(no subject)
Castaways is, at this time, my favorite of all the books I’ve read by Brian Keene. In the author’s notes, he claims “I generally try not to repeat themes.” Reading this directly after reading Urban Gothic, I have to give a resounding HA!
The story begins mid-way through the filming of Castaways, a reality television show (a thinly veiled fictionalization of Survivor) that been on for a while. This season is on an uninhabited island in the South Pacific. Becka is swimming to shore in the midst of a challenge when Jerry, another contestant, stops to offer her help. Initially leery, she accepts his help and once ashore, is quickly talked into an alliance. They begin chatting up other contestants, including the foul-mouthed Troy. All of them are aware that once their current completion is out of the way, they will turn on each other.
They don’t realize they’re being observed by a tribe of inbred mutant beings who are hungry for meat. These aren’t mindless beasts; they’re capable of rational thought and planning. Their plan is to eat the men and try to breed with the women. If that doesn’t work, they’ll eat the women too.
As a tropical storm heads toward the island, everyone but a three man camera crew leaves the island for the big ship that houses the rest of the crew, producers, and contestants who’ve already last. The contestants separate into small groups for interviews, gathering food, and conversation.
And then all hell breaks loose as a contestant who is there for a purpose other than fame strikes and the tribe of beings began their attack.
This is fast paced and there are plenty of disgusting passages, but I still had a hard time putting it down. I appreciated the cunning of the characters, the resolution, and, as sappy as it may sound, the show of what a human’s survival instinct can do.
And despite the nasty language, I really did like Troy, whose volatile nature is key. When he finally has decides that he has had an f******-nough of these f****** mother-f******, I wanted to cheer. And while that isn’t a direct quote, that is pretty much how Troy talks.
The beings however, once again are fantastic villains because you don’t feel sorry for them. This isn’t a forgivable cultural foible, they aren’t just killing for food; they delight in it. They laugh as their victims cry out in agony. And even the feeblest is so inbred, wretched, and disgusting that you feel no pity.
Bottom-line: As an introduction to Brian Keene, this would be a good place to start. Really ease your way into the bloody mayhem.
The story begins mid-way through the filming of Castaways, a reality television show (a thinly veiled fictionalization of Survivor) that been on for a while. This season is on an uninhabited island in the South Pacific. Becka is swimming to shore in the midst of a challenge when Jerry, another contestant, stops to offer her help. Initially leery, she accepts his help and once ashore, is quickly talked into an alliance. They begin chatting up other contestants, including the foul-mouthed Troy. All of them are aware that once their current completion is out of the way, they will turn on each other.
They don’t realize they’re being observed by a tribe of inbred mutant beings who are hungry for meat. These aren’t mindless beasts; they’re capable of rational thought and planning. Their plan is to eat the men and try to breed with the women. If that doesn’t work, they’ll eat the women too.
As a tropical storm heads toward the island, everyone but a three man camera crew leaves the island for the big ship that houses the rest of the crew, producers, and contestants who’ve already last. The contestants separate into small groups for interviews, gathering food, and conversation.
And then all hell breaks loose as a contestant who is there for a purpose other than fame strikes and the tribe of beings began their attack.
This is fast paced and there are plenty of disgusting passages, but I still had a hard time putting it down. I appreciated the cunning of the characters, the resolution, and, as sappy as it may sound, the show of what a human’s survival instinct can do.
And despite the nasty language, I really did like Troy, whose volatile nature is key. When he finally has decides that he has had an f******-nough of these f****** mother-f******, I wanted to cheer. And while that isn’t a direct quote, that is pretty much how Troy talks.
The beings however, once again are fantastic villains because you don’t feel sorry for them. This isn’t a forgivable cultural foible, they aren’t just killing for food; they delight in it. They laugh as their victims cry out in agony. And even the feeblest is so inbred, wretched, and disgusting that you feel no pity.
Bottom-line: As an introduction to Brian Keene, this would be a good place to start. Really ease your way into the bloody mayhem.