| Title | : | LaundryLegs |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 150 |
| Publication | : | Published March 20, 2023 |
Stricken with grief over the loss of his wife, and fearful of his looming mental decline, Mr. Ross begins to doubt his own sanity. Is the monster in his basement real? Is it an alcohol-fueled nightmare? Or is he losing his mind?
Pushcart Prize nominee Rob Smales delivers the story of one man’s battle against the ravages of time and entropy. It is a poignant examination of fear, loss, and family trauma wrapped up in a chilling mixture of creature feature and psychological horror.
LaundryLegs Reviews
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“It clung above the washer and dryer, up high by the joists, like a trophy bass over someone’s mantle, so big and so still I thought for a moment it was a fake—some practical joke Martha hadn’t sprung before her heart went. Then I saw the feelers twiddling, spindly things when compared with the legs, and knew it was real.
It was huge.”
This was a creepy crawly horror story! So if you have Scolopendrphobia or Chilopodophobia, be very afraid!
Cantankerous old man Mr Ross is NOT wanting to move to a seniors home, despite what his family thinks. He’s not hallucinating the giant centipede Laundrylegs in the basement…. Or is he??
A twirling, swirling book that is part creature feature and part psychological terror. As someone who works with folks who have dementia I could really sympathize for the main character as he spirals and questions what he has seen.
I didn’t mind the diary style format, but wish there had been less rambling and inner thoughts between the action sequences. Maybe a different POV would’ve help to cut the fluff away? However, then the reader may lose some of the sense of Mr Ross’ psychological state as time goes on. Hard to say!
Definitely a good read that delves into the fear of aging and the possibility of losing touch with reality. -
Rob Smales' 'LaundryLegs' is definitely worth reading: not only does it deliver a compelling story, with a relatable character facing a mysterious situation, set against the backdrop of a familiar setting - it also manages to strike a chord deep into the humanity inside all of us who find themselves feeling the passing of time in their bones. Quickly and efficiently, Smales sets the table for a horrific tale, coming from two different directions at once: the standard creature feature (a huge creepy crawlie in the basement next to the laundry machine), and simultaneously the fear, the terror of the mental degradation brought by old age and bad family history. All placed within a story that merits to grow into a bigger series (hint, hint, Mr. Smales; you asked, after all). Recommended!
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*Book provided for an honest review. *
What if I told you there is a sentient centipede the size of a poodle living in your basement – right above the washer and dryer? What if I told you he commands an army of millions of regular-sized creeps? Also, did you know centipedes are carnivorous?
Thus, the issue of LaundryLegs, chief centipede, and military general. The main character is an old man whose wife has recently passed away and is dealing with her death while fighting his family to remain at home and independent. The story is told from his perspective, mostly as diary entries.
Smales does such a good job with the characterization that aside from the freakish bug problem, this truly does sound like a 70-year-old man going through this stage of life wrote it. You are inside his head and completely believe him. He genuinely feels like a real person.
Frustratedly, after trying to adjust to being alone and being harassed by his children to join a nursing home, he throws a bottle of laundry detergent at LaundryLegs and clips off a couple of his legs. Though he doesn’t know it yet, he has begun a war.
Smales’ ability to convincingly write a character so well is enough to make me eager to read more of his books on that skill alone. The fact that the story is also well-written, well-paced, and well-concluded is even more of a bonus.
On a side note, I do not usually feel uncomfortable from horror. I think I’m somewhat jaded at this point, but I have a deep fear of bugs. I was genuinely grossed out, and even more so every time I saw the cover of this book. Then about a week after reading this, I was rudely awoken in the middle of the night to find a centipede crawling across my arm. I will not soon forget the fear and revulsion this book and my experience created. -
It's been a while since I've read a deliciously creepy horror tale. LAUNDRYLEGS is a deliciously creepy horror tale. It is reminiscent of "They're Creeping Up on You," one of the stories in Stephen King's CREEPSHOW. LAUNDRYLEGS shares the everyman quality of writing for which King is known.
Rob Smales' story of a 70-year-old man who may or may not be losing his mind, echoes the worry of all who have reached that magic age where he or she can collect Social Security. It might also be a true account as seen through the eyes of said 70-year-old… a diary of his lived experience.
My personal perspective about bugs, any bugs, is that seeing them in the house makes me cringe. I live in Florida where giant palmetto bugs are the bane of my existence. Thankfully, they seem to appear one at a time. When I read about bugs, or see them on television or in the movies, I start to itch. The itching was the only downside to reading LAUNDRYLEGS.
You will surely want to read the Author's Note that follows the Epilogue. It tells the origin story for LAUNDRYLEGS and gives insight to the workings of Smales' mind. Hmmm… very interesting! Also, like any good Avengers (Iron Man, Captain America, or Thor) movie, LAUNDRYLEGS is worth reading to the end. There is a bonus short story there for you to enjoy.
I look forward to more stories, not necessarily more bugs, from Rob Smales. -
The main character is 70. Should he be in a home? Is he seeing things? I’m 70! I’m not ready for a home. But if I saw what he sees, I’m checking myself in!
