Exquisite Corpse - Poppy Z. Brite

Somebody I knew from way back was a big fan of Poppy Z Brites book and from hearing her raving on about them I went and bought myself a copy. Let's just say I don't intend on buying another one. From the front cover, mine has a picture of a man dripping in blood, blindfolded and strapped to a chair, I don't know why I was slightly...surprised at what I was reading. It's clearly obvious that this is not a story on light and happy times. Poppy Z Brite is an author who seems to relish in the art of horror and thriller novels. Her trademarks usually involve gay men, very graphic sexual descriptions and brutal murders. Lost Souls is another of her well known ...  Read the complete review

"Exquisite corpse" is certainly not for the faint hearted. Poppy Z Brite is an interesting author to say the least. She was born Melissa Ann Brite (Poppy certainly sounds more interesting), in 1967, In New Orleans, a place sure to inspire horror fiction (superstar horror writer Anne Rice also hails from New Orleans). Brite has written extensively on her gender dysphoria/gender identity issues. She identifies as a male, yet doesnt appear masculine, or ask to be addressed as a male. Brite has described herself as a "non-operative transsexual", and this is often reflected in her work, with some characters ...  Read the complete review

Its not often I am really grossed out or scared by a book. The occasional flinch here and there is always a good sign, more due to my crazy imagination than the subtle prodding by the words of any given writer. Brite on the other hand decided to forego the gentle prods to my imagination. Instead she tied me to the bed (which after reaching the gory conclusion is a strangely apt metaphor) and gouged at my innards with a rusty screwdriver while sipping on a wine so expensive I cant even pronounce its name in her best Sunday dress. I had heard a few things that interested me enough to pick this book up. Mainly due to the fact that Brite regularly likes to ...  Read the complete review