June 2018 CRYPTID Group Read- The Cellar

[Char]

LOL cheater!

[Jen]

Ha! I totally cheated. The end is kind of hilarious when you take it out of context like this. :) I think this is going to be my new DNF strategy.

[Elliott]

First Laymon book I've ever read, and first time reading along with this group. I'm starting it tomorrow, and I'm pretty stoked.

[Jen]

Welcome to the group read! Be sure to let us know your thoughts. :)

[Mike]

On page 49. Just hit the first gross scene I saw mentioned in the thread.

Not sure I have the stomach for this kind of horror anymore. We'll see.

[Tyler]

My copy should arrive in a couple days, it'll be my first Laymon novel and i've read all the comments here so I know what i'm getting into.

[Sheri]

I’m just around 30% in. Yes Roy is a sicko perv & I hope he isn’t a major character throughout the book.

I’m gonna stick with it. I’m taking Bark’s comments into account-I wanna read this ending!!

I do not feel that his writing is bad. The subject matter is horrific as Laymon reveals the worst creature/monster of all- human deviants. They are worse & definitely much more terrifying than anything supernatural because they choose to be f’d up...or rather I should say they choose to act on the f’d up stuff in their minds, they choose to give into their perverse compulsions. The beast, monster, creature, demon, were, shifter, vamp, wendigo, etc.,etc., have their nature to back up their creepy, bloody, & lethal habits. I would take being drained by a vampire or even eaten by a ghoul anyday over being tortured by a sicko perv. Seriously. That is why authors like Richard Laymon, Jack Ketchum, and Mike Evans scare me to the core. When a book makes me get up & check the locks-that’s a horror story, albeit one of a different color.

Also, I feel as if I should say that if you enjoy this book or any other books which contain sexual misconduct-this does not mean that you condone or like the action taking place itself. It’s a certain type of extreme horror in my opinion.

* I just hope that people participating in this group-read will read the book or enough of it to decide if they like it or hate it, etc. The book did win the poll so there are definitely fans of this book/author. ;) sorry for the tangent.

[Mike]

If nothing else, I will say this story really moves. I'm flying through pages, even as I'm not really caring about any of the characters much.

[Tyler]

Sheri wrote: "I’m just around 30% in. Yes Roy is a sicko perv & I hope he isn’t a major character throughout the book.

I’m gonna stick with it. I’m taking Bark’s comments into account-I wanna read this ending!..."

I agree so much with what you said here. Horror from stuff that actually happens in real life scares me so much more. I mean I enjoy my creatures like vampires, demons, etc. but stuff that is 100% real? Much more terrifying.

And liking books with f'ed up stuff doesn't mean one condones it at all or likes the action taking place.

I have nothing to add just wanted to say I completely agree here.

My copy is saying it'll arrive Saturday, along with Relic. :)

[Mike]

Mr. Laymon sure is a fan of the word "loins"

[Greg]

They used to do a running “rump” count on some of the older forums I frequented. Though that becomes much more pro dominant in his later works.

I’m about 85 pages in.

[Jen from Quebec :0)]

Starting this one today. I have only read one of Laymon's other works, as it was a group read for a Goodreads group. We read The Traveling Vampire Show . It was fun + campy + light/easy reading- no masterpiece by ANY stretch of the imagination. A LOT of focus on sex/boobs/girls/butts/boobs/making out and oh yes- boobs. lol. At times it felt like a teenage boy had transcribed the best wet dream he ever had into a book that was far too long for the actual amount of PLOT it contained, but it was *fun*, you know? Like a 'popcorn flick' as opposed to a 'dramatic film', if you know what I mean.

So, with THAT one prior Laymon experience under my belt, I am ready to GO DOWN INTO The Cellar ! ----Jen from Quebec :0)

[Mike]

Greg, I've noticed the "rump" thing, too.

I'm at about 160, and there's more of that kind of talk as it gets around the halfway mark.

[Elliott]

Just stopped at page 100 for a quick brake. It always impresses me the way some writers are able to create truly sickening villains. Many writers come close, but at the end of the day they're unable to let their mind go there.

Laymon goes there, and while it's hard to read, I'm sort of zipping through THE CELLAR. Even in spite of some of the unbelievable situations that seem to come together to move the plot, I'm sort of immersed.

[isanythingopen]

Mike wrote: "Mr. Laymon sure is a fan of the word "loins""

LOL Beware the loins!

I may have to reread this even though I hadn't planned on it.
People are mentioning things i don't remember, or maybe just didn't catch.

[Sheri]

I’m around page 112 & so far So good. This reminds me of Jack Ketchum-usually does.

The story moves along easily & I still find myself spouting the occasional “Ew!” or “gross” out loud while cringing.

I agree w/Elliot- Laymon certainly lets his mind “go there”.

[isanythingopen]

I'm re-reading this, I think. So far nothing is familiar. But, i am being sucked in. I hope Roy gets eaten.

[Elliott]

Yes. Roy MUST get EATEN!!!

[Sheri]

Glad you’re reading/re-reading? with us. :)

Me too! I would enjoy some disgustingly gory details on Roy’s demise for sure!

[Sheri]

Well I’m just at 200 pages & I’m pretty sure that the “rump” count is at least up to 10, maybe more.

And damn, does anyone else think that for a woman on the run from her pederast ex husband is playing it a bit fast & easy with Jud? I mean the guy is a monster & she’s already left her daughter ALONE in a strange motel room so she could slip out & get some action. Bad mommy. Stupid woman. But hey, she married him to begin with so I suppose we can’t expect much- but her daughter is much smarter than her. WAKE UP DONNA! Don’t tell your sister where you are. Idiot!
Hell, if I were Karen (Donna’s sis), I think I’d be a lot more careful w/Roy on the loose w/ his main goal as getting the info she has. I’d be relocating for a little while or at the very least, carrying a taser or a .22 or hell...at least some pepper spray. I knew she was dead when Donna contacted her & she did nothing.

I’m anxious to see how this Jud vs. the Beast goes. I really hope it’s not a regular human in a monkey suit.
And what’s up with this Larry guy being all weird & freaking out the kid, Sandy while they were having fun playing in the water-then he goes spastic on her!?! Poor kid. She’s really one of the few characters I like. Considering she doesn’t have many reliable adults in her life, her time is most likely limited.

[Mike]

Well, finished.

A couple sections made me think I'd misread because they were so ridiculous.

[Jen from Quebec :0)]

I zipped through this in one day...I only rated it 2 stars and wrote a small review. I have a LOT to say despite this, though, but I will wait for more ppl to catch up...--Jen from Quebec :0)

(PS) Despite being a 2 star read, I am still glad that I read it, you know what I mean?

[Joel]

Jennifer ☼ wrote: "Sorry, Char. Oh, Bark, don't say that! LOL. Can I just read the last chapter or something?"

You can chose any chapter at random. It will certainly have a two page description of a woman rubbing her own soapy boobs in the shower.

[Joel]

Jennifer Lynn wrote: "Starting this one today. I have only read one of Laymon's other works, as it was a group read for a Goodreads group. We read The Traveling Vampire Show . It was fun + campy + light/ea..."


That is the only one of the ten or so Laymon books that I have read that was actually decent. It was like Bradbury channeled through a teenage perv. In the Dark was almost readable for at least trying to have a plot beyond the usual boobs and blood. The rest, as I mentioned in my initial post, are just like bad slasher films: despite being completely amatuerish, juvenile, and lowest common denominator, they scratch a certain itch for horror lovers like us. And as bad as they are, I will probably read some more somewhere down the road!

[isanythingopen]

"Mike: A couple sections made me think I'd misread because they were so ridiculous.

Joel: And as bad as they are, I will probably read some more somewhere down the road! "



It's like watching those cheesy B horror/scifi movies. You just. can't. stop! even parts are so incredibly unrealistic bordering on stupid. LOL

[Sheri]

In spite of what's been said (from myself as well)-

I'm still zipping through the pages & enjoying it. :)

Sheri
Certified Horror Freak

[Elliott]

Finished it!

I'm struggling giving this one a rating though because my mind is like, "What...just...happened....?"

I mean, I could poke holes in the plot all day, but for what's it's worth, it was an easy, quick read. And I was never not wanting to know what happened next.

I feel like Roy didn't quite get what he deserved, though.

[Laurie (barksbooks)]

Elliott wrote: "Finished it! I'm struggling giving this one a rating though because my mind is like, "What...just...happened....?""

Hee,hee. That sounds about right :)

[Sheri]

Hold up! Don't tell me yet. I'm on page 270...but I gotta get going!

[Kirsty]

Read the book in two days. Clearly written to shock but I don't find it that shocking. I quite liked the Rory story and accidental way Donna ended up near the beast house. Not the best book by any stretch but intrigued enough to read the second one and now into the third. The books could have been so much better with more time to develop some of the characters and their stories rather than skirt over things. If you are easily shocked or offended these books are probably not for you. But... if that's the case are you a die hard horror fan??

[Greg]

Just finished. I think I actually enjoyed it more this time around. That’s probably because I’m not burning through Laymon books like I was years ago when I originally read it and continually comparing it to better novels by him.

I feel the ending could have use another dozen pages or so to flesh it out a little personally it was a bit rushed.

I personally like Seth better than Jason. He’s got a nicer Rump to rile my Loins 😜

[Elliott]

Is this a series? There are more Beast House books?

[Greg]

2 full length sequels and a novella

The Beast House bk 2
The Midnight Tour bk3
Friday Night at the Beast House novella bk4

[isanythingopen]

Oh, good lord. I didn't know that. Off to peek.

[Sheri]

Well damn! I've been pulled away from reading for a couple days...but I should be able to wrap this up by tonight-now that I have the house to myself.

I'm still enjoying the book & I have read much worse writing. In fact, I don't find it significantly displeasing. It's a very different writing style than most are accustomed to, myself included. I can't help but enjoy it. Then again, I like Jack Ketchum's work as well.

[Joel]

I think Laymon is comparable to Ketchum in that both featured extreme content, but other than that they are rather dissimilar. Laymon is all about the titillation and little else, while Ketchum was a vastly more talented writer with a lot more on his mind and doesn't sacrifice things like characterization just to shock. I mean, think how more disturbing something like The Girl Next Door is than anything Laymon has ever written, because it features actual characters and depth as opposed to just "eww gross."

[Tyler]

I'm 100 pages in, so 1/3, and...i'm enjoying it to a degree so far. Which is odd to say. I do like how it calls out how messed it up is that The Beast House is a tourist attraction. I get why it's a tourist attraction, but it's still messed up.

I see the writing isn't the best but it doesn't bother me none. It's a fast read.

I hope Roy gets eaten, or at least part of his anatomy.

[Kenneth]

I read The Cellar six or seven years ago and it was my first Laymon book. I had no idea about his writing other than he had a rabid following and a huge back catalog. So, I found a huge collection of his paperbacks on EBay and The Cellar was my first plunge. I wish I had been a member of Goodreads then and could've prepared myself. And that's really what you have to do before you read anything by Laymon. His writing is everything everyone else has said up to this point. They all feel like they were written by a 14-year-old boy that spends all day locked up in his room master bating and writing stories. The character are various degrees of paper-thin. They all make your "stupid character from an 80's slasher movie"-type decisions. The dialogue makes you roll your eyes over and over. It is what it is. If you're looking for literary horror, this ain't it, folks. If you're in the mood for a cheesy, juvenile, over abundance of testosterone, with blood and guts, Laymon is the master.

I would argue that Ketchum, while he did lay the red stuff on pretty thick and The Girl Next Door will haunt me for the rest of my life, was a much better writer than Laymon.

Since, I have all of the Beast House series, but have only read The Cellar, if anyone is interested in jumping into The Beast House after this, let me know. I'll set up a Buddy Read.

[Sheri]

Ok

Stephanie- I’m right there with you, just having a good time reading. And I’m definitely looking forward to the ending...I hear it’s a good one. And if I’m pleased with the story as a whole, I’ll check out the next book at some point sooner than later.

Ken- I’m there with you too. I don’t expect The Cellar to make me think about anything related to the story once I’ve closed the book for the day. I haven’t really grown attached to any of the characters, although I don’t want anything to happen to Donna or her daughter & I want to see some agonizing gory torture when it comes to Roy. The book isn’t thought provoking, but I’ve been having fun reading it. Indeed I was in the mood for this type of story.

As far as Laymon & Ketchum are concerned, the only similarities I enjoy pointing out is that they both let their minds go there...to a place many might think about but never dare to actually put on paper & take it to a twisted & demented point of no return. My experience with Jack Ketchum is similar to yours with Laymon. The first Ketchum book I read was Off Season. It was a super successful debut novel upon its release in 1980, however, due to the graphic nature of the book (even though it was obvious that many horror fans gave great reviews) Ballantine pulled it from circulation after its first editions sold out. Hooray for Cemetery Dance Publications releasing the book the way it was intended to be in 1999!! The unexpurgated version with everything Ketchum wanted in it that Ballantine refused to publish, is what I read. Even for a debut, it scared the shit out of me, made me feel different about camping, gave me nightmares & for a while (keep in mind I live in a very remote area in the woods) I was even scared to shower w/o my roommate or someone else in the house. If you haven’t, please check out Off Season. Damn, that’s extreme horror! I’m pretty positive you’ll dig it. I don’t recommend the audio book. I attempted it. It doesn’t work.

[Tyler]

I agree with what Elliott said too, in spite of some of the unbelievable situations that seem to come together to move the plot, i'm sort of immersed in it. Granted at this point (on page 205) it has me going o.O and laughing, because it's so ridiculous sometimes.

Also, in additon to rump and loins, the word so is also used a lot, in chapter 14. The cops...I can't even lol.

I definitely agree that it's written like a 14 year old boy with too much testerone. But also, not hating it.

I thought the same thing Sheri when I read that, it's like..instalust and stupid decisions. Her daughter is a young child and in that situation especially, just going off and leaving her alone like that? These characters are not the brightest...but they are very...aroused. Even when they are bleeding after being attacked by The Beast.

I really hope it isn't a human in a monkey suit too. I have an idea though, but will have to continue reading to find out.

[Joel]

Sheri wrote: "Ok

Stephanie- I’m right there with you, just having a good time reading. And I’m definitely looking forward to the ending...I hear it’s a good one. And if I’m pleased with the story as a whole, I’..."

It's interesting that you mention Ketchum's Off Season, because I read that in quick succession with Laymon's The Woods Are Dark and they are great comparison points for the respective talents (or lack thereof) of the two authors due to their very similar stories (crazy cannibals in the woods).

[Tyler]

Well I finished. I'm not sure what I just read..but I finished it.

I gave it 3 stars. I'm not entirely sure what to think. I...sort of liked it though? Even though it's poorly written, often makes no sense, and is just full of wtf, especially that ending.

I have no idea. First Laymon novel and my reaction is...I have no idea what I just read, but I didn't hate it.

[Katy]

Stephanie wrote: "Well I finished. I'm not sure what I just read..but I finished it.

I gave it 3 stars. I'm not entirely sure what to think. I...sort of liked it though? Even though it's poorly written, often make..."

I read this one about a year ago. Interesting to see everyone's comments. Yeah, he does push at boundaries.