Oozing with Charm: May Leitz’s ‘FLUIDS’ – Book Review

Contains minor spoilers.

Released in 2022, Fluids is the self-published debut novel of musician and writer, May Leitz. Fluids is an extreme horror novel that promises to upset and shock. From a cover marred with trigger warnings to a brash and caustic tone throughout, Leitz promises to leave a bad taste in your mouth.

Stuck in a downward spiral and drowning in her self-loathing, Lauren craves the attention of a partner. After scrolling through dating apps, she comes across Dahlia, a trans girl coming into her own as she struggles to live as her most authentic self. After Lauren’s obsession with Dahlia consumes her, she is soon en route to lay claim to her new lover. Once they’re in each other’s grasp, they head off for a bright future together. Little does Dahlia know that what she thinks is her salvation will soon become her damnation.

FLUIDS by May Leitz

 

In contrast to the title, Fluids does not read very fluidly. Leitz’s writing is clunky, stilted, and jolted. Funnily enough, this works in its favor. Whether it’s dialogue or inner perspectives, the writing helps further emphasize the callousness and abrasiveness of Lauren’s warped psyche. The griminess of the writing only helps to add a sleazy grindhouse vibe throughout.

The story is gross and all the better for it! At a brisk 191 pages, Fluids is a fast read. While others can transpose complex and otherworldly topics into an engaging and eye-opening piece of literature, Leitz’s writing prowess hits the reader over the head with a shovel and piles on the dirt as they work towards the next chapter. As the title implies, multitudes of blood and fluids are spilled from beginning to end. During the more extreme sections, Leitz holds no punches as each moment is written with a visceral and brutish tone, highlighting the savagery that entails the two leads.

“She wants me in a way worse than death. She wants me for life. She wants my life.”

Halfway through, Fluids plot comes to a complete standstill. The setup leads the reader to believe that they’ll be taken on a brutal road trip as Lauren and Dahlia push each other to new extremes, but unfortunately, that is far from the case.  In terms of scope, the plot and locale stay relatively small. As soon as their journey begins, it quickly ends as they arrive at the book’s primary and final location, a casino.  This is a real shame as the dynamic between Lauren and Dahlia could have shone through had they interacted more with the outside world.

May Leitz

In the world of extreme horror novels, Fluids stands out because it feels authentic. As a queer trans woman, Leitz is able to pen the frustrations and struggles that come with the queer experience with veracity. Looking past the book’s flaws is made easier due to an earnest honesty that lingers throughout. After reading the “Author’s Note,” the writing feels even more genuine as a way for the story to share the horrors and traumas that have plagued the writer. While it is a work of fiction, May’s battles and struggles can be felt throughout. One can feel the emotions that went into the pages and it’s made abundantly clear that May Leitz is pissed! Through that, Fluids feels like a veritable extension of its author.

Despite some glaring flaws, Fluids is a fun and interesting horror detour. It stands apart from all the Stephen King, Clive Barker, or Jack Ketchum stories out there. While there is much to enjoy, this book is not for everyone. If you can stomach it, give this one a shot as it will leave you gagged until the very end.

About Tyler McNamer

Tyler lives in Los Angeles with his husband, Oscar, and their two pugs, Mr. Pugsley Ray & Ms. LadyPug Valentine.

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