Stories of the Eye edited by Sam Richard and Joe Koch
Stories of the Eye is a collection of thirteen modern short horror stories. Edited by Sam Richard and Joe Koch, it was released on October 25, 2022 by Weirdpunk Books and weighs in at 186 pages.
The theme of this anthology is the relationship between an artist and a subject. It’s the experience of creating as well as the experience of being made, whether beautiful of monstrous. It shows us the process of creation, which isn’t always as agreeable as the finished product.
This anthology felt unique to me. I’ve read a lot of horror short stories, but there was something about this book that felt elevated. The stories venture to a deeper level. It takes the reader beneath the surface of the art, the models, and the muses. I feel I might use this word too much in this review, but it IS an actual “experience” for the reader, more than just enjoying reading fictional horror stories. This should not make you shy away from the book but rather grab a copy quicker. What a thrilling ride.
As stated, reading this collection of stories was truly an experience. With the theme involved, the stories took on an artistic quality that added an extra layer. I actually told my husband I felt like I’d had an existential experience. I wasn’t expecting that, but I truly loved it. I’m a huge fan of visceral reactions when I read horror, and this was a new level of enjoyment I hadn’t encountered. Reading Stories of the Eye was akin to walking through a dimmed art gallery, wine in hand, taking in the abstract and the literal components of each piece of unique artwork. The authors of these stories brought to life such philosophical and utterly human responses to the creation of art, and I wondered how much art imitates life when they are creating.
My Top 6 Stories
Every story is a work of art, but these six made me think deeply and stuck with me. They’re listed in order of publication. Much like visual art, each person’s reaction is subjective. I hope you read this collection and find the pieces that resonate within you.
“The Aneurytic” by Andrew Wilmot
“The Thing That Moves the Meat” by M. Lopes da Silva
“Her Skin a Grim Canvas” by Gwendolyn Kiste
“The Deep End” by Hailey Piper
“In Thrall to Your Cathode Star” by Matt Neil Hill
“Jizz Christ” by Sam Richard
More from Weirdpunk Books:
Who is Sam Richard?
Widower | Owner of Weirdpunk Books | Author | Wonderland Award-Winner | BNW & Splatterpunk Award-Nominee | Anarcho-Satanist | Bi | He/Him | 'Saddest Man in Horror'
*** taken from Twitter
Weirdpunk’s Mission
Weirdpunk exists to publish Weird Horror books that we love and hope you will too.
***taken from Weirdpunkbooks.com
Who is Joe Koch?
Joe Koch writes literary horror and surrealist trash. Joe is a Shirley Jackson Award finalist and the author of The Wingspan of Severed Hands, The Couvade, and Convulsive. They’ve had over eighty short stories published in books and journals like Vastarien, Southwest Review, PseudoPod, Children of the New Flesh, and The Queer Book of Saints. Formerly published as Joanna Koch in some venues. He/they.
*** taken from website
