PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Backwaters: 12 Murky Tales, is a book I’ll admit, I hadn’t heard anything about. I was contacted by Lee personally to review this book, based on reviews I have done for others. I thought that was a really a cool thing for him to do.
What intrigued me about this book, was pretty much everything. It is a book I most likely would not pick right away as I am a creature of habit in pretty much everything in my life, which includes reading. I am looking to broaden my horizons, however, and read things that are different and outside of my comfort reads. “Different” is a word we can use to describe Backwaters.
Is it a good kind of different? Read on to find out!
Synopsis
Dare swim these waters?
Welcome to Tallapoochee, a Southern backwater plagued by an experimental toxin that’s turning townsfolk into genetically modified freaks. Follow a puzzling trail of atrocities committed by an enigmatic river cult. Delve into thrilling tales of body horror, bizarro, and the weird. Read the unthinkable testimonies of the living and the dead.
This “water-breaking” collection of twelve intertwined stories combines body horror and Southern Gothic humor in a clash between a cabal of dark scientists and gospel-preaching wrestlers with a secret past. In turns terrifying and bizarre, Lee Rozelle’s new fiction is a shocking journey into murky medicine, conspiracy, and the horrors of watershed destruction.
My Thoughts
This book exceeded my expectations for a book that was way out of my comfort read zone. In the best way possible though! Before I continue with my thoughts on the book, I want to take a moment to admire and appreciate this cover.
I adore the old school pulp fiction vibe.
This book is a collection of 12 murky tales set in Tallapoochee. Let’s just say things are definitely amiss in Tallapoochee. The tales in this book are exactly as advertised, tales of body horror, the strange, the weird and the bizzaro. We are taken to the deep south of Alabama, where toxins from the backwaters are turning anyone who comes in contact with into monstrosities. There is a river cult worshipping the murky waters and recruiting others. Many minds succumbing to madness. Scientists creating humanoid creatures. Bugs. So. Many. Bugs. That’s just the start.
The cool thing about this book is the set up in the beginning story for the plot to continue in other stories throughout the book. The first story is almost like a prologue. The stories are all interconnected with the happenings in Tallapoochee through different viewpoints. The connections make sense throughout the stories. Lee Rozelle’s writing style draws you into Tallapoochee with each story and blends horror, humor, the grotesque, the weird perfectly.
The book evoked so many thoughts and emotions. I was literally wanting to gag at some points. There was definitely some dark humor throughout. I had a few laugh out loud moments. I had plenty of WTF moments as well. The tales are bizarre and gruesome and just when I thought it couldn’t get more bizarre, it did. It all came together though and it was worth the read.
All the stories are good, but my three favorites were-
Lyle & The Space Man. I can’t really describe it without spoiling it. It’s a weird tale that begins with a barber and a rather odd customer.
Catfish. “The whole world is catfishing”, a truth. I don’t believe I’ll ever see a cover of Highights magazine and not think of this story. You’ll understand when you read it.
Transplant. This is one of the best tales of Karma I’ve read. Austin, a misgoynistic fraternity brother gets what he deserves after lusting over his girlfriend’s roommate.
Final Thoughts
This book is a must read for fans of science fiction and bizarre tales. It reminds of me of an X-File or Creepshow type stories, but perhaps these stories take it up a notch that will leave you horrified and weirded out all at the same time. Lee Rozelle brings the atrocities of Tallappochee to life in this book. Tallapoochee is one of the most disturbed towns, it’s a relief to know this town is fictional. Go check it out!
