How did I miss this one going up until now? We're definitely on the same page with Laymon's short stories. Most of them don't do much for me, but "Madman Stan" is such a wonderful little "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" style urban legend that even people who don't care for horror can enjoy it. It's absolutely my favorite of his short pieces, and any time anyone asks me for a short story recommendation for something that is "horror" but not "scary", it's my go-to selection. "Eats" is another of my favorites: a perfect showcase for Laymon's comedic talent which does exactly what it sets out to do, takes a bow, and leaves us to chuckle at the carnage. "Fiends" is...yeah, um, the less said about it, the better in my opinion. Completely agree that the only reason this saw print is because it's something Laymon wrote, and here was an opportunity to press it into service as a lead-off novella. If you start reading him with this story, you'll stop reading him with this story, it really is that bad. "A Good, Secret Place" is another one of those stories you read and think, "Really...?" I know it was the title piece for a collection which was nominated for a Stoker, but like you, I honestly struggle to see what people liked about this one. It's not a bad story per se, it's just not all that particularly memorable even with the gender-reveal "twist", which even Laymon has done better in some of his other stories. If you're interested in another good Laymon short story, I highly recommend "Keepers". It was published as an 8-page chapbook by Gauntlet Press back in 2001, and they've kept it in print ever since. I bought it a few months back, and it's stayed with me for a LONG time. One of the darkest things I think Laymon ever wrote, but also one of his best. Much like "Dinker's Pond", this could have been slotted into "Savage" and fit just fine. Excellent work distilling these stories down and reviewing them, and I'm sorry I missed this one when it originally came out. Thanks for all your work, and I hope to see you with 500 subscribers sooner rather than later. You definitely deserve a wider audience!
You have inspired me to purchase a copy of this book. I have never read any Richard Laymon and by sheer chance came across your review. Appreciate this may not be the best introduction as you said but you fascinated me. Looking forward to reading ‘Joyce’! I have seen some other Laymon related videos you’ve made and really enjoyed watching them. Many, many thanks.
Hi, thanks a lot for watching and commenting. Glad I've encouraged you to seek out Laymon, he's certainly one of a kind! Although rather than these short story collections, I'd suggest beginning with something like Funland or In The Dark. It'll give a much better idea of what Laymon was about and whether he's a writer you'll like. On my channel you can find reviews of all his books. Thanks again.
Thanks, I appreciate it. Laymon had some great (and some not so great) short stories. Regarding "Fiends" (the novella) - IIRC, it was something like an early draft of his first unpublished novel, rejected by the editors (not without a reason) that he later took out of a desk drawer, reviewed, added some bits and pieces from later story ideas, and remade into this novella. Yeah, it's pretty much a complete ridiculousness that has some of the most random and irrational main characters ever (Sherry from "Come out tonight" doesn't even come close to the girl from this story on the level of random stupidity). Too bad, since the story idea had some promise.
Thanks for the info about the novella, and yeah it doesn't surprise me it was a reworked version of a very early rejected piece. It doesn't feel like something that was composed by the Richard Laymon of 1997. I can't believe it's sandwiched between great books like In The Dark and The Midnight Tour.
@@horrornovelreviews8358 his nonfiction/memoirs book "A writer's tale" gives a very insightful perspective on the origins and inspirations for many of Laymon's novels (besides autobiographical stuff about his experience with editors and publishing houses etc). Too bad there's nothing in it about his latest (and IMHO best) novels, since it was written in 1998.
Can you do a book collection video? I really would like to see one since there are barely any horror book collection videos on CZcams (the only ones I know of are basically only Stephen King) and this was a great video.
Hi, thanks for the kind words. Yeah sure, I'll do one at some point, it's just a little difficult at the moment because so much of my collection isn't here with me now, it's back in England (my native country). But I'm planning to go there soon and pick it all up. Thanks again for watching.
Great video as usual!
Thank you, I appreciate it.
Congrats on 300 subs, you’re getting bigger and bigger! I'm so happy for you
How did I miss this one going up until now?
We're definitely on the same page with Laymon's short stories. Most of them don't do much for me, but "Madman Stan" is such a wonderful little "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" style urban legend that even people who don't care for horror can enjoy it. It's absolutely my favorite of his short pieces, and any time anyone asks me for a short story recommendation for something that is "horror" but not "scary", it's my go-to selection.
"Eats" is another of my favorites: a perfect showcase for Laymon's comedic talent which does exactly what it sets out to do, takes a bow, and leaves us to chuckle at the carnage.
"Fiends" is...yeah, um, the less said about it, the better in my opinion. Completely agree that the only reason this saw print is because it's something Laymon wrote, and here was an opportunity to press it into service as a lead-off novella. If you start reading him with this story, you'll stop reading him with this story, it really is that bad.
"A Good, Secret Place" is another one of those stories you read and think, "Really...?" I know it was the title piece for a collection which was nominated for a Stoker, but like you, I honestly struggle to see what people liked about this one. It's not a bad story per se, it's just not all that particularly memorable even with the gender-reveal "twist", which even Laymon has done better in some of his other stories.
If you're interested in another good Laymon short story, I highly recommend "Keepers". It was published as an 8-page chapbook by Gauntlet Press back in 2001, and they've kept it in print ever since. I bought it a few months back, and it's stayed with me for a LONG time. One of the darkest things I think Laymon ever wrote, but also one of his best. Much like "Dinker's Pond", this could have been slotted into "Savage" and fit just fine.
Excellent work distilling these stories down and reviewing them, and I'm sorry I missed this one when it originally came out. Thanks for all your work, and I hope to see you with 500 subscribers sooner rather than later. You definitely deserve a wider audience!
I was waiting for this. Thank you very much.
Thank YOU for watching and commenting!
You have inspired me to purchase a copy of this book. I have never read any Richard Laymon and by sheer chance came across your review. Appreciate this may not be the best introduction as you said but you fascinated me. Looking forward to reading ‘Joyce’! I have seen some other Laymon related videos you’ve made and really enjoyed watching them. Many, many thanks.
Hi, thanks a lot for watching and commenting. Glad I've encouraged you to seek out Laymon, he's certainly one of a kind! Although rather than these short story collections, I'd suggest beginning with something like Funland or In The Dark. It'll give a much better idea of what Laymon was about and whether he's a writer you'll like. On my channel you can find reviews of all his books. Thanks again.
You are most welcome. Look forward to delving into Laymon Land.
The character of Willy was a proper deviant a very brutal short story 😳
Thanks, I appreciate it. Laymon had some great (and some not so great) short stories.
Regarding "Fiends" (the novella) - IIRC, it was something like an early draft of his first unpublished novel, rejected by the editors (not without a reason) that he later took out of a desk drawer, reviewed, added some bits and pieces from later story ideas, and remade into this novella. Yeah, it's pretty much a complete ridiculousness that has some of the most random and irrational main characters ever (Sherry from "Come out tonight" doesn't even come close to the girl from this story on the level of random stupidity). Too bad, since the story idea had some promise.
Thanks for the info about the novella, and yeah it doesn't surprise me it was a reworked version of a very early rejected piece. It doesn't feel like something that was composed by the Richard Laymon of 1997. I can't believe it's sandwiched between great books like In The Dark and The Midnight Tour.
@@horrornovelreviews8358 his nonfiction/memoirs book "A writer's tale" gives a very insightful perspective on the origins and inspirations for many of Laymon's novels (besides autobiographical stuff about his experience with editors and publishing houses etc). Too bad there's nothing in it about his latest (and IMHO best) novels, since it was written in 1998.
Another great video and happy to see you review more of Laymon
Yeah, I'm starting to panic because I'll soon run out of Laymon books to read! Thanks a lot for watching as always.
Oh, I have been so looking forward to these! Thank you so much. :)
And thank you very much for watching :)
Can you do a book collection video? I really would like to see one since there are barely any horror book collection videos on CZcams (the only ones I know of are basically only Stephen King) and this was a great video.
Hi, thanks for the kind words. Yeah sure, I'll do one at some point, it's just a little difficult at the moment because so much of my collection isn't here with me now, it's back in England (my native country). But I'm planning to go there soon and pick it all up. Thanks again for watching.