Book Review: Splatterlands edited by Anthony Rivera and Sharon Lawson
Disclaimer: I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway on the premise that I would review it.
According to Wikipedia, “splatterpunk” was a movement in horror writing between roughly 1985 and 1995, distinguished by its graphic and often gory descriptions of violence and attempts to create “hyperintensive” horror with no limits. Supernatural elements are neither necessary or forbidden. It seems to have been subsumed by newer trends in horror fiction, but never entirely died out.
Splatterlands is an anthology of thirteen short stories that try to recapture the feel of the splatterpunk movement. As such, it is filled with sex, violence, sexual violence, crude language and a fascination with body fluids. I’m going to come right out and issue a Trigger Warning for rape, torture, abuse and suicide.
For example, the first story, “Heirloom” by Michael Laimo, is about a woman who inherits a phallic symbol. The main action of the story involves an explicitly described act of semi-consensual sexual violence. If that immediately triggers your “do not want” instinct, then this volume is not for you.
Some stories that stood out include “Violence for Fun and Profit” by Gregory L. Norris, about the origin of a hired assassin/serial killer that’s frighteningly topical; “Housesitting” by Ray Garton (the only reprint), a relatively understated tale of a housesitter who snoops and finds out things she’d rather not about her neighbors; “The Defiled” by Christine Morgan, about a band of Viking raiders who meet a karmic fate; and “The Devil Rides Shotgun” by Eric del Carlo, in which a police officer makes a demonic pact to track down a serial killer.
One story that really didn’t work for me was “Empty” by A.A. Garrison. It’s about a woman in a post-apocalyptic world seeking medical assistance for her husband. It turns out to be metafictional humor, (and I did like the protest sign that said “Too Many Adverbs”), but really came across as trying too hard.
Recommended for horror fans with strong stomachs, especially those who were fans of the original splatterpunk movement. Probably not suitable for anyone else, despite the high quality of some of the stories.
