Boris Krischel

I generally like extreme horror short stories and having a compilation that spans several years, showing the development of the genre is quite a nice idea. Unfortunately the stories that were chosen are a real mixed bag. Some were great but a few of them are also skip-worthy in my opinion.

A fascinatingly weird book. At first the quality of the writing was a bit poor, but once the story actually got started, I didn't have any issues with it anymore. The content is just weird, disgusting, yet fascinating... Not sure how to describe it, you just have to experience it I guess...

I just finished Carnal Surgery, a collection of eleven Edward Lee stories, and it was a mixed bag... but mostly great. “The Seeker” was my standout: a surreal journey to a twisted town that slowly ratchets up the weird, and that ending stuck with me. Other highlights: “Hands” delivered a solid twist and genuine tension, “The Blurred Room” felt deeply satisfying, and “Death, She Said” and “Goddess of the New Dark Age” were unexpectedly thought-provoking.

Some stories like “Please Let Me Go” and “The Order of Nature” felt standard; fine, but forgettable. And yes, the writing quality and editing are hit-or-miss, some sloppy dialogue and rough edges here and there. But nothing was bad enough to ruin the experience, and there wasn’t a single story I actively disliked.

Overall, the collection is brutal and bizarre, but it’s also got some real kicks.

This was my first Edward Lee book and my first dive into splatterpunk... and it’s a brutal introduction. It starts out disgusting and never really stops. The plot is wild: a billionaire tries to offend God by orchestrating the most horrific acts imaginable. It’s repulsive, extreme, and clearly meant to push every boundary it can find.

I can respect that it tries to give all the depravity a purpose, but it’s not a fun or humorous read; it’s just disturbing. The characters don’t have much depth, and the editing is honestly a mess in places. Still, the sheer extremity and weird concept stuck with me. I didn’t enjoy it in the traditional sense, but I’m glad I read it.