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A review by aoki_reads
This Skin Was Once Mine and Other Disturbances by Eric LaRocca
5.0
First, I'd like to thank Eric LaRocca for sending an ARC of This Skin Was Once Mine and Other Disturbances. I'm honored to read this wonderfully macabre work early.
"Notice how it always moves forward, Jay bird? A snake doesn't glance back and think to itself, This skin was once mine. A snake always moves forward. Keeps changing. No matter what."
This is a book of subtle depravity, but depravity nonetheless. Eric LaRocca seems to find his lane more accurately with every book release. I always have feelings when I read his books— melancholy, despair, depression, and somberness. They are always drenched within the sister-feeling of unshakeable dread. LaRocca will do that to you. His eloquence and prose are undeniable, and his unique tales will make you wonder about the deepest parts of his mind.
This short story collection consists of four stories of unresolved trauma and corrupt minds. Life will drag you through the mud, sometimes at the hand of other people. People you thought you knew. But in this book, even those closest to you are questionable. A major and resounding theme lives behind the words— "the worst thing a person can do to you after they've hurt you is let you live." That gave me chills. Let that statement sink in. It comes up time and time again.
Here are small synopses of each story:
This Skin Was Once Mine: A story that follows a young woman down a surprising and melancholic rabbit hole. This rabbit hole leads to a shocking and upending discovery. Representative of the snakes that are hidden in peoples' lives.
Seedling: Seeds. They are planted deep within us. Taking from us until they can fully bloom. Is it merely perception or reality? A tale with a deadly end.
All the Parts of You That Won't Easily Burn: A man becomes obsessed and aroused by mutilating himself with glass after a deal gone awry.
Prickle: A pair of elderly friends play a game of cruelty, indecency, and depravity, targeting random victims— and one of the two takes it much too far.
Eric LaRocca's mind is absolutely bonkers, and I am utterly enamored by his skill and poetic prowess in the horror genre. Anyone can take away a message from one of these stories— maybe even a bit of self recognition.
He's got me in a chokehold once again. Every time.
"Notice how it always moves forward, Jay bird? A snake doesn't glance back and think to itself, This skin was once mine. A snake always moves forward. Keeps changing. No matter what."
This is a book of subtle depravity, but depravity nonetheless. Eric LaRocca seems to find his lane more accurately with every book release. I always have feelings when I read his books— melancholy, despair, depression, and somberness. They are always drenched within the sister-feeling of unshakeable dread. LaRocca will do that to you. His eloquence and prose are undeniable, and his unique tales will make you wonder about the deepest parts of his mind.
This short story collection consists of four stories of unresolved trauma and corrupt minds. Life will drag you through the mud, sometimes at the hand of other people. People you thought you knew. But in this book, even those closest to you are questionable. A major and resounding theme lives behind the words— "the worst thing a person can do to you after they've hurt you is let you live." That gave me chills. Let that statement sink in. It comes up time and time again.
Here are small synopses of each story:
This Skin Was Once Mine: A story that follows a young woman down a surprising and melancholic rabbit hole. This rabbit hole leads to a shocking and upending discovery. Representative of the snakes that are hidden in peoples' lives.
Seedling: Seeds. They are planted deep within us. Taking from us until they can fully bloom. Is it merely perception or reality? A tale with a deadly end.
All the Parts of You That Won't Easily Burn: A man becomes obsessed and aroused by mutilating himself with glass after a deal gone awry.
Prickle: A pair of elderly friends play a game of cruelty, indecency, and depravity, targeting random victims— and one of the two takes it much too far.
Eric LaRocca's mind is absolutely bonkers, and I am utterly enamored by his skill and poetic prowess in the horror genre. Anyone can take away a message from one of these stories— maybe even a bit of self recognition.
He's got me in a chokehold once again. Every time.