Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Down The Drain by Daniel Pyle



I would first like to state that Down the Drainis a short story about a killer tub. That’s right, a killer bathtub. I went into this expecting an overload of cheese and maybe some cheap laughs, but what I got was a well crafted tale that played the horror completely straight.

Bruce is a contractor who is way behind schedule. He is putting in grueling 12 hour days to catch up. After work he enjoys a few beers and a nice shower. Unfortunately for Bruce, there really isn’t anything all that nice about his particular shower.

Down the Drainis exactly what you would want out of a short story. The novella is overflowing with scares as Pyle showers us with some cringe inducing images. In fact, the story was so stark and brutal that I was taken completely off guard (in the best way possible). Any thoughts that a story about a crazed bathtub would be funny and good-natured are wiped away after the first chapter. Pyle plays it straight and, ultimately, that is what elevates Down the Drainabove other silly monster fare. This isn’t to say that Pyle doesn’t have fun with his audience. He does maintain playful prose throughout which helps to tie the whole story together. It is that wonderful juxtaposition of a silly-idea-taken seriously and serious-horror-written playfully that makes Down The Drain a novella that every horror fan should check out.

Pick it up from Amazon for .99!

7 comments:

  1. Interesting. I might have to check this out, but I gotta say that hearing the premise for the book I have to chuckle a bit. That's because I instantly recall Patton Oswalt's routine about the horror movie "Deathbed: The Bed That Eats People." It's hilarious to hear him rant about that movie.

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  2. I found this story when I searched for Amazon for Jack Ketchum and I added it to my wish list but I wasn't sure about buying it. I'm definitely buying it now! Thanks! Did you buy Dismember, which is also by Daniel Pyle? Because I'm wondering if it is good as well.

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  3. @Rabid Fox - hahaha! I forgot about that bit :)

    I seriously need to get a digital reading device! As soon as I do, I'm picking this one up.

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  4. This sounds fun! And it's nice to see a horror blog championing the written word!

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  5. Thanks all! I hope you all get a chance to check it out.

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