Boris Krischel

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...

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.

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.

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.