Writtenyes: Matthew Barber
Joe R. Lansdale is a prolific writer. His works include not only several novels, but also a large number of micro-fictions, short stories and novellas. Harvest is a collection of Lansdale’s short stories. Khmera collection of many of Lansdale’s personal favorites. Some of them were commercially successful, but others remain relatively unknown. In addition, although Khmer A collection of primarily Southern Gothic literature, Harvest is a more eclectic mix. Stories include:
Razor God
Landfill
Fish Night
Big Eater
Fat Man
In the dark month of October
Furry House
Dreamer
walk
The Last Hope
Duck Hunting
Seaside near big rocks
I tell you this is love
The Pilot (co-written with Dan Lowry)
In the cold, dark hours
Bar Chat
listen
Personality issues
Lifestyle Changes (co-authored with Karen Lansdale)
Companions (co-authored with Keith and Kasey Joe Lansdale)
Old Charlie
Billie Sue
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Fire Dog
cowboy
Master of Pain
“Razor God” and “Master of Pain” are fairly well-known works, and for good reason. “Razor God” is one of the most disturbing works of all time. It tells the story of a cursed razor, and the story of those who are not killed by the razor being devoured by hunger. “Master of Pain” is a bare-knuckle fight to the death between two men. This may make it look similar to “The Abyss”, which appeared in KhmerHowever, the moral themes and setting do not divide the two works too much.
Other stories, like “Fire Dog” and “Fish Night,” are less well-known. They deliver Lansdale’s signature social commentary and wisdom in unexpected ways. “Fire Dog” is about a man who gets a job as a dog for the local fire department. He works the job for nine years until they find a replacement. No one wants an old dog. In “Fish Night,” a traveling salesman gets stranded in the Arizona desert. There, they encounter ghosts from a bygone era. The elderly salesman longs to return to that simpler time until he learns what it really means to “sleep with the fishes.”
While all of the stories have been published, most have long been out of print. For the first time, each story is accompanied by an author profile. These profiles are meant to give readers an insight into Lansdale’s thoughts during the writing process and the struggles of getting his work accepted. For beginning writers, it’s a godsend to know that such a literary giant went through similar setbacks.
Harvest A must-read for fans of Joe R. Lansdale. Although the stories in this series are not as Khmerthey are all memorable and worthy of praise.
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score: 5/5
