| Title | : | The Tormentors |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 161572964X |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781615729647 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 182 |
| Publication | : | First published June 1, 2013 |
The Tormentors Reviews
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Author Jack Phoenix's debut horror novel, "The Tormentors," is a thoroughly enjoyable read by a promising new literary voice. It may not reinvent the wheel, but it doesn't seek to do anything so ambitious. What it DOES seek to do, perhaps, is to reexamine the wheel we've been using and to wonder if we've really been doing justice to the vehicle - reminding us, really, what the wheel was supposed to do in the first place.
I'll start with the bad, if only because there is substantially more good than bad, and because the good will take up the lion's share of what remains in the reader's mind after finishing "The Tormentors." If, by chance, one comes to this novel as an astute reader with a penchant for picking up on metaphor and subtext, they may find themselves feeling a little brow-beaten at times, because "subtlety" is not the word of the day in PeeWee's Playhouse when it comes to this particular work. Nothing is ever "just a cigar" in "The Tormentors." The novel's central theme, however, is a complex and unusual one that often goes largely unremarked upon in the genre, and the post-feminist ambitions on display can surely excuse a debut novelist's occasional lapse into self-indulgence. Surely, in time and with subsequent works, Mr. Phoenix will find his rhetorical scalpel has a gradually sharper edge.
With that caveat out of the way, this reviewer must stress how refreshing it is to burn through a modern horror story that remembers what lies at the heart of the genre: the morality play. There is hardly a word in the text that doesn't drive forward the novel's central theme, a thought-provoking and impressive exploration of the modern male plight. Phoenix examines the way that men are assaulted with messages about who and what a "real man" should be, and in doing so reveals that the rape of the world is perpetrated by those who need so desperately to prove their manhood at the expense of all else. This is not to say that novel doesn't resort to schlock horror in the form of gore or physical horror - but it IS to say that the novel doesn't RELY on those things to the exclusion of a meaningful subtext.
There are moments in which it misses the mark: it is distressing to read the novel's only character who honestly deserves the title of a "real man" disparage himself as less of a man, and even more distressing that the novel's otherwise perceptive female lead makes no effort to correct his misconception. In a climate of progressive legislation and social advancement for American homosexuals, it would be more satisfying to see this character assert his manhood with more confidence than he does. These moments are fleeting, however, as in most cases the message is clear and it comes across without a misstep.
The male-plight subtext is explored even further in the novel's dynamic portrayal of its female characters. The women are mostly strong, and even the incidental women are cast into roles typically reserved for male players in this genre. When the women are portrayed as victimized or slighted, it is not due to their own failings but to the relentless drive for superiority exercised by their male counterparts. The message is that women are as brutalized by today's hetero-normative machismo-appeal as are the men, and that in the end this attitude leads inexorably to suffering for all who do not resist it. Even in the novel's more stomach-turning moments, such as at least two depictions of male-on-female rape, we are kept at balance with an equivalent violation of the male figures; Phoenix's anti-macho message claims its victims indiscriminately.
As for the actual experience of reading the book, the reader may experience a moment or two in which it feels that the story has begun to meander, particularly around the middle of the story. But Phoenix subverts this handily: at precisely the moment where one might wonder if the story has gone off the rails, the curtain goes up on a nail-biting and action-packed final act that rockets through the last 50 pages or so with breakneck speed and culminates in a final confrontation so exciting you can see a film version in the offing (even if a Hollywood interpretation of Phoenix's tale would almost certainly sanitize the best things about the story). When the situation finally resolves, it is with a final act of unrequited "penetration," fired from the ultimate metaphor for phallic aggression, a handgun. After everything you've been through with the characters, you'll be hard-pressed not to cheer.
Too often, modern horror strays from its meta-textual place in the zeitgeist by reducing itself to cheap thrills and empty scares. Phoenix's modern day inversion of the tale of Orestes makes no such mistake. If, perhaps, it could benefit from a slightly more subtle approach, and if, perhaps, there is the same room for improvement in pacing and technical minutia that one may often expect of (and forgive in) a first-time novelist, these things are buried quietly in the most important way that the novel is a resounding success: it's a horror novel that's ABOUT SOMETHING. And it's something that matters.
"The Tormentors" is a fantastic first novel, and this reviewer looks forward to many more from the author. It's tempting to give it 5 stars because I know the guy and want him to be successful, but there are plays by the Bard himself that I've given a 3 out of 5, so I'll be temperate and give it 4 stars for being a really killer read, with a little room for improvement. -
I won a copy of THE TORMENTORS, by Jack Phoenix from the GoodReads Giveaway contest. This was the first book I have read from Mr. Phoenix, and I was left very impressed. This book contained both visceral imagery, and most importantly, the moral basis needed to set the events in the book into motion. The theme that I kept coming back to was that humans are actually the worst form of Tormentors. Despite the happenings to Roderick Whithers, the underlying mystery of his family background and his own--unpredictable--personality are what really had me riveted into turning those pages!
Phoenix does a great job in entwining the supernatural forces with human motivation/issues. The only problem that I had with the novel was with the character of Liz, Roderick's wife. She seemed much too naive for someone described as eager to make her own place in the world; and for someone who supposedly loved her teaching job so much, she clearly didn't put up much resistance when it came to obeying her husband's every order. That just seemed a little out-of-place with the characterization we were presented with.
Other than than, the novel was a solid, fast-paced read with plenty of action (both physical and mental) on every page. The shorter chapters really made the book difficult to put down, and I was--personally--very pleased with the outcome in the conclusion.
A solid read, and a new author to look for in the future!
Recommended! -
A couple of weeks ago I received an email from Jack Phoenix with the question if I wanted to read and review his book ‘The Tormentors’. This book is a horror novel and not something I would have chosen normally. But I like a new challenge and decided to give this book a change. So a couple of days ago I started reading ‘The Tormentors’.
What I immediately liked about ‘The Tormentors’ was the writing style and the way this book immediately grasps your attention. From the very first page the excitement and horror starts. Reading this book you can obviously tell that Jack Phoenix is a great story teller. This book I well written and full of dark twists.
I didn’t really like the characters in this book. But in the end I think these characters aren’t meant to be liked. The main characters Roderick and Elizabeth are not what they seem to be. Roderick is just a terrible person and Elizabeth I found to be a very selfish person. Elizabeth was not a bad person but she just really needs to get her priorities straight.
I think the only character I liked a little was Wade, Elizabeth’s friend. He is a great friend and does everything he can to help Elizabeth. And he loves books..
The horror aspect of this book wasn’t really for me. I found the three ‘hellish women’ a little disturbing. Not quite scary but very gross. What I did like was the way these women where after revenge and really went after the right person. In most horror movies I saw it’s always the good person who’s got the devil after him. Never the bad guy. I really liked the way the bad guy got punished in this book.
So at the end of reading this book I can conclude that this book is very well written, full of twists you can’t imagine but still not a book for me. But for people who like horror and a couple of disturbing hellish women this is definitely a nice read. -
I started chatting with the author on-line one day and the topic of Joe Hill came up. He said he'd heard the comparison when his book "The Tormentors" is talked about. He offered up a review copy so here we are!
The book starts off strong and fast. Much better pacing than the last book I finished (The Troop)and it's actually nicely written and doesn't feel like fan fiction which most novels like this do. I found the characters likable, even our anti-hero as he spirals out of control and everything around him starts to crumble.
There's a few great scenes. The scene with the snake really grossed me out and was completely unsettling. The vivid delusions are always entertaining to read and often unique in one way or another.
The entire final act goes guns blazing and never relents. The little twists were fairly obvious, to me at least and I was left feeling a little sour with the ending but I can see what it ends the way it does, just not how I, the reader, wanted it to end. One of the few horror stories that actually maintained a good pace and some fun thrills. Not Joe Hill's Heart Shaped Box but it just might be the next best thing. -
First let me say that I typically don't choose horror books to read. But I am so glad I picked this one up. The characters are well developed and the author does that without distracting from the story. Also I was surprised to find that this was the first book written by this author as his story telling ability is extremely well developed.
The main characters Rod and Liz are relate-able. Even with Rod being a bad guy, you can see how he would get himself into this kind of situation. Noe of it seem too far fetched. Monsters are real. Sometimes the monsters have monsters.
In the end this becomes a morality tale. But it does it gracefully, and without condemnation.
Also this book humanized the abuser in the tale with out excusing him. I like that.
I gave it 5 starts because it was well written, well edited and thoroughly enjoyable. -
This book was very good. I had a bit of a rough start with it, but once I got used to the flow it really kept me reading on. Turning pages, as you will. I liked how the tormentors would take different shapes yet always have some aspect that would let the protagonist know who they were. I liked the gory parts too.
One thing (and only this one thing , really) that kind of bothered me was the cover art. It didn't really have much to do with the book. I would have liked to see the three Furies (in all their beautiful redheaded glory) standing over a cowering well kept man. Or maybe the three children at the gate. I just don't like to see a great book suffer because the cover didn't draw in enough attention.
I do love me a good Demon story. Bravo. -
I won this book in a good reads giveaway.
Sheesh, I've just been reading a certain type of book recently. *sighs* I really need to take a break from this kind of book..
Well anyway, this is the perfect book to read before Halloween. Creepiness and such galore. A couple scenes also made me cringe.
But yeah, this is a short book, a quick read with horror elements. There really isn't much to say. Roderick is an ass, you are supposed to hate him, Elizabeth, his wife, is important to the story along with the daughter. Rebecca is a sad girl. I feel really bad about what happened to Wade...I liked that guy.
Anyway, a nice book to read before/on Halloween. :) -
I am a huge Horror fanatic and this book is quite possibly one of the most frightening books i have ever read.I had the honor of doing an interview with Jack on my radio show and he is truly an amazing person very laid back. This book is amazing it keeps you on the edge of your seat and checking under your bed lol. The way he describes some of the torments will make you squirm but that is the fun when it comes to horror.I highly recommend this book but make sure to read it with the lights on. I look forward to reading more from Jack Phoenix in the future.
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I recently recieved this piece as a goodreads first read. I was pleasantly surprised by the new author. Mr Phoenix is an amazing story teller and I finished the book in two days. It was impossible to put down. It's some weird mix between a scrooge story and a tell tale heart. beautifully written and something I could see developed into a thriller movie. The gory imagery is horrific and tantalizing. This is a book that keeps you sitting forward in your chair the whole time.
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I bought this book and read it a few weeks ago. It is one of the best books I've read this year. It's dark and twisted and I found it impossible to put down. The characters and plot were well written and I could see the scenes play out in full color when I read the pages. The ending was perfect and didn't leave me hanging. I think it would make a great movie! This author is one to watch and I am eagerly anticipating his next book!
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I'm not usually a fan of Horror, but I read The Tormentors in honor of Halloween this year. I loved it and look forward to reading other horror books in the future. For a first book, the author did a great job at keeping the reader guessing. I also loved the character development. I will definitely recommend this book to others.
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Horror is not my normal genre, but I still enjoyed this journey into madness. Pacing was a little fast, but it was consistent. Characters were well thought out. The story was fantastic, with a great concept.
I can recommend this book to anyone, but especially to any horror buffs out there. -
The Tormentors (by Columbus author, Jack Phoenix) is a potent thriller that packs quite a bit of adrenalin into its 173 pages. His writing is nearly as brutal and intense as a Stieg Larsson novel. Check this book out, and support an upcoming author!
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Really liked this read, it had everything and I must say I will be looking for more books from this author :)
