Book of Souls

by Jack Ketchum

Where does inspiration come from? What secrets lie at the heart of an author's stories and novels? What is written on the invisible ink between the lines of dialogue and description? Most writers will never tell you, will leave you to guess at the connections between their fiction and their lives. Jack Ketchum gives a rare and intimate look into his world and into some of the people who have influenced his life in this collection of essays. Idols and friends, lovers and strangers are revealed, examined, adored and lamented as only Jack Ketchum can.

Genres: Horror, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Memoir, Essays, Biography, Writing

74 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Dallas 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.

Reviews

[Chris Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of essays by Mr. Ketchum about important people in his life, very heartfelt.

I'm a big fan of Jack Ketchum, and I stumbled across this little book, a collection of his thoughts and memories of a few important people in his life. A writer, an old friend with mental problems, and his recollections on the 9/11 attacks as he was in Greece and saw the second tower fall, believing for hours his girlfriend had been killed in one and the attitude of a young woman, and the compassion of an older one. These thoughts and recollections are heartfelt and moving, and Mr. Ketchum's signature voice of deep empathy and compassion comes through beautifully on each page.

There's not much more to say about this, it's a very short work, but if you're looking for some non-fiction memoirs of one of the finest authors to have lived in recent history, this a great little escape. Enjoy.

[David Veith · Rating 4 out of 5]

At 1st I was not sure on this book. A back story of an author. But turns out he has had a very interesting life when it comes to his writing and inspiration in a way. Enjoyed it more than I thought I would lol.

[Angel Gelique · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Serves me right for never reading the blurbs. I thought this was a horror story. It's not! :O

[LordTBR]

DNF

Has nothing to do with the actual book. I just couldn't listen to the audiobook narrator. I felt like I was listening to an instructional video on health & safety precautions for work

[Andrew Lennon · Rating 4 out of 5]

My wife came across this when routing through a cupboard. She had forgotten she had it. How I don't know, seeing as it's one of only 500 printed and it's signed as well! I didn't even read the blurb. I just started reading the book itself. I was surprised at first. I was expected a short (at only 80 pages) but gruesome and scary horror story. It it's by jack ketchum after all. What I found were four essay style stories about people he has met in his life that have influenced him in one way or another. If you are fortunate enough to grab a copy of this then it is definitely worth a read. I think the stories had been published elsewhere before hand if tout fancy hunting for them. I was hoping for a quick horror, but think what I found was far more interesting and gives a good insight to the mind of a great writer.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll read author musings and notes all day long. I find them fascinating on what inspires and/or influences their art. One things for sure, Dallas had a very interesting life and was a pretty colorful character.

[Beate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack Ketchums Romane zählen zu den absoluten Meisterwerken der Horrorliteratur. Stephen King nennt ihn den »furchteinflößendsten Autor Amerikas«. Buch der Seelen versammelt vier autobiografische Stories, die ihn von einer anderen Seite zeigen. Hier erzählt Ketchum die Geschichten, die ihn und seine Arbeit geprägt haben: vom Zusammentreffen mit seinem großen literarischen Vorbild Henry Miller, über einen aus der Bahn geratenen Freund, bis hin zu den Terroranschlägen vom 11. September. Ungeschönt, ehrlich, aber mit derselben Wucht und sprachlichen Präzision, die Werke wie Evil oder Wahnsinn zu Klassikern des Genres machten. Dies ist die Sorte Buch, die das Fenster zu einer Seele öffnet. Treten Sie ein Stück näher. Werfen Sie einen Blick hinein.

Buch der Seelen erscheint exklusiv als eBook Only. Es enthält vier autobiografische Kurzgeschichten: »Henry Miller und der Schubs«, »Der Staub des Himmels«, »Erinnerung an ein gefährliches Leben« und »Eine Lücke im Himmel«, mit einer Gesamtlänge von ca. 80 Seiten.

Wenn man ein Buch von Ketchum bei Heyne Hardcore entdeckt, denkt man doch sofort an Horror oder Thriller. So ging es mir auch. Zum Glück habe ich das eBook beim Bloggerportal angefordert ohne den Klappentext zu lesen, denn sonst hätte ich bestimmt einen Rückzieher gemacht. Obwohl es ein autobiografisches Werk ist, haben mich die 4 Geschichten total gefesselt.

Die Geschichten beinhalten ganz verschiedene Themen. Sie erzählen von Ketchums Anfängen als Schriftsteller, von seiner Freundschaft mit einem schizophrenen Mann, vom 11. September und seiner Exfreundin, die den Drogen verfallen ist. Aber alle haben sie eins gemeinsam: Sie sind wunderschön geschrieben, sie haben mich alle gefesselt und man möchte eigentlich ewig weiter lesen.

Ich vergebe 5 von 5 Byrons und bin froh, mal wieder einen Blick über den Tellerrand geworfen zu haben.

© Beate Senft

[William M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am reviewing this book on the content, not that some of the stories were previously published. I know the other reviewer had a problem with that, but if the material is strong, what does it matter? Each of these books are signed by the author, but I also have no idea what the other reviewer was saying in reference to an "uninspired" autograph. A signature is a signature. I'd like for him to show me what an "inspired" one looks like. :-)

But I digress. The four main essays of this book are all very touching and give us a wonderful insight into the author's life. Jack Ketchum writes about his brief but captivating meeting with legendary author Henry Miller, his best friend's lifelong decent into mental illness and eventually AIDS, the lasting effects of a past girlfriend's drug addiction, and ending with the current love of his life in the World Trade Center on 911. These true stories cement the precious gift of life and it's sometime painful journey. Very few authors can tell them as effectively as Jack Ketchum does here. Recommended without a doubt.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite a title and cover art that make it resemble a horror novel, BOOK OF SOULS is actually a collection of "personal essays" by enigmatic author Jack Ketchum. All the essays are well-written, but it's the first one--the one that details Ketchum's relationship with author Henry Miller--that really stands out. Not only does it provide a great deal of insight into Miller, BOOK OF SOULS also serves as an intimate self-portrait of Ketchum as a young man just getting started in the book biz. Ketchum's passion for great books is infectious, and it's interesting to see how much Ketchum differs in real life from his literary persona. His thoughts on 9/11 convey a melancholy tenderness you might not think Ketchum capable of, based solely on reading his novels. BOOK OF SOULS also contains two essays detailing his friendships with two very unique individuals, one suffering from paranoid delusions and the other from drug addiction. Those, too, are interesting, but perhaps a bit TOO personal for my taste.

[Douglas Castagna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short collection of personal essays from horror great Jack Ketchum. One can see clearly that Ketchum is a gifted storyteller. His recollection of time spent with Henry Miller is warm and poignant and shows the reader how Miller had a great impact on the young writer. The other entries are not as powerful but have their moments. I believe this book shows that horror writers are at first, writers. They may choose to write about horror, but their are writers first and foremost. This is proof of that.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 non-fiction essays from one of the great suspense authors out there. Each one is full of honesty and emotion. Jack reveals true stories of his relationship with Henry Miller, a personal relationship, and even writes about his whereabouts and feelings on 9-11. Intense stuff sure to move you in some way.

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow...a very intimate book. The kind side of a horror writer. I liked the book very much. So much so I wish it was longer; had more stories. Jack is a fast, exciting read when he tells his stories. If I could give this book six stars I would...and I'd give another six stars to it's sequel.

[Russell Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of Jack Ketchum and would say he's one of my favorite authors. I've read only a handful of his books so far, but I've thoroughly loved each one. As a fan of short stories, I can also say that he always delivers on the shorts as well.

Despite all this praise, I felt pretty lukewarm about this behind-the-scenes group of essays on some of the people who influenced his life. I was interested in the opening part describing his early life and admiration of Henry Miller, but that was about it. I didn't feel like it really gave me any additional insight into his psyche the way so many of Harlan Ellison's essays did for me.

If you are an absolute fan of Ketchum, this might be worth a look. I don't know that anyone else would be too into this.

[Sylvester · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ketchum's random collection of real life stories about his friend and himself. I am glad to learn that Arthur Miller inspired him but aside from that, this was not really worthy for a read even by fan standard.

[Todd Oliver · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got through two full stories hoping it would get better. it did not. Did not finish.

[chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I figured the one thing I could do was read.
-- "Henry Miller and the Push"

[Dana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a novel, but a book by Jack telling of his life, characters and where they came from and his inspirations.

[E. T. Brother · Rating 3 out of 5]

So so