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The Bedlam Bible #2
White Fuzz
"White Fuzz is a weird sort of love story between two deeply disturbed individuals, each a product of their isolated environment. It's not an easy read. It's shocking, gross, and horrifying. Manages to check off every trigger! You've been warned."
Franklin feels alone in life. One fateful night, he gets a curious text from a stranger, Lynda, another resident of his apartment building. She convinces him to come over, against his better judgment, and surprisingly the night seems to be going great, despite a little awkwardness.
However, it's clear that Lynda is living with demons that are in desperate need of exorcising, as everything inside her apartment seems to trigger some dark memory buried deep within her psyche. In hopes of helping her escape the prison that is her home, he invites her over to his place, but the problems only get worse, to the point he fears she won't make it through the night.
Just when he feels the night has reached peak insanity, he discovers her madness is rubbing off on him...
Franklin feels alone in life. One fateful night, he gets a curious text from a stranger, Lynda, another resident of his apartment building. She convinces him to come over, against his better judgment, and surprisingly the night seems to be going great, despite a little awkwardness.
However, it's clear that Lynda is living with demons that are in desperate need of exorcising, as everything inside her apartment seems to trigger some dark memory buried deep within her psyche. In hopes of helping her escape the prison that is her home, he invites her over to his place, but the problems only get worse, to the point he fears she won't make it through the night.
Just when he feels the night has reached peak insanity, he discovers her madness is rubbing off on him...
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About the author
William Pauley III
40 books610 followersRead/listen at www.doomfiction.com
"The beauty of Pauley’s work is that he makes the reader (relatively) comfortable with these fun, weird elements and then injects the narrative with short bursts of deep thinking and questions that cut to the marrow of human nature." — Gabino Iglesias, author of The Devil Takes You Home
William Pauley III has been praised by critics and readers alike for his contributions to weird science fiction and horror over the last 15 years. He's received rave reviews from Fangoria Magazine, Verbicide, and Dead End Follies, the latter stating "William Pauley III is one of the most recognizable voices in weird literature." He is the author of The Bedlam Bible, Hearers of the Constant Hum, and Automated Daydreaming. He lives in Lexington, KY.
"The beauty of Pauley’s work is that he makes the reader (relatively) comfortable with these fun, weird elements and then injects the narrative with short bursts of deep thinking and questions that cut to the marrow of human nature." — Gabino Iglesias, author of The Devil Takes You Home
William Pauley III has been praised by critics and readers alike for his contributions to weird science fiction and horror over the last 15 years. He's received rave reviews from Fangoria Magazine, Verbicide, and Dead End Follies, the latter stating "William Pauley III is one of the most recognizable voices in weird literature." He is the author of The Bedlam Bible, Hearers of the Constant Hum, and Automated Daydreaming. He lives in Lexington, KY.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
March 14, 2017
You live in the Eighth Block Tower, and you often wonder if you are a normal person. You like to write, and the words "white fuzz" have appeared in your notebook. You don't remember writing them. Then you receive a text message from a stranger. "Do you want to come over?" How lonely are you? Mind the salt in the hallway.
May 26, 2022
JFC what an amazing story. I really enjoyed the first book in this series but I liked this one just a little bit more. I related more to the main character in this one than anyone in the first book so that helped me get a little bit more involved. I loved his inner dialogue and the stuff he said about anxiety and social situations hit home for me. As for the story…? Yo. This is one story not like the first book which was comprised of three short stories, but it is every bit as crazy. Things get squishy before too long and it’s really gnarly what ends up happening. I loved the ending and I’m way looking forward to book three.
March 14, 2017
I wasn’t sure how The Bedlam Bible Book Two: White Fuzz would relate to the first Bedlam Bible book. It is not directly related to or a continuation of the storyline of the first, but none of that matters now. More than any book in recent memory, I simply could not stop reading this one. The interaction between Franklin and beautiful disaster Lynda kept me guessing and fully engaged. I do not want to say much more for worry of spoiling things, but like the story itself, the ending is both unexpected and fulfilling. I am willfully committed to reading all of the Bedlam Books and hope I donot have to wait long for book #3.
May 22, 2023
3 stars but rounding down bc this was too gross. Very trippy and interesting, but just too gross.
December 26, 2016
William Pauley creates some very relatable characters, though they may be quite peculiar and slightly crazy. I really enjoyed this, maybe even better than book one. Looking forward to book three now!
January 4, 2023
SO FUCKING WEIRD!!! I love it though, and I guess that says a lot about me lmao
Props to William Pauley III, my new favourite author of insane books (both figuratively and literally) and Connor Brannigan, awesome narration!! This is such a weird, strangely erotic, completely unhinged book. I have no words; I'm still processing whatever the fuck is that ending. What is White Fuzz? What really is going on with Lynda? I don't think I can get enough of the weirdness of this bedlam bible series
*𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐅𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰*
Props to William Pauley III, my new favourite author of insane books (both figuratively and literally) and Connor Brannigan, awesome narration!! This is such a weird, strangely erotic, completely unhinged book. I have no words; I'm still processing whatever the fuck is that ending. What is White Fuzz? What really is going on with Lynda? I don't think I can get enough of the weirdness of this bedlam bible series
*𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐅𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰*
December 25, 2022
ARC audiobook provided in exchange for an honest review.
As with all these short audiobook stories, the narrator was perfect! The story itself felt like pure insanity right from the start! It kept me engaged and listening long past my bedtime. The authors storytelling never fails to keep me wanting more, no matter the subject matter. This book was more sexual than the others which didn’t bother me, but might for some. The ending left me with my jaw on the floor!
As with all these short audiobook stories, the narrator was perfect! The story itself felt like pure insanity right from the start! It kept me engaged and listening long past my bedtime. The authors storytelling never fails to keep me wanting more, no matter the subject matter. This book was more sexual than the others which didn’t bother me, but might for some. The ending left me with my jaw on the floor!
November 20, 2022
Errr WHAT?! I was expecting a twist but certainly not THAT?! 😵
"White Fuzz" is the best William Pauley III I've read so far. I read it in one session, totally absorbed.
From start to end the creepiness and the increase of tension are the perfect materials to build the story, til the ultimate surprise.
5 stars!
"White Fuzz" is the best William Pauley III I've read so far. I read it in one session, totally absorbed.
From start to end the creepiness and the increase of tension are the perfect materials to build the story, til the ultimate surprise.
5 stars!
July 4, 2022
Not gonna lie, this was the most entertaining and rewarding book I've read in years. Horror, other genres, I can't even get my head around it. But whatever it was, this book did it perfectly.
June 5, 2023
This adult horror story suits my sense of humour. In the toxic environment of the Tower, a late night phone invitation leads to a mentally twisted weird date. Let me invite you to have fun listening to this book. Don’t worry you will be safe having fun on the outside while experiencing the inside horror inducing effect of the Tower. This is the second stand alone, but connected, book in The Bedlam Bible. Thank you to Doom Fiction and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
February 6, 2017
What the hell have I just read??? It's some kind of bizarre sci-fi psychological madness!
When I was starting the book I was hoping for something similar to book 1, even having some of my many questions from that book answered, that ain't what happened. At first I was angry that the book was not going how I wanted it, but it didn't take me long to become obsessed with the story. Lynda is such an amazing character, reading about her is like riding on a rollercoaster, you have absolutely no idea how she is going to react to any situation. The story is impossible to figure out, even though it is hinted right at the beginning, there are subtle hints thought-out the story and yet my guesses where way off. The ending was good too, I was really expecting my phone to ring when I finished...no such luck. :-)
Now I gotta wait for book 3.
When I was starting the book I was hoping for something similar to book 1, even having some of my many questions from that book answered, that ain't what happened. At first I was angry that the book was not going how I wanted it, but it didn't take me long to become obsessed with the story. Lynda is such an amazing character, reading about her is like riding on a rollercoaster, you have absolutely no idea how she is going to react to any situation. The story is impossible to figure out, even though it is hinted right at the beginning, there are subtle hints thought-out the story and yet my guesses where way off. The ending was good too, I was really expecting my phone to ring when I finished...no such luck. :-)
Now I gotta wait for book 3.
July 11, 2024
Before I review this book I want to say that the experience of buying books directly from the author's website was super enjoyable. Easy to navigate, fast shipping, packed with love, and full of goodies (stickers, a signed book, and a cool zine)
I read the first book in this loosely connected series last year (I won the book in a Goodreads giveaway) And it stuck in my mind, so I decided to pick up more in the series. I wasn't disappointed. This one is one full story and it is definitely weirder, but I also enjoyed it. I think Mr. Pauley has an easy-to-read writing style that allows the reader to fully visualize his words. Perfect for horror.
I read the first book in this loosely connected series last year (I won the book in a Goodreads giveaway) And it stuck in my mind, so I decided to pick up more in the series. I wasn't disappointed. This one is one full story and it is definitely weirder, but I also enjoyed it. I think Mr. Pauley has an easy-to-read writing style that allows the reader to fully visualize his words. Perfect for horror.
March 25, 2024
The second book in the series resonates with me just as much as the first. I think I will start the third immediately and order the next two!
March 7, 2023
A night of weird experiences that just get worse and worse. Franklin gets a random text from a woman who coincidently lives in the same apartment complex. He invites her over and insanity ensues.
I honestly had no idea what I was getting into when I picked up this book, but it was filled with weird and strange twists and turns, with an insane twist at the end. It felt like a fever dream. A great short read if you're looking for something different and out of the box (and of course if you don't mind some gore).
I honestly had no idea what I was getting into when I picked up this book, but it was filled with weird and strange twists and turns, with an insane twist at the end. It felt like a fever dream. A great short read if you're looking for something different and out of the box (and of course if you don't mind some gore).
July 17, 2022
A bizarre novella that I read in an afternoon. The kind of gross and strange little journey that stays with you for a while afterwards, like a creepy dream. I really liked the atmosphere and the writing was good. I’ll check out more by this author. (Biggest TW to be aware of: self-harm.)
June 8, 2023
William….we’re gonna have to talk about this one William. This book grabs you by the throat and pushes itself into you. Claustrophobic and deeply uncomforting.
Arc from NetGalley.
Arc from NetGalley.
August 12, 2024
Went with the audio by Connor Brannigan and its very well done.
This is a very bizarre story. Franklin received a set of random texts from a neighbor he doesn’t know. He’s lonely, so he accepts her offer to come over and hang out. Regardless of the red flags, in which there are numerous, he finds himself staying. She contradicts herself, claiming he’s wrong even when it was a comment she made only moments before—clearly gaslighting him. She seems to mistake him for someone else, and over time it only gets worse. After ignoring a text to take her medicine, Franklin invites Lynda over in hopes of shaking her out of it in a new setting.
Unfortunately, things only get worse. The night is fueled by arguments, misunderstands, the need for reassurance, sexual endeavors, and even self harm. I do feel like bits of his loneliness and his ability to brush things off resonated with me as at least ‘possible,’ even though I would have gotten the hell out of there wayyyy earlier. I do feel like Lynda’s assaults were not that deftly handled though, as some of her triggers seemed to be the opposite of expectations.
Regardless, the ending is even more out of left field than the entire story, and the insanity is catching.
https://fanfiaddict.com/white-fuzz-th...
This is a very bizarre story. Franklin received a set of random texts from a neighbor he doesn’t know. He’s lonely, so he accepts her offer to come over and hang out. Regardless of the red flags, in which there are numerous, he finds himself staying. She contradicts herself, claiming he’s wrong even when it was a comment she made only moments before—clearly gaslighting him. She seems to mistake him for someone else, and over time it only gets worse. After ignoring a text to take her medicine, Franklin invites Lynda over in hopes of shaking her out of it in a new setting.
Unfortunately, things only get worse. The night is fueled by arguments, misunderstands, the need for reassurance, sexual endeavors, and even self harm. I do feel like bits of his loneliness and his ability to brush things off resonated with me as at least ‘possible,’ even though I would have gotten the hell out of there wayyyy earlier. I do feel like Lynda’s assaults were not that deftly handled though, as some of her triggers seemed to be the opposite of expectations.
Regardless, the ending is even more out of left field than the entire story, and the insanity is catching.
https://fanfiaddict.com/white-fuzz-th...
June 8, 2022
The Bedlam Bible series, Number 2.
Linda with a “Y” has been huffing the black mold in her Eighth Block Tower apartment and now wants a little company. Time for a random dial and see what happens.
Could be Franklin’s lucky day.
“Wanna come over?”
“Should I bring anything?”
“Just your dick.”
Yep. Franklin’s lucky day.
Or maybe not. It’s not all honey-thick, bodily secretions and cum muffins in Eight Tower. Sometimes it’s salty as hell.
I really dig this series so far. So good.
A solid 4+ stars rounded up to 5 because it plays off of THE TOWER so damn well without even needing to or wasting time catching you up. And no, you do not need to read THE TOWER first, but that one is frickin’ great too, so you should read it anyway. Duh.
Linda with a “Y” has been huffing the black mold in her Eighth Block Tower apartment and now wants a little company. Time for a random dial and see what happens.
Could be Franklin’s lucky day.
“Wanna come over?”
“Should I bring anything?”
“Just your dick.”
Yep. Franklin’s lucky day.
Or maybe not. It’s not all honey-thick, bodily secretions and cum muffins in Eight Tower. Sometimes it’s salty as hell.
I really dig this series so far. So good.
A solid 4+ stars rounded up to 5 because it plays off of THE TOWER so damn well without even needing to or wasting time catching you up. And no, you do not need to read THE TOWER first, but that one is frickin’ great too, so you should read it anyway. Duh.
June 18, 2023
Okay. Grossness aside, I really liked this. It was more graphic with some things than I'm used to, but I loved the ending. It came out of nowhere (or I'm just that dense), and the sheer WTFness of it all kinda makes me want more.
I'm glad I stuck it out.
There's all sorts of thoughts rolling around in my head, but I'm very eager for the 3rd book in this series, to see which twisted direction the author leads me.
I'm glad I stuck it out.
There's all sorts of thoughts rolling around in my head, but I'm very eager for the 3rd book in this series, to see which twisted direction the author leads me.
February 25, 2023
This was insane and I really loved it!
It was entertaining, weird and overall a brilliant story, highly recommend reading it!
Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for an AudioARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
It was entertaining, weird and overall a brilliant story, highly recommend reading it!
Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for an AudioARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
January 5, 2023
CHECK OUT THE TRIGGER WARNINGS FOR THIS BOOK BEFORE READING IT.
An audio copy of this work was kindly provided by NetGalley.
White Fuzz reminded me of Kafka's Metamorphosis. If Metamorphosis was narrated in reverse, This would not have been such a big deal, since I usually enjoy retellings, but here it was done so poorly that I do not know where to start.
First, the narrator is the most boring character ever. Constantly emphasizing how good and nonjudgmental he is while making the most weirdly egocentric choices and judging Linda every step of the way. Franklin also appears to be very dumb, since he does not realize that most of the oddity of the entire situation has to do with his own decisions.
Secondly, mental illness is used both as a plot device and mostly for shock value. We are frequently told of Franklin's problems, which he quickly dismisses almost as quirkinesses, and of how much he knows about being in a vulnerable state. He also makes a point of unnecessarily psychoanalyzing Linda every step of the way, as if that were him not being judgemental and as if the reader were dense. Besides, Linda's issues and traumas are introduced only to be quickly brushed over by something else.
Finally, the narration is so dead-toned. Franklin telling us every single detail and explaining what is going on in his mind made me feel like a child. There is no pace, no build-up, such a succession of contrived dialogues, . The fact that Linda's character is barely addressed besides her paranoid condition - or to remind us of her traumas - also limits the story.
The ending also did not save it, because it entered this mess too quickly and too late.
An audio copy of this work was kindly provided by NetGalley.
White Fuzz reminded me of Kafka's Metamorphosis. If Metamorphosis was narrated in reverse, This would not have been such a big deal, since I usually enjoy retellings, but here it was done so poorly that I do not know where to start.
First, the narrator is the most boring character ever. Constantly emphasizing how good and nonjudgmental he is while making the most weirdly egocentric choices and judging Linda every step of the way. Franklin also appears to be very dumb, since he does not realize that most of the oddity of the entire situation has to do with his own decisions.
Secondly, mental illness is used both as a plot device and mostly for shock value. We are frequently told of Franklin's problems, which he quickly dismisses almost as quirkinesses, and of how much he knows about being in a vulnerable state. He also makes a point of unnecessarily psychoanalyzing Linda every step of the way, as if that were him not being judgemental and as if the reader were dense. Besides, Linda's issues and traumas are introduced only to be quickly brushed over by something else.
Finally, the narration is so dead-toned. Franklin telling us every single detail and explaining what is going on in his mind made me feel like a child. There is no pace, no build-up, such a succession of contrived dialogues, . The fact that Linda's character is barely addressed besides her paranoid condition - or to remind us of her traumas - also limits the story.
The ending also did not save it, because it entered this mess too quickly and too late.
October 15, 2023
I received the audiobook version of this story via NetGalley.
Connor was great at narrating as with all the others in the series.
I ended up accidentally skipping this entry so I decided to return back to it after finishing all the others in the series.
I thought the story was great. It was on the shorter side so I was able to finish it in one sitting. It was all one story, unlike a few others in the Series which were more of a short story collection
I would consider this to be (I don’t want to say horror but) more on the horror side, at least comparatively. This entry was also kinda sad.
The ending was unexpected to say the least.
Connor was great at narrating as with all the others in the series.
I ended up accidentally skipping this entry so I decided to return back to it after finishing all the others in the series.
I thought the story was great. It was on the shorter side so I was able to finish it in one sitting. It was all one story, unlike a few others in the Series which were more of a short story collection
I would consider this to be (I don’t want to say horror but) more on the horror side, at least comparatively. This entry was also kinda sad.
The ending was unexpected to say the least.
July 1, 2022
This was a short and confusing but really good psychological horror story.
Here we have a fella that gets a random text and decides to go meet up with someone he has never met in a gross apartment. Things happen and they end up at his apartment where it gets even weirder down this rabbit hole of weirdness.
I'm not going to lie, I really did not like the MCs so it was hard to feel bad for them but I literally laughed out loud when I heard the snail comment while he was getting busy.
The atmosphere was awesome here but I was left with wanting a bit more.
Here we have a fella that gets a random text and decides to go meet up with someone he has never met in a gross apartment. Things happen and they end up at his apartment where it gets even weirder down this rabbit hole of weirdness.
I'm not going to lie, I really did not like the MCs so it was hard to feel bad for them but I literally laughed out loud when I heard the snail comment while he was getting busy.
The atmosphere was awesome here but I was left with wanting a bit more.
July 17, 2022
Holy moley, this short novella literally made the hair stand up on the back of my neck. Like when you are watching a horror movie and yelling at your TV "Do NOT go into the basement! Are you insane?!" And the dummy does it anyway, descending into the depths of hell that YOU saw coming a mile away. Some of the nastiest sex scenes ever written ... and I do not mean "nasty" in a good way. My skin's still crawling.
October 15, 2023
I received the audiobook version of this story via NetGalley.
Connor was great at narrating as with all the others in the series.
I ended up accidentally skipping this entry so I decided to return back to it after finishing all the others in the series.
I thought the story was great. It was on the shorter side so I was able to finish it in one sitting. It was all one story, unlike a few others in the Series which were more of a short story collection
I would consider this to be (I don’t want to say horror but) more on the horror side, at least comparatively. This entry was also kinda sad.
The ending was unexpected to say the least
Connor was great at narrating as with all the others in the series.
I ended up accidentally skipping this entry so I decided to return back to it after finishing all the others in the series.
I thought the story was great. It was on the shorter side so I was able to finish it in one sitting. It was all one story, unlike a few others in the Series which were more of a short story collection
I would consider this to be (I don’t want to say horror but) more on the horror side, at least comparatively. This entry was also kinda sad.
The ending was unexpected to say the least
March 29, 2017
I actually enjoyed this more than the first volume. This volume is a single story, and the characters and their interactions are really interesting and tense, and the weirdness is weird.
August 23, 2022
It's an interesting short story. It was an intreaging concept. I recieved this as a free Giveaway. Gave me something to read but it's not a book I'd normally suggest or even normally read but I'd say it was decent overall. Short enough if I was bored and somebody asked him it was it say decent enough to keep interested
July 12, 2023
SUCH A WEIRD AND WILD RIDE!!
This is the first book I’ve read by William Pauley III. And big will I be coming back for more.
this book is suitable for people who are fans of Junji Ito and Eric LaRocca
It was a quick yet intriguing story about an man who receives a call from a stranger and starts to form an unlikely bond. She has some odd behaviors and requests.
There were parts of this Novella that had me laughing out loud and I went running so fast to tell my friends about it so they could laugh.
“Cum muffin” will forever be an insider between us!
*Audiobook ARC provided by NetGalley was in exchange for an honest review*
This is the first book I’ve read by William Pauley III. And big will I be coming back for more.
this book is suitable for people who are fans of Junji Ito and Eric LaRocca
It was a quick yet intriguing story about an man who receives a call from a stranger and starts to form an unlikely bond. She has some odd behaviors and requests.
There were parts of this Novella that had me laughing out loud and I went running so fast to tell my friends about it so they could laugh.
“Cum muffin” will forever be an insider between us!
*Audiobook ARC provided by NetGalley was in exchange for an honest review*
May 9, 2023
Thanks NetGalley & Doom Fiction 😎
Super weird. I really enjoyed it, but it was seriously super fucking weird (in the best way). Disgusting, horrifying, funny, awkward, vulgar. I would only give it 4 and not 5 stars just because I wish it was longer, but that’s a personal preference. Aside from that, it goes down as 5 stars on my list. I won’t give away much, but I will say: the storyline was easy to follow, dialogue felt authentic, details were incredible. I’m looking forward to reading more from the author.
Super weird. I really enjoyed it, but it was seriously super fucking weird (in the best way). Disgusting, horrifying, funny, awkward, vulgar. I would only give it 4 and not 5 stars just because I wish it was longer, but that’s a personal preference. Aside from that, it goes down as 5 stars on my list. I won’t give away much, but I will say: the storyline was easy to follow, dialogue felt authentic, details were incredible. I’m looking forward to reading more from the author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews