Poppy Z. Brite

[trentdick2882]

Was is everyone's opinion on Poppy Z. Brite. I read one of her books a while ago and wasn't that impressed. It was really gory and filled with sexual detail, so I guess if you want lots of that it would be good, but the storyline wasn't that great and it didn't flow very well.

[Gravity's End]

I'm actually inclined to like vampire stories, in spite of the overabundance of melodramatic drivel that has flooded the genre. So I picked up a Poppy Z. Brite and read a few pages, but I did not like the style, nor the storyline. This author is highly overrated in my opinion, but in fairness, I wasn't able to actually finish reading the book, so maybe I missed some flash of brilliance that was buried somewhere in the middle. But I don't think so...

[Spice]

Poppy is an online acquaintance of mine. I find her stories to be tough to read at times, and there are several short pieces that she's written, in her collection "Wormwood," that I found to be truly effective, but has a ridiculously loyal following, of which I am part.

She does what she sets out to do, I believe.

[Horrorfiend]

I really like her. I've read Exquisite Corpse, Drawing Blood, Lost Souls, and The Devil You Know. All great reads.

[FicusFan]

She is one of my favorite authors. One of the few I will shell out ridiculous bucks for those thin hardcovers.

I love her vampire book, Lost Souls the setting, and the story, the ambience, but mostly the characters and their relationship with each other. I have also read Triads, The Devil You Know and Wormwood. I still have about 4 of her horror books to read: Exquisite Corpse, Are You Loathsome Tonight, Wrong Things, and Drawing Blood - if only I could find them in my apartment

She has recently gone to writing non-horror stories set in the real world and I love those too. I have read the short story collection: The Value of X, and the 2 novels: Liquor and Prime. Ricky and G-Man are almost as yummy as Steve and Ghost. If only she would write faster.

[Spice]

It's funny, I feel almost defensive when I speak about Poppy, as if I've known her all my life, and we've only been acquaintances for about 5 years. Still, I am defensive of her. And Caitlin R Kiernan. I've known her online for the same amount of time, but somehow I find myself being twice as protective of her works.

I must need a life.

Ficus, you sound familiar. Did you used to post on Poppy's phorum?

[FicusFan]

No, never been there. Visited her blog once, but that was it. Not really a blog person.

[Spice]

I find the blogs are interesting. Just a personal thing, I guess.

[Horrorfiend]

Ficus, you'll really enjoy Drawing Blood and Exquisite Corpse. The Devil You Know was pretty good but the stories were too short.

[FicusFan]

I don't really like the short form at all - because no matter how long, it isn't long enough. But sometimes it is all you can get.

[trentdick2882]

I may have to try reading another of her books, I'm sure my reading tastes have changed alot since I originally posted this. Maybe once I get done reading all the books I'm assigning my 11th graders. (first year of teaching, ack!)

[poppy sucks]

This poppy z. brite person is one helluva poor author. I just finished her book of short "Stories" wormwood and was mistified at it's brutal style. her stories are firstly not scary secondly her half ass attempt to icorporate these two dimensional "gay" characters just furthers the garbage blocking any semblince of a storyline. She should have never written a book, the world would be alot better.

[Spice]

I must defend Poppy from this injustice. I am pleased that you are sharing your personal beliefs, but where you and I differ is that her brutal style oif writing is exactly what it is supposed to be, horror. I have read far too many of her books and short stories and have talked to her enough, via the Internet, to know that she is an immensely talented writer who has gone through some seriously life altering horror stories of her own, lately.

Please be kind to her. She deserves it. And her writing, in my opinion, doesn't suck.

I don't care what you may think of me, but I will defend those I care for.

[Randy M.]

Originally Posted by poppy sucks

This poppy z. brite person is one helluva poor author. I just finished her book of short "Stories" wormwood and was mistified at it's brutal style. her stories are firstly not scary secondly her half ass attempt to icorporate these two dimensional "gay" characters just furthers the garbage blocking any semblince of a storyline. She should have never written a book, the world would be alot better.

I've only read Wormwood and about half of Are You Loathsome Tonight? and find her a writer of compelling short stories.

Remember, Wormwood contains a good deal of early work, essentially her apprentice writing as she learned her craft. It's pretty easy to tell that, for instance, "His Mouth Will Taste of Wormwood" or "Calcutta, Lord of Pain" are the work of a more mature writer than some of the stories at the beginning.

Personally, I find her style fluid and engaging, her story choices interesting and her characters compelling. Wormwood is one of my favorite collections in the genre.


Randy M.

[FicusFan]

Originally Posted by poppy sucks

This poppy z. brite person is one helluva poor author. I just finished her book of short "Stories" wormwood and was mistified at it's brutal style. her stories are firstly not scary secondly her half ass attempt to icorporate these two dimensional "gay" characters just furthers the garbage blocking any semblince of a storyline. She should have never written a book, the world would be alot better.

Well I don't know her even in a cyber-sense, I do however love her work, and have read a great deal of it from her short stories to her horror novels to her recent fiction set in the real world. Certainly her work has improved as her experience and skill level has increased.

I find her a gifted author who writes in a very smooth fashion. She creates wonderful characters and never fails to tell a compelling story. I am not sure what your comment about ‘gay’ characters means. Are you saying you think that she has not portrayed gays properly, or are you saying there shouldn’t be gays in stories ? I don’t think either objection holds water.

You may not like her books, and you certainly have that right, but I must say that it is in very poor taste to call yourself Poppy Sucks, post one time, and attack her writing skills in what can only be charitably called gibberish. I suspect you have an agenda which has nothing to do with reading or writing.