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Dead Inside
In this bleak and disturbingly erotic debut novel, iconoclast Chandler Morrison provides readers with a dark exploration of the nature of death, individuality, and generational identity. Along the way, lines will be crossed, taboos will be violated, and common decency will take an extended leave of absence. This is not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach. Or anyone who enjoyed Fifty Shades of Grey.
A young hospital security guard with a disturbingly unique taste in women. A maternity doctor with a horrifically unusual appetite. When the two of them meet, they embark on a journey of self-discovery as they shatter societal norms while engaging in destructive and abhorrent behavior. As they unwittingly help each other understand a world in which neither of them seems to belong, they begin to realize what it truly means to be alive...and that it might not always be a good thing.
A young hospital security guard with a disturbingly unique taste in women. A maternity doctor with a horrifically unusual appetite. When the two of them meet, they embark on a journey of self-discovery as they shatter societal norms while engaging in destructive and abhorrent behavior. As they unwittingly help each other understand a world in which neither of them seems to belong, they begin to realize what it truly means to be alive...and that it might not always be a good thing.
191 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2015
924 people are currently reading
29956 people want to read
About the author
Chandler Morrison
18 books728 followersLittle is known about Chandler’s origins. He has claimed, on separate occasions, to be both from Helltown, California, and Cleveland, Ohio. To date, it is still unclear from which locale he actually hails. He currently resides in Los Angeles, but sightings of him are rare.
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June 14, 2022I listened to this on a 3 hour road trip today, and would just love to know what the other drivers on the road thought was happening when they passed my car and saw a 21 year old girl screaming at nobody, steering one-handed with the other clamped over her mouth in complete revulsion, and/or staring out into the distance wondering how she arrived at a point in life where a book like Dead Inside was chosen for a "fun" Thursday read.
This story is pretty much American Psycho meets Exquisite Corpse if Jughead Jones (angsty CW edition) was the narrator, written by someone who never totally outgrew their middle school edgelord phase. Not a bad splatterpunk horror if you're in the mood to feel something (namely nausea) but it's definitely not a book I would widely recommend and definitely won't be one I ever read again.
This story is pretty much American Psycho meets Exquisite Corpse if Jughead Jones (angsty CW edition) was the narrator, written by someone who never totally outgrew their middle school edgelord phase. Not a bad splatterpunk horror if you're in the mood to feel something (namely nausea) but it's definitely not a book I would widely recommend and definitely won't be one I ever read again.
June 25, 2020
This is probably one of the sickest books I've ever read.
Fuck that - this is THE sickest book I have ever read. Bar none!
I'm not sure how to rate this story - part of me wants to praise the author for the skill to make me read it all the way through, while another part wants to put drain cleaner and a straw into my ear to give my brain a cerebral enema.
This story will upset most readers.
Fuck that - this is THE sickest book I have ever read. Bar none!
I'm not sure how to rate this story - part of me wants to praise the author for the skill to make me read it all the way through, while another part wants to put drain cleaner and a straw into my ear to give my brain a cerebral enema.
This story will upset most readers.
August 8, 2023
⛧⛧⛧⛧
"𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐢𝐭. 𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐭. 𝐇𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐭, 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐢𝐭."
Falling into an abyss of social norms in this mundane world might feel safe and comfortable for some, while for others, any attempt to embrace what most consider as normal would be dreadful. Not everyone wants to fit in, or can. While being different might bring a sense of isolation, there is also liberation in knowing who you are and walking a different path from the horde without the need to change or seek social validation, and if you happen to meet a like-minded weirdo to walk beside you, it can add to the experience.
I always desire the art of the lines drawn around the earth. In yet another search to see how far a limit can be pushed until it fades into oblivion, 𝘋𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 revealed itself to be as limitless as it gets. This book doesn't hold back. Nothing will prepare you for this disturbing, vile, stunningly erotic, unhinged wild ride. That being said, if you can digest this dark journey, you'll also be able to see that underneath its devious layers, this is a very well written satire that explores life from an outsider's perspective, taboos, relationships, the hypocrisy of mediocre minds in our society, and whether it's really possible for someone to change.
This is not an ordinary boy meets girl romantic story, which makes it my kind of story. I loved the dynamic between the twisted main characters, who just happened to be a nihilistic necrophiliac and a cannibal doctor. Their interaction, the way they struggle to open up, along with their inner dialogues felt both compelling and amusing. I was utterly hypnotized by it.
Being already familiar with 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧's terrific style, I knew this book would be well written, however, I didn't expect it to have such a deranged dark humor. Shamelessly, I'll admit that more than being disturbed or repulsed, I found myself laughing my lungs out while reading it. At this point, i think it's safe to say that I'll read anything 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧 writes. Anyone who can make me laugh like a hyena while inserting American Psycho, Nick Cave and Cannibal Corpse references is more than welcome to be a part of my world, or at least a part of my books shelf.
𝘋𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 is definitely not for the faint of heart, so let me ask you: Are you ready for this? Enter at your own risk.
*Buddy read with @𝐓𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐨 𝐁𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐧 who survived to tell.*
"𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐢𝐭. 𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐭. 𝐇𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐭, 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐢𝐭."
Falling into an abyss of social norms in this mundane world might feel safe and comfortable for some, while for others, any attempt to embrace what most consider as normal would be dreadful. Not everyone wants to fit in, or can. While being different might bring a sense of isolation, there is also liberation in knowing who you are and walking a different path from the horde without the need to change or seek social validation, and if you happen to meet a like-minded weirdo to walk beside you, it can add to the experience.
I always desire the art of the lines drawn around the earth. In yet another search to see how far a limit can be pushed until it fades into oblivion, 𝘋𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 revealed itself to be as limitless as it gets. This book doesn't hold back. Nothing will prepare you for this disturbing, vile, stunningly erotic, unhinged wild ride. That being said, if you can digest this dark journey, you'll also be able to see that underneath its devious layers, this is a very well written satire that explores life from an outsider's perspective, taboos, relationships, the hypocrisy of mediocre minds in our society, and whether it's really possible for someone to change.
This is not an ordinary boy meets girl romantic story, which makes it my kind of story. I loved the dynamic between the twisted main characters, who just happened to be a nihilistic necrophiliac and a cannibal doctor. Their interaction, the way they struggle to open up, along with their inner dialogues felt both compelling and amusing. I was utterly hypnotized by it.
Being already familiar with 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧's terrific style, I knew this book would be well written, however, I didn't expect it to have such a deranged dark humor. Shamelessly, I'll admit that more than being disturbed or repulsed, I found myself laughing my lungs out while reading it. At this point, i think it's safe to say that I'll read anything 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧 writes. Anyone who can make me laugh like a hyena while inserting American Psycho, Nick Cave and Cannibal Corpse references is more than welcome to be a part of my world, or at least a part of my books shelf.
𝘋𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 is definitely not for the faint of heart, so let me ask you: Are you ready for this? Enter at your own risk.
*Buddy read with @𝐓𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐨 𝐁𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐧 who survived to tell.*
August 20, 2024
“Dead Inside” by Chandler Morrison is one of those books I will never, ever forget. I’m talking about the kind of book that will be stuck with me for a very long time because this is absolutely insane. Out of this world, I feel dirty and need to go take a long hot shower kind of insane.
Now, before I begin, I have to let you all know about the numerous kinds of trigger warnings in this book because it’s bad. Really… really bad. I don’t think I’ve ever written a review with 12 trigger warnings so I figure it would be easiest to make a list of them all…
- Necrophilia
- Insane sexual psycho vibes
- Cannibalism
- Dead babies/stillborns
- Violence against babies
- Abortions
- Self-harm
- Rape/molestation
- Sex with a minor
- Incest
- Insinuating violence against pregnant women
- Pregnant women actually smoking
If anything on this list triggers you or would make you feel uncomfortable at all, whatever you do, please do not read this book. Needless to say, this is one hell of a dark book. It’s bizarre, twisted, one of those splatterpunk kinds of books that is just beyond weird and well, disturbing. “Dead Inside” is a very graphic read but, I’m a metalhead, grew up in the 80s/90s watching tons of horror movies and TV shows I probably shouldn’t have been watching at such a young age, and at least for me, this didn’t really bother me as I look at it as just words on paper.
I made a lot of faces while reading this book and honestly, it totally reminded me of the SAW movie franchise. You know, you go into these gory horror movies seeing insane, gruesome, violent, crazy death traps that each new one introduced is worse than the one before until you get to the final, craziest trap of them all. “Dead Inside” reminded me of that as just when I thought no way does this book get even crazier and gorier it sure enough did.
It’s an extreme kind of book that was a very fast and addictive read. The shock value is real and truly a selling point in reading something like this because I’ve never read a book that had a ton of OMG and WTF moments that blew my mind. It’s just beyond belief that anything like this could ever happen in real life but honestly, it did its job, freaked me the hell out, and is a book I will never forget.
Mind you, I did read “WOOM” by Duncan Ralston and thought that was another insane, creepy, disgusting kind of book but my goodness, “Dead Inside” took it to levels I never thought could be possible. The actual story here isn’t bad at all but again, I doubt this would ever happen in real life so remember, if you go along for this ride and throw common sense and reality out the window, it’s better enjoyed that way.
Don’t try to make sense of it, just read and watch where it takes you. I looked away numerous times saying in my head no way did I just read that because of how disgusting this book is. Yeah, it’s really… really graphic, bad, and deranged.
Besides that, as a metalhead, I did enjoy the Cannibal Corpse (fitting) reference as I love that death metal band. Morrison’s writing style is pretty good and honestly, this book will take you into the mind of a psychopath, a sociopath, basically someone that would have their own documentary that would be even crazier and creepier than anything you’ll see about Jeffrey Dahmer.
Even the ending, with an interesting plot twist, was a solid way to end this strange book. Just like in those SAW movies, Morrison left the absolute worst for last and my goodness, it’s beyond demented. I was curious as to how all this would end and even I didn’t see that coming to the point where yeah, you finish it and are left wondering what the hell you just read. It’s a feeling that’s hard to explain but let’s just say, you feel guilty for reading this and will want to read a book to cleanse yourself because it’s that grimy and obscenely sexual.
I give “Dead Inside” by Chandler Morrison a 4/5 because even though this was one disturbing, graphic, and gory read, I enjoyed the hell out of it. I love originality and creativity as I’ve never in my life read a book this extreme until now. Even though it deals with extremely sensitive topics, this wasn’t anything I expected at all that ended up being a solid read. It’s a bizarre reading experience that I can see many not even being able to finish because it’s that sick, bloody, and violently graphic with a crazy sexual twist. Don’t eat or drink anything at all while reading this. Trust me, this is a wild one that is not for the faint of heart. You’ve been warned.
Now, before I begin, I have to let you all know about the numerous kinds of trigger warnings in this book because it’s bad. Really… really bad. I don’t think I’ve ever written a review with 12 trigger warnings so I figure it would be easiest to make a list of them all…
- Necrophilia
- Insane sexual psycho vibes
- Cannibalism
- Dead babies/stillborns
- Violence against babies
- Abortions
- Self-harm
- Rape/molestation
- Sex with a minor
- Incest
- Insinuating violence against pregnant women
- Pregnant women actually smoking
If anything on this list triggers you or would make you feel uncomfortable at all, whatever you do, please do not read this book. Needless to say, this is one hell of a dark book. It’s bizarre, twisted, one of those splatterpunk kinds of books that is just beyond weird and well, disturbing. “Dead Inside” is a very graphic read but, I’m a metalhead, grew up in the 80s/90s watching tons of horror movies and TV shows I probably shouldn’t have been watching at such a young age, and at least for me, this didn’t really bother me as I look at it as just words on paper.
I made a lot of faces while reading this book and honestly, it totally reminded me of the SAW movie franchise. You know, you go into these gory horror movies seeing insane, gruesome, violent, crazy death traps that each new one introduced is worse than the one before until you get to the final, craziest trap of them all. “Dead Inside” reminded me of that as just when I thought no way does this book get even crazier and gorier it sure enough did.
It’s an extreme kind of book that was a very fast and addictive read. The shock value is real and truly a selling point in reading something like this because I’ve never read a book that had a ton of OMG and WTF moments that blew my mind. It’s just beyond belief that anything like this could ever happen in real life but honestly, it did its job, freaked me the hell out, and is a book I will never forget.
Mind you, I did read “WOOM” by Duncan Ralston and thought that was another insane, creepy, disgusting kind of book but my goodness, “Dead Inside” took it to levels I never thought could be possible. The actual story here isn’t bad at all but again, I doubt this would ever happen in real life so remember, if you go along for this ride and throw common sense and reality out the window, it’s better enjoyed that way.
Don’t try to make sense of it, just read and watch where it takes you. I looked away numerous times saying in my head no way did I just read that because of how disgusting this book is. Yeah, it’s really… really graphic, bad, and deranged.
Besides that, as a metalhead, I did enjoy the Cannibal Corpse (fitting) reference as I love that death metal band. Morrison’s writing style is pretty good and honestly, this book will take you into the mind of a psychopath, a sociopath, basically someone that would have their own documentary that would be even crazier and creepier than anything you’ll see about Jeffrey Dahmer.
Even the ending, with an interesting plot twist, was a solid way to end this strange book. Just like in those SAW movies, Morrison left the absolute worst for last and my goodness, it’s beyond demented. I was curious as to how all this would end and even I didn’t see that coming to the point where yeah, you finish it and are left wondering what the hell you just read. It’s a feeling that’s hard to explain but let’s just say, you feel guilty for reading this and will want to read a book to cleanse yourself because it’s that grimy and obscenely sexual.
I give “Dead Inside” by Chandler Morrison a 4/5 because even though this was one disturbing, graphic, and gory read, I enjoyed the hell out of it. I love originality and creativity as I’ve never in my life read a book this extreme until now. Even though it deals with extremely sensitive topics, this wasn’t anything I expected at all that ended up being a solid read. It’s a bizarre reading experience that I can see many not even being able to finish because it’s that sick, bloody, and violently graphic with a crazy sexual twist. Don’t eat or drink anything at all while reading this. Trust me, this is a wild one that is not for the faint of heart. You’ve been warned.
May 14, 2021
More like "Trash Inside"
April 21, 2022
“i suppose there’s just something about meeting someone who’s even more fucked up than you are.”
for a book that deals with necrophilia and cannibalism, this was surprisingly super funny. obviously VERY dark humour, but if you’re into that, you might have a blast reading this just like i did. being in this man’s brain and seeing his thought process was entertaining as hell. if you find the next quote funny, you should definitely consider reading this book:
“i’ve never been any kind of athlete or anything, but am i seriously the only person who realizes that infants are the perfect punting shape? if we replaced footballs with babies, i would have been far more successful in high school gym class.” this man…💀
this book actually reminded me a little bit of the Dexter series by Jeff Lindsay in that way (POV from a sociopath & the morbid humour). the obvious differences between Dexter, and the main character here though are that Dexter was actually quite likeable overall, and someone you kinda root for regardless of him being a murderer (while the mc in this book was clearly just a horrible person) and Dexter obviously wasn’t a necrophiliac.
SO, the main character in this book conveniently works as a security guard at a hospital, because obviously it’s the perfect place for him to indulge in all his fucked up desires.
in the beginning of the story, he meets a woman named Helen, who works at the same hospital as him, and who happens to like eating dead babies. YUP, you heard that right.
the mc caught Helen “in the act” and the whole situation was obviously absurdly funny to me once again.
“why are you naked.”
that’s the only question i’m able to force past my lips, despite the existence of other, more obvious, inquiries. like, “why are you eating that dead baby,” or “what the fuck is going on here,” or “don’t you at least want some sauce to dip that in, or something.”
he doesn’t report her to the authorities and they obviously strike up a very weird kinship, because they’re both fucking psychotic. this dude later told her he fucks dead women and she was like “that’s…remarkable.”
“for the first time in my life, a living being has piqued my interest.”
they proceed to hang out quite a lot. the mc is obviously very disgruntled and grossed out by the fact that he’s actually relating to another human being and to his absolute horror, he actually starts to like her, in his own sociopathic way.
“i’m relating to another human being.
hold the phone and shoot me in the fucking face.”
things proceed to get more & more fucked up as the story progresses, but i can’t really say much more without spoiling anything. this was one hell of a ride though. the plot twist at the very end especially was pretty spectacular.
please don’t read this book if you’re easily grossed out or shocked. this book crosses many rules of morality and humanity and has on page sexual violence that’s very graphic. however, if you’re good with reading all that - i highly recommend this!😉
for a book that deals with necrophilia and cannibalism, this was surprisingly super funny. obviously VERY dark humour, but if you’re into that, you might have a blast reading this just like i did. being in this man’s brain and seeing his thought process was entertaining as hell. if you find the next quote funny, you should definitely consider reading this book:
“i’ve never been any kind of athlete or anything, but am i seriously the only person who realizes that infants are the perfect punting shape? if we replaced footballs with babies, i would have been far more successful in high school gym class.” this man…💀
this book actually reminded me a little bit of the Dexter series by Jeff Lindsay in that way (POV from a sociopath & the morbid humour). the obvious differences between Dexter, and the main character here though are that Dexter was actually quite likeable overall, and someone you kinda root for regardless of him being a murderer (while the mc in this book was clearly just a horrible person) and Dexter obviously wasn’t a necrophiliac.
SO, the main character in this book conveniently works as a security guard at a hospital, because obviously it’s the perfect place for him to indulge in all his fucked up desires.
in the beginning of the story, he meets a woman named Helen, who works at the same hospital as him, and who happens to like eating dead babies. YUP, you heard that right.
the mc caught Helen “in the act” and the whole situation was obviously absurdly funny to me once again.
“why are you naked.”
that’s the only question i’m able to force past my lips, despite the existence of other, more obvious, inquiries. like, “why are you eating that dead baby,” or “what the fuck is going on here,” or “don’t you at least want some sauce to dip that in, or something.”
he doesn’t report her to the authorities and they obviously strike up a very weird kinship, because they’re both fucking psychotic. this dude later told her he fucks dead women and she was like “that’s…remarkable.”
“for the first time in my life, a living being has piqued my interest.”
they proceed to hang out quite a lot. the mc is obviously very disgruntled and grossed out by the fact that he’s actually relating to another human being and to his absolute horror, he actually starts to like her, in his own sociopathic way.
“i’m relating to another human being.
hold the phone and shoot me in the fucking face.”
things proceed to get more & more fucked up as the story progresses, but i can’t really say much more without spoiling anything. this was one hell of a ride though. the plot twist at the very end especially was pretty spectacular.
please don’t read this book if you’re easily grossed out or shocked. this book crosses many rules of morality and humanity and has on page sexual violence that’s very graphic. however, if you’re good with reading all that - i highly recommend this!😉
August 20, 2022
Brutal, messed up and disgusting. The list of content warnings would be longer than the book! This is Splatterpunk/Extreme Horror at its finest.
I do NOT recommend this book.
Edit: I forgot to mention that Donald Ray Pollock rec’d this and is basically the greatest. But even so. Don’t read this book
I do NOT recommend this book.
Edit: I forgot to mention that Donald Ray Pollock rec’d this and is basically the greatest. But even so. Don’t read this book
November 6, 2020
Whew. This reads like an angsty 17 year old that is too cool to care about life. I love splatterpunk, but this is ultra try hard.
Read
January 8, 2021Immediately after I finished this book I thought, "I'm thankful to have a friend in Jesus."
My mind has been defiled by all manner of depravity and I need proper cleansing.
What is this book?
DEAD INSIDE.
The title speaks to the overarching theme of emotional deadness due to either psychological childhood trauma or inherent sexual disorders. In either case, both of our main protagonists are seriously disturbed and act on their abnormal proclivities.
Their paths cross.
Listen, I'm not comfortable giving this book a star rating, unfortunately. Thinking out loud, I feel like a 5-star rating is an endorsement that bears responsibility and I don't want to be held responsible for anyone picking this book up because they see my star rating as some kind of approval for books of this nature.
But I can't give DEAD INSIDE a low star rating because it's well written. Chandler Morrison is an exceptionally talented writer and I won't discredit his ability or turn people off of this book. I write "un-starred" reviews all the time for Cemetery Dance so just let my words speak for themselves without the surface-level judgment of how many stars it has or doesn't have.
Every trigger-warning is employed here. I won't include a list of them because (spoilers) but also because I can just say that if you think of a trigger, it's present in this book. ALL OF THEM.
It's not my job to make excuses for the subject material or explain them away by saying that all of the extremely graphic content is a vehicle for a weird love story and that readers can approach this story with the understanding that they must "read between the lines" or "get through it" in order to enjoy the story. That's up to individual readers to make that choice for themselves based on their own threshold or tolerance for scenes of graphic imagery. It's really not something to take lightly or be dismissive about.
All of this prefacing aside,
My own, personal experience was that I was totally grossed out by like 80% of this book. However, Morrison's writing is engaging. I found myself skimming over some of the more detailed accounts of specific actions, just to get to the parts where the characters were having a dialog about their feelings or the story had progressed past points of discomfort and I wanted to see what was going to happen.
Honestly, DEAD INSIDE has a Tarantino-esque quality about it in the sense that it is SO over-the-top offensive, SO over-the-top disgusting that it's *almost* funny.
it's as if Chandler Morrison wanted to tell a love story about two very abnormal people falling in love and finding a special kind of comfort in knowing that they have been seen by someone and accepted for who they are but he found that a little on the boring side so to really explore what that would look like, he made sure these two very abnormal people were abnormal to a ridiculous, obscene amount of abnormal.
Does it make his point about feeling seen and being accepted all the more, precious?
But that's MY takeaway. You might want to just throw this thing in a dumpster and let ferrets chew on it.
My mind has been defiled by all manner of depravity and I need proper cleansing.
What is this book?
DEAD INSIDE.
The title speaks to the overarching theme of emotional deadness due to either psychological childhood trauma or inherent sexual disorders. In either case, both of our main protagonists are seriously disturbed and act on their abnormal proclivities.
Their paths cross.
Listen, I'm not comfortable giving this book a star rating, unfortunately. Thinking out loud, I feel like a 5-star rating is an endorsement that bears responsibility and I don't want to be held responsible for anyone picking this book up because they see my star rating as some kind of approval for books of this nature.
But I can't give DEAD INSIDE a low star rating because it's well written. Chandler Morrison is an exceptionally talented writer and I won't discredit his ability or turn people off of this book. I write "un-starred" reviews all the time for Cemetery Dance so just let my words speak for themselves without the surface-level judgment of how many stars it has or doesn't have.
Every trigger-warning is employed here. I won't include a list of them because (spoilers) but also because I can just say that if you think of a trigger, it's present in this book. ALL OF THEM.
It's not my job to make excuses for the subject material or explain them away by saying that all of the extremely graphic content is a vehicle for a weird love story and that readers can approach this story with the understanding that they must "read between the lines" or "get through it" in order to enjoy the story. That's up to individual readers to make that choice for themselves based on their own threshold or tolerance for scenes of graphic imagery. It's really not something to take lightly or be dismissive about.
All of this prefacing aside,
My own, personal experience was that I was totally grossed out by like 80% of this book. However, Morrison's writing is engaging. I found myself skimming over some of the more detailed accounts of specific actions, just to get to the parts where the characters were having a dialog about their feelings or the story had progressed past points of discomfort and I wanted to see what was going to happen.
Honestly, DEAD INSIDE has a Tarantino-esque quality about it in the sense that it is SO over-the-top offensive, SO over-the-top disgusting that it's *almost* funny.
it's as if Chandler Morrison wanted to tell a love story about two very abnormal people falling in love and finding a special kind of comfort in knowing that they have been seen by someone and accepted for who they are but he found that a little on the boring side so to really explore what that would look like, he made sure these two very abnormal people were abnormal to a ridiculous, obscene amount of abnormal.
Does it make his point about feeling seen and being accepted all the more, precious?
But that's MY takeaway. You might want to just throw this thing in a dumpster and let ferrets chew on it.
December 24, 2021
2.5 stars
What do all depressed white girls, emo necrophiliacs, and baby-eating cannibals have in common? They read Bukowski.
That is the conclusion I've come to. If you ever hear that name come out of any character's mouth, just know they are EdGy little shits.
Low rating because the hero was extremely annoying and the writing wasn't my cup of tea. Loved the ending though.
What do all depressed white girls, emo necrophiliacs, and baby-eating cannibals have in common? They read Bukowski.
That is the conclusion I've come to. If you ever hear that name come out of any character's mouth, just know they are EdGy little shits.
Low rating because the hero was extremely annoying and the writing wasn't my cup of tea. Loved the ending though.
July 26, 2021
WE GET IT, YOU FUCK DEAD GIRLS
November 10, 2023
I don't know what the fuck i just read, wouldn't recommend it to my worse enemy💀
August 6, 2021
Have you ever had one of those moments where you just sit back, stare off into space, and wonder to yourself, how did I end up here? How did all of my prior decisions coalesce into this particular moment in time? What am I even doing with my life? Those are the questions that are swimming through the greymatter within my skull after having just finished reading DEAD INSIDE by Chandler Morrison.
I am literally at a loss for words as to what to say about this book. Let me get back to you on that.
Okay so, never, ever, in my life have I read anything so vile, disturbing, sickening, grotesque, appalling. Do I need to continue? I think you catch my point, at least I hope. This book is NOT for everyone. Honestly, I don’t know who this book is for? Was it for me? No, I don’t think it was. I didn’t have fun while reading this, but will say it does have some funny moments interspersed between the graphically shocking bits, if that makes any sense. The author nails, really nails the extremely dark humor right on the head.
Those graphically shocking bits I just spoke of. Yea, those. It felt like the sole purpose of this book was to shock and awe, a scorched earth policy. Each scene constructed to be more shocking and jaw dropping than the last. If that was the author’s intention then he succeeded on all accounts. Give him a gold medal. All of these shocking moments are brought on by the two protagonist’s unusual...cravings we will say. One is a hospital security guard who has taboo sexual desires, the other a maternity doctor who has an appetite for something you won’t find on any restaurant menu.These two social outcasts’ lives intertwine taking their personal perversions to all new, unfathomable levels of extreme.
Why did I continue reading this book you may be asking yourself? Good question. It was like watching a car crash victim being scraped up off of the pavement, you don’t want to watch but you just can’t bring yourself to avert your gaze. But to answer your question, it was the writing that kept me going. Needing (did I really need too?) to know what was going to happen next. What other articioty can the author throw our way? The writing, even though the subject matter itself was deplorable, was impeccable. The prose was streamlined, clean, witty, and made me continue on until the end. If the writing hadn’t been as good as it was I would have DNF’ed this book. If that isn’t a testament to Morrison’s skill with the pen then I don’t know what is.
Utterly bleak, depraved, dark, and deranged. DEAD INSIDE by Chandler Morrison is a love story (can we even call this a love story? I don’t know if these characters were even capable of a thing called love.) about two people way off in the darkened shadows at the very edge of societal norms coming together to change each other for the...worst, I think. This is not a book I can recommend. If extreme, and I mean EXTREME, sexually explicit horror is something you are interested in then give this one a shot. But don’t say that you haven’t been warned. In saying all that and with the writing being the only saving grace in my opinion I am definitely interested in reading more from Morrison, hopefully something with different subject matter. Now I am going to go take a scalding hot shower to wash away my sins for reading this book and maybe have a salad afterwards.
Video review:
I am literally at a loss for words as to what to say about this book. Let me get back to you on that.
Okay so, never, ever, in my life have I read anything so vile, disturbing, sickening, grotesque, appalling. Do I need to continue? I think you catch my point, at least I hope. This book is NOT for everyone. Honestly, I don’t know who this book is for? Was it for me? No, I don’t think it was. I didn’t have fun while reading this, but will say it does have some funny moments interspersed between the graphically shocking bits, if that makes any sense. The author nails, really nails the extremely dark humor right on the head.
Those graphically shocking bits I just spoke of. Yea, those. It felt like the sole purpose of this book was to shock and awe, a scorched earth policy. Each scene constructed to be more shocking and jaw dropping than the last. If that was the author’s intention then he succeeded on all accounts. Give him a gold medal. All of these shocking moments are brought on by the two protagonist’s unusual...cravings we will say. One is a hospital security guard who has taboo sexual desires, the other a maternity doctor who has an appetite for something you won’t find on any restaurant menu.These two social outcasts’ lives intertwine taking their personal perversions to all new, unfathomable levels of extreme.
Why did I continue reading this book you may be asking yourself? Good question. It was like watching a car crash victim being scraped up off of the pavement, you don’t want to watch but you just can’t bring yourself to avert your gaze. But to answer your question, it was the writing that kept me going. Needing (did I really need too?) to know what was going to happen next. What other articioty can the author throw our way? The writing, even though the subject matter itself was deplorable, was impeccable. The prose was streamlined, clean, witty, and made me continue on until the end. If the writing hadn’t been as good as it was I would have DNF’ed this book. If that isn’t a testament to Morrison’s skill with the pen then I don’t know what is.
Utterly bleak, depraved, dark, and deranged. DEAD INSIDE by Chandler Morrison is a love story (can we even call this a love story? I don’t know if these characters were even capable of a thing called love.) about two people way off in the darkened shadows at the very edge of societal norms coming together to change each other for the...worst, I think. This is not a book I can recommend. If extreme, and I mean EXTREME, sexually explicit horror is something you are interested in then give this one a shot. But don’t say that you haven’t been warned. In saying all that and with the writing being the only saving grace in my opinion I am definitely interested in reading more from Morrison, hopefully something with different subject matter. Now I am going to go take a scalding hot shower to wash away my sins for reading this book and maybe have a salad afterwards.
Video review:
February 7, 2021
Wow. This book is effective in so many ways. The first thing to know is that this is a brutally descriptive story about the relationship between a necrophiliac and a cannibal. The prose is excellent; the author is talented and chooses his words with aplomb. He makes the reader aware of how people who are different from the rest of us feel, if indeed they feel anything. He exposes the hypocrisy of so-called normal people as well. The relationship between the two main characters is fascinating and horrifying, and yet the author employs dry humor that will not fail to make the reader laugh wryly (well, I did) . There is something here for anyone who can literally stomach the material. Philosophy, gore, good music, corpses, eroticism, horror and a touch of poetry. I will surely be visiting Chandler Morrison's world again soon.
September 10, 2024
“I am fortified by that which makes me different. As long as I remain on the outside, on the lunatic fringe, if you will, I cannot be harmed.”
This author is WILD! This was my 2nd splatterpunk experience, after Eric LaRocca, who I fell in love with. So I didn’t know what to expect being a virgin to the genre, but I had a blast reading this, what a crazy ride. It’s like Morrison sent out a Halloween invitation to the world to come party with him inside his mind. So you show up, cause you’re down for a new experience. The main entrance to his mind is straight into a corn maze, miles and miles and miles into the dark abyss of night. But everyone loves a corn maze right? Pfft… so you go in. About halfway through you come to a blockade in this maze. A masked man bathed in blood stands there. You are a little taken back, but you can’t hide your excitement. Life has been so stale lately, after all. He hands you a bloodied bat like the one outta The Walking Dead and simply says, “Welcome to the real maze. Good luck making it out.” That's what reading this book was like.
Read the book, just ya know, enter at your own risk.
This author is WILD! This was my 2nd splatterpunk experience, after Eric LaRocca, who I fell in love with. So I didn’t know what to expect being a virgin to the genre, but I had a blast reading this, what a crazy ride. It’s like Morrison sent out a Halloween invitation to the world to come party with him inside his mind. So you show up, cause you’re down for a new experience. The main entrance to his mind is straight into a corn maze, miles and miles and miles into the dark abyss of night. But everyone loves a corn maze right? Pfft… so you go in. About halfway through you come to a blockade in this maze. A masked man bathed in blood stands there. You are a little taken back, but you can’t hide your excitement. Life has been so stale lately, after all. He hands you a bloodied bat like the one outta The Walking Dead and simply says, “Welcome to the real maze. Good luck making it out.” That's what reading this book was like.
Read the book, just ya know, enter at your own risk.
June 22, 2021
What a bizarre reading experience. The main character, a janitor at a hospital, loves sexual intercourse with dead women. His "girlfriend" Helen, head of maternity ward, eats dead or aborted babies. The situation changes when Helen becomes pregnant by her friend. Will the new situation change their strange lives? What about the strange salesman the main character meets in a seedy bar? This is one the sickest and most disgusting books I came across for quite a while. But even though many scenes were gross, the main characters weird, and the whole setting utterly depraved I enjoyed the excellent prose and couldn't put the book down. Do those characters develop? What about social criticism and philosophy in general? An extremely well written and intriguing book. Definitely not for the faint hearted. But if you can stand some extreme horror definitely worth a glance. To me absolutely captivating and fresh!
June 6, 2025
Too warm.
Too wet.
Too alive.
That’s how I would describe her mouth.
Ever so once in a while, I like getting into a new author and book without any (or the most minimal at least) form of background info check like reading the blurb or reviews.
This precious find makes it all worth it. I love a well written piece. Whether it is a writing on the philosophy of physics, a bleak and joyless monologue on existentialism or something from the protagonist about his preference for coupling with cadavers rather than living flesh, I demand to be plucked outta my mind and transported along on the author's ship-of-the-imagination.
Chandler Morrison is able and capable and just when complacency sets in and you think that the highlight of the grotesqueness and grossness is past, wham!, he hits you with more disgust. Donald Ray Pollock describes his writing in the blurb as "... visceral and uncompromising" and I wholeheartedly agree.
His humor is subtle and had me smiling to myself many times before disembarkation.
Morbidly mesmerizing and highly recommended for those with the rare high threshold for the macabre.
2022 Read
Too wet.
Too alive.
That’s how I would describe her mouth.
Ever so once in a while, I like getting into a new author and book without any (or the most minimal at least) form of background info check like reading the blurb or reviews.
This precious find makes it all worth it. I love a well written piece. Whether it is a writing on the philosophy of physics, a bleak and joyless monologue on existentialism or something from the protagonist about his preference for coupling with cadavers rather than living flesh, I demand to be plucked outta my mind and transported along on the author's ship-of-the-imagination.
Chandler Morrison is able and capable and just when complacency sets in and you think that the highlight of the grotesqueness and grossness is past, wham!, he hits you with more disgust. Donald Ray Pollock describes his writing in the blurb as "... visceral and uncompromising" and I wholeheartedly agree.
His humor is subtle and had me smiling to myself many times before disembarkation.
Okay, before I go on, I should warn you that this next part is what most people would consider to be gross or appalling. If you were expecting fifty shades of softcore mommy porn, you’re going to be disappointed.This story is short being a novella and totally entertaining. We follow an unnamed narrator as he goes about explaining and indulging in his unconventional proclivities and then he meets a girl...thus the story begins, but rest assured, this is unlike any love story you've ever come across. This is a nightmare made tangible both to the protagonist and the reader.
Consider this your goddamn trigger warning.
Morbidly mesmerizing and highly recommended for those with the rare high threshold for the macabre.
“Get ready,” I whisper to her, my voice quavering. I feel like all the blood in my body has rushed into my groin, and there’s an undeniable magnetism between our genitalia, pulling me toward her, beckoning me into her. I spread her legs a little wider and mount her, groaning as I slide myself into the cold dryness of her unlubricated vaginal canal. Gripping the sides of the icy metal table, eyes crawling over her gorgeously ravaged body, I begin to thrust.
2022 Read
September 2, 2021
Splatterpunk doesn't bother me at all, but being stuck inside the head of a college aged edgelord is my definition of true horror.
April 30, 2024
Over the years, books have told us not to mention things like Fight Club and He Who Shall Not Be Named, while movies have graciously reminded us not to cross the streams and to never create time machines that feed on plutonium.
Well, add Dead Inside to that never-remind or mention list because it is just about the most depraved thing I have ever set my eyes on.
You might be asking yourself what this is about, and well, I would usually write some sort of synopsis, but it's quite literally impossible without possibly being banned from the platform. So instead, I’ll just dance around some themes.
Let’s begin by talking about art for a second. Remember the scene in Tim Burton’s Batman where the Joker looks through Vale’s photography portfolio and says it’s crap until he sees some of her more disturbing pictures of war? Jokers eyes light up, and he is drawn to her, even though his perception of reality and Vales could not be more different. Well, what if they were the same? What if Vale was into the Jokers homicidal art and the person behind the makeup? Not only that, but what if she wanted to participate? More omelets would be made, and many more eggs would be broken.
This is all a roundabout way of saying I get what the author was going for. It’s sick and twisted, but there is a semblance of a crazed love story wrapped up in an extreme tapestry of vile unconformity. The characters do not suppress their impulses; they embrace them. I took it in as humor/dark satire (almost like an extended Onion article) and was actually laughing quite a bit. It reminds us that not everyone in this world is the same or has similar tastes, outlooks on life, or desires. For every prominently framed Van Gogh Starry Night in a house, there is someone out there with a Saturn by Goya. Tomayto, tomahto.
The writing was quite good and there are literary references that wink at the reader, music selections that were just down-right funny used in their context, and a few ideas plucked from a few modern French horror movies, albeit taken to a whole different stratosphere.
Overall, you know how boxers say they left a piece of themselves in the ring after a tough fight? Well, I had a similar thought when I made it to the last page. Just trade out the loss of brain cells for the loss of sanity. 😐
Sidenote: This book is no sunshine and rainbows / No single trigger warning is left unturned / Please do not take my rating as a recommendation / Stay away.
🎵| Soundtrack |🎵
❖ Insomnium - Heart Like A Grave
❖ Enslaved – Fires In The Dark
❖ Pyramaze – Disciples of the Sun
❖ Amorphis – The Moon
⭐ | Rating | ⭐
❖ 4 out of 5 ❖
Well, add Dead Inside to that never-remind or mention list because it is just about the most depraved thing I have ever set my eyes on.
You might be asking yourself what this is about, and well, I would usually write some sort of synopsis, but it's quite literally impossible without possibly being banned from the platform. So instead, I’ll just dance around some themes.
Let’s begin by talking about art for a second. Remember the scene in Tim Burton’s Batman where the Joker looks through Vale’s photography portfolio and says it’s crap until he sees some of her more disturbing pictures of war? Jokers eyes light up, and he is drawn to her, even though his perception of reality and Vales could not be more different. Well, what if they were the same? What if Vale was into the Jokers homicidal art and the person behind the makeup? Not only that, but what if she wanted to participate? More omelets would be made, and many more eggs would be broken.
This is all a roundabout way of saying I get what the author was going for. It’s sick and twisted, but there is a semblance of a crazed love story wrapped up in an extreme tapestry of vile unconformity. The characters do not suppress their impulses; they embrace them. I took it in as humor/dark satire (almost like an extended Onion article) and was actually laughing quite a bit. It reminds us that not everyone in this world is the same or has similar tastes, outlooks on life, or desires. For every prominently framed Van Gogh Starry Night in a house, there is someone out there with a Saturn by Goya. Tomayto, tomahto.
The writing was quite good and there are literary references that wink at the reader, music selections that were just down-right funny used in their context, and a few ideas plucked from a few modern French horror movies, albeit taken to a whole different stratosphere.
Overall, you know how boxers say they left a piece of themselves in the ring after a tough fight? Well, I had a similar thought when I made it to the last page. Just trade out the loss of brain cells for the loss of sanity. 😐
Sidenote: This book is no sunshine and rainbows / No single trigger warning is left unturned / Please do not take my rating as a recommendation / Stay away.
🎵| Soundtrack |🎵
❖ Insomnium - Heart Like A Grave
❖ Enslaved – Fires In The Dark
❖ Pyramaze – Disciples of the Sun
❖ Amorphis – The Moon
⭐ | Rating | ⭐
❖ 4 out of 5 ❖
July 22, 2022
I DON'T KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT THIS?
NEED SOME TIME TO THINK.
(all caps show my mind is really fucked rn)
NEED SOME TIME TO THINK.
(all caps show my mind is really fucked rn)
January 19, 2022
Jesus Christ! This book was horribly good. I loved the writing style and I laughed out loud many times. That last sentence. I’m DEAD. 🤣
I’m going straight to Hell.
I’m going straight to Hell.
November 23, 2023
I'm putting this whole review in spoiler tags, I didn't really think of what could be a spoiler or not while writing it though I think no spoiler I give can spoil your read nor prepare you for what you are about to read. I loved this book, I initially gave four stars but while writing the review I decided to up it.
July 24, 2023
Well! I don't know where to start with this one...or finish come to that...
All I can say is I've read many many extreme horror books over the years and this is the first one that I went to bed thinking about...
I woke up in the morning thinking about...
And I walked about all day thinking about...
This book will stay with me for a very very long time...
If not forever!!
A very dark,disturbing,shocking and disgusting read...with a smack of an ending I didn't see coming right at me!!
I loved this book even though it did make me want to wash my brain in disinfectant...
Chandler Morrison your mind is in the gutter...but please never take it out!! This book was brilliant!
5 WELL DESERVED STARS FROM ME.
All I can say is I've read many many extreme horror books over the years and this is the first one that I went to bed thinking about...
I woke up in the morning thinking about...
And I walked about all day thinking about...
This book will stay with me for a very very long time...
If not forever!!
A very dark,disturbing,shocking and disgusting read...with a smack of an ending I didn't see coming right at me!!
I loved this book even though it did make me want to wash my brain in disinfectant...
Chandler Morrison your mind is in the gutter...but please never take it out!! This book was brilliant!
5 WELL DESERVED STARS FROM ME.
May 10, 2021
Audio - 5 Stars
Story - 3 Stars???
This book pushed boundaries.
Story - 3 Stars???
This book pushed boundaries.
April 17, 2025
Not for the faint of heart. I'm torn with regard to what I just read. At one level it's so stupid that I have trouble buying into the premise. I mean the main character whose name we never find out as the story is told from his perspective is a necrophiliac. I will simply refer to him as our guy for the purpose of this review. He works as hospital security in Cleveland, has access to the hospital morgue and can easily get away with his thing, necrophilia, which I can buy into. He appears to never have anything to do at the hospital in relation to his job which if you ever worked in a hospital is quite the stretch - having little to do security wise. Security at a hospital can be insane as I know from personal experience, especially if there is a psyche ward.
One night though his nothingness hits the fan as a wife loses her child during delivery and the dad goes nuts along the lines of a murder suicide so they can all be a family together in the afterlife. Sad so many think that way isn't it? During the melee our man notices a doctor fixated on the dead baby. Our guy is so detached of the real world and into death big time. He hates the living and the real world around him. He usually hates women (only loves dead ones, lol) but he somehow connects with this doctor. The police come deal with what transpired in this scene but the next night our guy starts to follow the doctor via the monitors he controls through security.
Our guy watches her go into the morgue area of the hospital and wonders what she is up to. He decides to find out and what he discovers is her naked on a sheet eating the baby that never lived from the previous night. I was stunned! We then learn this is her thing and our guy is quite ok with it so her secret is safe. To me when our doctor (Helen) explains how she has been eating aborted fetus' from the abortion clinics she runs and how she gets away with it all - well I just had a hard time buying in and for those who have read any of my reviews I think we can all admit I may be a tad too forgiving when buying into certain fictional scenarios. I mean you have to be forgiving when it comes to the fact that we are dealing with fiction yet the best fiction is more or less a reality based one isn't it? I mean if it's not fiction it's reality and that sells the best. Again a doctor who continually gets away with eating babies and fetus' - well c'mon man, REALLY????
So our guy and Helen form a bond. Our guy doesn't really want that bond but is drawn by her. One night Helen wants to show him how she does her thing. She takes him to one of her clinics and what transpires is one of the rarest forms of literature I have experienced. So fn sick yet so fn original. I'll leave at that in case any like minded weirdo wants to read this book for themselves.
So is it love ever after for these two psycho's or does something get in their way? I have to admit that I cleary saw part of the ending happening - it wasn't hard to fit the pieces together. Yet our guy never did which wasn't too good for him (I think). The main part of the ending though did surprise me.
I have to admit though that this book captivated me. I read it in two days though its only 160 pages. Parts of it are so very funny especially because it's told in the first person and our guy has no issue poking fun at himself because he knows he and later Helen are not normal. It was likely by design that there are so many humorous parts as well
Overall though I think I would have chosen a different fetish for Helen though I have no idea what that fetish would be. The necrophilia works for me but the baby/fetus cannibalism - yeah I just don't think so!! I'll rate this a 7/10 though so that's higher than the three GR stars. I also would read another of this author's book as it is well written and he clearly has an outside of the box mind. Clearly though I think I may have given a bit too much away but there is lots that I haven't. Read at your own risk :)
One night though his nothingness hits the fan as a wife loses her child during delivery and the dad goes nuts along the lines of a murder suicide so they can all be a family together in the afterlife. Sad so many think that way isn't it? During the melee our man notices a doctor fixated on the dead baby. Our guy is so detached of the real world and into death big time. He hates the living and the real world around him. He usually hates women (only loves dead ones, lol) but he somehow connects with this doctor. The police come deal with what transpired in this scene but the next night our guy starts to follow the doctor via the monitors he controls through security.
Our guy watches her go into the morgue area of the hospital and wonders what she is up to. He decides to find out and what he discovers is her naked on a sheet eating the baby that never lived from the previous night. I was stunned! We then learn this is her thing and our guy is quite ok with it so her secret is safe. To me when our doctor (Helen) explains how she has been eating aborted fetus' from the abortion clinics she runs and how she gets away with it all - well I just had a hard time buying in and for those who have read any of my reviews I think we can all admit I may be a tad too forgiving when buying into certain fictional scenarios. I mean you have to be forgiving when it comes to the fact that we are dealing with fiction yet the best fiction is more or less a reality based one isn't it? I mean if it's not fiction it's reality and that sells the best. Again a doctor who continually gets away with eating babies and fetus' - well c'mon man, REALLY????
So our guy and Helen form a bond. Our guy doesn't really want that bond but is drawn by her. One night Helen wants to show him how she does her thing. She takes him to one of her clinics and what transpires is one of the rarest forms of literature I have experienced. So fn sick yet so fn original. I'll leave at that in case any like minded weirdo wants to read this book for themselves.
So is it love ever after for these two psycho's or does something get in their way? I have to admit that I cleary saw part of the ending happening - it wasn't hard to fit the pieces together. Yet our guy never did which wasn't too good for him (I think). The main part of the ending though did surprise me.
I have to admit though that this book captivated me. I read it in two days though its only 160 pages. Parts of it are so very funny especially because it's told in the first person and our guy has no issue poking fun at himself because he knows he and later Helen are not normal. It was likely by design that there are so many humorous parts as well
Overall though I think I would have chosen a different fetish for Helen though I have no idea what that fetish would be. The necrophilia works for me but the baby/fetus cannibalism - yeah I just don't think so!! I'll rate this a 7/10 though so that's higher than the three GR stars. I also would read another of this author's book as it is well written and he clearly has an outside of the box mind. Clearly though I think I may have given a bit too much away but there is lots that I haven't. Read at your own risk :)
January 9, 2021
I walk back to the living room and pick up my discarded shirt, taking my cigarettes out of the pocket and lighting one. I sit on the couch and look at the savage, grisly scene before me, and I try to think of how someone normal would react to it.
I guess I’m about to find out.
I guess I’m about to find out.
February 11, 2023
If only she were dead.
None of this would be an issue.
But she isn't.
She's alive.
And something has happened—is happening—and it terrifies me.
Let's go ahead and address the obvious: this book is hyped as an incredibly fucked up, extreme horror story, and it definitely fits the bill when it comes to depravity. The main character's necrophilia is on full display from the beginning, but we also delve into some scenes of cannibalism, pedophilia, and glorification of rape. Morrison doesn't hold back from the messy details in any way, so this isn't a book I'd recommend to anyone who isn't already accustomed to extreme horror.
All of that said, something about the detached and repetitive nature of the narrative voice made even the most disgusting and graphic scene in this book fall short of actually affecting me. I thought based on the hype that this would be the rare book that would be "too much", but honestly, I frequently found myself bored and wishing for the story to end.
I feel bad giving this such a harsh review, but I have to say my piece: the main character is so focused on being as much of an antisocial edgelord as he possibly can be, it overshadows the gruesomeness of the entire plot. I'm not saying I needed him to feel guilty or be less of a "monster", I just needed him to stop devoting his entire life to impressing 14-year-old white boys on reddit.
I see a lot of people saying Morrison's writing is brilliant and unique because all of this is intended as satire, and maybe that's true and I'm the one who's missing something here, but either way, Dead Inside didn't work for me, and not for the reasons I expected. I'm glad it's such a successful and harrowing novella for so many other people, but given that my issues with this story were so similar to my issues with the last Chandler Morrison novella I read, I'm thinking it's time to accept that his writing isn't for me.
Also, the character who talks about how much she loved being raped at 7 years old? That entire segment made my eyes nearly roll out of my skull.
✨ Content warnings for:
—⿒⿒
| | |
July 2, 2020
4.5 stars!
Hmm...what to say about Chandler Morrison’s DEAD INSIDE? Well, the writing is phenomenal. Top notch, compulsive storytelling, character building, and vivid imagery. Morrison is an untouchable genius writing about a taboo subject, gore, and deplorable characters. There’s imagery that is way over the line and that I can never “unsee” no matter how hard I try. We follow two people that find each other despite their gross idiosyncrasies - so at the heart of it, it’s a love story.
Is this book excellent?...YES. If you know anything about me as a reader, you know I can read almost any subject and, as long as the writing is done well, I usually love it. Can I always recommend it?...NO. This is an “enter at your own risk” situation. There are scenes in this story that are crazy disturbing and beyond disgusting. So why did I continue to read it? Again, I tip my hat to the genius of Chandler Morrison.
Hmm...what to say about Chandler Morrison’s DEAD INSIDE? Well, the writing is phenomenal. Top notch, compulsive storytelling, character building, and vivid imagery. Morrison is an untouchable genius writing about a taboo subject, gore, and deplorable characters. There’s imagery that is way over the line and that I can never “unsee” no matter how hard I try. We follow two people that find each other despite their gross idiosyncrasies - so at the heart of it, it’s a love story.
Is this book excellent?...YES. If you know anything about me as a reader, you know I can read almost any subject and, as long as the writing is done well, I usually love it. Can I always recommend it?...NO. This is an “enter at your own risk” situation. There are scenes in this story that are crazy disturbing and beyond disgusting. So why did I continue to read it? Again, I tip my hat to the genius of Chandler Morrison.
November 25, 2022
I feel like there wasn't much of a storyline to this, it's one of those extreme horror novels that are written just to shock and disgust the reader.
The writing was pretty good though and I liked the first person narrative.
I just felt like it was written for shock values sake.
Certainly not for the faint of heart. 🤢
The writing was pretty good though and I liked the first person narrative.
I just felt like it was written for shock values sake.
Certainly not for the faint of heart. 🤢
January 21, 2021
Ahhhhhhhhh*inhale*hhhhhhhhhh!
This hooked me! Included inside is everything I could ever want in a book.
Content aside, really well written. When I grow up I wanna write like this.
I'd say more about how I oddly relate to him, but I gotta go check the monitors.
So very highly recommend that I think it should be required reading for all.
Pretty likely this dude is my new favorite author
This hooked me! Included inside is everything I could ever want in a book.
Content aside, really well written. When I grow up I wanna write like this.
I'd say more about how I oddly relate to him, but I gotta go check the monitors.
So very highly recommend that I think it should be required reading for all.
Pretty likely this dude is my new favorite author
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