Murderland Part 1:h8 in Q&A with Garrett Cook

Jul 16, 2008 Jordan rated it it was amazing

Murderland I: H8 is Garreet Cook’s first novel and it’s an impressive one.

Immediately it is evident that the author has taken a lot of time to create the language he uses for this book. It takes place in the near future where serial killers are superstars akin to athletes and movie stars.

The book takes on different perspectives, back and forth from first person and third person, using both narratives and journal entries. It works well.

On the back of the book, the description states that “Jeremy Murderland I: H8 is Garreet Cook’s first novel and it’s an impressive one.

Immediately it is evident that the author has taken a lot of time to create the language he uses for this book. It takes place in the near future where serial killers are superstars akin to athletes and movie stars.

The book takes on different perspectives, back and forth from first person and third person, using both narratives and journal entries. It works well.

On the back of the book, the description states that “Jeremy’s earth shattering two-fisted pulp destiny begins.” The problem I have with that is that this is far from pulp. That word underestimates the merits of this book. This is truly interesting and dark dystopian bizarro story.

Using experimental and occasionally stream of consciousness writing, Cook shows us a world that is actually eerily similar to our own. Serial killer groupies who worship people who do things that they don’t have the guts to do themselves, an idea that does have parallels in today’s world. The worship of violence which is evident in the youth’s worship of “gangsta rap” and violent video games. Cook creates and explores a society where our society’s acceptance of violence is finally out in the open.

Mixed in with this future is the idea of beings from another dimension are turning people into “terrifying automatons and breeding machines.” I found that this idea was just as interesting (if not more) than the world itself.

The writing itself is excellent and does show that the author has indeed worked on his craft before submitting this work to his publisher.

Because it is a first novel, I think it deserves 5 stars. I have not read a debut novel that was this good in a long time (or as far as I could remember.) However, because it is a first novel in a series of books.. I did find that the plot lacked a climax. It felt like this was just an intro to some more intense action. It feels like it should be the first third of a longer work. That doesn’t make it any less enjoyable, really, but it makes the reader want more.

Lastly, Cook has a keen eye for observations about society. This book is filled with ideas about obsession, paranoia, self-doubt, and self-control.

This is an author to look out for. I believe that any further Murderland novels will be classics and this first installment is a great introduction.
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Jun 19, 2009 Lance rated it really liked it

Just finished Garrett Cook’s Murderland Part 1:h8. It’s about an alternate reality where serial killers are celebrities and their actions are legal as long as they occur in safe zones. The serial killers are major celebrities and are worshiped by the media and millions of adoring fans. I was intrigued by the concept of Murderland but wondered if it would just be some sort of attempt at an ultra-violence piece and focus more on graphic imagery than the story. My concerns were misplaced. Cook tell ...more

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Feb 11, 2009 Nicole rated it liked it

I read this book months ago; however, computer problems have delayed my review. (Sincerely hoping the computer lets me finish this!)

I'll offer this disclaimer first off: I'm a copyeditor. So stuff that wouldn't bother other people jumps out at me. My impression is that a thoughtful editor could have taken this book from good to great.

Having said that, the story was very refreshing. I read a lot, both for my job and in my free time, and little surprises me anymore. This story kept me guessing. An ...more

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