New Review of Del James' The Language of Fear !!

[HBK]

?There are no coincidences only chance and fate exist.? These words open the collection of short stories known as the ?Language of Fear,? and within these words lie the spirit of this classic work re-issued in paperback for the first time in years. The book is composed of 15 short stories that highlight the horror that can be found in the everyday interactions of average people. Within common themes, author Del James is able to vividly portray the worst of possibilities wrapped inside a tragic realism.

Sought after online for years by fans of Guns N Roses, the reissue of this work is a momentous occasion for fans of the horror genre. Complete with an introduction by Axl Rose, this edition of the cult classic breathes new life into the vivid stories that inspired one of the most popular bands in recent memory. Along with inspiring ?November Rain,? James has been published in numerous magazines over the years, and has served as a promoter and songwriter for a variety of rock bands.

The heart of the book can be found in James? ability to take common experience, and turn it into a frightening expression of concern. Young people caught in the web of stories they tell, obsession with television sets turning savage, and the seduction of an artist by a world of darkness are all splendid examples of the fates of ordinary people taken to the farthest extent in a world dominated by instant release and a constant search for artificial joy. Whether in the form of drug induced nightmares or spectacular images of death matches, James vividly portrays the worst fears of everyday people in common situations that go awry.

A further symptom of James? creative juice can be found in the use of obsessive emotion in his tales. Throughout the stories a common thread of urge exists in the form of sexual, emotional, obsessive, addicted, and violent desires. Such desires carried beyond the threshold of common experience lead characters into darkened corridors of pain and alarm while entertaining the reader with the downfall of those who stretch the limits of control.

Probably the most famous of his stories, ?Without You,? ends the collection on a tragic note. As showcased in the videos of Guns N Roses, this story highlights the frustration of a man driven to madness in search of the only woman who ever satisfied his being. In destruction and mayhem, the singer realizes that the only good woman he?s ever known holds a power over him stronger than any urge, and in his attempt to satisfy his needs, he finds a path filled with carnivorous explosion of the senses.

In all these tales, James highlights the uncommon fear found in the common experience, and in so doing, addresses the desires of humanity through the lens of chance. With short, nasty, vivid portrayals of humanity gone astray, Del James reminds the world that the worst of times can be found in the most mundane of settings.

James, Del. ?The Language of Fear.? New York: Dell Publishing. 1995 (Re-Issued 2008). 339pp. $7.99 Paper. ISBN: 9780440217121.

http://metrospirit.com/index.php?cat=1993101070610360&ShowArticle_ID=11010504083235140

 

HBK *

[willow]

  Hope the review gets those books out there!!
amyl

[Fernando]

Great book, wow!

[jarmo]

Great book, wow!

I had no idea that it's out on audio book already!

 



/jarmo

[Billo]

Its a shame its not for sale in Australia yet.   

[Rainfox]

I had no idea that it's out on audio book already!

- 


How did the booksigning go, anyone attend? The Dark Delicacies store sure sounds raaaather interesting. Right up my alley. I will check it out next time I go to LA.

 

[willow]

Great book, wow!

I had no idea that it's out on audio book already!

 



/jarmo

Oh thats mean! 

[Layne Staley's Sunglasses]

I had no idea that it's out on audio book already!

- 


How did the booksigning go, anyone attend? The Dark Delicacies store sure sounds raaaather interesting. Right up my alley. I will check it out next time I go to LA.

 

It's tomorrow.

[Rainfox]

Ted, thanks.

BTW - Your screen name .. 

It is the greatest in the history of Mankind. I just spilled my morning coffee all over my new shirt!

 

[Layne Staley's Sunglasses]

^Glad to be of help, friend.

So is anyone from the board going?  I can't make it tomorrow, unfortunately. 

[fuckin crazy]

I'm sure it is a good read, but clich?s like ?There are no coincidences only chance and fate exist.? are born of ignorance.

[RebelRose89]

is there passages online to preview this book? I'm thinking of picking it up - but i'd like to know what I'm buying instead of just grabbing it because of it's ties to Gn'R.

[willow]

The book is simple. It is filled with short horror storries and just plain sick stories. Its very simple to read and fun. You have to be a little twisted yourself to injoy it. Del's not a really professional writer. He is just plain fun to read. Get away a little while. After all isn't that what reading is all about?
hope that helps.
peace out
amyl

[Mike McKagan]

I'm curious to see how the rest of the stories in this collection stack up. 

"Without You" is one of the least impressive stories I've ever read (due in part to the hype), so I'm hoping there are better ones in there.

[RebelRose89]

The book is simple. It is filled with short horror storries and just plain sick stories. Its very simple to read and fun. You have to be a little twisted yourself to injoy it. Del's not a really professional writer. He is just plain fun to read. Get away a little while. After all isn't that what reading is all about?
hope that helps.
peace out
amyl

thanks for the info i'll check it out at some point or another

[willow]

your welcome.

[WV GNR Fan]

In the reissued paperback, two websites are listed

www.languageoffear.com

 and

www.myspace.com/thelanguageoffear.

The first is excellent, I haven't visted the second.

[TomFriend]

Great book, wow!

I had no idea that it's out on audio book already!

 



/jarmo

I'm still waiting for the yet-more fitting lift-up-the-flaps, guaranteed 100% chewable edition.