Cuts by Richard Laymon


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Cuts
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Author: Richard Laymon
Release date: July, 1999
Media: Hardcover
ISBN: 1881475646


Laymon brings us a different approach and it works!

CUTS is a different Laymon novel; it's subtle, succinct and slow. In typical Laymon fashion, we start the novel during an abbreviated sex act. Albert Prince is trying to lose his virginity, but the girl he's with wants more money than he currently has so Albert leaves her. On his way home Albert has an encounter that makes us understand he's not a nice boy. And that he will return...with hatred.

Janet Arthur wakes up next to her boyfriend, Dave. She tells him a secret, he kicks her out. Janet moves in with Meg. Lester and Helen are married, in words only. Helen's a "cold fish" and Lester has resorted to an affair. Emily Jean is an older woman with a daughter who is just starting to catch her break in the movie business. Ian's a writer. All of these people are put together through work, circumstances or nefarious ways.

CUTS is set in 1975 and the book has the slow, pot-induced, haziness aspect to the narrative. Laymon takes a bit more time than usual to flesh out all the characters and giving them enough life so I could get a good feel for each's idiosyncracies. I knew how they should act, react and deal with each other and in dire circumstances.

The genius in this book is the patience Laymon had to roll these characters out, not hurry them to join them all together, and let circumstance take over and let be what is to be. It's a bit frustrating, trying to figure out what all of these people are doing in this novel: but Laymon's deft skill of pulling you in is addictive and you can't stop reading. You need to know what happens next.

Laymon's a master of subtlety when it comes to understanding the way humans deal with each other. Many times, during a dialogue scene, Laymon will have the characters think sexy thoughts about one and all, even if they aren't in the direct conversation. This makes the characters more human and believable.

CUTS is a step in the right direction for Richard Laymon. It is a novel that hits you in places untouched. It doesn't make you feel good because there is almost no cause for the terror that is being wrought. Laymon has delivered a subtle horror story with a fairly high body count. And he's only beginning, heh heh. Be afraid...be very afraid! Highest Recommendation. - an Amazon customer review



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