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1st out of 33 books
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18 voters
When We Join Jesus In Hell
by
Lee Thompson (Goodreads Author)
"WHEN WE JOIN JESUS IN HELL is as crazy as its tormented protagonist. Hard as nails."
-- Jack Ketchum
Home, he thinks, Where the heart bleeds freely.
A hell of a boxer, he earned the nickname 'Fist' back in the day. But during the past eight years, he's transformed into somebody he no longer knows—a weak, pitiful, and passionless office drone.
Barely hanging onto the last thre...more
-- Jack Ketchum
Home, he thinks, Where the heart bleeds freely.
A hell of a boxer, he earned the nickname 'Fist' back in the day. But during the past eight years, he's transformed into somebody he no longer knows—a weak, pitiful, and passionless office drone.
Barely hanging onto the last thre...more
ebook
Published
September 25th 2012
by Delirium Books
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I won this novella during an online Meet the Author event for Darkfuse Publishing.
The story starts off with our protagonist named Fist drunkenly making his way home late at night. During his walk home he is musing about the state of his life and marriage. Fist used to be a boxer, (hence the nickname), but gave it up at the height of his career to become the father he believes his family wanted and needed-a man with a stable job, bringing home a paycheck,and home every night. The idea of what a m...more
The story starts off with our protagonist named Fist drunkenly making his way home late at night. During his walk home he is musing about the state of his life and marriage. Fist used to be a boxer, (hence the nickname), but gave it up at the height of his career to become the father he believes his family wanted and needed-a man with a stable job, bringing home a paycheck,and home every night. The idea of what a m...more
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When We Join Jesus in Hell may be the most brilliant piece of short fiction I have read in ages. At slightly less than 60 pages it is too long for a short story and not long enough for a novella. In the old days we might have called that a novelette. Yet Lee Thompson's whopper of a modern tragedy is one of those tales that will keep you up at night and inhabit your brain for a very long time. Thompson's protagonist is barely together from page one but an incident happens that sends him into a ve...more
7 likes
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Sep 30, 2012
Lee Thompson
rated it
5 of 5 stars
· (Review from the author)
Recommends it for:
Fans of Tom Piccirilli, Douglas Clegg, Joe Lansdale, Peter Straub, Lee Thompson, Greg Gifune, etc.
Recommended to Lee by:
One dark night in the ghetto
Savage, heartbreaking and brutal.
A hero by the name of Jack Ketchum just read this and sent me a blurb...
"WHEN WE JOIN JESUS IN HELL is as crazy as its tormented protagonist. Hard as nails."
-- Jack Ketchum
A hero by the name of Jack Ketchum just read this and sent me a blurb...
"WHEN WE JOIN JESUS IN HELL is as crazy as its tormented protagonist. Hard as nails."
-- Jack Ketchum
6 likes
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It is a rare occurence when words fail me after reading a story....When We Join Jesus in Hell is one of those stories. A visceral exploration of the human heart. Of love, loss and vengence. It reopens old wounds in your soul and creates new ones. You'll need to find a quiet place to regain your composure after this one. I am loathe to admit it, but this book made me cry. Lee Thompson is an author to watch and a very dangerous man. Highest recommendation.
15 likes
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Reminded me of Tom piccirilli. Very good story but I was disappointed with the length, it seemed short for a novella. I will definitely read more of this author in the future though.
3 likes
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"When We Join Jesus In Hell" might just be Lee's best book yet. It is an emotionally devastating look into one man's journey through darkness, pain and suffering that will leave you shaken and breathless.
Lee's stories are always emotionally dark, with a richness and depth to his characters that few authors are able to achieve.
In "When We Join Jesus In Hell" the main character Fist suffers a life shattering experience when he gets home from work that irrevocably destroys what he was as a man, sen...more
Lee's stories are always emotionally dark, with a richness and depth to his characters that few authors are able to achieve.
In "When We Join Jesus In Hell" the main character Fist suffers a life shattering experience when he gets home from work that irrevocably destroys what he was as a man, sen...more
5 likes
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I"m a newbie Darkfuse member reader, and this was the first book I got to. Such an amazing feat to pull off the tone throughout this novel, which I am guessing was very hard to write without sounding campy or half-tongue in cheek (like the movie Sin-City, for example, which I still loved but was different). Reality in the novel was dripping and fluid. The content is horrific, sure, but the mystical and surreality of the writing is what got me hooked. ('sur-reality,' just made that word up.)
Love...more
Love...more
3 likes
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This is the story of Fist, an ex boxer turned workaday Joe family man. He feels lost in his new role and tries to drown his sorrow in drink. One night he comes home drunk and stumbles up to bed. What he sees in the bedroom will change his life forever, and over the course of that night he tries to set right a series of wrongs.
This was an intensely moving and powerful story. Yes it was dark, and gory but still enormously moving. My heart went out to Fist for what he felt was a life wasted. It was...more
This was an intensely moving and powerful story. Yes it was dark, and gory but still enormously moving. My heart went out to Fist for what he felt was a life wasted. It was...more
2 likes
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When We Join Jesus in Hell is a novella by Lee Thompson in the horror genre. It's fair to classify the story outside of horror also, as the nightmare visited on the protagonist is one that lives in the physical realm and, unfortunately could happen to anyone. The plot: Fist is a used-to-be-boxer who became a corporate drone to support his wife and child and became estranged from them through the sheer deadening effects of daily life. One day he loses them both to unspeakable violence. Fist chase...more
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Get your grim on
When We Join Jesus In Hell is bleak, bleak, bleak. If you like to be sad, this story delivers. I'm not surprised that Jack Ketchum has given it high praise. Tonally, it reminds me of Ketchum's work.
After finishing When We Join Jesus in Hell, I couldn't decide if I wanted to commit suicide or start taking Prozac.
There's no way to discuss any of the plot of Lee Thompson's story without giving spoilers, so I will stick to the impact it had on me. Honestly, I felt miserable after fi...more
When We Join Jesus In Hell is bleak, bleak, bleak. If you like to be sad, this story delivers. I'm not surprised that Jack Ketchum has given it high praise. Tonally, it reminds me of Ketchum's work.
After finishing When We Join Jesus in Hell, I couldn't decide if I wanted to commit suicide or start taking Prozac.
There's no way to discuss any of the plot of Lee Thompson's story without giving spoilers, so I will stick to the impact it had on me. Honestly, I felt miserable after fi...more
1 like
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Over the past few years, I’ve enjoyed the works of Lee Thompson (not to be confused with horror author Lee Thomas). When I heard about his new novella, and saw that amazing cover artwork, I knew I had to read it.
Lee has talked before about how much he admires Tom Piccirilli, both as a writer and as a human being, and I think this particular work highlights some of the best parts of Lee’s writer toolbox, and When We Join Jesus In Hell makes him the perfect successor to Tom, his truest dark discip...more
Lee has talked before about how much he admires Tom Piccirilli, both as a writer and as a human being, and I think this particular work highlights some of the best parts of Lee’s writer toolbox, and When We Join Jesus In Hell makes him the perfect successor to Tom, his truest dark discip...more
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I'm not sure how I stumbled across this book. But the name stuck in my head. Part of the reason was cause it was so 'out there' and the other part was because I was confused about being so attracted towards such a blasphemous sounding title. Don't get me wrong- I don't care for religion but I also can't be bothered to read a novel based on why god doesn't exist, which is something this novel's title hinted at (for me). However, I was wrong. Thompson DOES raise the issue of whether or not God exi...more
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What would you do if you came home from work one night to find your family in peril by a knife wielding man driven only by hatred and the desire for destruction?!
Wow!!!!! Right off the bat, the author slam-dunks your emotions into a hornet's nest leaving you startled, shocked and stung with disbelief as to the evil that some men are capable of and how far one man will go for justice and revenge to redeem himself in the eyes of his family and restore the honor and love he feels he lost years bef...more
Wow!!!!! Right off the bat, the author slam-dunks your emotions into a hornet's nest leaving you startled, shocked and stung with disbelief as to the evil that some men are capable of and how far one man will go for justice and revenge to redeem himself in the eyes of his family and restore the honor and love he feels he lost years bef...more
2 likes
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One of my favorite new authors, Thompson blends elements of horror and crime noir, as well as his own unique take on the spiritual and metaphysical, all with his usual flair for the surreal, slipping shiny and reflective blades of truth between the ribs of the subconscious as he tackles deep and universal human issues light and warming as faith, love and devotion, and cold and dark as hate, vengeance, and death, which are so deeply personalized you'll be rooting for Fist, the book's hard-bitten...more
3 likes
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If I could give this book 3.5 stars, I would. It definitely gripped me and held me tight--something that I think every reader craves. But at the same time, the writing is occasionally clumsy and/or confusing (which is strange, because the language is at other times stunningly beautiful.) Perhaps that's just me, though, because most of the other reviews are glowing. At the end I was also left with a distinct lack of satisfaction...I feel like this story deserved more length and the characters mor...more
1 like
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This was my first encounter reading Lee Thompson and I am very glad that I have found this new incredible author. He had great description and amazing characterization. This Novella first half never lets up and it instantly draws you into the story and the characters. I really wanted Fist to extract his revenge so bad that it moved me as a reader. Great quick read and highly recommended.
This is also my first book that I have received since joining Dark Fuse's EBook club and if this is any indica...more
This is also my first book that I have received since joining Dark Fuse's EBook club and if this is any indica...more
3 likes
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There is so much going on in this novella. I read it once for the story. You have to do that because this one is going to rip you apart as you follow Fist from the shattering opening scene through one harrowing pivotal scene after another. I then read it again for all of the rest of the story. The symbolism. The literary references. The structure. The landscape as we progress becomes more surreal, the characters more symbolic and archetypal, as we drop from one level to the next and finally into...more
5 likes
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I was attracted by the strong title, and was expecting some religious conflict. Was I ever mistaken!
A startling image summarized this work: "What's up with your eyes?" "One is for viewing the living. The other for appreciating those not."
This is a long story, or perhaps a novella, that I could not put down until it ended. The author portrayed a main character that pursues an objective under the spell of a psychotic rage so poignant that my emotions felt caught in a runaway cart.
It was a great re...more
A startling image summarized this work: "What's up with your eyes?" "One is for viewing the living. The other for appreciating those not."
This is a long story, or perhaps a novella, that I could not put down until it ended. The author portrayed a main character that pursues an objective under the spell of a psychotic rage so poignant that my emotions felt caught in a runaway cart.
It was a great re...more
4 likes
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Mar 15, 2013
Robby
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Dark Fiction Fans
Recommended to Robby by:
No one / Yet, everyone
Shelves:
kindle-edition
(4.5) This was my first digital read/ebook. I must say, I bought my new kindle fire HD because of reading the reviews of my friends on Goodreads.com for (Lee Thompson) books/stories. I wanted to see for myself. I was not disappointed. This was my first, but not my last by this truly gifted author. This paticular novela was direct and to the point. The protagonist; a man's man. A course of direction many think of, but few take; before reality hits. Strongly recommend for anyone desiring Dark Fict...more
3 likes
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Wow--A novella both gut-retching and somehow beautiful at the same time. The thoughts going through the mind of the main character are so poignant--quite in contrast with the devastating circumstances that he finds himself in. This is a story that will haunt me for a long, long time. Lee Thompson creates a setting that you actually FEEL. While the story was truly unsettling, his writing style is one that will keep me coming back for more. Highest recommendation!
5 likes
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Talk about a shot out of cannon read! This fierce, emotionally draining tale about a retired boxer who seeks revenge upon a street thug for the murder of his family had me frantically turning pages. There is little time to breathe in the swift moving prose river. I was expecting something grander--some huge surprise or major character revelation--in the ending that didn't materialize, but I still loved this solid four-star read. 808 Kindle locations. Recommended.
3 likes
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Fist is a retired boxer who stumbles home one night to find himself contronted by his worst nightmare. He "cracks" and sets out on a course of vengeance, through his hell.
This a fast paced and detailed novella. Fist's anguish was well portrayed. It's more than a horror novel and you see Fist's determination to channel his despair and rage and right the wrongs against his family.
I haven't read this author before, but I will again.
This a fast paced and detailed novella. Fist's anguish was well portrayed. It's more than a horror novel and you see Fist's determination to channel his despair and rage and right the wrongs against his family.
I haven't read this author before, but I will again.
2 likes
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Most of you know by now I'm a big fan of Lee Thompson. I have quite a few reviews around here from his epic Division series. When We Join Jesus in Hell is a notable departure from his Division mythos, but it is a testament to Thompson's awesome, dark imagination.
When We Join Jesus in Hell is a great read, but it is also a tough read. It is brutal and heartbreaking. It won't be for everyone, but for those of you who appreciate dark, unapologetic, and emotional stories, it will leave its mark and...more
When We Join Jesus in Hell is a great read, but it is also a tough read. It is brutal and heartbreaking. It won't be for everyone, but for those of you who appreciate dark, unapologetic, and emotional stories, it will leave its mark and...more
5 likes
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When We Join Jesus In Hell is an emotional punch to the stomach with a couple of knees to the face for good measure. The word 'Hell' is mentioned in the book's description a few times, and I like to think that that is exactly what this novella is. A sudden decent into grief, rage, vengeance, and then, finally, Hell.
I don't want to go into the plot because it moves quickly and there are a few surprises along the way that will ruin it if I even begin with the set up. One thing I can tell you, howe...more
I don't want to go into the plot because it moves quickly and there are a few surprises along the way that will ruin it if I even begin with the set up. One thing I can tell you, howe...more
7 likes
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Lee Thompson is highly regarded in the writing community as an emerging horror writer, and rightly so. When We Join Jesus in Hell shines as a perfect example of why. This compact, powerful tale of warped justice, in my opinion, is Thompson's best work yet.
2 likes
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Very intense read. I felt sick to my stomach and my heart ached through most of it. What a gut wrenching story, indeed. I gave it 5 stars and will have to read some of the author's other books....more
2 likes
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Very dark and emotional decent into the revenge that a man must take for the brutal assaults and deaths of his wife and daughter. Great novella. Well written.
3 likes
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Dark. Chilling. Disturbing. Heartbreaking. A trip through grief and torment and vengeance. A great piece.
4 likes
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Hard to read at times, but incredibly powerful despite how short it is. Haunting. Also, I want a leopard gecko now.
2 likes
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Excellent!! A fast and furious revenge novel that grabs you and will not let go. Once I started reading, I absolutely could not put it down - I had to finish, to see the story to the bitter end. I haven’t rooted for a protagonist like “Fist” that hard in a long time. Lee Thompson kicks ass with this novel and gets straight to the heart of the reader, albeit a dark and vengeful heart.
5 likes
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| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horror Aficionados : When We Join Jesus in Hell by Lee Thompson *SPOILERS* | 211 | 282 | Feb 02, 2013 07:31am | |
| Horror Aficionados : Sale on novella Jack Ketchum called "Hard as nails" | 7 | 27 | Nov 01, 2012 04:59pm |
I write dark fiction. I want to make people feel and make them think. That's my dream. I will also be writing under the names Thomas Morgan, James Logan, and Julian Vaughn. Some of my favorite authors: Clive Barker, Donald Westlake, Peter Straub, Stephen King, Greg Gifune, Lee Thomas, William Faulkner, Robert Dunbar, John Gardner, Michael Connelly, Dennis Lehane, John Connolly, Jack Cady, Tom Picc...more
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