Flies A Novel Roger Leatherwood 9781481959957 Books
Download As PDF : Flies A Novel Roger Leatherwood 9781481959957 Books
An escape from a chain gang in the deserts of California led by a hardened criminal nicknamed "Flies" leads to a forgotten government research base with a nuclear secret 20 years old. A convict changes his identity and returns to his hometown, hiding as an usher in a deteriorating movie palace. But he's been here - 20 years before - and what's hidden in his history, and lurking backstage, awakens a silent horror as patient and possessive as the decay overtaking the haunted building. A crime novel reconfigured as gothic chamber piece, "Flies" slides through a narrative that slowly destabilizes as plot turns and horror elements poke at and unseal the rules of genre.
Flies A Novel Roger Leatherwood 9781481959957 Books
I feel kinda handicapped here because it's hard to discuss/review what makes 'Flies' - the debut novel from 'Usher' Writer/Director, Roger Leatherwood - such a compelling read without spoiling its strengths, twists, and turns. What I think I can say without ruining any surprises is that 'Flies' works on two different levels.Level, the 1st - 'Flies' begins with the escape of two convicts from a prison chain gang in the California desert, one of whom is (aptly) nicknamed Flies. Their journey takes them from the middle of nowhere to an abandoned government research facility infested (aptly) with flies (that may or may not be carrying a lethal, newly-discovered contaminant) to the Roxie, a once-majestic Opera House theater turned fourplex, located in a nearby town that looks to be the next target of said contaminants. Enter Griffith and Dante - two Scientists charged with finding and dealing with this 'unknown force'. They're shortly joined by Murray (craftily introduced early on in the story as 'the Aide'). What follows is where I stop this recap, as what initially seems like a 'Scientists in search of Infected Escapee(s) hiding out in Mysterious Location' story becomes something so much more than ... well ... than what that implies.
You see, 'Flies' is a constant state of subtle baits and switches that demonstrate to the reader that Roger Leatherwood definitely knows the rules of the literary game. He just refuses to play by them. In doing so, he crafts a tale that's never predictable; where the stakes are constantly escalating. By the end of the book's second act (of the story's motion picture-esque three), all bets are off, as just when you think you KNOW where the story is going ...
Level, the 2nd - The other level at which the book can be appreciated lies more with delving into Roger Leatherwood's previous works.
Roger Leatherwood originally came into public prominence as the award-winning Writer/Director of the feature film 'Usher' (Google 'Roger Leatherwood Usher'). 'Usher' is the story of Ash - a hitman-in-hiding who takes a job as an usher in a movie theater. Used to living his life rather non-traditionally (understandable, given his background) and dealing with his problems ... in a certain way (understandable, given his background), he's thrown into the day-to-day monotony of dealing with The Public, which begins to ... well ... affect him and his decision-making abilities (understandable, given his background). 'Usher' is an interesting companion piece to 'Flies' and in some ways a tonal (thematic?) sequel (prequel?). Definitely worth a look.
Also worth mentioning is Roger Leatherwood's previous non-fiction book Mondo Cine: The World of Film Exhibition and Archiving in Revolution, which is a series of essays examining how the Digital Revolution has changed (killed?) the theatrical, movie-going experience.
Here's the thing. Both in his fiction AND non-fiction works, Roger Leatherwood obviously LOVES the Sanctity of the Theater and the MAGIC (psychological, metaphorical and - in some cases - literal) that takes place within those sacred confines. I don't think it's a matter of simply 'Chasing a Childhood' either, as much as it's a constant observation and dissection of an experience that in many ways is legitimately dying.
Also, I believe that Leatherwood's FICTIONAL tales (both 'Flies' and 'Usher') deal with man's search for his place in the world, not only in how it relates to his future, but how it's been influenced by his past. Both stories use familiar tropes - from 'convicts on the run' to a 'hitman working in a movie theater' to 'secret government conspiracies' - to introduce the reader/viewer to scenarios that they initially feel comfortable with (Oh, it's one of THESE stories. I know where this is goi ... wait. WTF?), only to then flip the genre on its ear and take it into directions that one rarely sees coming. More importantly, both stories are discussion-inducing and have provided me and my circle of friends with hours of theories and suppositions. That's ART, people.
I recently read an article by Richard Thomas (Transubstantiate) where he wrote, 'One of the most important aspects of being an author is understanding who you are, what your influences have been, and how best to use that knowledge, plus your life experience, to create new stories. When people say that everything has already been done, yes, I suppose that it is difficult to create a new plot structure. But what makes reading exciting and compelling is discovering new voices.'
Originally in film - and now in prose - Roger Leatherwood has succeeded in creating a truly unique voice that I cannot wait to voraciously read/witness more of. Keep 'em coming ...
Product details
|
Tags : Flies: A Novel [Roger Leatherwood] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. An escape from a chain gang in the deserts of California led by a hardened criminal nicknamed Flies leads to a forgotten government research base with a nuclear secret 20 years old. A convict changes his identity and returns to his hometown,Roger Leatherwood,Flies: A Novel,CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform,1481959956,Horror,FICTION Horror,Fiction,Fiction - Horror,Horror & ghost stories,Horror - General
People also read other books :
- Love and Salvage Halestorm edition by Mathew Ortiz Will Bristol Cat Moriarty Literature Fiction eBooks
- The Day I Died {Vampire Romance BleedLieLove Book 1 eBook Caelia Sky
- Cover Sewing Pattern Bean Bag Designs Book 27 edition by Heather Bean Crafts Hobbies Home eBooks
- Dancing for the Vampire edition by JM Keep Literature Fiction eBooks
- Made To An MMM Tale edition by C Kier Literature Fiction eBooks
Flies A Novel Roger Leatherwood 9781481959957 Books Reviews
I read the sample and decided to purchase Flies because I'm always looking for authors who know how to write speech. Leatherwood is up there with Stephen King in this manner. There's a few typos, but not so many that it takes away from the book. If you like Southern fried types of novels than this one is for you.
WOW, what can I say, this book is so full of action, surprise , mystery and a bit of horror I couldn't put it down.
I hope everyone reads Flies , it was a wonderful book.
In the future I will be looking for more books by Roger Leatherwood .
I would give it 0 stars if this would let me. It was terrible. too much boring detail in the story
I feel kinda handicapped here because it's hard to discuss/review what makes 'Flies' - the debut novel from 'Usher' Writer/Director, Roger Leatherwood - such a compelling read without spoiling its strengths, twists, and turns. What I think I can say without ruining any surprises is that 'Flies' works on two different levels.
Level, the 1st - 'Flies' begins with the escape of two convicts from a prison chain gang in the California desert, one of whom is (aptly) nicknamed Flies. Their journey takes them from the middle of nowhere to an abandoned government research facility infested (aptly) with flies (that may or may not be carrying a lethal, newly-discovered contaminant) to the Roxie, a once-majestic Opera House theater turned fourplex, located in a nearby town that looks to be the next target of said contaminants. Enter Griffith and Dante - two Scientists charged with finding and dealing with this 'unknown force'. They're shortly joined by Murray (craftily introduced early on in the story as 'the Aide'). What follows is where I stop this recap, as what initially seems like a 'Scientists in search of Infected Escapee(s) hiding out in Mysterious Location' story becomes something so much more than ... well ... than what that implies.
You see, 'Flies' is a constant state of subtle baits and switches that demonstrate to the reader that Roger Leatherwood definitely knows the rules of the literary game. He just refuses to play by them. In doing so, he crafts a tale that's never predictable; where the stakes are constantly escalating. By the end of the book's second act (of the story's motion picture-esque three), all bets are off, as just when you think you KNOW where the story is going ...
Level, the 2nd - The other level at which the book can be appreciated lies more with delving into Roger Leatherwood's previous works.
Roger Leatherwood originally came into public prominence as the award-winning Writer/Director of the feature film 'Usher' (Google 'Roger Leatherwood Usher'). 'Usher' is the story of Ash - a hitman-in-hiding who takes a job as an usher in a movie theater. Used to living his life rather non-traditionally (understandable, given his background) and dealing with his problems ... in a certain way (understandable, given his background), he's thrown into the day-to-day monotony of dealing with The Public, which begins to ... well ... affect him and his decision-making abilities (understandable, given his background). 'Usher' is an interesting companion piece to 'Flies' and in some ways a tonal (thematic?) sequel (prequel?). Definitely worth a look.
Also worth mentioning is Roger Leatherwood's previous non-fiction book Mondo Cine The World of Film Exhibition and Archiving in Revolution, which is a series of essays examining how the Digital Revolution has changed (killed?) the theatrical, movie-going experience.
Here's the thing. Both in his fiction AND non-fiction works, Roger Leatherwood obviously LOVES the Sanctity of the Theater and the MAGIC (psychological, metaphorical and - in some cases - literal) that takes place within those sacred confines. I don't think it's a matter of simply 'Chasing a Childhood' either, as much as it's a constant observation and dissection of an experience that in many ways is legitimately dying.
Also, I believe that Leatherwood's FICTIONAL tales (both 'Flies' and 'Usher') deal with man's search for his place in the world, not only in how it relates to his future, but how it's been influenced by his past. Both stories use familiar tropes - from 'convicts on the run' to a 'hitman working in a movie theater' to 'secret government conspiracies' - to introduce the reader/viewer to scenarios that they initially feel comfortable with (Oh, it's one of THESE stories. I know where this is goi ... wait. WTF?), only to then flip the genre on its ear and take it into directions that one rarely sees coming. More importantly, both stories are discussion-inducing and have provided me and my circle of friends with hours of theories and suppositions. That's ART, people.
I recently read an article by Richard Thomas (Transubstantiate) where he wrote, 'One of the most important aspects of being an author is understanding who you are, what your influences have been, and how best to use that knowledge, plus your life experience, to create new stories. When people say that everything has already been done, yes, I suppose that it is difficult to create a new plot structure. But what makes reading exciting and compelling is discovering new voices.'
Originally in film - and now in prose - Roger Leatherwood has succeeded in creating a truly unique voice that I cannot wait to voraciously read/witness more of. Keep 'em coming ...
0 Response to "≫ PDF Free Flies A Novel Roger Leatherwood 9781481959957 Books"
Post a Comment