| Title | : | How to Kill Yourself |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0988348403 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780988348400 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 86 |
| Publication | : | First published July 21, 2012 |
Earth, Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory. There is only one way to move from any of these worlds to the next…
How to Kill Yourself Reviews
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Xan said I should go to the doctor so they could cut off my hand. I ignored him and placed the hit of acid on my tongue. I looked at my black and withered left hand as he warmed the heroin.
Yes... so... this book. It's not a how to manual for committing suicide, although the characters in the book try quite a few methods ( There was only one way to move from one world to another.).
And talking about the characters, the main ones are Death (a she - the devil's former lover), Diavol (the devil - a she, not a he), Him (God) and Zimmah (a fallen angel and the devil's lover before the banishment). And they are extremely interesting. Or I'm just a big fan of stories with a religious touch.
Diavol steals Death's hand so that she rules both Hell and Purgatory (the devil already has increasing influence on Earth). Him is mostly bored and ready to retire, but doesn't want Diavol to rule all realms (in His own words, I'm a selfish dick but at least I'm honest about it). And Zimmah is pissed off because Diavol promised him Purgatory, but gave it to Death instead.
I must admit that the title and the cover made me want to read this short story. And it turned out to be very interesting, but frustrating because of its length. A full novel would have been amazing.
As a parting note, the girl on the cover is a character in the story I felt suddenly drawn to. -
I got this because it was only $ .99 cents and I liked "The Brothers Crunk", also a Grindhouse Press title. First thoughts, it's short. But, bigger isn't always better. Or, longer isn't always better... Whatever, it's short. I like short books though. If I had payed say $3.99 I'd probably be a little miffed, but I definitely got my money's worth.
The story has strong religious overtones, which I LOVE! I'm a total sucker for books that have God and/or Satan as a character. I'm a total nut when it comes to Theology. Not a cultist or suicide bomber nut, I guess a better word would be fan. I'm a fan of religious fiction in all forms.
There is lots of killing one's self, very appropriate for the title. But, it's not really suicide... You'll have to read it to get it.
Recommended for depressed people. -
Kinda like if Neil Gaiman's AMERICAN GODS did bumps of meth off of a Bowie knife and trimmed itself down to a manageable length. Sort of.
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First of all the authors' disclaimer that the title is a metaphor is total mumpitz. Perhaps she needs to read up on the meaning of the word.
Initially the book caught my eye, because of the clearly offensive title. It is either a churlish and not well thought out way to attract attention for the book or the author was wearing her pseudo intellectual shoes at the time she chose it.
Now after reading the book I am actually disappointed by her lack of both creativity and understanding of how important a books title is.
It is the first impression. Wouldn't you want to sell your story in the best way possible?
Trying to be smarter than the average bear sometimes means you miss the picnic basket by a mile.
If your title implies in any way that it offers a way to commit suicide then you need to think about the implications of how that might be perceived.
The girl with the pink hair plays a pivotal role in the last chapters. Her name is Suicide. That's right and now it all becomes a little clearer. Her name is a play on words with the 'How to kill yourself' title.
Play on words not a metaphor.
The story is quirky with a noir quality. It contains graphic language and quite a few remarks that will possibly make quite a few devout Christians have a massive hairy fit.
It features Death, who escapes her lover Diavol on a regular basis only to return to the grim shores of Purgatory.
Without giving away any other spoilers it is clever, but lacks a certain finesse when it comes to taking swipes at the omnipotent presence of both God, the Devil and Death.
This is obviously the authors trademark style. Off the wall, slightly derogatory plots with a thick helping of sarcasm and self irony.
So where was that witty trademark sarky attitude when it came to the title?
It doesn't reflect the content and neither does the pink haired chic lit cover.
The target market will pass it over, because it looks like Stephanie from Lazytown trying to kill herself. A fair number will get annoyed at the title and let's not forget the readers who think they might just be getting a suicide handbook with the Top Ten Tips to do yourself in.
Where is the cover and title that would entice the reader who likes your very distinctive style?
I liked it, although I think it could do with some polishing to make it just a tad 'more' instead of just borderline in your face offensive with a sideline of demons. -
While not...bad, per se, I would not venture to call this a good read/book/shorty.
It had what could be called a plot, some colorful characters, decent dialog and a set up(maybe, hard to tell with what little there was to go off of). It was interesting, thrilling, and engaging. Which is more than I can say for most short stories.
My only problem:
There was no build up. No exposition. No explanation. No introduction at all.
It was kind of like the author just went:
and served it up:
All in all, it's a good thing I spent less than a dollar on this. Otherwise:
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What you aren't getting is a how to guide on suicide. what you are getting is a novella about life death and everything else.
Hunt has the potential to be a great writer. How To is a fascinating story that needs to be longer. A sequel would be good or an expansion of the novellla itself would make How To Kill Yourself a great novel.
As it is it's good but it has its limitations because it is a short novel. There are quite a few ideas unexplored and we don't we don't get to become absorbed in the story. Once I got comfortable the book was ending.
How To Kill Yourself is a good mix of different genres but in the end I just wanted more. I like it but I still feel cheated. -
Have you ever A) brought a book because the cover was awesome and B) continued reading a book till the very last page because it was the weirdest thing you have ever come across ? For me , I fell in too both categories as I have a thing for covers and the pink hair attracted me. Second of all, I have read a lot of books - more than most people and I have to say that How to Kill Yourself by C.V Hunt was the MOST WEIRDEST Book I have ever read and at the end of it I was still like Huh ??? ok what the hell just happened. Even at the end of this novel, I still really didn't have an actual clue of what had happened. The novel starts off with this chick having bad drugs and her hand going black and dying , so bad she has to have it amputated but she doesn't want to , she just wants more drugs . Then it flicks to her waking up in a hospital and her hand is gone and she meets a Vampire in a ghost like town . The chick turns out to be Death and she is in a relationship with Diavol who I think is the Devil and the way it was written I was like Ok, is this a lesbian relationship - who knows ?? Apparently whoever has the hand rules Hell and Death keeps wanting to escape as she prefers Earth. They have lots of children and even Jesus of Nazareth pops up for a short while and I was like Ok, isn't he supposed to be in Heaven not Hell ?? Then Death turns up again with a sidekick - a girl with pink hair who turns out to be suicide - she plants thoughts into Death and Diavol's children and everyone commits suicide in Hell and then it gets odd again and then it ends and the reader if you are like me is left thinking alright WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED ????
Normally, I wouldn't have written a review as this is the hardest book to write a review about but it was sooo damn weird that I had to write something and in fairness I did manage to finish the whole book.
How To Kill Yourself by C.V Hunt , will be one of those books that you A) either love or hate and B) you either get it or you don't - there is no middle ground with this novel. -
This is a tricky one to review. I'm not one to spoil it for the rest of the gang.
This is a much bigger, more involved story then you'd think. There are ways to commit suicide, and it is funny how a character reacts to the attempts. "What was it like? Exactly what you'd expect!"
It's more then a junkie with a rotted hand. There are deities, anthropomorphic concepts, and different planes of existence. -
This book gets 2 stars not because it's poorly written but because of how it is marketed.
The book ends up being a series of vignettes throughout which the narrative is slowly revealed to be about a power struggle between the powers of Heaven, Earth, Hell, and Purgatory. The key players are God (hiding away on Earth), Death (a junkie), and Diavol (the devil). And vampires, apparently.
For what it's worth, the interpretations of these characters actually are fairly interesting for the most part.
My issue, as mentioned, is with the book's marketing. Because I had little interest in reading this sort of book.
There was nothing in the title or the cover or even in Hunt's other works that I've read which suggested this was going to be a book about the supernatural. The book's synopsis is short and lacks description. Even reading the free sample pages available on Amazon would not have revealed this, since the supernatural aspects aren't introduced within the first 20 pages. -
One of the purest examples of transgressive fiction on the market. Bravo to CV Hunt for a mesmerizing dark acid trip of a tale.
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This might sound morbid, but as soon as I saw the cover, and heard the title of "How to Kill Yourself", I knew that I had to pick it up. I didn't even have to read the synopsis. The bright colors on the cover, and the girl with bright pink hair contrasted with the book title, and had me curious. I'm glad that the author was awesome enough to send me a review copy. With college unexpectedly happening, it took me longer than I would have liked to review this. I wish I would have gotten to it sooner. I really enjoyed it.
How to Kill Yourself was unlike anything I expected. The story line was morbid, and messed up, but the best way possible. I know it gets said a lot in reviews on blogs, but this story was unlike anything I have ever read before.When I say that, I definitely mean it. It was fascinating how the author created such an original story. I don't want to say much about the plot because I don't want to spoil it since it's such a short book. Holy crap though, the things that the author invents were fascinating. After the first chapter, I was a little confused about what was going on, but after the first couple pages, I understood. Also, the final battle at the end was exceptionally kick-ass.
C.V. Hunt was a new author to me before I read How to Kill Yourself. After reading the book, I will definitely be reading more of this author's work in the future. This book was a stand alone, but I hope they continue to write more books. I can't wait to see what kind of amazing things this author comes up with in the future. I recommend this book to anyone who like bizarro fiction, or morbid books. -
So I'm back in the Hunt game. I've been reading her books pretty fast. After this, I think all I have are her YA/NA trilogy and two more novellas? Although, I will admit that I have mixed feelings for this one. I don't know if it's because I was getting a burn out on reading books or just a burn out on her. So this one is more on the religious spectrum, with Jesus, the Devil, and God who are the ones that bring back some fallen angels that eat people and do horrible things because I don't know, they were really depressed or something or dysfunctional. This is a novella, so of course there's a lot of information left out. But basically, this is a novella about some people finding out they were supernatural beings after committing suicide a few times. A sort of self-discovery story by dying. It was very bizarro, but I didn't really like this one too much. It felt "meh," for me.
"Just give me what I want, Diavol. There's no need for any one person to have complete control. I think history has proven dictatorships don't work out well."
"God was a greedy being. He wouldn't allow any other love in Heaven but the love for him. God cursed us both and split us."
Originally posted here:
http://wordsnotesandfiction.blogspot.... -
I’m a big fan of C.V. Hunt’s work. Her “Endlessly” trilogy is well crafted and quite enjoyable. “Danse Macabre” was an awesome story that demanded a novel-length treatment.
“How To Kill Yourself” blows all of them away. No pun intended. This story is so clever, so creative, and so well done that I can only marvel at Hunt’s talent. I want to be upset with her because she delivered another short story that should’ve been a novel, but I can’t find it in me. I’m just too pleased with the story as is.
Though the masses will certainly take exception to her treatment of the greatest story ever told, I place it alongside Moore’s “Lamb” as pure creative genius. It’s damned good.
Hunt’s writing grows by leaps and bounds with each release. Where will she go next? I eagerly await the answer to that question. -
I'm not gonna be able to write an in depth review on any book especially since this is the first book I am reviewing, so this will all be just my opinion. Since I am crazy and have weird tastes my opinion is that I love this book and I think it's great. I love the way this author portrays these unearthly figures, especially love the way she described Jesus, that's hilarious. The book wasn't very complicated and all in all just enjoyed to any person with a fucked-up mind.
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My primary complaint is that it comes off as feeling like the *beginning* of something, or perhaps a synopsis of something...it builds up these characters and weaves their relationships together and then very rapidly ends. I was shocked, at one point, to realize I was 50% through the book at the point when it seemed to be really heating up and expanding.
Still a very fun read, just wish it had achieved its critical mass. -
"Drowning was a serene death" WTF? Why does she think that!
I liked the short realistic parts, not the devil/fantasy/taking over hell parts- wish this author would stick to a non-fantastical YA book with drugs and booze and sex and hospitals. Unless you can revel Christopher Pike style Sita the oldest Vampire, stick to what you know.
Cool title and cover, but words did not live up to coolness. -
My only complaint is that this novella should have been a novel. I have a thing for heretical fiction, and I would have loved to see Hunt's version presented here in a longer format.
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All tell and no show. Disappointing.
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No, this isn't a pro-suicide entry by any means. C.V. Hunt's novella How to Kill Yourself is funny, irreverent and a bit touching. It really blends genres well in its under-one-hundred pages. Gory horror, Bizarro distortions and even gushy angelic love affairs - like the kind that Yours Truly pens.
One big, gigantic problem with the book - it's too short.
First off, there is so much going on that it demands adventure on epic proportions. A battle for Purgatory. Death herself hiding out in the burbs as a crusty-punk junkie. The Devil in a love affair with the angel who is entitled to rule over the Purgatum. The only problem is that he doesn't love her back. She is the Devil, after all.
Hey, I know well that less can be more, but in this case, I really need more! As far as the wordsmithing and such, Hunt can spin a well-written yarn. I just wish she had used more yarn. I have to wonder if the book is a sketch for a grander scheme to be released at a later date. Perhaps? Please say "yes," Ms. Hunt, because the story is so much fun!
You'll understand the title of the book as you read because it refers to the method of travel between dimensions. I won't say much more on that, but I was itching to see more of the already-fleshed-out characters going about with more incident and situations.
Being primarily Bizarro, you can't expect thick, Russian literature, as most works in this genre pride themselves on brevity and open-ended scenarios. As they say in comic-booking - "one thing after another."
Hunt ties everything up well, it's just that the ride wasn't long enough. I'd love to see this tale return in full glory one day if she has the time or interest. -
I know when I read something by C.V. Hunt I'm never going to be disappointed. From vampires to werewolves, from funeral homes and zombies, I've enjoyed an array of her work including a love poem that was included in a love notes anthology earlier this year.
Upon first glance at the title and cover of her new work, How To Kill Yourself, like many that will suspect, I thought she was about to take stab at the rebellious punk teen generation. This novella doesn't even come close.
We first meet a junkie who is about to have her dead hand removed, only to end up in a dystopian-like dream world, eventually descending into Hell and transforming into a dark angel. From here, we come across God telling Jesus he's giving up on the world because no one believes in him anyway.
Death and "Diavol" are having a lover's quarrel. And the book closes with the dark angels battling it out for the rights to Purgatory and Hell. Hunt treats each of the deadly sins as unique anthropomorphic beings, and even gives Suicide a voice of her own (along with a bright hair color).
Like other reviewers, my biggest complaint is that the story is too short - only 86 pages in paperback form. Hunt's sarcasm and dark humor shine through, ultimately leaving the reader wanting and asking for more.
Devout Christians will definitely be offended, but not being afraid to offend is definitely one trait that makes C.V. Hunt a great and honest writer. -
I couldn't help but end up reading this after seeing the obviously provocative title. Having read the short story, however, it both suits the story element and manages to still be a stupid as heck title. Admittedly, I wasn't expecting much from it initially, yet it managed to positively surprise me. The writing is pretty good, colourful, and the writer's style of writing is not one where words get minced.
What mostly stood out in this were the characters. I rather enjoyed the twist on each one of them. The story starts off as a drug addict story, then suddenly plummets you into the fantastical. For its length, it has so much going on it's actually a shame it isn't a longer book. Most of the story felt like it was just prepping you up for a long journey by introducing characters and their agendas. Truly, I believe that would have suited the plot better, considering how big the picture was and how much thought Hunt seemed to have put on the fantastical beings in her work.
Nonetheless, it's an interesting read, which will - without pre-research anyway - surprise you with its contents. -
I found this book to be a delightful quick read. I was hooked from the first to last page. While it would be nice if the background of the story was further explained, the brevity of How To Kill Yourself worked to its advantage. I personally thought that the way several important religious figures were portrayed was absolutely hilarious(this is coming from a Christian). Some people are regarding the title as offensive. The title merely applies for the characters within the book and not the reader. It is very relevant to the story and shouldn't turn off anyone from reading How To Kill Yourself.
Another fabulous Goodreads First Reads :) -
An interesting read with a cleaver title and cover. Being a big fan of the color pink I admit its why I decided to read it. At 110 pages I figured if it was bad I wasn't wasting all that much of my life to give it a try. I am a fast reader so that maybe 2hrs lost if it went badly. As a big fan of Dante's Inferno I have always been interested in the struggle between heaven and hell as portrayed in books. So for me this was very interesting. I actually wish It could have been longer. The only thing I disliked was that the pink haired girl didn't get more pages!
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A book on Earth, Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory. The struggle of the powers that be, and I must say I did enjoy the humor. A quick and very fun read. I only had a little issue with the writing style. Over all I really enjoyed the book and recommend it highly to others.
This books is a quick and interesting read, this now being the second time I have read it, I had less issues with the writing style. I vastly enjoyed this book. -
This book is nothing like what I thought it would be like. I really enjoyed pages 50-54. This book is way out there but it was a good quick read. And NO it is not about killing yourself. I do really recommend this book to anyone who would take the time to read it. Again THIS IS NOT A GUIDE ON KILLING YOURSELF. It is a short book about a girl,Purgatory, Heaven, and Hell.
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Very interesting read. It was definitely unexpected and a surprise. I really liked it. Very fast read as well. The writer took a chance and succeeded. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for something new, different, and inspiring.
