Secondhand store finds – analog books. Digital reviews.
I’ve discovered a lot of horror novels in thrift stores, and to keep them from languishing in the closet, I’ve decided to start a little series called “Thrift Store Finds” to share these treasures with you.
What do a young mother, a religious fanatic and the most bizarre interpretation of bestiality have in common? Who knows, but they all appear in Edward Levy’s 1981 novel, The Beast Within.
This novel is written by a man who is also Weird and bad Like me, this book is a unique and underappreciated horror novel. When he handed the book to me, he said, “This book is basically a straight-up exploitation movie in book form.”
He is right.
The Beast Within is a story that begins and ends many times, and after each end it turns right and starts in a new direction. If this is as confusing as I think it is, let me give you an analogy:
Remember those golden times The Simpsons The first five minutes of the 90s series are about an inciting incident, and the final there is nothing How does it relate to the main conflict of the story? If you’re not sure, look up the episode “Lisa the Tree Hugger,” sometimes called “This Log is Your Log.”
The episode, which ends with a spectacular musical performance and an unstoppable log adorned with a replica of Lisa’s head, opens with Bart getting a job hanging menus on doors in order to earn enough money to buy a new game console.
Edward Levy’s novel takes a similarly tortuous route, and as strange as it may sound, that’s exactly what I liked most about it.
I can’t help it. As a lifelong consumer and creator of stories, I’m intimately familiar with narrative formats, which means I can often guess how a story will end before its final scene.
Levy’s changes in direction keep the story fresh, pulling me out of one scene and into the next action without warning. Just when I think I’ve gotten to know a scene and its characters — the dynamite goes off — Levy surprises me again. Making me exclaim, “Oh, this is so That “What kind of story?”
The story may begin with an old, fanatically religious farmer and his sad young bride longing for a new companion, but it definitely doesn’t end there. If anyone told you this was a werewolf story (as the back cover of some editions states), you were misled. It has absolutely nothing to do with werewolf stories…sort of.
This is a brilliant piece of trash fiction, with just the right amount of sex, gore, and gross-out scenes to make it a lighthearted pleasure. Don’t pick this up if you’re looking for literary enlightenment. Don’t pick this up if you’re uncomfortable with violence against women (like many early 80s horror novels, this one comes with a trigger warning). Don’t pick this up if you want any depth to character or theme.
If you want a fast-paced, tightly plotted novel with extreme characters that make shocking choices and some illogical plot points, pick this book up.
The Beast Within Just like a roller coaster, ride the trash compactor for the ultimate fun.
score: 2.5/5
Want to buy it? Go ahead.
