By Mike Griffiths
Aronovitz, Michael. The Seven Deadly Pleasures. Hippocampus Press. 250pp. ISBN 978-0982429600.
The Seven Deadly Pleasures is a collection of horror stories and yep, you guessed it, there are seven of them. Like so many fine horror books, it is published by Hippocampus Press.
If one had to pin down Aronovitz’s strongest quality as a writer, I would suggest that it is the variety of stories he pens. Although each is certainly horror, no two are alike. And again, besides the fact that they are all horror, there is little cohesive theme here, which might be a good thing. Some writers have a certain story style or voice, but Aronovitz reinvents himself with each tale. If one tore off the cover and the first few pages, the reader might very well think he or she was reading an anthology written by different authors.
The book begins with “How Bria Died”. This is a scary tale based on the type of urban legends heard in high school. Although it ends effectively, I almost found the story a little too adolescent for my taste, but you might enjoy saving this one for that troublesome nephew and see if it helps give him a few nightmares.
“The Clever Mask” comes second. The protagonist makes a deal with Death. Echoes of Jim Carrey’s Liar Liar come to mind when Joe’s deal takes away his self-control in return for an additional chance at continuing to live. Things go from bad to horrific, as his life quickly disintegrates, and he begins to wish he had accepted his death.
“A Quest For Sadness” is about a wealthy man seeking to buy happiness, but not in a matter any sane man would contemplate. With the help of his mysterious, and perhaps too-willing, butler, he pushes far past the edge of decency in the hopes of achieving his goals.
In “The Legend of Slither-Shifter”, the author increases our terror by having us see the events through the eyes of a child. Reality is tossed out the window when a horrid sketch drawn by the babysitter comes to life, seeking human victims. This story is so over the top that it challenges the reader’s ability to believe it could happen. Yes, there are certainly horror and dread, but that lack of believability might put some readers off.
Next comes “The Exterminator”. When Evan sees clowns lurking inside buildings, he questions his surroundings; when he sees them ganging up to commit murder, he questions his sanity. But what if he isn’t insane? What if it is somehow really happening?
“Passive Passenger” revolves around an elderly man who discovers a program that allows the user to live the life of another person, but what if something unpleasant were to happen to the person whose shell you inhabit?
The last tale is a novella-length story, which once again, takes the reader into its world through the eyes of a child. “The Toll Booth” is a rough ride where, just when you think you know what might be happening, things just get worse and worse for poor Jimmy. Jimmy and his friend are accused of causing an accident, which led to a woman’s death, but this is only the beginning of the torment Jimmy must endure.
Aronovitz’s stories are gripping and scary. He brings forth a feeling of helplessness and dread that could appeal to some horror fans. I found this spiral towards doom unsettling, perhaps too unsettling, to the point where I lost touch with some of the protagonists. If they were already so doomed, then why worry about them? Their helpless state was so extreme that it removed me from the tale and reminded me I was only reading a story.
The Seven Deadly Pleasures is a good read most horror fans will enjoy. Arononvitz’s takes his characters through hellish paths where no one would want to tread, but now you can do so within the safety of your on home. That is, if your home is really safe….