Evil

by Rennie Sparks

Thirteen stories of misfortune and menace from Rennie Sparks, lyricist for the gothic country duo The Handsome Family.

Originally published under ISBN 0972274138.

Genres: Short Stories

158 pages, paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Христо Блажев · Rating 4 out of 5]

Злото е навсякъде: http://knigolandia.info/book-review/z...

В последно време ми върви на сериозни сборници – “Само живот” на Алис Мънро и “В полет към теб” на Роалд Дал например, но “Злото” на Рени Спаркс определено се отличава от тях. В тия разкази почти е отстранен чисто литературния пласт, постигната е прямота, която поставя във фокуса на вниманието не толкова стила, колкото директно съпреживяване на случващото се с героите – защото няма как да се радваш на метафората, когато тя изразява причиняване на болка някому. В някоя ранна мрачна зимна вечер тия разкази биха били повече на място, но нейсе.

Издателство "Оргон"
http://knigolandia.info/book-review/z...

[Gabriel Congdon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's impressive about this collection of stories is that Sparks is able to write about her subject, that of evil, without getting holed-up in things like pathos, self-pity, condescension, judgment, and heavy-handed morals. That by itself is an impressive feat by today's standards. It's via a Bukowskian verisimilitude she's able to achieve this. She uses the poetry of things to glue each section with strange beauty. Kafka would love these stories and so would you!

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't know who Rennie Sparks was when I read these stories back in 2017 but I made a note they were ok by the time I came to review them I had forgotten everything about them even though I had read them again during the COVID lockdown. That forgetfulness is not a good sign, so I gave them a quick read again (not thoroughly or all but enough all the same) and realised why I remained so unengaged with Sparks work. She writes beautifully, but with no passion. I didn't believe any of her characters represented either real lived experience or understanding. They were collections of traits, characteristics, buzz words and emotional trip wires, but they weren't real.

If you are going to tell me stories like these I expect to respond viscerally - I didn't, it was like looking at a well executed, but lifeless drawing. Also, there was an uncomfortable element of manipulation, there was too much inbuilt Pavlovian reaction, Ms. Sparks felicity as a songwriter means she knows how to push her listeners emotional buttons. But a reader needs more. It is not that an author has to have lived his characters lives but if they are no more than puppets they will be lifeless.

Its not often I shelve a well written book as waste-of-time but good writing isn't everything.

[Mickey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this little book. It's only 100 pages, but boy does it beat your head against the wall.

Rennie Sparks is one half of the Handsome Family, the gothic alt band responsible for the mesmerizing theme song for TRUE DETECTIVE. Evil is a collection of her short fiction. Hilarious and dark, the book features some wild black stories, postmodern satire at its best. Each story begins with a cool little sketch.

Although she could have used a professional edit, her unique voice and the important subject matter should have earned this author publication by a top press. A few of the many memorable lines: "…a hole in the heart can be filled with blood." And this one: "Death. What a cliché."

[Zack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rennie Sparks is also the lyricist from Southern Gothic band The Handsome Family. Read my interview with her here:
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-83...

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark, bitter, twisted, misanthropic ... loved it

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite the heinous misuse of commas, these stories are tersely thrilling, as if written by Wednesday Addams.

[Simon Sweetman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this — first started it nearly a decade ago, then returning to read the majority of it in two blasts just recently. Great writing that is sad, funny, wise, and gritty but never tries too hard. And never wallows in any type of pity. Feels very documentary like at times, or good old fashioned drama.

[Brooke Tobey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could use a good editor.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gothic, violent fairy tales in 90s realism. Funny, dark, obsessive. Murder, shopping malls, boys, addictions. Enjoyed it!

[Eitan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Horribly enchanting

[Buried In Print]

This review was deleted following Amazon's purchase of GoodReads.

The review can still be viewed via LibraryThing, where my profile can be found here.

I'm also in the process of building a database at Booklikes, where I can be found here.

If you read/liked/clicked through to see this review here on GR, many thanks.

[Jeff Sorensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy crap I love this book. Rennie is the lyrical genius behind the gothic country stylings of The Handsome Family and I love her. Her book is similar to long versions of the same weird sick junk she writes about in her songs.