What do you think?
Rate this book
Red
Jack Ketchum is back to frighten us again with...Red!
Audio CD
First published January 1, 1996
216 people are currently reading
4432 people want to read
About the author
Jack Ketchum
199 books2,972 followersDallas William Mayr, better known by his pen name Jack Ketchum, was an American horror fiction author. He was the recipient of four Bram Stoker Awards and three further nominations. His novels included Off Season, Offspring, and Red, which were adapted to film. In 2011, Ketchum received the World Horror Convention Grand Master Award for outstanding contribution to the horror genre.
A onetime actor, teacher, literary agent, lumber salesman, and soda jerk, Ketchum credited his childhood love of Elvis Presley, dinosaurs, and horror for getting him through his formative years. He began making up stories at a young age and explained that he spent much time in his room, or in the woods near his house, down by the brook: "[m]y interests [were] books, comics, movies, rock 'n roll, show tunes, TV, dinosaurs [...] pretty much any activity that didn't demand too much socializing, or where I could easily walk away from socializing." He would make up stories using his plastic soldiers, knights, and dinosaurs as the characters.
Later, in his teen years, Ketchum was befriended by Robert Bloch, author of Psycho, who became his mentor.
Ketchum worked many different jobs before completing his first novel (1980's controversial Off Season), including acting as agent for novelist Henry Miller at Scott Meredith Literary Agency.
His decision to eventually concentrate on novel writing was partly fueled by a preference for work that offered stability and longevity.
Ketchum died of cancer on January 24, 2018, in New York City at the age of 71.
A onetime actor, teacher, literary agent, lumber salesman, and soda jerk, Ketchum credited his childhood love of Elvis Presley, dinosaurs, and horror for getting him through his formative years. He began making up stories at a young age and explained that he spent much time in his room, or in the woods near his house, down by the brook: "[m]y interests [were] books, comics, movies, rock 'n roll, show tunes, TV, dinosaurs [...] pretty much any activity that didn't demand too much socializing, or where I could easily walk away from socializing." He would make up stories using his plastic soldiers, knights, and dinosaurs as the characters.
Later, in his teen years, Ketchum was befriended by Robert Bloch, author of Psycho, who became his mentor.
Ketchum worked many different jobs before completing his first novel (1980's controversial Off Season), including acting as agent for novelist Henry Miller at Scott Meredith Literary Agency.
His decision to eventually concentrate on novel writing was partly fueled by a preference for work that offered stability and longevity.
Ketchum died of cancer on January 24, 2018, in New York City at the age of 71.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 406 reviews
March 22, 2019
In 2007, Entertainment Weekly asked Stephen King, "Who is the scariest guy in America?"
King said, "Probably Jack Ketchum."
In the beginning of 2018, Dallas Mayr, "Jack Ketchum" passed away. The entire horror community paid tribute and honor to this man with fierce passion and great emotion. I had never read any Ketchum and I was eager to see why so many of my favorite authors gave props to him as being one of their biggest influences on their writing.
I should have asked his fans which one to start with--but I didn't and I chose one of his most notorious books, "THE GIRL NEXT DOOR".
Being a newbie to Ketchum's work, I pretty much dove into the deep end of the pool without knowing how to swim.
It overwhelmed me and I didn't finish.
The main reason was because of the gravity Ketchum brings to his writing. It's so weighty. His words just carry so much authenticity and they penetrate so hard.
I'm a very emotional reader- I was unprepared for the amount of emotional wreckage this book contained within.
I was sucked into the story and felt everything so intensely that when the brutality of it all started amping up, it was like throat punches to my soul and I just couldn't deal.
I gave the book away. I needed it out of my house.
But damn if I didn't want to read something else--because that was some impactful storytelling!
I bought a bunch of paperbacks at Half Price Books and I showed them to some Ketchum fans and they said, "No, no, no...not those. Read RED." (Thank you Bracken MacLeod and Jonathan Janz for steering me through Ketchum's works)
About a month ago, there it was! At Half Price! And I snapped it up. I got to share this experience with a reading buddy (Tracy) and it was just perfect.
This book is perfection.
It's everything I love about books. The reader is immediately embraced as a fly on the wall to the simple, quiet life of Avery Ludlow. Ketchum masterfully sets into motion the cause for all the future effects right in the first fifteen pages.
It's my personal opinion that animal deaths and cruelty are some of the most difficult for readers. Our furry friends that we bring into our homes and come to love as intimately as our own human family members, are a huge part of our lives--so it's not something the community should take lightly or shame people for not being able to handle reading about those things in fiction.
That said, if you can get through the first fifteen pages-maybe skim over some of the descriptive language in one section, you can pretty much enjoy the rest of the book with no problems.
The craziest thing to me is how in just fifteen pages, I got the full sense of what this dog, Red, meant to his owner Avery.
Only fifteen pages! That's talent right there and the entire rest of the story is just heaps of that talent. By the time I finished the book, turned the last page, my whole reader's sole was pleasantly crushed to death under the weight of what I had just experienced over the last few days.
Jack Ketchum slays me.
The simplicity of his storytelling seems so easy and effortless--I kept thinking, how did he communicate that idea or feeling with so few words??
If I can just give an example? It's kind of spoilery, sorry, but read this:
"It was as though all that had happened by the river that day had happened to them years ago and this was what was left, a carcass almost strange to him which the dog inside had long since fled."
Oh. My. God.
See? As I was typing that out, the first few words are just building, building, and I know what comes next and I'm just blasted with the weight of it as soon as my eyes read the last words and I'm crying just like I did the first time I read them!
That is word-magic.
I'm hooked.
I'm a fan.
I get it now, I see.
I wish Dallas was here so I could tell him but at least his books are here forever.
There's more I could say about "human horror" and how WE are the real monsters and how the McCormack characters are the worst people in all of literature and I hated Mr. McCormack with every fiber in my being--so much so, it hurt to read the scenes where he was in them.
I could talk about the tender moments and Ludlow's hideously painful backstory...
But this would be the longest review ever and all you really want to know is:
Did she love it?
Yes. I loved it. Hard.
King said, "Probably Jack Ketchum."
In the beginning of 2018, Dallas Mayr, "Jack Ketchum" passed away. The entire horror community paid tribute and honor to this man with fierce passion and great emotion. I had never read any Ketchum and I was eager to see why so many of my favorite authors gave props to him as being one of their biggest influences on their writing.
I should have asked his fans which one to start with--but I didn't and I chose one of his most notorious books, "THE GIRL NEXT DOOR".
Being a newbie to Ketchum's work, I pretty much dove into the deep end of the pool without knowing how to swim.
It overwhelmed me and I didn't finish.
The main reason was because of the gravity Ketchum brings to his writing. It's so weighty. His words just carry so much authenticity and they penetrate so hard.
I'm a very emotional reader- I was unprepared for the amount of emotional wreckage this book contained within.
I was sucked into the story and felt everything so intensely that when the brutality of it all started amping up, it was like throat punches to my soul and I just couldn't deal.
I gave the book away. I needed it out of my house.
But damn if I didn't want to read something else--because that was some impactful storytelling!
I bought a bunch of paperbacks at Half Price Books and I showed them to some Ketchum fans and they said, "No, no, no...not those. Read RED." (Thank you Bracken MacLeod and Jonathan Janz for steering me through Ketchum's works)
About a month ago, there it was! At Half Price! And I snapped it up. I got to share this experience with a reading buddy (Tracy) and it was just perfect.
This book is perfection.
It's everything I love about books. The reader is immediately embraced as a fly on the wall to the simple, quiet life of Avery Ludlow. Ketchum masterfully sets into motion the cause for all the future effects right in the first fifteen pages.
It's my personal opinion that animal deaths and cruelty are some of the most difficult for readers. Our furry friends that we bring into our homes and come to love as intimately as our own human family members, are a huge part of our lives--so it's not something the community should take lightly or shame people for not being able to handle reading about those things in fiction.
That said, if you can get through the first fifteen pages-maybe skim over some of the descriptive language in one section, you can pretty much enjoy the rest of the book with no problems.
The craziest thing to me is how in just fifteen pages, I got the full sense of what this dog, Red, meant to his owner Avery.
Only fifteen pages! That's talent right there and the entire rest of the story is just heaps of that talent. By the time I finished the book, turned the last page, my whole reader's sole was pleasantly crushed to death under the weight of what I had just experienced over the last few days.
Jack Ketchum slays me.
The simplicity of his storytelling seems so easy and effortless--I kept thinking, how did he communicate that idea or feeling with so few words??
If I can just give an example? It's kind of spoilery, sorry, but read this:
"It was as though all that had happened by the river that day had happened to them years ago and this was what was left, a carcass almost strange to him which the dog inside had long since fled."
Oh. My. God.
See? As I was typing that out, the first few words are just building, building, and I know what comes next and I'm just blasted with the weight of it as soon as my eyes read the last words and I'm crying just like I did the first time I read them!
That is word-magic.
I'm hooked.
I'm a fan.
I get it now, I see.
I wish Dallas was here so I could tell him but at least his books are here forever.
There's more I could say about "human horror" and how WE are the real monsters and how the McCormack characters are the worst people in all of literature and I hated Mr. McCormack with every fiber in my being--so much so, it hurt to read the scenes where he was in them.
I could talk about the tender moments and Ludlow's hideously painful backstory...
But this would be the longest review ever and all you really want to know is:
Did she love it?
Yes. I loved it. Hard.
March 24, 2025
I read a lot of good things about Jack Ketchum's Red before I decided to jump in. Unfortunately, I didn't have the same feelings as most. The quality of the writing was mediocre, with a ton of repeat verbiage. And, while the premise of the story wasn't bad, the actions of the characters left me scratching my head. Why did this young reporter decide to suddenly jump into bed with Ludlow, why did he keep returning to the McCormack's house despite involving police and other local officials, etc. And the dynamic with his son Billy was left unattended to, with no pay off. It just felt like you took Charles Bronson and removed all of the action from one of his Death Wish-esque movies. I bet you all thought that I was going to make the comparison to John Wick, since Ludlow is out for revenge after his dog is killed, but I took an alternate route here. But again, the story itself was ok, however nothing seemed to make a whole lot of sense or come together all that well. And I was also really disappointed that that at 70% through, the story just abruptly ended, leaving a ton of open plot points, and a completely different short story was pushed in. I didn't even bother reading it past the first few pages, as it didn't seem to have anything to do with Red. But there was no heads up on this when I downloaded the book. So this was just not a great experience for me. Not sure if I'd give another one of Ketchum's books a read at some point, but, if they're anything like this, I'll definitely pass.
January 8, 2022
I can’t believe that I haven’t read this book before now. What a heart grabber! The only other Ketchum book I’ve read is “The Girl Next Door”, and I’m not sure if that counts as much, since a lot of that book was based in reality. This one, I’m pretty sure, is all fiction - and a damn good story.
Avery Ludlow is an old widower, with only his old dog, Red, to keep him company. During an ordinary day fishing, they are approached by three boys, demanding money. Ludlow doesn’t really have anything for them to take, so in return, they shoot and kill his dog.
As an animal person, I was angry for Ludlow - I wanted to kill those kids too! The man has suffered from so much loss in his life, and now you take his dog? Plus, we all know kids who kill animals graduate to people eventually. Really, he’d be doing the world a favor, right?
So the rest of the book is revenge. Red hot revenge. Revenge for Red. And I fucking loved it. After finding out that killing a dog is only a misdemeanor, Ludlow knows that a slap on the wrist won’t be enough. He’s prepared to get justice, no matter what happens.
I love horror that has heart, and this definitely does. This is the first five star book I’ve read in awhile, and now I need more from this author! Unfortunately, he’s passed on, but I’ll definitely be checking out his other books for that great writing style.
Avery Ludlow is an old widower, with only his old dog, Red, to keep him company. During an ordinary day fishing, they are approached by three boys, demanding money. Ludlow doesn’t really have anything for them to take, so in return, they shoot and kill his dog.
As an animal person, I was angry for Ludlow - I wanted to kill those kids too! The man has suffered from so much loss in his life, and now you take his dog? Plus, we all know kids who kill animals graduate to people eventually. Really, he’d be doing the world a favor, right?
So the rest of the book is revenge. Red hot revenge. Revenge for Red. And I fucking loved it. After finding out that killing a dog is only a misdemeanor, Ludlow knows that a slap on the wrist won’t be enough. He’s prepared to get justice, no matter what happens.
I love horror that has heart, and this definitely does. This is the first five star book I’ve read in awhile, and now I need more from this author! Unfortunately, he’s passed on, but I’ll definitely be checking out his other books for that great writing style.
December 17, 2014
Red is the story of Avery Ludlow, an old widower out fishing, his trusty dog at his side, when he is set upon by three teenage boys intent on robbing him. When they realize Avery hasn't got anything worth their while, the boy with the shotgun blows the dogs head off for shits and giggles.
The titular dog was Avery's best friend, and he wants justice. He plans to get it no matter what the consequences might be.
This is the first Ketchum book I have read that was not necessarily a horror story, and it simply floored me. The prose is elegant, beautiful at times, and gory in all the right places.
It is short and straightforward, but deceptively so. There is so much more going on in this book than what is on the surface. I really enjoyed this book. Read it!
The titular dog was Avery's best friend, and he wants justice. He plans to get it no matter what the consequences might be.
This is the first Ketchum book I have read that was not necessarily a horror story, and it simply floored me. The prose is elegant, beautiful at times, and gory in all the right places.
It is short and straightforward, but deceptively so. There is so much more going on in this book than what is on the surface. I really enjoyed this book. Read it!
January 17, 2022
This is what happens when you decide to kill another person's pet for sport. An old man and his dog, Red, are minding their business catching some fish. Along come two teenagers from the rich part of town. They shoot Red for no other reason, but spite. Be careful when killing someone's best friend, even the ones on four legs. The old man is out for revenge, and before it is over, the red will be flowing.
March 27, 2017
Just...wow! Touched my heart in so many ways. Ketchum is a true genius! I definitely need to Ketchum all!
August 17, 2022
Avery Ludlow is a retired, widowed old military veteran who spends his final days at the side of Red, his beloved dog and constant companion of twenty years. The pair of old buddies are enjoying a beautiful day of fishing at a lake when they're suddenly confronted by a group of troublemaking teens looking to rob Avery at gunpoint. After realizing that the old man has nothing of value on him and feeling as if their time has been wasted, one of the boys senselessly shoots Red in the skull, blowing the poor pup's head clean off. Left with an overwhelming sense of dread, anger and helplessness, Avery seeks to get justice for his dog at any cost.
A heart-wrenching revenge story that's more about getting justice than simply achieving vengeance through murder or further bloodshed. Jack Ketchum proved he could scar me for life with The Girl Next Door, and he's now proved he can write a relentlessly emotional story without relying on shock or extreme horror even though I tend to enjoy those things.
Upon reading the premise, I initially believed this would be a John Wick style action revenge thriller, but it actually takes a much more gentle and humane approach to resolving a horrible crime that leaves many people hurt. Seeking comfort in friends and family, bringing attention to animal cruelty, achieving justice without resorting to pure vigilantism, and exploring the entire life story of a heartbroken old man who's already been to hell and back countless times.
Through all the grim and sad moments, there's a lot of beautiful prose and light to be found in the darkness.
***
If you're looking for dark ambient music that's perfect for reading horror, thrillers, dark fantasy and other books like this one, then be sure to check out my YouTube Channel called Nightmarish Compositions: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPPs...
A heart-wrenching revenge story that's more about getting justice than simply achieving vengeance through murder or further bloodshed. Jack Ketchum proved he could scar me for life with The Girl Next Door, and he's now proved he can write a relentlessly emotional story without relying on shock or extreme horror even though I tend to enjoy those things.
Upon reading the premise, I initially believed this would be a John Wick style action revenge thriller, but it actually takes a much more gentle and humane approach to resolving a horrible crime that leaves many people hurt. Seeking comfort in friends and family, bringing attention to animal cruelty, achieving justice without resorting to pure vigilantism, and exploring the entire life story of a heartbroken old man who's already been to hell and back countless times.
Through all the grim and sad moments, there's a lot of beautiful prose and light to be found in the darkness.
***
If you're looking for dark ambient music that's perfect for reading horror, thrillers, dark fantasy and other books like this one, then be sure to check out my YouTube Channel called Nightmarish Compositions: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPPs...
March 22, 2019
"He kept seeing the cat dart out in front of his truck. An event the world had put in motion and of which he was not a part until that very instant when things died or didn't die according to the nature of their meeting. According to their collision" (129).
Having read Ketchum's The Girl Next Door this summer, I knew to expect a style of writing that just sings. Dark, gritty, and absolutely stunning writing. I admit to being wary of the dog's death (not a spoiler - it's in the synopsis and on the back of the book); it was gruesome and heart shattering. I needn't have worried, Ketchum was able to move me right along in the story, tugging me by the hand as I travelled along the inevitable trajectory of events that Avery Ludlow found himself wrapped into.
This is so much more than a dog's death and a revenge plot. This is a look at life and what makes it precious, horrible, beautiful, and inevitable. Without a wasted word, this book overflows with emotion. Grief. Love. Anger. Passion. Hatred. Acceptance. I was brought to tears of sadness and anger a few times.
After finishing this novel, I sent out a post on social media that there are authors that have passed on that I'd love to just be able to say "thank you" to. Dallas Mayr/Jack Ketchum is one of them. The sentimental part of me likes to think that he knows. The even more sentimental part of me realizes that he lives on in the words of so many of the authors I have come to know and love. And there are those tears again.
Having read Ketchum's The Girl Next Door this summer, I knew to expect a style of writing that just sings. Dark, gritty, and absolutely stunning writing. I admit to being wary of the dog's death (not a spoiler - it's in the synopsis and on the back of the book); it was gruesome and heart shattering. I needn't have worried, Ketchum was able to move me right along in the story, tugging me by the hand as I travelled along the inevitable trajectory of events that Avery Ludlow found himself wrapped into.
This is so much more than a dog's death and a revenge plot. This is a look at life and what makes it precious, horrible, beautiful, and inevitable. Without a wasted word, this book overflows with emotion. Grief. Love. Anger. Passion. Hatred. Acceptance. I was brought to tears of sadness and anger a few times.
After finishing this novel, I sent out a post on social media that there are authors that have passed on that I'd love to just be able to say "thank you" to. Dallas Mayr/Jack Ketchum is one of them. The sentimental part of me likes to think that he knows. The even more sentimental part of me realizes that he lives on in the words of so many of the authors I have come to know and love. And there are those tears again.
January 30, 2011
Most of us go somewhat insane when someone messes with our child or our dog. You can talk smack about my sister, my mama, even my husband, but one snarky remark about my child and you will meet my alter, not very nice, ego. Kick my dog and I turn into a pro-death-penalty, gun toting, gray-haired bundle of irrational action.
When Avery Ludlow decides to go after the three teenagers who shoot and kill his dog, I was pumping my fist in the air. I was still pumping it when the book ended. Lord, I hate bullies-especially the ones that are rich, powerful and old enough to know better. When they get what’s coming to them life is so sweet.
Ketchum writes darn good horror. He writes ever better thrillers. I was relieved that this wasn’t about a dog that comes back from the dead. A story about a man who is pushed too far makes a much better book. Highly recommend.
Bonus! My edition contains the novella “The Passenger” – another ‘revenge is sweet’ story. I little under a hundred pages of twists, turns and turmoil. Fun.
When Avery Ludlow decides to go after the three teenagers who shoot and kill his dog, I was pumping my fist in the air. I was still pumping it when the book ended. Lord, I hate bullies-especially the ones that are rich, powerful and old enough to know better. When they get what’s coming to them life is so sweet.
Ketchum writes darn good horror. He writes ever better thrillers. I was relieved that this wasn’t about a dog that comes back from the dead. A story about a man who is pushed too far makes a much better book. Highly recommend.
Bonus! My edition contains the novella “The Passenger” – another ‘revenge is sweet’ story. I little under a hundred pages of twists, turns and turmoil. Fun.
January 27, 2016
When most people think of Jack Ketchum, they think of horror. You think of horror again when you read a book blurb that sounds like a more realistic, friendlier version of Pumpkinhead. So hey, it’s a horror story right?
Well, not really. Life has decided to stop being predictable after all. Red is much more than the typical revenge story it touts itself as being. Av doesn’t believe a crime can’t be forgiven, but he doesn’t believe in scapegoats, liars, or not manning up to your mistakes and accepting responsibility. This story stands on the shoulders of a larger one which is slowly revealed to the reader.
The protagonist is an older widow with only his small self-owned store, empty house, and old dog left. They keep each other company as they’ve aged together and seen their loved ones pass on. The sympathy stake is buried firmer since his wife died tragically, and the dog was a birthday present from her to him. It’s not just anger at the act, but at the senselessness of it that gets to both Av and the reader who follows him on the ride.
Ketchum writes with a slow, sweeping grace. His writing is literary, but I do hold qualms with some of his sentence lengths and comma aversions the first few chapters. Thankfully this settles down.
I applaud the slow, believable progression of anger. The blurb reads like it’s a classic revenge tale, but it’s really not. The story is more intricate that you’d believe as he goes through every channel he can to try and see the boys admit to what they did and apologize. It’s not just about punishment and getting revenge, but something for the senseless act, even if it’s only an admission of guilt. The psychology behind this comes out as the story unfolds and why this is so important to the man.
The ending is heartbreaking as it reaches its inevitable conclusion, all that could be avoided, as the consequences swing to full closure on the karma wheel.
December 3, 2017
Before I give my opinion of this book I want to point out the horrible work by the printer of this edition. I don't usually pay a lot attention to the printing companies, but this one was bad enough, actually the worst I've ever seen, that I will be paying attention from here on out. The publisher of this edition is a company called "47North". When I say it is the worst I've ever seen, I am not exaggerating. I didn't keep count, but I bet there were a hundred misprints throughout this book. I'm not sure what kind of program they are using but they need to trash it. I got this off of Amazon. If I had got it at a book store I would have returned and demanded my money back. Be warned; if you see a book published by "47North" don't buy it unless your local grocery store has run out of toilet paper.
Okay, I didn't count the poor editing by the printing company in my review because that would be unfair to Ketchum and would not properly reflect on the story. This is actually 2 novella's in one book. I think 'Red' really resonated with me, being an older man (though not as old as Avery) and having a couple of old dogs that I love like family. It is a story of vengeance told in classic Ketchum style.
The second Novella, 'The Passenger' is kidnapping story, once again following the Ketchum hard-core story-telling. I could see the twist coming at the end, but this was still an entertaining suspense/horror story.
If you can handle Jack's style, you'll enjoy this novella combo. Just make sure it's not by 47North.
August 1, 2007
Very difficult book to read (I've always had a tender spot in my heart for animals), but great satisfaction seeing a man get fed up and take the law into his owns hands.
Red really highlights the inability for citizens to take responsibility for their actions and the actions of their snot-nosed slacker brats.
Red really highlights the inability for citizens to take responsibility for their actions and the actions of their snot-nosed slacker brats.
June 20, 2016
Avery Allen Ludlow didn’t do anything to the three punk-ass kids that came up on him while he was fishing down by the river with his dog Red. They did plenty to him however. Now, it’s time to fess up for the deeds done and harms perpetrated. When it becomes apparent that is not going to happen, Avery takes matters into his own hands.
Jack Ketchum can tell a hell of a story. While this one may not be as brutal as some of the previous works I have read by him, there are some definite similarities in theme. Avery was a truly classic character and JK did an excellent job at giving him depth and heart. It was impossible not to root for him and to hope that the privileged prima donna pricks get exactly what’s coming to them.
A solid 4+ star read and another winner from Mr. Ketchum.
Jack Ketchum can tell a hell of a story. While this one may not be as brutal as some of the previous works I have read by him, there are some definite similarities in theme. Avery was a truly classic character and JK did an excellent job at giving him depth and heart. It was impossible not to root for him and to hope that the privileged prima donna pricks get exactly what’s coming to them.
A solid 4+ star read and another winner from Mr. Ketchum.
September 23, 2021
Not as disturbing as other Ketchum books, but incredibly sad and depressing. Never fuck with a man’s dog!
June 2, 2018
This story was so good. Ketchum's talent for storytelling is evident in all his works. The man was an expert in fast-paced horror and brutal, yet not-sensationalized, crime novels.
But he also had a subtle depth to his work few others master. It's not spoon-fed or overbearing, but true and not always just. Real. Gritty. Powerful.
In Red, he infuses simple actions and understated dialogue with heavy emotion and heart-yanking understanding of human psychology. It's a tale of a man whose dog is murdered without rhyme or reason. I know, you're probably thinking Dean Koontz' odes to dog love, and certainly here, the relationship between man and animal is explored.
But Red is so, so much more than that. It's about grief and loss, being whole and missing pieces, putting one's world back in balance. On the surface, it evokes questions of morality and justice, but I think the heart of the book goes miles beyond that.
Red is simply a beautiful piece of fiction: art that reflects life in its exposed, truest sense. It will be a very tough one to beat as my favorite read for this year and has earned a place among my favorites of all time.
5 stars and highly recommended.
But he also had a subtle depth to his work few others master. It's not spoon-fed or overbearing, but true and not always just. Real. Gritty. Powerful.
In Red, he infuses simple actions and understated dialogue with heavy emotion and heart-yanking understanding of human psychology. It's a tale of a man whose dog is murdered without rhyme or reason. I know, you're probably thinking Dean Koontz' odes to dog love, and certainly here, the relationship between man and animal is explored.
But Red is so, so much more than that. It's about grief and loss, being whole and missing pieces, putting one's world back in balance. On the surface, it evokes questions of morality and justice, but I think the heart of the book goes miles beyond that.
Red is simply a beautiful piece of fiction: art that reflects life in its exposed, truest sense. It will be a very tough one to beat as my favorite read for this year and has earned a place among my favorites of all time.
5 stars and highly recommended.
May 10, 2022
I should not have read this so soon after my dog passed away. I was a mess…
Red is one of Jack Ketchum’s less horrific affairs, but still sufficiently disquieting and grisly. It’s a story about aging, about remembrance, and mostly about anger that hopelessly seeks an all-consuming resolution. I enjoyed how there’s a drive for revenge that feels uncertain and unconvinced. Leave it to Ketchum to explore these frayed corners of the human experience.
As usual, the female character is just there to be pretty, way younger than the protagonist, and madly in love with him for no discernible reason. It’s always… bleh.
However, I can always count on Ketchum to keep me gripped until the very last page.
Red is one of Jack Ketchum’s less horrific affairs, but still sufficiently disquieting and grisly. It’s a story about aging, about remembrance, and mostly about anger that hopelessly seeks an all-consuming resolution. I enjoyed how there’s a drive for revenge that feels uncertain and unconvinced. Leave it to Ketchum to explore these frayed corners of the human experience.
As usual, the female character is just there to be pretty, way younger than the protagonist, and madly in love with him for no discernible reason. It’s always… bleh.
However, I can always count on Ketchum to keep me gripped until the very last page.
July 26, 2023
This was my second time reading this one. The first time I listened to the audio version; this time I used the good ol’ eyeballs.
First, the story starts with a dog dying. This isn’t a spoiler, as it is the central premise of the book. A man named Ludlow is fishing when a punk ass kid tries to rob him. The kid is accompanied by his brother and friend, who do not try to stop him. The boy is disappointed with Ludlow’s meager possessions, so he shoots his dog, Red. The next day Ludlow tracks the kid down and demands an apology from the boy and his father, and the boy’s father finds this to be unreasonable. Mostly because he is a dick. The story escalates from there
Jack Ketchum’s books have a certain tone to them, and it is everpresent in Red. Each page has a tinge of dread spilled on it. While this book strays somewhat from the horror genre Jack Ketchum was known for, it would be hard to find a horror fan this story didn’t resonate with. If you like stories with themes of revenge, redemption, and rooting for the underdog (no pun intended), this is well worth your time. It’s one of my favorite books, and I will likely read it again.
First, the story starts with a dog dying. This isn’t a spoiler, as it is the central premise of the book. A man named Ludlow is fishing when a punk ass kid tries to rob him. The kid is accompanied by his brother and friend, who do not try to stop him. The boy is disappointed with Ludlow’s meager possessions, so he shoots his dog, Red. The next day Ludlow tracks the kid down and demands an apology from the boy and his father, and the boy’s father finds this to be unreasonable. Mostly because he is a dick. The story escalates from there
Jack Ketchum’s books have a certain tone to them, and it is everpresent in Red. Each page has a tinge of dread spilled on it. While this book strays somewhat from the horror genre Jack Ketchum was known for, it would be hard to find a horror fan this story didn’t resonate with. If you like stories with themes of revenge, redemption, and rooting for the underdog (no pun intended), this is well worth your time. It’s one of my favorite books, and I will likely read it again.
December 28, 2017
This is probably as perfect of a book as you can get and just goes to show you don't always need an earth-shattering, end-of-the-world apocalyptic event to tell an engaging story. Ketchum is a master wordsmith, adding flavor to the simplicity of this tale without ever overstepping his bounds. Letting his characters live without ever forcing them to bend to the demands of a preconceived plot. This was quite simply a beautiful, if painful, glimpse into an ordinary life, where the darkest masks of mankind's avarice and cruelty are put on full display, set against the backdrop of one man trying to do right. Absolutely loved it.
March 24, 2020
The characters are great, even the ones I loathe. First Jack Ketchum book, but wont be the last.
December 16, 2022
A great read full of beautiful prose. This really isn't horror, but definitely has horrific scenes.
February 6, 2010
During an attempted robbery, three teens shoot a man's dog for kicks. But that dog was the best thing in Avery Ludlow's life and he's not going to let them get away with it. He wants justice for Red and he's going to get it no matter what it takes.
What I love about Jack Ketchum is that all of his novels are realistic. I could see any of his plots happening to myself, which makes them even scarier.
And Red is no exception. Loving and losing an animal is something everyone can relate to, making it easy to understand how Ludlow feels. It will really tug at your heartstrings when Red dies. I teared up and had to stop reading because I was in public.
The book moves slowly and there isn't much action, but it doesn't matter because Avery Ludlow and his attempts to get the boys to confess is interesting. And when there is action, it's definitely worth the wait.
The characters are well-developed. I was rooting for Ludlow and was livid with the boys and their parents, praying for their comeuppance.
Overall, a great book, definitely worth checking out.
Read more of my reviews at http://littlemisszombie.blogspot.com
What I love about Jack Ketchum is that all of his novels are realistic. I could see any of his plots happening to myself, which makes them even scarier.
And Red is no exception. Loving and losing an animal is something everyone can relate to, making it easy to understand how Ludlow feels. It will really tug at your heartstrings when Red dies. I teared up and had to stop reading because I was in public.
The book moves slowly and there isn't much action, but it doesn't matter because Avery Ludlow and his attempts to get the boys to confess is interesting. And when there is action, it's definitely worth the wait.
The characters are well-developed. I was rooting for Ludlow and was livid with the boys and their parents, praying for their comeuppance.
Overall, a great book, definitely worth checking out.
Read more of my reviews at http://littlemisszombie.blogspot.com
June 12, 2022
I enjoyed this book. The story was great. The tragedy was exquisitely written. But it fell a little flat for me somewhere near the middle, but picked up again as the book reached its conclusion and finished on a high!
I also expected it to be a little more brutal than it was - but I guess I brought that thought to the book from having read The Girl Next Door.
Ketchum is a writer I really enjoy reading and his prose is somewhat of a tonic… worth a read for sure (but if you like dogs be warned).
I also expected it to be a little more brutal than it was - but I guess I brought that thought to the book from having read The Girl Next Door.
Ketchum is a writer I really enjoy reading and his prose is somewhat of a tonic… worth a read for sure (but if you like dogs be warned).
June 6, 2018
Possibly Ketchum’s best. Just amazing and heartbreaking.
October 5, 2007
I was initially reluctant to read this, especially after reading Off Season, since that book clearly demonstrated that Jack Ketchum is a writer who is not afraid to "go too far." After reading Off Season and the back cover blurb for Red, I was worried that Red would callously use the death of an old man's dog as an excuse to depict an old man going over the edge and murdering and torturing the boys who did it in the most disturbing and horrific ways possible. After reading The Girl Next Door, however, I decided that Ketchum is a good enough writer and usually has a strong enough sense of purpose not to just be disturbing for disturbing's sake. Anyway, it turns out that Red is actually nowhere near as disturbing as either of the two novels of Ketchum's that I'd already read. It's very upsetting, but no more so than Sounder or Old Yeller, albeit more violent. Red is a great character study of an old man who loses the last good thing in his life, and ultimately it's more about his personal demons and sad past than it is about revenge. Also, although this isn't the greatest book I've ever read, it's pretty good, and the ending is perfect, and will make any dog lover weep (in a good way).
July 25, 2018
Ketchum was a master of his genre.
Lonely old man goes fishing with his dog. Thugs kill dog. Thugs regret killing dog.
At a crisp 200 pages, Jack Ketchum’s ‘Red’ is ‘Death Wish’ with man’s best friend. Ketchum’s brutality is unapologetic and somehow refreshing. Modern day villains tend to have backstory that leads to them being misunderstood and sympathetic. Not Ketchum. Ketchum’s villains are deplorable. The violence is senseless but never gratuitous. Ketchum was not out to shock his readers with fiction, he only wanted them appalled by the reality of human behavior.
4.5/5
Lonely old man goes fishing with his dog. Thugs kill dog. Thugs regret killing dog.
At a crisp 200 pages, Jack Ketchum’s ‘Red’ is ‘Death Wish’ with man’s best friend. Ketchum’s brutality is unapologetic and somehow refreshing. Modern day villains tend to have backstory that leads to them being misunderstood and sympathetic. Not Ketchum. Ketchum’s villains are deplorable. The violence is senseless but never gratuitous. Ketchum was not out to shock his readers with fiction, he only wanted them appalled by the reality of human behavior.
4.5/5
April 8, 2015
No one writes revenge like Jack Ketchum. A masterpiece in my mind.
April 17, 2019
Another little slice of Ketchum perfection, with deceptively simple yet powerful writing.
March 2, 2021
This was amazing. Don't know why I let it sit on my tbr shelf for so long.
A really simple story, written beautifully.
Might be my favourite Ketchum book so far.
A really simple story, written beautifully.
Might be my favourite Ketchum book so far.
June 26, 2008
Red – Jack Ketcum
Leisure – Horror – 211 Weak Pages
You’re at the bookstore, under the gun as the girlfriend has imposed an unwavering 5-minute limit on your remaining time. And there it is….. part of a 3 for the price of 2 bargain…… endorsed boldly on the cover by the greatest hack of our age, Stephen King….. the blood red cover showcasing a wooded area as the background of a recently-fired shotgun and an equally-recent corpse, presumably its victim….. and the synopsis on the back cover alludes to a tale concerning a bunch of teenage miscreants icing some old dude’s f@cking mongrel-ass middle-Maine-dwelling dog, Red, and this old man decides that since the murder of the one thing he has left to love in life took place for absolutely no redeeming reason, for absolutely no practical purpose than for this kid to be an asshole, the old man decides that a glorious and violent quest for vengeance is the way to go.
You’re buying that book, fucking face it. I did. I don’t even regret it. Ketchum may have a staggeringly pitiful vocabulary, paper-thin lead central characters, and little in the way of creating an atmosphere, but this is some easily digestible trash; reading this book is the equivalent of watching Commando, minimal brain activity is required. If you anticipate that every facet of the book will be hokey from the onset, disappointment will not follow. I probably would have considered Red pretty radical back when I still used the word radical, but in my advanced age during the 2007 year, Red falls short of being considered significant.
Thankfully, it doesn’t try to be; Leisure books knows what leisure time is all about, turning off the brain and reading a pretty average tale about a man, his dead-ass dog, and a revenge quest which isn’t even very satisfying.
• “The Passenger” – 93 Pages. Whoa!! As Red came speeding to a close, I wondered how in God’s name Ketchum was going to drag this story out for another 100 pages, about a third of the book remained and it seemed like he’d really have to be reaching to get the story to go anywhere further. So, as I finished the last pages I was more than surprised to see that there was a second story in the book!! Well, now that the publisher had exhausted just about every gimmick possible to sell this drivel, it was up to the author to pick it back up and put it to bed. That didn’t quite happen.
The Passenger is a pretty straightforward horror staple about the wrong moron being in the wrong place at the wrong time. In this circumstance, the moron is a prosecutor or D.A. who gets pimp-jacked by a trio of homicidal fools and some local slut up to no good. The characters are flimsy, the story (especially the grand finale) is weak, and the fact that someone might potentially be horrified by this is laughable. Sadly, the pages did turn and I boned it out. It’s not as bad as I’m making it sound, but don’t be fooled into thinking it is either inspiring or interesting.
Leisure – Horror – 211 Weak Pages
You’re at the bookstore, under the gun as the girlfriend has imposed an unwavering 5-minute limit on your remaining time. And there it is….. part of a 3 for the price of 2 bargain…… endorsed boldly on the cover by the greatest hack of our age, Stephen King….. the blood red cover showcasing a wooded area as the background of a recently-fired shotgun and an equally-recent corpse, presumably its victim….. and the synopsis on the back cover alludes to a tale concerning a bunch of teenage miscreants icing some old dude’s f@cking mongrel-ass middle-Maine-dwelling dog, Red, and this old man decides that since the murder of the one thing he has left to love in life took place for absolutely no redeeming reason, for absolutely no practical purpose than for this kid to be an asshole, the old man decides that a glorious and violent quest for vengeance is the way to go.
You’re buying that book, fucking face it. I did. I don’t even regret it. Ketchum may have a staggeringly pitiful vocabulary, paper-thin lead central characters, and little in the way of creating an atmosphere, but this is some easily digestible trash; reading this book is the equivalent of watching Commando, minimal brain activity is required. If you anticipate that every facet of the book will be hokey from the onset, disappointment will not follow. I probably would have considered Red pretty radical back when I still used the word radical, but in my advanced age during the 2007 year, Red falls short of being considered significant.
Thankfully, it doesn’t try to be; Leisure books knows what leisure time is all about, turning off the brain and reading a pretty average tale about a man, his dead-ass dog, and a revenge quest which isn’t even very satisfying.
• “The Passenger” – 93 Pages. Whoa!! As Red came speeding to a close, I wondered how in God’s name Ketchum was going to drag this story out for another 100 pages, about a third of the book remained and it seemed like he’d really have to be reaching to get the story to go anywhere further. So, as I finished the last pages I was more than surprised to see that there was a second story in the book!! Well, now that the publisher had exhausted just about every gimmick possible to sell this drivel, it was up to the author to pick it back up and put it to bed. That didn’t quite happen.
The Passenger is a pretty straightforward horror staple about the wrong moron being in the wrong place at the wrong time. In this circumstance, the moron is a prosecutor or D.A. who gets pimp-jacked by a trio of homicidal fools and some local slut up to no good. The characters are flimsy, the story (especially the grand finale) is weak, and the fact that someone might potentially be horrified by this is laughable. Sadly, the pages did turn and I boned it out. It’s not as bad as I’m making it sound, but don’t be fooled into thinking it is either inspiring or interesting.
August 26, 2012
I'm not a dog person. I wouldn't normally pick up a book about a dog but this one came highly recommended. It's not really about the dog, but about the man, Av and a crime that triggers a series of events both good and bad. This story is about responsibility, consequences, and the often torturous path to the truth. Are there actions that are too heinous to forgive? I believe there are and so does Av. Passion is often considered a young man's condition but Ketchum shows us that given the right circumstances, even the most disengaged individual will fight for what he believes to be important. When his dog is shot and killed by teenagers, Av wants justice. He wants the boys to take responsibility for their actions and he wants justice for his dog. He wants to know why. It is more than just knowing why his dog was shot, he really wants to know why his son was so shattered that he killed his own brother and mother. There are many questions Av needs the answer to, and the killing of his canine companion spurs him to take extreme measures to find them. This story is unlike other Ketchum stories I have read. It has a solid beauty to it that transcends the violence.
This book came to me in a plastic slipcover. I have such reverence for books that I rarely break the backs when I read them. This one looks equally pristine until you take a look inside at the tear stained pages. Perhaps it was because Av and I are of the same age, perhaps it was because I understand that after a lifetime of taking it on the chin, sometimes you can't stop yourself from hitting back.
This book came to me in a plastic slipcover. I have such reverence for books that I rarely break the backs when I read them. This one looks equally pristine until you take a look inside at the tear stained pages. Perhaps it was because Av and I are of the same age, perhaps it was because I understand that after a lifetime of taking it on the chin, sometimes you can't stop yourself from hitting back.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 406 reviews