Customer Reviews

Razor Wire Pubic Hair

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

When I started reading RWPH, I thought that the Carlton Mellick III (CM3) must be writing some form of cyber-punk BDSM. As I read more, I decided that CM3 must be writing some sort of feminst punk set in a dystopic future. Then I threw that one out and decided that it must be a satire on the role of men in our society (and the "tough guy" gender roles that they are forced to play). I finally ditched that one and gave up on trying to find an answer. Then I hit the climax, no pun intended, and I was thrilled to discover that it was just about sex.

Did I say "just about sex"? I don't mean it like that. RWPH is a raw, post-apocalypic horror story that may be set in the far future... or in a man's testicles. A fleshy, yet structured, landscape where pan-sexual cells are shaped and ruled by whore-moans (hormones). Or maybe it's all in the male subconscious.

The biological and the industrial meet-clash in strong pan-sexual antagonist-protagonist characters who evoke all sorts of weird and viseral reactions from the reader. Love? Hate? Disgust? Admiration? Facination? Definitely. All those and more; the sorts of emotions for which most of us don't even have names.

I think that CM3 must have sat down one evening and said, "Huh, I guess reading a really good story must be like having really good sex."
*This book is short; you can read it in one evening. In fact, it's hard to put down. Kind of like a good lover.
*The writing-style is fuzzy. Kind of like most of us get when we're really turned on.
*It has a great period of building curiosity. Kind of like foreplay.
*It builds slowly, taking its time. ;)
*It hits a climax. Kinda of like ... does anyone need me to explain this one?
*The resolution is light and dreamy, carrying the reader off into a new place of speculation and insight.

Read it. Love it or hate it, it *will* make you think, which is why I give it five stars and an enthusiastic recommendation.

This book is about sex, violence,the future of the human race, gender stereotypes, procreation and recreation, and loads of leather spikes blades and all other sorts of fun. This book is sometimes disturbing, but disturbingly, this book is more often funny. It manages to be completely absurd, yet real enough to still give you the willies at times. If you like having your limits pushed, but not to the point of complete uncomfortability, then you should read this repeatedly. Yet again, Carlton Mellick the 3rd manages to mush together a million tiny little ideas and interests, tie them with dirty twine, process them through a million different fetishes and compress them into a wholly original and throughly enjoyable story. How exactly he does it, we may never ever know.

Witch CM3 book will I explore next?

RWPH will take you on an acid-induced trip through the most surreal environment imaginable. It takes place either in the distant future or on another planet and follows the life of a hermaphrodite sex-toy, in a land ruled by violent sex crazed bizarre women. Along the way you encounter zombies, rapists and very special frogs. Only for those with a wild imagination.

Don't do drugs do CM3 - it's cheaper!

First of all, if you're walking into this experience expecting the standard Victorian storytelling experience that is still prevalent to this day (y'know, person's name followed by their history and the setting described in infinite detail, to make the reader feel omnipotent) then you'll be sadly disappointed. This is a bizarro book, meaning, it follows the bizarro mode of operation. As with any bizarro book, remember: reality is for people who can't handle fiction.

The story itself is a study of relationship dynamics between semi-human and even less semi-human androidish beings in a bleak future. The characters aren't as vibrant as in some of CM3's other work, but the sheer enormity of their unusual attributes more than makes them worth studying. I kind of guessed how it would end, but maybe that's because I'm a WMD privy sniffer. More than anything, I love strolling through CM3's art exhibit - his is the genius of an avant film maker who instead turns to painting, using words for oil and paper for canvas. Using words in this way will no doubt send dictionary-gropers running to the authorities, but for me it's a pleasure to see English turned into a subby tart.

Some people have been disturbed by the "violence" and "sex" in this book, but I fail to see what the hubbub is about - the author doesn't go into obsessive detail in these areas, nor are the elements in question out of place. In fact, in a book about the violence of relationships how can you not have sex or violence, or the combination thereof?

This seems to be the book where CM3 really hit his stride, and I'd recommend it as an introduction to his work for those unfamiliar with him. If you're into fast-paced books loaded with unusual visuals, this is for you. And now, if you'll excuse me, I aim to play a game or two of black spider before the night is through...

Every new author that comes out is raved as the next Stephen King or the next Kurt Vonnegut. Carlton Mellick is not that way. He is unlike any author in literature. Therefore he is not the next of anything, he is the first. Someday he will be popular enough where people will start calling themselves the next Carlton Mellick, but for now he is one of a kind. Though I wasn't a big fan of Satan Burger and Electric Jesus Corpse, Razor Wire Pubic Hair has to be one of the better novels I've read all year. It is a metaphor for the world of sex; a journey into the nightmare world of a man's subconscious sexual desires. There are no men in this place. There are only violent lesbians who live only for sex and war. This is intelligent experimental horror fiction at its best. This book and House of Leaves are two of the most progressive horror novels ever written. Buy them both.

I think this is one of those books that you either love it or hate it...I love it! A few things I love about it are:

1. The writing style. Another reviewer said this book is like an x-rated Cat In The Hat. I totally agree. The writing is playful, childlike and smutty. It's an interesting combo. It's also disturbing because when you read it you get the adolescent sensation of "eew vaginas" and "oooo sexy" at the same time. Sometimes I wasn't sure whether to be grossed out or turned on. There are things in this book I would have never considered sexy and yet somehow the writing makes them appeal to the kinky part of me. I also think that just as Dr. Suess used children's books as a platform for satirizing society Mellick employs a similar satirical and simplistically intelligent style.

2. The central character. As mentioned, the central character is a genetically engineered hermaphrodite. It is a pet/sexual play thing/means for reproduction for the dominant woman who purchases it. Strange as it may sound, I sympathized with this bizarre character and its unique circumstances.

3. The setting. I would say this book takes place in a sci-fi fantasy nightmare world. Think of a pornographic Hellraiser crossed with Tetsuo: the Iron Man ruled by Lesbian S&M Fetishists.

I'm sure this book isn't for everyone. I've read other books by Mellick and this one is very different in a lot of ways. You probably won't like this book if you aren't into kinky sex or if you are used to reading books that are very dense.

This is the first book I've reviewed. I'm telling you that because I usually don't think books are worth reviewing. What I appreciated the most about this book was the subtle humor. Don't take that the wrong way, I wouldn't say this book is funny. More like absurd, disturbed, or like some kind of inside joke. At the same time it is very dark and industrial, seems like it is set inside of an HR Giger painting. The writing style is very simplistic and yet stylish. The hermaphroditic main character is an innocent, genetically engineered toy introduced into a world of bizarre sex and ritual. The story progresses as he/she is purchased by a dominant woman that force-impregnates she/he and makes it have her baby. The reader learns about the world along with the main character. His/her perspective is very child like, or like a pet puppy. So the writing style reflects the character's personality (since it is writen in first person). I have never come across anything like this and will definitely be checking out other books by this author.

This, like most of CM3's books, is not for the conservative. It is however brimming with surreal, satirical fun for all ages. It has sex clones, zombies, and an army of rabid rapists. It also gives new definition to "vagina monologue." As it skewers our perceptions of sex, gender roles and cosmetic surgery, it may also shock, disturb and make you laugh out loud. One of CM3's more original and surreal visions, it is more in the vein of Steel Breakfast Era or Fishy Fleshed than Satan Burger or Menstruating Mall (all of which are great surreal fiction) This is yet another great read from one of the pioneers of post modern surrealism. Pick it up and have fun, but don't forget to wear protection, books like these can be infectious.

This story follows a genetically engineered human sex toy who has been purchased by his master for mating purposes, not just pleasure. It is a beautifully sympathetic view of a creature who exists only to be objectified seeking love in a world where the male gender no longer exists and there are only females, rapists and zombies. Like Shinya Tsukamoto's Tetsuo and the art of H.R. Giger the imagery in this book reveals the dark, metallic, violent, electricity of sex.

I coudn't put this book down and I read it in an hour. The writing style is fresh and unique, the interior illustrations beautiful. I wish there were more books like this!

Carlton Mellick invites us to breath through the mouth of a futuristic sex toy in a primal and distant world. I read this book quickly, over the course of 2 afternoons or so. I was drawn into the book by a mixture of disgust and arousal. While some might be quick to label Carlton as a surrealist painting Dali-esque images of a vast and raging world filled with lust and razor wire pubic hair, I like to think of him as an abstract expressionist. A man creating a violent and lusty world of horniness, fear and loathing. Read this book if you hate your English teacher.