Wretch: or, The Unbecoming of Porcelain Khaw

I first discovered Eric LaRocca through reading his book At Night, I Become Loathsome (I still haven't recovered enough from that one to write a review). First, I'll say that you don't simply read a book by this author. You experience it; it lives and breathes within you, you will think about it when you're not reading it, and when you finish it, you will want to tell others about it. Since I've now read two of this author's works, I've decided that he is the king of emotional horror. Or, alternatively, the king of writing things you can't look away from, no matter how disturbing or uncomfortable you are. You know what his writing really reminds me of? One of the last chapters of Don't Push the Button by John Skipp, entitled "The Logic of Depression in a World Made of Pain." Love and suffering, suffering and love. Powerlessness. Hopelessness. We're not alone in our feelings; the kicker is whether we're willing to face them, and horror does this. Thank you, Mr. LaRocca, for not shying away from the various nightmares we all face at some point or another, but instead helping us face them a little bit at a time through your books and characters. Thank you to Saga Press | S&S/Saga Pressfor providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.