grotesquerie Paperback – September 1, 2020

NOTE: These two reviews, contained in this review are focusing on the short stories in this collection titled "Banishments" and "Neithernor". This is NOT a review for the whole book.Banishments:This review covers the first story within the grotesquerie collection titled Banishments, which is apart of my Halloween reading list. I chose to review the short story instead of reviewing the whole book because I am treating this as somewhat of a study to identify the core elements and atmosphere in writings. This book can be considered heavier reading, but I knew what I was getting myself into before I started.Banishments is a truly interesting story with murky elements and emotional ties in setting to a broken home, but more importantly what is found floating down a stormy, rushing river. And the writings here in Banishments has a classical type feel that left me in somewhat of a confused state when certain elements were finally introduced. However, I feel like that is not at fault of the writer, but my own as my assumptions led me to believe, based on what was presented that at first had me thinking this story took place in some distant world.A ton of room is left for imagination in Banishments without feeling like it’s an incomplete story. I love the fact that this story makes me go “Wait…” did I catch that correctly? For what lies at the root of that is the foundation of what I am, then I decide how to react to that, which should have a different effect on each person that reads.This story ties many things together in somewhat of a genius collaboration of thought, relationships, the arcane, emotion, setting, horror and self reflection. Some words I had to look up and I like that, to a degree. I was second guessing myself at several different parts and whether I should or should not be feeling a certain way, in most time I do on my own, but the text here reinforced that behavior and to my surprise I was justifying my own self reflection while reading the text because I was wrong about a couple of things at first. This presents a marvel on it’s own merit.Several actions by the main characters surrounding the dialog of Will and Dylan accentuated the emotional impact the story had on me and fit well, so congratulations to the author for tying those two elements together quite nicely. A lot of times it is the small details authors need to pay attention to make the story fit snugly for interpretation to us as a reader and that attention to detail here adds great value.The only negative thing I can say is that a little more variation to the start of paragraphs or sentences could have been better, but these are minor inconveniences and happened infrequently. This did not affect my star rating.Recommendation:This type of writing is not for everyone. With that being said, I categorized this as a prize in literature and I give Banishments, the first short story in the collection, grotesquerie ★★★★★ 5 stars out of 5.Neithernor:In my review for the first story in grotesquerie titled Banishments, I don’t think I mentioned, but these stories are mostly written in a classical form. It’s one that you don’t see often these days. It is a bit heavier of reading, sometimes I had to go back over things, but with this comes a reward. What is also rewarding about these stories is, albeit not excessive, is that their are gems. Gems in the form of interesting words, gems in the form of complex thought, gems in the form of references to other mediums of art, etc. I really can’t say enough about how I value gems in all books like that, not just this short story. Things that make you think, wonder and research to learn and grow. I fear that a lot of modern books won’t put gems in a book for reasons I can only assume, but I think it is a mistake, especially when warranted. I haven’t read a lot of classic literature, even in the horror genre such as H.P. Lovecraft or similar, not enough to speak about it. But, if I were to assume what it would be like and to recall a solid memory about it, it would be close in form to what Gavin has done here. This is classy horror, no cussing or vulgarities in that respect. It’s intellectual reading.Again, if you are apt to assume, Gavin will prove you wrong. I think this could be easily mistaken for confusing writing, but I don’t think that is the case here. I think it would be a mistake to state so. Gavin has a gift for being paradoxically simple and complex at the same time and this gets you out of your comfort zone, which I think is a great thing in all aspects of life when applied correctly and on your own will.This story has elements of distant, slightly unfamiliar family. Mystical art with intimate relationships started on the basis of deception and most importantly all these elements are wrapped up in a quest to unite with family. The story is very believable and thought out well. Internal dialog and thoughts also hold genuinity. The ending is paradoxical and it is written as such.Recommendation:Gavin produces a vivid, atmospheric writing that is genuine, paradoxical and grim; it’s filled with reading gems of different types, dark and unsettling things and even a couple of hints of humor. I enjoyed this just as much as I did my first review of the first short story in grotesquerie titled Basishments. I give it ★★★★★ 5 stars out of 5.

The seeking out of and allegiance to sources of truth or falsehood, divination, darkness, the uncanny and occult laced together with the right words to set the scene and mood.These short stories that follow worked for me:After the FinalThe seeking out of, who he is, darkness and secrets of underworld, the revered one he worships, an allegiance to a professor nobody.There will be talk of plague and plague masks with experimentations, have things gone too far?Interesting take on pupil and teacher and relationship of devote and the extreme one can go, laced with selective right words bringing alive the macabre.“…I cannot help but wonder if you might return to your more decimated pupils, the ones you left behind on this shadow-encrusted planet.”“Do you see how assimilated your teachings have become with me? Your “little lectures on supernatural horror,” as you somewhat dismissively called them, made me feel as though I had been granted admittance to the buried sphere from which I’d been wrongly banished, condemned to being born into this world.”NeithernorConduits, art and mysteries.“She calls this series Neithernor, because they are neither one thing nor the other. One sees two things at once, you might say.”“Night fell and I tried to sort my thoughts into some semblance of a plan. I couldn’t even begin to judge whether or not my intentions were pure. Cousin Vera had become swallowed up in a life that I can only describe as leprous. If I could not free her, I could at least confirm that she was not in imminent danger. I believe people have the right to diminish themselves if they so desire.”“It seems my life waxes then wanes. For a time my cup runneth over, then is drained, after which I strive and scramble to replenish that which has been lost.”Fragile masksShort stay in a B & B, it is fall and Halloween, catatonic and strange encounters await.Crawl Space OracleSeeking out advice and monies involved years past between two women.Could they adventure be a grave mistake?Sortes sanctorumChild of Babel“Alchemy of sound and isolation,” and living nightmares await one woman.Cast LotsSleep, dream and nightmare.Dream-mire.Notes on the Aztec Death WhistleThe dark journey of one whistle in another’s hand, a dubious professor with another side to him.Voice of dammed commence thus forth into world via a whistle.

Grotesquerie by Richard Gavin is a stunning collection of weird horror short fiction. From my notes..."the writing is superb, like the finest music...word alchemy at its best". I loved every story in this beautiful book, but these are the ones that got expletives, and stars...~Scold's Bridle (brilliantly disturbing)~Ten Of Swords: Ruin (phenomenal)~The Sullied Pane (deceptive appearances)~Banishments (unsettling)~Chain of Empathy (brilliant!)This is another book by my favourite indie publisher, Undertow Publications. The glorious cover art is by Mike Davis. I highly recommend this for readers of the brilliant and weird.

Well written stories, on par if not better than his previous works. Nice quality book too thanks to Undertow Publications.