| Title | : | Cursed |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1933293861 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781933293868 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 214 |
| Publication | : | First published October 15, 2009 |
| Awards | : | Bram Stoker Award Best Novel (2009) |
Cursed Reviews
-
My reactions are:
1. Laughter
2. Compassion
3. Confusion
4. Admiration
This book has been on my GR TBR list for-eveh, or at least since I joined GR. It was one of the first times I added a book despite being stymied by my ability to procure it (I was operating under a 'library-only' rule at the time). But something about it begged to be left on my list, and I finally (three years later? My, my. I'm either persistent or obsessive) was able to get it from the library. What I received had absolutely no resemblance to what I expected. Thank you, Universe. Seriously.
A quick dialogue and list-based read, by turns hysterical and tragic. Some might even add horrific by the end. Two partially broken souls meet at the supermarket and discover they are each laboring under a curse. Our narrator is doomed to be slapped every day. He knows it's true--it has already happened 12 times. His supermarket friend Cecily has a particular vision regarding a tennis ball. What follows is their attempt to discover others like them, as well as solve the questions of who and how to get rid of the curse. It also becomes a very gentle story of developing connections.
Shipp is masterful with character creation. I found myself trying to fit them all in a neat character box, and they don't go willingly. The emphasis on dialogue means that it takes interaction for character to unfold, resulting in a fragmented kaleidoscope view. Add to it their unusual personal styles-for instance, Cecily's insistence on describing ordinary events in the most surreal manner possible--and it makes for an intriguing read.
It is also an unusually structured story. Nicolas' focus on lists is a clever narrative hook, but is not always explanatory. Shipp's refusal to include more than minimal transitions means work is required on the part of the reader, as well as a willingness to forgo literary convention. For example, the book opens with a chapter titled "#12," a short two and a half page interaction between the narrator, Nicholas, and Nadia. The next chapter is titled "#13" and takes place at the supermarket between Nicolas and Cecily. No going home, no backdrop, no character infodump; just a couple of snapshots, clips from a life.
To enjoy a book, I need certain elements present, whether it be character, idea, plot or writing. This has ideas and character in spades. The search for answers to the curse leads to musings on the nature of self-perception, self-definition, mental illness, eccentricity and life, and rather lends itself to reader engagement and compassion. There's a growing sense of urgency and paranoia as the curse victims seek a way out before they are destroyed, left as mere shells of themselves. There are also bizarro moments that caused furrowed brow, so if you are in the mood for concrete, non-dream-based dramatics, look elsewhere. That was perhaps the toughest section for me and my tendency towards plot-based reading, but I find that it largely works. It would also be the major reason for a four-and-a-half star rating.
A teeny, tiny snippet from page 11, "#13" (completely non-spoilery):
"Nicolas," she says, not smiling for once. "The cart's fine, hon. I'm the defective one."
I laugh, because I always feel like laughing when I'm around Cicely. If she told me her cat died, I might laugh on accident. Then I notice the tennis ball in her right hand. I force myself to look away.
"I missed you last week," I say. I didn't mean to sound so sincere. So small.
Now she smiles. And with a smile like that, she can't be #13.
"I'm sorry I missed it," she says. "I was busy being kidnapped by little green men."
"I should have known."
"Luckily, I annoyed their scientists so much they let me go. It turns out aliens despise show tunes. 'Brigadoon' especially."
I laugh. The world is right in the supermarket again.
*******************************************
You see? Absurd, funny, vulnerable, awkward, odd... so very, very human.
Cross posted at
http://clsiewert.wordpress.com/2013/0... and
http://www.shelfinflicted.com/2013/07... -
In keeping with the FUNtelligent "list theme" used by the main character, Nick, in this superbly bizarro nutter of a story, I will summarize my thoughts as follows:
1. Cursed is the breeziest mind-fuck of a novel I've ever read and I found engaging confusion on almost every page.
2. Nick and Cicily are two of the most unique, INSANEntertaining characters I have come across since
John Dies at the End and their conversations about topics ranging from eating smurfs to trapping killer tomatoes are worth the price of the book all by themselves.
3. Upon finishing the book, I was left both satisfied and not entirely sure that I had understood anything I had just read.
Overall, I thought the book was terrific and HIGHLY RECOMMEND it. However, given how uniquely prosed it is, I can see how it may not be everybody's bag of chips and I understand other people:
1. Hating the book, decrying it as a pointless collection of meaningless events that reads like a bad episode of Seinfeld meets the The X-files and wanting to throw both it and this reviewer against the wall.
2. Loving the book, proclaiming it literary genius and comparing it to Seinfeld meets the The X-files as written by Franz Kafka and wanting to name their children after this reviewer for recommending this extraordinary experience to them.
3. Liking the book but thinking it was a little too clever for its own good and not being satisfied with the ending; thus they will agree not to stomp on this reviewer's naughty bits but also will not be adding him to their Christmas card list.
Here is hoping that you are in category 2 (or at least 3) while prospectively asking for forgiveness and compassion if you are in category 1.
4.0 to 4.5 stars. -
Shipp is writing in a unique refreshing original style of his own. I can see how this strange goings on made it as a Stoker award finalist, nothing really bloody here but as one reviewer pointed out 'Cursed is humorous while at the same time deeply philosophical.' After reading the story and during reading it (now this is the crazy bit) i wanted to
1.Slap him in the face (if you have read it you would know what i mean!)
2.Burn of his mole
3.Take away his tennis ball and Gnomes
4.Stop him numbering, listing and scheduling
Was a joy to read never boring, one when you start reading you would not want to stop reading until you get the end. Maybe if i hang upside down for a while and ride on a Carousel for a long time i could try to conjure a story along a similar vein.
Review also here. -
I am not sure how to review this. I really liked it and I will read more from Mr. Shipp. His "Vacation" looks very interesting....
I think what I liked the most about this was the style in which it was written. I loved the lists. I was amused with the way the lists could be reused and applied to different converstaions and situations. I also liked how some chapters always followed the same opening format with the dream sequence having different characters but all doing the same things as previous dream characters. That was neat.
I thought Nicholas and Cicely were so funny and their dicussions highly entertaining. I can see myself having a dinner party with them, eating Smurf tacos and drinking snowflake juice. It would be a good time! And Gordon and Meta would be there, too, maybe Sol would bring Brienda. And at the end of an evening of fun and stimulating conversation I would give Cicely a big hug, slap the crap out of Nicholas, and thank them both for a wonderful evening.
Yeah, I know, I didn't tell you what the book was about. Just read it, you'll like it! -
After reading this book I want to read all of Jeremy C. Shipp's books! 'Cursed' is funny, weird, original, compelling and in my opinion a MUST read.
Nick and Cicely are friends and they are both 'cursed' on the same day with ridiculously odd curses. Nick's curse means he will be slapped every day, whilst Cicely is forced to hold a tennis ball in her hand for ever; if she drops it the world will come to an end. They meet Abby, who is also cursed, and become friends with her through their common problem. Nick used to be an alcoholic, so when his behaviour is called into question his friends and family assume he has started drinking again. In fact, the person or thing that has cursed him is ruining his life along with the lives of his friends.
We follow Nick, Cicely and Abby through some strangely wonderful scenes as they try to put their lives back together and find out who or what has cursed them.
I was hooked on this book from the start. It is very entertaining and well written. I like the way the narrator thinks in lists; this makes the prose move quickly, adding to the feeling of fast-moving action.
Although this book is a fun read, it does seem to contain a deeper more complex element. The curses are ridiculous, but at a deeper level, they can be interpreted as reflections of the problems people face in their lives (such as the real problems faced by the characters including alcoholism/addiction, bereavement, and divorce), and the way people try to deal with those problems emotionally. In fact, the way the main character makes lists of things all the time, shows an addictive side to his personality.
The characters were all very realistic, if slightly eccentric. If you are looking for a book that will keep you interested, make you smile, and surprise you with its twists and turns, 'Cursed' is the book for you. -
The back cover of Jeremy C. Shipp’s novel ‘Cursed’ tells the reader it’s horror. ‘Cursed’ was even a finalist this year for the HWA’s Bram Stoker Award for best novel. But ‘Cursed’ is more than horror. Or just barely horror, in my opinion. The premise could easily spiral into horror, but Shipp injects this story with in an odd, original, refreshingly creative vibe that trancends typical genre fare, especially when it comes to horror.
In case I’m not being clear enough here, let me say this: ‘Cursed’ is fantastic and I loved it.
Every day, the main character, Nick, is slapped in the face. His friend, Cicely, must hold a tennis ball in her hand. If she lets it go, the world will end. Abby’s family is gone, wiped from reality. All of these occurences are being manipulated by someone, a shadowy figure who remains as much a mystery by the end as he/she/it is in the beginning, and those three must find out who is behind their curses as well as how to reverse them.
Along the way, we’re treated to a host of unique, quirky characters with depth and emotions (though sometimes too much emotion … there’s a lot of crying and weeping going on is this story) who we come to care about and root for. This book is more about personal redemption and finding one’s true self at its core, with some horrific happenings that will keep the reader in suspense through the dizzying final act. Refreshing, immensly enjoyable, and just a little bit bizarre at time, ’Cursed’ is a must-read. -
Author Jeremy C. Shipp is never content to merely give his readers a diversion. Sure you laugh; you fall in love with his characters, are emotionally swept into his world; but his work is always so much more than emotive string pulling.
Shipp wants your mind. He wants your heart. He wants you to be so taken in by his words that by the time he is through with you, you see the world differently. He wants to wake you up, and he won’t sugar coat the brutality or the beauty of life as he delivers his message. In making you honestly examine yourself and the world, he offers you a great gift – a chance at healing. Shipp’s second novel, Cursed, is such an adventure and is due for release this October. It is available for pre-order at
http://www.rawdogscreaming.com/cursed....
Cursed resonates as a love story to those of us who feel like outsiders. Though Shipp makes explicit use of a physical disability in this novel, that sense of being “other” could come from any of the millions of details that make up our personal story such as one’s faith or sexuality. It is a reminder that being unique is not a curse as society would have us think. In fact our differences are our gifts. We are meant to celebrate them and use them to heal ourselves, each other, and ultimately the world.
One immediately has great empathy for Shipp’s lead characters. Cicely and Nicholas can be nothing other than the cursed beings they are, but thank God for that. In the book, they literally hold the fate of the world in their hands. There could be no more intelligent, humorous, kindly souls to be at the mercy of. They are given an awesome responsibility, and through their journey we can see the best and worst within ourselves as well.
Like many, Nicholas just wants to blend in. He wants to pretend he leads an unexceptional life. But for Nicholas there is no out. He must do what he is destined to do. In the end, the same goes for us all. Shipp is calling out those who would wear masks and try to live a small existence. Not following an authentic path would have consequences in Cursed, just as it does in the real world.
Shipp forces us to confront the pain, fear, loneliness in our lives. They are a warning that action needs to be taken. We are given a very explicit reminder at the very beginning “This isn’t only your life that you’re messing with. We’re connected. We’re all connected.” My pain is your pain; your pain is my pain. And what is most vital for ending our personal nightmares? Forgiveness. It is through this we heal.
There is also a recurring theme of being ignored, not being heard. Nicholas constantly faces this in his attempts to connect with others. But he can’t truly be heard because he is hiding. He is afraid if someone really did see him, truly know him inside and out they would be horrified. In contrast Cicely has the strength to claim who she is and fight against those who would dismiss her as wrong. She faces the world with an open heart and creativity. She is the kind of empowered being that comes from living from a place of love instead of fear. She pushes Nicholas and hopefully the reader to a breakthrough where they find themselves capable of more than they had imagined.
As in his short stories and his first novel, Vacation, Shipp’s prose in Cursed is distilled down to the finest essence. No triviality remains. With a lot of wit and a huge heart full of passion, he enthralls the reader. The writing is elegant and quite simply a pleasure to read.
Shipp’s work always carries with it a sense of magical realism that I find incredibly seductive. I’m always eager to see what rules he’s playing with in each new piece. And I must admit as a writer I’d kill to have a little bit of that awe-inspiring creativity Shipp has in his deliciously demented mind.
So in the end does Cursed succeed? In a word: yes. Readers can’t walk away unmoved. They will recognize themselves in the characters. They will see the indictment of the energy spent on imaginary problems while the real ones burn the world down.
He gets you – mind and heart. And I have to believe that his readers and the planet will come away altered for the better because of this experience.
Jeremy C. Shipp may be just one author, but maybe that’s enough. -
I just finished Jeremy C. Shipp's "Cursed". It is the story of how three people who believe they are cursed by some unknown being come together and try to fight their way out of their situation. I won't spoil anything explicitly but warning, there are some spoilery details that will be peppered throughout.
************************SPOILERISH TYPE THINGS AHEAD--READ AT YOUR OWN RISK OF DISCOVERY******
If I take the novel at face value (which basically I do because I like that reality) then this is a quirky little dark fantasy tale that involves magic and monsters.
However, if you choose to look at it on a deeper, thematic, sub textual level, this story could have the magic elements taken out, or turned into one (or several) characters' delusions and it would still work. The characters all were examples of people who have been damaged and blamed themselves for it. In doing this self blaming these characters have spread more damage, either to themselves or others. I see the 5 "protagonists" as specific examples of common disorders. Nick-the recovering addict: Nick's "type" is also literal because he is a recovering alcoholic with a past full of hurting friends and family through his addictive behavior
Cicely-bipolar: Cicely is a dreamy, sweet, very caring woman who has a vivid imagination where she spends a lot of her time indulging her whimsy. She is usually very cheery and childlike (many would say extremely so). There are a few moments though where we get a glimpse of the dark, defeated side of Cicely, the depressed side and we can wonder how often that is just below the surface.
Abby: The cutter/troubled teen: Abby is a 19-20ish year old girl whose curse involves her constantly being physically hurt by people around her and herself. This could be a symbol of how many young girls inflict physical pain on themselves so that they are the ones in control of their hurt. Also, usually she's being hurt by people around her who care about her, maybe indicating either literal abuse or a teens misguided perception of being misunderstood by loved ones.
Gordon: The disabled person: Gordon is Nick's room-mate who is not initially part of the curse group. He is blind and is not angry about his blindness so much as he is angry at how the world perceives him as useless and pitiful.
Kin/Ruth-Elderly dementia/Alzheimer’s: This character, like Gordon, is not an original member of the curse group but is drawn in by them because she knows one of them. When we first meet her she is an elderly woman named Kin. Later, when Nick talks to her she says her name is Ruth and that she doesn’t remember any of her previous meetings with him or the curse group. This change is accomplished (in the fantasy side of the story) with magic. Later she comes back to their house led there by "found" memories belonging to Kin. She laments the fact that now she cannot trust her mind r her memories and becomes confused and afraid. This is very reminiscent of the experience of older adults as dementia or Alzheimer’s sets in and they can no longer trust what their mind is telling them.
There are a lot more levels to these characters and their curses and many more ways to interpret this story but on any level it is a great tale about redemption and love and blame and recovery. There is a very sweet romance that brews over the course of the entire novel and the characters do not behave just to move the plot forward but in very believable, organic ways.
Great book, I highly recommend! -
Something completely different.
9/3/11. I decided my one-liner above didn't do this novel justice, no matter how accurate! lol Imagine being in the mind of someone who is OCD who is experiencing a very strange curse; it's quite a ride. The protagonist, Nick, and all his other cursed friends are certainly brought to life Nick's little habits, like constantly staring at his mole, are humorous and annoying! The way the author presents the continued manifestion of Nick's curse is inventive and humorous and irrevocable. I loved the growing relationship between Nick and Cicely. The story itself is so twisted that you feel like you are inside a strange nightmare, but it's funny and heart-warming too... as I said, strange. A story that will stick with you for a long time. Highly recommended. -
I have no idea what I just read, but it was pretty great, in soooo many ways.
It’s weird though. Usually when I enjoy a story, I don’t want it to end, but for this one I am just so glad that it’s over. I really couldn’t take anymore. Good job, Mr. Shipp, for knowing when to end things. -
(Reprinted from the Chicago Center for Literature and Photography [cclapcenter.com:]. I am the original author of this essay, as well as the owner of CCLaP; it is not being reprinted here illegally.)
Well, it's January, which means it must be time for a new Jeremy Shipp book! This is the third book in three years, in fact, that I've reviewed by this prolific alt-horror veteran and Stoker Award nominee; and as those who have read my write-ups of his previous Vacation and Sheep & Wolves know, I'm a pretty big fan of this literary chameleon as well, a better-than-average genre author who seems to take on a different style and tone with each new project he pens. And his latest, Cursed, is no exception, with Shipp using it as an excuse to turn in a witty relationship drama full of Dashiell-Hammett-style rat-a-tat dialogue and snappy phrases, as well as such postmodern touches as a main character who mostly defines his life through a series of lists and multiple-choice questions. In fact, the entire thing starts on the kind of highly original note that inspired the term "alt-horror" to begin with, to differentiate it from the "all spooky all the time" stylings of such traditional horror authors as Stephen King; turns out that the book begins with our hero, a professional plush-sculpture creator named Nick, coming to the realization for the first time that he's now been slapped hard in the face by various random people every day now for twelve days straight, which is enough to make him start worrying that perhaps someone has put some sort of hex on him, even though he has no direct evidence that such a thing has actually occurred.
This leads him to a friendship with another local named Cicely, who started suffering from a similar problem the same day that Nick received his first slap -- that's the day she woke up in bed with a tennis ball inexplicably in her hand, and with a dreadful certainty in the back of her head that the world will end if she ever drops it -- which then kicks off the main meat of the book, the two's journey to discover whether their co-dependent neurosis is real, whether anyone else in town is suffering from it too, and what exactly they should do about it anyway. And while it's best that this inventive plot remain as much a mystery as possible, I will say that Shipp uses it to explore a topic that's obviously a favorite of his, the idea of people with supernatural powers who also happen to be psychopathically insane, which he also used to such great effect in Sheep & Wolves; although please understand as well that the story veers off in many other directions too, and that what seems about halfway through to be the solution to the mystery turns out not to be the solution at all.
All this would be great enough; but like I said, Shipp then couches this entire story within a very witty and engaging personal style, using this milieu to explore the subject of relationships (between lovers, between parents and children) in a grounded and straightforward way you wouldn't normally expect from a horror tale; and this is why Shipp is considered by so many to be among the best in the entire alt-horror genre, because he brings a non-genre professionalism and sheen to his projects that is simply rarely seen within this admittedly underground community. (After all, his first novel Vacation is less a traditional horror story than it is a black political comedy as if conceived by a tripping Noam Chomsky, part of why I became such a passionate fan of his in the first place.) What Cursed really is is a probing look at the ways humans interact with each other, and of the importance of having trusted loved ones around us to offset our own crippling feelings of self-doubt; Shipp just happens to tell it through the filter of what may or may not be supernatural creatures of unconscionable evil, and a plague of slight annoyances that may or may not be sweeping across the human race.
It's what keeps me such a fan of Shipp's work, and also what garners this book a score in the 9s, which regulars know is unusual here for a genre book, and which means that I think the book good enough for a general audience, whether that audience member is naturally a fan of that genre or not. That's the ultimate compliment I can pay this book, that it deserves to be read whether or not you're already a horror fan, and I repeat again what I've said before, that it's a shame that Shipp hasn't yet had the kind of mainstream breakthrough success like what happened to Joe Hill in the '00s or Clive Barker in the '80s. It's much deserved, and maybe it's this book that will finally get Shipp the kind of national attention he warrants.
Out of 10: 9.2 -
I got a PDF preview of
Jeremy C. Shipp's latest book
CURSED. He put out the call on
Twitter and I answered. That right there says a lot about Jeremy; he thinks outside the box. Without getting onto a rant about the current status of the publishing industry, it's things like this that help get the word out. I can say right off, this is a book worth getting the word out about. His thinking outside the box also applies to his writing as well.
I knew very little about CURSED before I started reading it. I'd heard a little about it on
Snark Infested Waters, which is also where I first heard about Jeremy. About all I knew to expect was something about a curse, and possibly something bizarre. This book has plenty of both, and in the good way.
CURSED starts you off right in the middle of the action, following the style of 'in late, out early'. It was slightly disorienting, but after reading a few pages, things start to make sense. This isn't bad. The characters themselves are in disorienting situations themselves, so you have a taste of what their lives are like.
The characters are very colorful and multi-dimensional. No one feels like a throwaway character. The story is told from the viewpoint of Nick, a very layered character. The narrative reveals what he is thinking, how he feels, and what he says externally to hide these things from the outside world. Cicely is the main supporting character and has a very different outlook on life and is very colorful. Her wit and whimsy adds a wonderful light to the story. Gordon is Nick's roommate. He is a blind guy and I think that Jeremy must know a blind guy because I felt the character was very real and his blindness is dealt with in a way takes everything into account.
The plot revolves around a group of characters who have been cursed in some way, and they are investigating as to why they are cursed, and who or what did it to them. As they learn more about their curses, they learn more about each other, and what it means to really care. The relationships are real and visceral. The plot is paced at a quick pace, but not too fast, like a taxi driver that gets you there in a timely manner without making you wet yourself.
The writing is not like anything else I've read. It is a very tight prose that is fast to read. Nick makes lists of things and these are written out in the book. It is very different but it flows right along with everything else. It was actually refreshing to read, because it is different.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It is a menagerie of quirky fun, dark and gritty situations, and internal conflict. It is not an easy book to put down then forget to pick up again. I found myself caring about the characters and really wanting to discover what they want to discover.
The mystery is interesting and not a standard whodunit. Something is very wrong in the lives of the characters and each clue as to what it is not only brings them closer to the answer, but puts them in further danger.
I did not see the ending coming, even though I knew there would be a twist. It doesn't come out of the blue, it makes sense when it happens, and that's how it should be.
If you like mystery, strange tales, stories with realistic characters, you will find CURSED to be a cornucopia of all of these things. I give it two
BUY THIS BOOKS up! You can even get a
signed copy! -
Mini Non-Spoiler Synopsis:
Nick is a conflicted and slightly damaged person; although a good guy he has a past linked to alcohol abuse. With a number of colorful friends and family members, Nick sees his life and his relationships as a series of lists; indeed he thinks in lists. As he moves awkwardly through his difficulties, self doubt, and hilarious quirkiness, we see the “horror” of his insecurities through these lists. While he is connecting with family and friends he comes to realize through a series of related events that he has been cursed. A few of his friends share this curse too, so naturally drama, psychological distress, and some paranormal horror and dark humor ensues.
(This short novel was nominated for the Bram Stoker 2009 Award.)
My Thoughts:
This is not your typical horror book, since there is only a slight amount of gore. The true horror in Cursed is actually the internal struggle within the main character’s mind and in his day to day life. Reading about it is bearably funny because of the subtle and quirky humor around Nick’s hilarious and relatable lists. Be aware that it is an uncomfortable humor which many of us may relate to, though some will not. It has a dry, offbeat, almost Monty Python-esque feel, only it’s very American rather than British. I was giggling while reading this novel, so John (my husband) kept asking me what was so funny. I read him a few bits, and he agreed that the book sounded extremely quirky. Perhaps that is the connection to the Bizarro fiction, which, after reading this I am beginning to define. I would say that Cursed is unusual, as well as complex and layered.
Looking for a literary reference, I see a parallel between Nick and Gregor, the main character from The Metamorphosis. Both characters are caught within some difficult life circumstances mostly beyond their control, yet remain reflective and sensitive almost to a fault. Another example of a connection is where The Metamorphosis has a sort of periodic angst; it has an emotional discord which can only truly be defined within the early 1900’s. Cursed too is periodic but has a contemporary feel. Reading Cursed was like reading a book by a friend whose experiences are based during the present day, and whose guilt, self doubt, abandonment issues, and alcohol abuse all bunched up into a story that could only be set recently.
I do think that the book could be paralleled and contrasted with The Metamorphosis more, but will leave that to the scholars. In summary I immensely enjoyed this creative, quirky book. It is thoughtful, original, disturbing, sensitive, and funny and rate it at 4 Stars. It was a needed break humor break. -
4.5 Stars.
Throughout the story the main character uses lists to weigh options or outcomes. This is a technique many of us use to maintain, organize or prioritize the things in our lives. But, what happens if the list is irrational, impractical or even unimaginable? So, what happens if the characters are unreliable, or are they? Cursed is humorous while at the same time deeply philosophical. The reader has to decide if they believe the characters or determine another plausible explanation as to what is driving these people to act or think like they do. In other words, is any of it real? It's a psychological and some might argue sci-fi mystery. Each character is defined by their flaws. Their personalities evolve through habits, neurosis and personal relationships. By doing so, each takes on a unique, tangible form which lends to the imagination visualizing, relating, sympathizing and even becoming attached to the cursive people interacting in the story. The perspective through which it's told, present tense, also enhances the immediacy of the story. I felt as if I was a voyeur following the characters around. It was an interesting sensation to be part of it, or rather feel as if I was part of it. The escapism is unique and fascinating. Similar to Purple Jesus, Shipp takes seemingly unrelated or random objects and gives them extraordinary meaning. Or in some cases, literal meaning. For example, there is a woman who carries around a tennis ball and literally duct tapes it to her hand. She believes if she 'drops the ball' the world will end. This is humorous, but how many people carry with them imaginary 'balls' they are afraid to drop?
Readers who enjoy cult-fiction authors similar (style) to Chuck Palahniuk and Ron Cooper, will love Shipp's writing. It's outside the box, modern and pushes the traditional limits of story structure, but by doing so opens the world that keeps reading and writing interesting. Shipp has a modern, contemporary voice and style that is humorous, quirky while at the same time possesses a conscious and deliberate timing. He is in control of the chaos he creates and because of this, it works in a number of ways. The comedic relief is impeccable and never reduces the seriousness of the plot or cheapens the characters. -
Cursed by Jeremy C. Shipp
214 pages Trade paperback and hardcover
Raw Dog Screaming press
It's really hard to to this review without
1).making a list.
2).resorting to praise.
3).saying shit, because I promised I wouldn't make a list.
Cursed is the second novel and third fiction release of Jeremy C. Shipp who is quickly making a name for himself in two fields of dark medicine. A word surgeon with skills that cut like a knife across the genres of horror and Bizarro. A first rate surrealist who is assured enough in his craft to throw out the rules completely. It takes amazing skill to weave a horror tale the way he has without the benefit of a standard structure. That structure became standard because it works, but this is dark Bizarro after all.
The story follows Nick and Cicely whose grow to become friends after they realize that each has been cursed. Nick can't make threw a day without getting slapped. He can't fake either asking his friends to slap doesn't count. At some point somebody is gonna be mad at him and give him a smack.
Nick and Cicely set out to find the person or thing that has cursed them. Along the way you might think that Shipp is writing by the seat of his pants but I don't think he was. Cursed while written with an experimental structure, mostly in Elmore Leonard worthy dialogue with action done mostly in lists it works. Lots of little details fly by and most of them pay-off. Probably all of them pay off I'm just not sure I caught all of them.
Shipp is my favorite Bizarro writer, this book is surreal, horrific, edgy, weird, funny and unlike most Bizarro books sentimental at times. A short entertaining read, Shipp is doing some great stuff I hope you reward him for his efforts. Read this book! -
I read this book quite a while ago, and, unfortunately my copy was destroyed, so I'm unable to refer to it for this review. I'll rely on Amazon's product description for the story outline:
Product Description
Your life is no longer recognizable, every detail corrupted by unknown forces. The harder you struggle, the more you suffer. Your words mean nothing, your actions backfire, and one by one everybody you know is sucked down with you. You are: 1) Nick 2) cursed 3) afraid all the time That's because: a) someone or b) something is after you with a vengeance. Even with the help of other cursed people, you don't stand a chance because you're all, you know, cursed. That means you and everyone you know will: 1) suffer 2) die 3) amuse your tormentor That is, unless you figure out how to manipulate the person behind this and turn their power against them. Check your list a second time because they're probably on it. The only thing left to do is scratch them off.
Cursed was my first Bizarro book, although I didn't realize until recently that it actually belonged in the genre.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the humour in it, but the ending really blew me away. I really can't be more specific because I don't want to ruin it for those who haven't read the book yet, but there's a part that I found extremely surprising and moving, it literally took my breath away. Very gorgeous and unexpected ending coming at the end of this sort of lighthearted story.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone looking for something unusual and interesting. I loved it enough that I will definitely be buying another copy to replace the one I lost. -
This is one of those books that upon finishing, I immediately went back a reread parts of it again.
Odd and originally and terrific.
This is one of those books I want to give out as gifts. -
Before reading this review know that:
1) The main character makes numerous (obsessive compulsive?) lists throughout the book, starting off mildly amusing but becomes increasingly annoying the further you progress through the ...book?
2) He stuffs animals for a living. Not like a taxidermist; fake custom tailored stuffed animals. Which is not a bad thing, nor is it something that ruined the book for me; just knowledge needed to understand the review without reading the ...book?
3)He is cursed to be slapped everyday for reasons unknown by whoever it is that happens to be around him at the time he needs to be slapped.
Soooo that said, this ...book? makes me want to:
1) Shoot myself in the eye with a gun full of rubber dildo pellets so I never have to read dung like this again. (It made me feel like I was literally eye raped, but not in a good way)
2) Find the person who makes the stuffed animal toys in the claw machines found in bowling alleys, run down arcades, and shopping malls; and curse him to be slapped in the face every day for the rest of his life for reasons unbeknownst.
3)Shun this writer to everyone I meet for his ridiculously dreaded attempt at sardonic humor.
Thank god this book was a short read, literally; 5 hours worth of my life I cannot get back(3 really, the other two were full of re-reading to make sure of the nothingness I had actually read, and drinking alcohol to deal with it); to forever be tainted by the ludicrousness that is Mr. Shipp's sad attempt at comedy.
I really do enjoy at least some parts of every book I read. I could not find one thing that I can pick out of this worth remembering (I digress, I did like the smurf curry). I thought about just hurling it against a wall. But since it was contained within the realm of digitization, I would hate to ruin my phone at the expense of one crappy ...book? May be a nice change of pace for some, but for me I dreaded turning the pages to find more scattered nothingness.
Forced to finish each excruciating page thinking it would get better (mainly because of my optimistic nature), it didn't. Save your time. Don't hate on my opinion, because it is mine alone, but you are free to do so if you choose of-course. Just not my cup of tea and sea biscuits.
ps ..for a formal review with more formal review, verbatim of what BeenBunz said in His/Her review. -
I happened upon this book via an Amazon recommendation and I'm convinced that Amazon really knows me! I enjoyed the quirky characters and all of their flaws. Nick has a horrible case of guilt and Cis seems to quote bad t-shirts and bumper stickers (you know the ones) ALL the time. These guys are abnormal to begin with, but that isn't all..they are also cursed. Not the "everyone I love dies, or "everything I touch turns to shiz" kind of curses, but the really annoying kind that really just interrupt daily living in general. (I don't want to say too much to ruin it for the reader.) Some pretty awful yet really funny stuff happens because of this predicament and some nice sleuth action takes place. Its never boring and its a quick and easy read. I am left wondering though, what exactly did Nick do to have so much guilt.
I really enjoyed this book, and I thank my lucky stars that it was available at my library because in nice white print on the back it read 30 smackaroos. I consider myself frugal, but sometimes plain cheap. ha! -
Didn't enjoy the writing style. When I began reading, I thought I was missing some pages of the book. It took me bit to start understanding what was going on.
Although the book mentions about paranormal aspects of the Curse throughout the book, the quick and overwhleming onslaught of supernatural entities and "haunted house" introduced toward the end of the book was a bit hard to digest. It feels as though the author just threw together a last minute "ghost and goblin" kind of conclusion to hopefully tie-up the horror/supernatural genre of the book.
I feel that this story can be abstractly interpreted in many ways. However, I read this book purely for Book Club purposed and in a very straight forward manner. My take on rating this book is based on the slow paced storyline and seemingly sloppy conclusion. -
Jeremy C. Shipp’s Cursed is a delightful, quirky read. Shipp keeps you guessing and turning pages. You never know what you’ll read next. From edible Smurfs to alien abduction, it’s all here.
I’m a big fan of narratives that dare to be different yet enjoyable. Shipp plays with form and convention masterfully. He creates easily likeable characters liberally sprinkled with eccentricities.
Cursed has made me a Jeremy C. Shipp reader. Can’t wait to check out more of his stuff. -
The more Bizarro books that I read, the easier it is to step into a fantasy world and believe that anything can take place. But, this book had me scratching my head a few times(especially towards the end!). The use of Nick's list as paragraphs was great and I loved all the characters. This book was so entertaining that I hope for these characters to come back in print someday soon.
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That was original and strange. I think my brain will still be processing it for a few days. Good stuff, and I liked the way the problem was ultimately solved. Shipp did a nice job of misdirection and creating an atmosphere of fear and dread. Very cool book.
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I was given this book for consideration for review by the author.
Some books are easy reads, some are emotionally harrowing, and some make you work to take the experience imbued by the author away when you close it at the end. Cursed by Jeremy C. Shipp falls very definitely into this last category.
Nick is an odd, but easy to relate to man who has reason to believe he's been cursed as strange things start to happen in his life. By chance (or maybe not) he meets Cicely and Abby, who also seem to be cursed, and it all started on the same day. Are they cursed by the same man? And how do they stop it and get their loved ones back when they might just be the playthings of a god?
But that barely touches the surface of the story in this book. Shipp is an excellent writer, there's no doubt, but this is neither and easy book nor one for everyone. As the story progresses a disturbing sense of complete imbalance surfaces, as the reader realizes they know almost everything about the secondary characters and nothing about Nick himself, coupled with the suspicious that these people are just completely nuts.
The difficulty of the read is in Shipp's absolute close-mouthed approach, telling the reader what is happening in precise, list like detail, but also never allowing character nor reader a moment to guess why this is all happening, or if, indeed the character are sharing some psychosis or privy to some deeper truth. There is a divide between how the three main characters experience things and how the rest of the story world experiences them, but Shipp seems unwilling to lend “right” to one or the other or both. He chooses instead to push the story on, maintaining a sense of “what the hell” from the reader. We know, as we experience the story (because despite it's simplistic writing approach it is experiencing it more than reading it) that both sides cannot be correct. Yet Shipp maintains proof that they are, forcing the reader to let go of their preconceived notions of storytelling and trust in him.
I was left with a feeling that in their skewed, possibly psychotic mental workings the three leads were free to somehow confront life itself, in a bodily form, particularly when they finally meet their curser and he has this to say: “I’m interested in your mind, your emotions, the whole enchilada. Your suffering is a valuable asset to me, and I don’t relish the thought of you finding a sort of nihilistic peace in oblivion.”
Shipp has, in my opinion, formed a story of life's battering of the living, of being a brutal lover who gives and takes away with the same hand. Of kissing and smacking at the simultaneously, and for the same reason.
Cursed is not an easy read on any level (save for that it is written almost entirely as a series of lists, meta lists and listed occurrences, so technically two hundred plus pages of one to two line “paragraphs” might be considered an easy read, word count wise) but the right readers will find it worth the work. -
You first need to forget the fact that this book was a Bram Stoker Award finalist, since the only monsters here lie in the hearts of the protagonists. And maybe in their heads since you are never really sure whether they are insane or, as the title of the book would suggest, “cursed”. In the end it’s kind of irrelevant because the draw of this book is the minimalist, but relentless writing style which provides the reader with a focused, but limited view of what the main protagonist, Nick, is seeing, or believes he is seeing, or is dreaming that he is seeing. Even if he is not crazy, Nick is clearly paranoid and in recovery from something very bad as evidenced by the lists which he is constantly writing and thinking of in response to every new situation, each of which is more than he can handle.
And just when you start to get a little tired of Nick’s human doormat routine and begin not to care whether he and his friends are actually nuts, the book shifts into high gear by providing disturbing glimpses of the darkness within him, maybe from his past, maybe from right now. Similarly, while Nick’s dark and violent dreams advance the plotline of the story, they also seem to further hint at his own demons. Indeed, the series of horribly hurtful phone messages which we only hear parts of - which is brilliant since not hearing every bit makes them seem all the more worse [i.e., insert your own brand of evil here:] – make you wonder whether he isn’t really just a sick SOB who can’t stand himself, whether he isn’t his own curse, all of which brings us neatly back around full circle.
Unfortunately, I found the explanation of what was, apparently, actually occurring to Nick and his gang a little silly after such an awesome set up. Nevertheless, the resolution of the characters’ story-arcs was exactly as it should have been and righted the ship again. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I am satisfied by the conclusion.
Anyway, I highly recommend this subtly brilliant little book. -
What a great book. And strange how with two books in a row (this and "Please Look After Mom"), I ran into an author's stylistic decision that I thought might be a detriment but ended up adding to the story. Here, it was the lists. But a few pages in (the biting my fingernails list, if anyone's keeping track), I saw that it really helped you get into Nick's head and moved the story along well.
This is a wonderful story, a sort of horror-mystery about three people who have been cursed in strange ways by an unknown force, and their attempts to discover the who/what/why. Shipp's style is smart without being pretentious, funny, clever, and compulsively readable. The book is full of genuine characters (for example, I knew Cicely was being written as a true fellow nerd/oddball when two of the movies she made the group watch were The Lost Skeleton of Cadavera and Happiness of the Katakuris). It also has moments of true emotional weight (happy moments with Cicely and Nick, the family moments with Nick and Sol).
I'd highly recommend this one. The mystery always kept me interested, and the characters kept me caring about the consequences of the mystery. Find this book, read this book. In the meantime, I'll be finding more Shipp to read. -
#91 - 2010.
Nick and Cicely are friends. They also are cursed. Each person's curse is different and each curse is relatively minor, all things considered, yet each affects their lives in deeper ways that bring gloom and foreboding. They go to work to discover who has cursed them so they can try to lift the curse.
I read it in 2 days. I couldn't put it down. Not only was the writing compelling as I tore through it to find out who had set the curse, I also was increasing anxious and worried as I went because I was terrified that one of the characters I knew would be the perpetrator. Terrified? Yes, that is just how fond I became of Nick, Cicely, Gordon, Abby, and the others. Although I will pause here to say that Cicely's quirkiness was relentless and I felt relieved when she became anxious enough to drop it for a little while. The story did horrify me several times but without ever having to completely show me something horrible. He knew just how far to engage my imagination without rubbing my face in something horrific. That is a rare talent and surprisingly considerate of the reader.
The entire review is
here. -
This was delightful and strange.
It is the story of a man who has been cursed. It seems that every day somebody in his life will come up to him and slap him. On the same day that his curse has started, a friend of his comes forward with a curse of her own. She has to hold a tennis ball in her hand for fear that if she drops it, the world will end. Are they alone, or are there others? Can they ever stop the curse or find out who caused it?
Shipp is a talented and quirky writer. The use of lists in the novel is phenomenal as the characters explains what is happening. The novel is quite funny but a little eerie at the same time, and you must keep reading to find out what is happening... and the ending really is quite a surprise, and really works well within the story... it is a fabulous little novel, and I managed to read it in one day. But I am anxious to get my hands on anything else by this author. Truly an author to watch. Although it may fit into the category of horror, I might call it a dark comedy... heck, it doesn't really fit anywhere.
Just get it and read it, ok? -
Have you ever had the feeling:
1. Portions of your life are out of your control
2. You know how crazy you sound but you can't help how things are
3. You are just a little bit different, but not necessarily in a good way
If so then you will be able to identify with Nick and the other characters in Cursed (which I did). Each character is cursed in some bizarre way. As they come together to try to discover who did this to them and why they form attachments (which may or may not be a good thing).
Lovers of bland, mundane, or outright boring writing and plot structure will not enjoy this book (but who cares about them, am I right?). I found Shipp's use of lists and counting to be a brilliant plot device. I am especially fond of how Nick will occasionally list things he did not do to illustrate his state of mind and then describe what he did do. It is at times astounding and heartwrenching. It definitely added depth to the character and made it easy for me to identify with him. Shipp has given us the story of an everyman placed in fantastical situations and then garnished the whole thing with humor.
