I Held My Breath as Long as I Could

Name: I Held My Breath as Long as I Could
Price: 9.86 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781466404878

✍️ Kristopher Kelly

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

$9.86

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A collection of twenty-three stories blending horror, humor, and the absurd by Kristopher Kelly.

Kelly’s anthology defies simple categorization by mixing the real with the absurd. The text moves from a detective finding a terrifying discovery to a man dealing with radiator monsters. It includes 'The Field,' a story about murder that won a Harvard Advocate contest. The stories cover diverse scenarios, such as a law firm Vice President handling a mess and a painting auction revealing another world. The collection also examines mundane struggles, like avoiding Interstate restrooms, alongside supernatural encounters. This variety creates a unique reading experience that balances literary merit with genre thrills.

Key Themes

murder and consequence road trip odyssey radiator monsters

Literary Context

Kristopher Kelly draws on the traditions of American horror and gothic fiction. The work connects to the legacy of writers like Shirley Jackson, Clive Barker, and Stephen King. It blends literary techniques with supernatural elements, appealing to fans of dark short stories and bizarre narratives.

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

Shirley Jackson · Clive Barker · Stephen King

🩸

Horror Fiction

🏛 Createspace Independent Publishing Platform 📅 2011 📖 210 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781466404878

📝 Description: I Held My Breath as Long as I Could

Kristopher Kelly presents a collection of twenty-three stories that traverse the boundaries between horror and humor. The volume includes the award-winning dark short story 'The Field,' which addresses themes of murder and consequence. This piece originally secured first place in the 2002 Spring Contest Issue of The Harvard Advocate, establishing Kelly’s credentials in literary fiction before expanding into darker genres. The narratives range from a detective’s terrifying search for his missing partner to a road trip that becomes an odyssey through hell. Readers encounter a man receiving self-improvement advice from a creature in a jug of milk and a Vice President at a law firm cleaning up an unsightly mess. Other tales involve an auction for a painting that may be a window into another world, monsters harassing a resident via his radiator, and a stranger visiting Mabel's Ridge. The collection also features a man struggling with the desire to relieve himself and his aversion to Interstate restrooms. This book suits readers who appreciate the styles of Shirley Jackson, Clive Barker, and Stephen King. It appeals to those interested in the horrific, the absurd, the heartbreaking, the literary, and the bizarre. The work does not cater to audiences seeking traditional linear plots or purely comedic relief, as it bends through light and shadow with deliberate unease.

💎 Our verdict on I Held My Breath as Long as I Could

“

🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Kristopher Kelly delivers a compelling anthology that successfully merges horror with humor and the absurd. The collection demonstrates significant range, moving from award-winning literary pieces like 'The Field' to tales involving law firm messes and painting auctions revealing other worlds. While some narratives tackle traditional horror tropes, others explore psychological unease through mundane struggles. The work is best suited for readers who do not seek traditional linear plots or pure comedic relief. It excels in creating a unique atmosphere that bends through light and shadow. Those interested in the bizarre and literary aspects of horror will find this volume highly engaging, though it may challenge those expecting straightforward genre conventions.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate the intersection of the horrific and the absurd will find this collection uniquely rewarding. It offers a diverse array of scenarios, ranging from supernatural encounters with radiator monsters to mundane struggles involving Interstate restrooms. The anthology appeals to those seeking literary merit alongside genre thrills, particularly fans of authors like Shirley Jackson, Clive Barker, and Stephen King. It is ideal for audiences comfortable with non-linear plots and deliberate unease who wish to explore themes that are both heartbreaking and bizarre. This book provides a distinct reading experience that balances humor with dark fantasy, catering to those who enjoy defying simple categorization in their horror fiction.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Kristopher Kelly delivers a compelling anthology that successfully merges horror with humor and the absurd. The collection demonstrates significant range, moving from award-winning literary pieces like 'The Field' to tales involving law firm messes and painting auctions revealing other worlds. While some narratives tackle traditional horror tropes, others explore psychological unease through mundane struggles. The work is best suited for readers who do not seek traditional linear plots or pure comedic relief. It excels in creating a unique atmosphere that bends through light and shadow. Those interested in the bizarre and literary aspects of horror will find this volume highly engaging, though it may challenge those expecting straightforward genre conventions.