Horror Aficionados discussion

Anyone is welcome! Just me and Andy so far. Will be starting next week.

So Andy, have you read Tom before? I've read one of his that was pretty weird, but I forget the title. Hoping this one will outshine the one I read.

This'll be my first. It must be good if it won the Stoker. I love books that take place in a school setting. Same thing with prison, camp, or any kind of compartmentalized society.

Yes, I have to agree with that as well.

I'm in, Addy, just got the book!

Oh, I just read this in October. Will keep an eye on the discussion here :)

Sweet! Nice to have you Maxine! Erin, feel free to chime in and lurk:)

Haven't read this book but really enjoyed his The Last Kind Words. The guy is a great writer.

How shall we read this?

I'm open to anything. How about over two weeks at 50% per week?

Ok. I can do that.

Oh snap! Almost forgot about this one...lol. Been preoccupied. Can't wait to start on this. Tomorrow:)

I'm still waiting for my copy to arrive at the library. It will most likely be tomorrow, but if not then on Tuesday.I'm on break so it should be no sweat to catch up.

I just got this one so I will join in as well. Are we starting now?

We can. As long as by Sunday we reach 50%. I think...right? Does that sound ok?

I just picked up my copy and will start reading tonight.

Got to ch4 which is like pg 50ish. It's a winner this one.

This has got me, hook line and sinker. Ok, I'm really stopping now. Ch5. When do we discuss or just spoiler tags? Don't care either way.

Spoilers with an approximate % or chapter should be fine. Glad to hear that it's good. Erin's low rating had me worried.

Read the first two chapters. This is fantastic!

(view spoiler)[ As a teacher, I really enjoyed the interaction between Cal and the teacher in the opening scene. Classroom dynamics are a trip.

I think it is safe to assume that Cal's sister committed suicide and maybe he found her. (hide spoiler)]

Okay, I'll see if I can get this one started today or tomorrow and work towards 50%. If Addy says she's sucked in, then I can't wait!

Oh my gosh, I'm already at 30% and I had to force myself to put the book down. The prose is so engaging, its just flying by. Stigmata, murder, suicide, deep sleep travelling dreamer...the story is almost surreal at times. I can't wait to get back to it later today!

Glad we are all on the same page here! I just hope it continues to grab me. Do u guys think he'll find out what happened to this girl he's obsessed with? Would you do the same thing if u found out someone was murdered in your dorm room? Just some questions I pondered.

I don't know if you guys have noticed the same thing, but I've been enjoying that the font in the paperback version of this book is quite large. It makes me feel like I'm just flying through the pages.

Weeeeeeeeeee!

I'm at 50%. It's going to be a long week waiting for the other 50!

35%(view spoiler)[I kinda think that willy's other girl might be Sylvia, but it's just a thought (hide spoiler)]

yeah, there was an ambiguous line right around when Willy was gonna bop Cal on the head. Something like, "I never thought I was looking right at the killer,"

Ooooh, I'm gonna have to go back and look at that scene. It would kind of make sense.

50% (view spoiler)[ that he had beaten Rose up was also implied though it ended up only being her smeared makeup. Cal, himself, can't be ruled out either. He has plenty of missed time over the break, and Fruggy's warning "Cal, don't" could either indicate that Cal is I danger or was committing a heinous act in his dream. Cal is a classic unreliable narrator. (hide spoiler)]

Very difficult to stop. Part 1 ends on a nice cliffhanger. Do we start back up on Sunday?

Yeah that's fine.

Ok.

I'm itching to read some spoilers, but I'm not there yet. Hopefully tonight!

Andy wrote: "Spoilers with an approximate % or chapter should be fine. Glad to hear that it's good. Erin's low rating had me worried."

LOL! Don't worry, I'm a freak, don't let my low rating worry anyone.

Was kind of wondering if anyone would notice that.

Andy wrote: "I don't know if you guys have noticed the same thing, but I've been enjoying that the font in the paperback version of this book is quite large. It makes me feel like I'm just flying through the p..."

Yes, I agree about the font. It is a pretty quick read; that helps, but also the writing style maybe.

Erin, I agree with the comment in your review that the narration jumps around a lot without any warning. There are also quite a few things that are stated ambiguously. While sometimes frustrating, the narration style does do a good job of capturing the fragmented mindset of Cal.

Andy wrote: "Erin, I agree with the comment in your review that the narration jumps around a lot without any warning. There are also quite a few things that are stated ambiguously. While sometimes frustrating..."

You're right that it complements his fragmented mindset. Wasn't my cup of tea but I hope you enjoy it more than I did. You seem to be so far.

This Fruggy guy is weird. Who sleeps that much? But, could he be the key? (view spoiler)[Could he be some kind of clairvoyant? How does he know about Circe and that she'll be at the party? Very interesting. (hide spoiler)]

I am now at 50% and though I was not able to put it down, my feelings are mixed. I feel like I have no idea what is going on! But I realize that is the intent because Cal's mindset. There are so many things going on at once and I am curious about(view spoiler)[ what is going to happen at the party and the whole connection with the Dean's wife. I wondered about Fruggy too and how his sleeping/mumblings are going to play into it. (hide spoiler)]

I finally got ahead and finished this one! I love Tom Piccirilli. This is the second book I've read by him and his stories are hallucinatory, dream-like, you're never sure how reliable the narrator is. I love how the title of the book originates. Its almost a fable. Anyhow, great read!

I just started this one again. Sounds promising Maxine!

I just started this one again. Sounds promising Maxine!

Ch 11- wtf just happened!!?

Well had to finish this one and I'm not sure if I really liked the twist it threw at me. Not sure if I liked the ending either. I'll have to think about it some more for now.

Finished. Enjoyed it. I really could've gone either way with my rating.

What do you rate it, Addy?

So, do you guys think that Caleb "passed" or "failed" The Night Class?

I think he failed. He doesn't want to stay there!! Lol. I think he'd rather die. So anyway, my rating I'm not sure about. I really enjoyed the first half, even the weird stripper scene but the end was just a bummer. I almost thought they, being the university, were actually vampires. If that were the case I'd amp my rating. Did anyone think that? Or are they just some kind of occult? Help me out here ppl. Got to write my review.

I didn't think vampires or occult at all, just that they were out for sex and self-interest. The vampire angle would've really put the book over the top for me, too. Good call, Addy!

Thanks! In that case I'll prob rate it 3. It was a middle of the road kinda book for me.