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Pariah: Rash Reviews |
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For most of the book, I felt I had a firm grasp
on exactly what was coming. However when the expected scene arrives,
the mechanics of the situation and the complex interplay of multiple
plots absolutely blows you away. This struck me as a sign of true literary
talent. Simply put, this book is awesome. Finally, a novel featuring believable punk characters!
And it's a totally gripping, creepy, and (at times) downright sick little
story. Perfect for reading while huddled under the covers on a dark
and stormy night. The novel is very artfully crafted, the timing is
great. If you are a fan of Stephen King (or any horror genre), you will
not be disappointed. Hopefully you'll enjoy the departure from all those
Hollywood-clichéd characters as much as I did. A wild horror-show of a ride. Romalotti's pointed
social satire never overshadows his sympathy for the main players in
this nightmare tale. An excellent read. The ending to this book is completely shocking.
After the first chapter, you think you have an idea of what was going
to happen, but then at the end it takes a total turn, and you are left
thinking "How did all that happen?". This book has a great
ending! There is style of horror fiction going around
the last ten years. The authors express the emotion of a generation
of children searching or creating a family, something not traditional
to society, while mixing in the punk music of the times. The writers
who seem to nail it down are Caitlin Kiernan, Poppy Brite, and Kathe
Koja; all women. There is one male I can think of but he is a filmmaker:
Gregg Araki; that is, until now. Charles Romalotti steps up to the plate
and plops his ass there comfortably. From the very first chapter of Rash, I was drawn in. The story of four homeless kids with various dark backgrounds starts like a boulder on top of a hill with the harsh wit of Charles Romalotti tipping it over for a run downhill towards the urban neighborhood in which we all reside. Rash crushes the everyday thoughts of life as we know it. Charles reminds us of the darker sides of the human mind and how desperation leads to corners of life unimagined. Rash plays with the harshest parts of life that we take for granted. Not leaving a stone uncovered be prepared to
encounter violence, disease, drugs, sex, betrayal, death, mad scientists
and aliens. Ok not the aliens. And with all that Charles doesn't leave
out the good aspects of life as well. Unity, love, hope, freedom, and
the search for something better. Somehow all this is rolled into a 172
pages and ends with a twist of a surprise ending. Rash
is amazing, I was seriously blown away. This book is a masterpiece of
underground culture. I just finished Rash the other day. I
must say it is one of the most twisted books I have ever read. The character
descriptions are amazing, one really gets a feel for all of them. The
end though, was jaw dropping. I sat there thinking to myself, "what
the…?" I can't wait for the movie and the next book. I read this book in about a day and a half,
so it's not too long. I must say, it is pretty excellent. The storyline
is great, and he comes back with an old character from Salad Days
(Frank). I don't want to ruin the book or anything so I won't say much
other than I loved it. SO READ IT!!! Lots of adjectives come to mind when reading
Romalotti's latest offering--gritty, imaginative, original, raw, risky--but
none seem to fit. Indeed, it seems a bit disrespectful to use use such
hackneyed words for describing such an original (can't come up with
a better descriptor and don't have a thesaurus handy) work. Rash kind of makes you wish Romalotti
was an artist, so you could see what was going on in his head. The way
he describes things are very unique, and at the same time realistic.
When he talks about something a character does, even if it's something
you would NEVER consider doing, after you read it you feel like you've
experienced the same thing as that person. It was also extremely blunt
and realistic. No candy coating. The end was interesting...especially
since I finished it in math class. BUY IT..but don't let your little
brother read it, though. Rash was one graphic Mama Jama, like
one epic snuff film. The revenge in this book was well worth the wait.
It's like you're there. Most of the time I couldn't help but think that
this would make a great movie. The filmmakers might have some trouble
getting that last part by the censors. Knowing that this takes place
in Texas makes it hard for me to tell if it's a work of fiction. If
I had a dime for every drag queen and screwed up person that lives there,
I would have a lot of dimes! If I had to give this book a one-line review
it would probably be something like: Rash - for anyone who knows
how screwed up Texas really is. This book freakin' rocks! From the first paragraph
to the last, Rash screams and grinds like the punk rock that
no doubt (no pun intended) inspired it. I could easily see the action
taking place and almost smell the rancid odors of the street punk characters.
Not only was I shocked by some of the passages, I found myself teetering
on excitement with each violent encounter. This work of fiction burned
along at such an amazing clip, that upon finishing it, I immediatly
wanted more, more, more! Twisted yet so delightful. As Treva hungers for her fix, I hunger for more
Romalotti. This book is just awesome--one of those books you can't put
down and never want to end. The characters in the book are so realistic
they must be based in part on real life people. This author has a unique
look on life--he must be a disturbed individual. I have to wonder if
he writes from his room at the mental hospital. I want more!!!!! I loved it! Fantastic work. Rash reminds
me of a combination between Hellraiser, Suburbia, and
its own language completely. It's got a real surrealistic feel, it totally
blew me away. I can always tell a great story when I'm reading it and
it draws me in to such an extent that it creates a film in my head (that's
to say I can visualize it). I honestly couldn't put it down. I was actually
on the streets for a year and lived in a squat. I know how rough it
can be, and Treva has some of the same traits of myself. I've been through
a lot so I can sort of relate, but eh, I came out stronger. Anyway,
I love Rash! Charles Romalotti is a brilliant writer. Honestly,
it blew me away, and that's hard to do in my case. Very original, unique,
and brilliant. Unnerving, twisted, and quite sick--lock this
guy up! A horror story for the industrial generation.
A totally convincing and compelling read. I have never been to Austin,
Texas. This book just invited me... Combining elements of thriller, suspense, and
horror, Romalotti weaves a tale that reads like punk rock nightmares.
The complex interplays will have you suspecting what may come next but
never truly knowing. If you like SplatterPunk style writing, you'll
enjoy this book! Rash progresses
quickly and gains intensity at the turn of every page. The ending totally
caught me by surprise, even though I had a taste of what was to come
from the opening scene. The story unfolded and twisted back upon itself
in preparation to strike, and strike it did! Rash, like
its predecessor Salad Days, thoroughly engages the reader with
its vibrant characters that seem to take life before one's eyes. There
is a lasting snapshot in my mind of each of them that was introduced,
however briefly. Even the darkest of them have their moments of humanity
with which the reader can identify. Romalotti has a gift for storytelling. I really enjoyed this book. I finished it late
at night, which I think added to the dementia of the story. It's not
pretentious in the least bit, unlike other books dealing with goth subculture. |
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For
more information, characters sketches, and excerpt:
RASH
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Pariah: Talon Reviews |
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Amazing. This book is INCREDIBLE. If you don't
have time to sit down and read this book all at once, then don't start
it, because once you start reading, you won't be able to put this book
down! This book is like nothing I've ever read before.
It makes you wish you were inside Romalotti's mind...just to see the
way he thinks. The plot is perfect...Jobie makes a triumphant return,
and there are new characters--Rusty and Josephine. Kind of a sick book,
but I couldn't put it down. The whole intertwining plots thing gets
me every time, and Romalotti pulled it off perfectly. I can't wait to
read it again. This is the best sequel ever! It wasn't exactly
what I expected, which probably made it even better. There are three
or four main characters. All of them are there with different motives,
but eventually they all meet each other, and some of become friends.
Something you definitely don't expect, because they all have conflicting
interests. It has a sad ending--one of those "cue the violins"
things, just not corny. READ IT. Seriously...it's good. The only disappointment
is that we didn't hear more about Opaque, and Tamika. They were cool...I
want to know what happened to 'em. A creepy, tense horror thriller that combines
punk DIY sensibility with a charming, hacky pulp style. A fictional,
spooky take on the Jim Rose Circus Sideshow. Talon is
a great follow-up to Rash. My advice, pay close attention. Just
when you think you've experienced the unthinkable in Rash, Talon
hits with more of the Romalotti reality. Add yet another chapter to
the Manifesto, this shocker is too good to be kept a secret. Romalotti
does it again. Talon is
a very provocative and compelling read. This story has such well-written
characters, you just gasp as you follow them through every suspenseful
and sickening turn in the story. I loved it. Charles Romalotti's third book Talon brings a darker and more psychological story than its predecessor Rash. I do encourage reading Rash, the book was amazing with character development, and kept the reader engrossed in its pages for days. Talon is like a car accident; you cannot take your eyes off it. The book would not leave me alone, and the way Romalotti writes is magical--the reader is under a trance which can only be broken by the last page. Romalotti always had a knack for character development, as with all his previous books, we watch his characters grow and become not what we always expected. The reader cannot help but to become attached to Romalotti's characters. His writing style in all his books makes the reader feel that the characters are their friends. The darkness of Talon is what hooks the reader, making every pain, every scream real. Talon is a great book, and I cannot wait for The Stickler. Fans of Romalotti this is what you have been waiting for. Those unfamiliar of Romalotti, this is what your mom should have bought you for the holidays instead of socks. -Dan Pugatch, UMass
Torch/Manna 4 the Brain
Zine A new book from Romalotti will often read like
perfectly spliced diary entries from several differing individuals.
Talon, his third and latest novel, is no exception. The characterization
within any Romalotti book is second to none, lending the individuals
present within the book's pages a strong familiarity even before you
get halfway through. You soon start to predict their thoughts, foresee
their actions, and recognize speech patterns without being told who
is speaking. Many authors who provide their characters with such intimacy
often forget that a gripping story is also required to actually bring
the players to life. Romalotti is not such an author. Romalotti definitely has a real talent for writing. Talon gives
the reader not only a credible look into the world of self-made freaks,
but also engages us and is driven not by the peculiarities of the freaks,
but rather by their very human and understandable passions--like revenge. Talon is
a perfect book for anyone that didn't grow up to be a suburban carbon
copy. It is a realistic dark journey that is amusing and disturbing
at the same time. This is a must for any person that didn't fit into
normal society. This book was written by Charles Romalotti, who
has a reputation within literary circles of writing horror/suspense
novels with a little twist of punk. Several bands were mentioned during
the book including Cock Sparrer and Flogging Molly. That
is the extent to which the book could be considered "punk"
literature. What Talon is, is a suspense novella with a vast
collection of freaks as characters that drive the plot. You're never
quite sure where all of the diverse storylines are taking you until
the gruesome climax. It is a story of love, a story of revenge, and
a story of several different subcultures. A worthy read. |
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For
more information, pictures, and excerpt: TALON
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Pariah:
The Stickler Reviews (beware
spoilers)
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Charles Romalotti has done it once
again. Pariah is a three-part novel that encompasses his two previous
novels Rash, Talon, and his latest the Stickler.
I opened directly to the Stickler and read it all in one sitting. I was
blown away at the new depths Romalotti takes his characters to. I personally
thought the Stickler was less dark than the previous two novels,
but does show Jobie falling deeper into madness. Frank the main character
from Salad Days makes another appearance and Opaque, Josephine,
and Tamika all return. The main plot of the Stickler focuses on
Jobie's plans to destroy the National Reclamation Front. Romalotti once
again incorporates twists and turns into every aspect of his writing.
I look forward to whatever he is planning to release in the future. I don't know how he does it man...this
book was amazing. The only problem I have with it was The Stickler
ended too soon. I've now read them all once and I plan to read the entire
book (Rash, Talon, and The Stickler) all at once
soon, because the stories are amazing. It was good to hear more about
Tamika, Opaque, and Josephine, and the twists in this story are incredible.
Romalotti is officially my favorite author. After Talon I was itching
to know what was going to happen between Strickland and Jobie. The ending
was sad, but it fit... Charles Romalotti has done it again.
This third and final chapter in Pariah [The Stickler] brings
back demons from Rash and Talon, introducing even more intense
terror with each new character. As the lives of the characters unravel,
the tale becomes darker and more complex. The Stickler answers
a great deal of questions from Rash and Talon while providing
readers with background information that explains the characters and what
drives them. For those who read Talon and want a more in depth
understanding of the National Reclamation Front and how their hate molds
Romalotti's characters, this book will answer your questions. This more
psychological book explores the mindset of Reverend Strickland with more
depth. The Stickler shows that sometimes violence is the only answer.
Perhaps, it is true what they say, "your mind is your enemy."
(for the full review, click on the links below)
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To
read
an excerpt: THE
STICKLER
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