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bookishcatlady's review
4.0
The pages of The Comfy-Cozy Nihilist are filled with delightfully dark and funny stories.
I enjoyed the variety but "I'd Hit That" was the one that made me LOL.
If you enjoy horror with a side of dark comedy, this should be right up your alley.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I enjoyed the variety but "I'd Hit That" was the one that made me LOL.
If you enjoy horror with a side of dark comedy, this should be right up your alley.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
aaronlindsey's review
4.0
My first book by Ludwig and it was a ton of fun! A dozen short stories filled with scares and weirdness. The opening Fangsgiving short sets the stage for bizarre horror as I continually found myself questioning every previous sentence.
But I'll never forget 'Welcome to the Show', which didn't take the turn I expected, but wow, what an ending.
I won't ruin the rest of the surprises you have instore, but rest assured, you'll love every word, all the way through the highly entertaining 'Outro'.
But I'll never forget 'Welcome to the Show', which didn't take the turn I expected, but wow, what an ending.
I won't ruin the rest of the surprises you have instore, but rest assured, you'll love every word, all the way through the highly entertaining 'Outro'.
bobmetal's review
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
sharron_joy_reads's review
5.0
This is a really fun, shocking gore fest soaked in the blackest humour.
Each story is completely unique and twisted, I gasped, I cringed, I laughed, this is a mind blowing journey into the surreal and unhinged.
If you can, get this on audio, the narrator is fantastic but a word of warning don’t listen without headphones, my neighbours are still looking at me weird!
Not for those easily offended but for the rest of us buckle up for a hell of a ride!
Thanks to the author for the free copy for an honest review
Each story is completely unique and twisted, I gasped, I cringed, I laughed, this is a mind blowing journey into the surreal and unhinged.
If you can, get this on audio, the narrator is fantastic but a word of warning don’t listen without headphones, my neighbours are still looking at me weird!
Not for those easily offended but for the rest of us buckle up for a hell of a ride!
Thanks to the author for the free copy for an honest review
ancarroll5's review
dark
funny
medium-paced
4.0
There were some good stories in here the last being my favorite there were some o could have done without but I still gave it 4 stars because it did leave me wanting to read the rest
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
phosphorus61's review
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The Comfy- Cozy Nihilists: A Handbook of Dark Fiction by Nathan D. Ludwig
Firstly, thank you to the author for allowing me to read and review this collection.
I’m not sure of what I was expecting from this but I thoroughly enjoyed the stories which collectively gave a most enjoyable read. Particularly enjoyed “in here with us” and “it was probably just the wind” I would definitely recommend this to anyone wanting a dark horror fix in short bursts. Would love to read a novel by this author.
Firstly, thank you to the author for allowing me to read and review this collection.
I’m not sure of what I was expecting from this but I thoroughly enjoyed the stories which collectively gave a most enjoyable read. Particularly enjoyed “in here with us” and “it was probably just the wind” I would definitely recommend this to anyone wanting a dark horror fix in short bursts. Would love to read a novel by this author.
loogenhausen's review
5.0
Hi. This book is dark, weird, and funny AF. So just basically me in book form. Enjoy!
Since I'm a cinephile, here's 15 movies to get your mind right for this book:
ARSENIC & OLD LACE (1944)
AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY (2013)
FOUR LIONS (2010)
FRANK (2014)
KILL LIST (2011)
KILLERS (2014) (this is not the Ashton Kutcher/Katherine Heigl movie)
MARTYRS (2008)
MULTIPLICITY (1996)
R100 (2013)
RUBBER (2010)
SÉANCE (2000)
SOUND OF NOISE (2011)
TALK RADIO (1988)
WEEKEND AT BERNIE’S (1989)
WAKE IN FRIGHT (1971)
Since I'm a cinephile, here's 15 movies to get your mind right for this book:
ARSENIC & OLD LACE (1944)
AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY (2013)
FOUR LIONS (2010)
FRANK (2014)
KILL LIST (2011)
KILLERS (2014) (this is not the Ashton Kutcher/Katherine Heigl movie)
MARTYRS (2008)
MULTIPLICITY (1996)
R100 (2013)
RUBBER (2010)
SÉANCE (2000)
SOUND OF NOISE (2011)
TALK RADIO (1988)
WEEKEND AT BERNIE’S (1989)
WAKE IN FRIGHT (1971)
rachel_jozie's review
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
*I'm not going to give you the 'what this book is about' blurb - you can read that elsewhere.
1. As soon as I saw this cover, I knew I had to read the book, so when I received an offer for a review copy, I took it. I have to say that the content did not disappoint!
2. One of my absolute favorite things in a short story collection or anthology is when the author includes a small blurb after each story expanding on the principle, their mental state, what was going on personally, etc. for when they wrote the story and Nathan does that in this. So entertaining!
3. Ludwig has a hell of a sense of humor! Each of the 11 stories contained in this collection are freaking funny. There is one that is slightly more serious than the rest, but it's still elicits a few giggles.
4. I enjoyed each of the stories, but my favorites were:
- In Here, With Us = in which a lazy demon possesses a confessional booth. I laughed so hard during parts of this one that I cried.
- Mick Winkerson's Awfully Big Day = in which we're introduced to a darkly hilarious future game show. The story definitely calls out a number of things in society and how ridiculous they are, and I'm a sucker for social commentary.
- For My Next Switch, I'll Need a Volunteer = in which a 'show' in Mexico takes on a whole new perspective...
5. Super enjoyable all around and Nathan seems like a really cool person who would be a blast to hang out with.
1. As soon as I saw this cover, I knew I had to read the book, so when I received an offer for a review copy, I took it. I have to say that the content did not disappoint!
2. One of my absolute favorite things in a short story collection or anthology is when the author includes a small blurb after each story expanding on the principle, their mental state, what was going on personally, etc. for when they wrote the story and Nathan does that in this. So entertaining!
3. Ludwig has a hell of a sense of humor! Each of the 11 stories contained in this collection are freaking funny. There is one that is slightly more serious than the rest, but it's still elicits a few giggles.
4. I enjoyed each of the stories, but my favorites were:
- In Here, With Us = in which a lazy demon possesses a confessional booth. I laughed so hard during parts of this one that I cried.
- Mick Winkerson's Awfully Big Day = in which we're introduced to a darkly hilarious future game show. The story definitely calls out a number of things in society and how ridiculous they are, and I'm a sucker for social commentary.
- For My Next Switch, I'll Need a Volunteer = in which a 'show' in Mexico takes on a whole new perspective...
5. Super enjoyable all around and Nathan seems like a really cool person who would be a blast to hang out with.
drakaina16's review
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Thank you to the author for providing me with a review copy.
4.5 stars, rounded up. This collection of 11 short stories was so much fun! Inside you'll find plenty of gore, black-as-pitch humor, and some truly great social satire. I enjoyed every story, but my favorites are It Was Probably Just the Wind, In Here With Us, Me The Jury, and Mick Winkerson's Awfully Big Day. Bonus: I have some new films to check out as well.
4.5 stars, rounded up. This collection of 11 short stories was so much fun! Inside you'll find plenty of gore, black-as-pitch humor, and some truly great social satire. I enjoyed every story, but my favorites are It Was Probably Just the Wind, In Here With Us, Me The Jury, and Mick Winkerson's Awfully Big Day. Bonus: I have some new films to check out as well.
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