical. A love story for people who grew up loving horror films and finding every Nicholas Sparks movie/novel to be what is truly disgusting. It's not for everyone, that's certain. But if you are one of the slightly morbid individuals that likes things to be just a tad dark and a little gross, then this is for you. At it's heart Miss Corpus is a funny, demented, and passionate love story that will linger in your thoughts long after you've put the book down.

Chapman weaves us a tale of death, regret and hope in this gorgeous story of trying to tie up loose ends. I didn't like the book at first but I got sucked in and deeply moved by the author's imagery and heart. With a compassionate voice, Chapman takes on this journey through the South with two men in search of some understanding of what to do now that the fate of their loved ones has been sealed. He is a brilliant author who actually does NOT work for Bacardi by day but I understand that this belief may be more comforting to far less accomplished "writers".

Miss Corpus is a wonderfully dark, articulate, vivid, well-written, captivating novel. Every sentence left me hungry for the next. Chapman's incredible narrative drive will throw you into a highly imaginative world that shuttles between present and past with an extremely diverse range of characters. This carefully crafted book is a unique treasure and I highly recommend picking it up.

Clay Chapman fuses the emotional intensity of dramatic monologue with a more traditional tale of epic journey. While its plot seems to focus on two men who are unable to let go of the past, the focus is on the shifting landscape of the country across which each is travelling. The result is riot of voices, each fighting to tell its own story. Clearly this book, has generated a lot of debate-- That alone, proves the work thought-provoking and deserving of a reader's attention.

1 unbelievable premise
+ 4 gratuitously gross subplots
+ unlimited, pretentious wordplay
+ 3 stereotypical narrators
_______________________________
an overblown, tedious example of overkill,
destined for the remainder bin

Southern Gothic? Flannery O'Connor must be rolling in her grave. (not that I want to read a book about it)

This book was so bad, I iniatially assumed Hyperion was doing novelty books. I was reminded of those spoofs of Martha Stewart's Living, where Martha was building bottle rockets in the pantry. This one seems more aptly titled "The Passages Stephen King's Editor Made Him Excise". It's terrible. I see from the author note that Chapman's a young fellow and "writing since the age of twelve". Therefore I'd like to root for him. But that seems akin to rooting for a Tom Green movie to win an Oscar. Some strong images in there, I have to agree with that. However, you have to dig through an inundation of cliches to get there. I might be doing the public a disservice even selling my used copy, but I want some of my money back.

nice concept, but simpleton and trite.

this is "wanna-be" literature. it wants to be so much that it isn't or it can't be.

clay has potential; i hope he lives up to it.

I'm not much of a reader but a dear friend recommended this book. He said that Chapman is an amazing talent, and that we are fortunate to be alive at a time when such books are being written. I was skeptical but I have to admit that within 10 pages I was won over. This is a book about love - love that truly springs eternal, love that truly does conquer all. there is a reason that people write so many songs about love. I like the way the book deals with death. I lost my wife last year, and had I read this book before that happened, I might have embarked on a similar journey.. a farewell tour for my belove anna. I also read a review on this site that mentioned the movie weekend at bernie's. I love that movie but I think that review was very negative and mean-spirited, perhaps written by one who can not love.