3 stars
A few weeks ago, I went to an author talk/reading featuring Landis Blair with Caitlin Doughty. Of course, after hearing the reading, I had to check out the rest of the stories in the book.
This book is a gorgeously morbid, gruesomely strange, and overall a good read. It’s not my normal style of reading and some of the stories were a bit dark for my taste. However, on the whole, I enjoyed the book. I especially liked the story, “The Refinement Tree”. It was definitely my favorite in the collection. Despite its deceptive simplicity, the interactions of the text and artwork are really very complex and amazing. The story comprised an odd mix of emotions, signifying a very thought-provoking read.
While most of the stories were too dark for me, I did really enjoy the artwork. Blair has a real way with demonstrating changes and connections throughout each piece, which is a treat to examine and explore. The artwork is intricate and interesting enough that you don’t just glance at it and move of. You really look at it. I really liked the connections to the various animals at the end of “The Refinement Tree”, suggesting a deeper meaning to where those memories went.
Overall, a good read, especially for those who like things dark, morbid, and macabre.