Terra Insanus

Warning: I'm a big Edward Lee fan so this review may not be totally objective. This short collection gives a good overview of various kinds of stories that Mr. Lee is known for. "The Stick Woman" is dark, bleak, and over-the-top disgusting. "The Sea-Slop Thing" gives the lighter side of the gross-out and contains some of the author's trademark explicit and unnatural sex scenes. What really got me excited about Terra Insanus are the reprints of the hard to find linked stories "Sh*t-house" and "The Ushers." These pieces are not typical of Edward Lee, but they seem to be his most personal. These angry and nihilistic stream-of-consciousness tales are just as effective and unsettling as when I first read them years ago. Unfortunately they have been updated a bit with some modern references (I hate when authors feel they have to do this), but they have lost none of their impact. Obviously fans will be getting this regardless, but new readers should do themselves a favor and discover the different facets of a modern master of horror. 5 stars (obviously!).

Edward Lee's latest collection from the good people at Deadite Press is a slim book including only 4 stories. The first is the notoriously bleak and extreme 'Stick Woman', previously only found in John Pelan's Darkside anthology.  This story has gained quite a following from hardcore fans and for good reason too...this one is rough. The next two are reprints from Lee's first collection, The Ushers published in 1999 from Obsidian Press.  Now these 2 are a bit different than most of the authors stories.  The first, '"Dookie"-House' is more of an assortment of thoughts and venting that soon reach a feverous and frantic end.  The bottom line?  The world is a "dookie"-house.  The followup story is 'The Ushers' which is sort of a continuation of the previous one but this time it looks closer at the writer himself instead of other people.  It's weird but also interesting as it gives glimpses into the groundwork of the Infernal series.  And for those of you that don't really care for these stories, read the story notes in The Ushers collection.  Gives a little insight that may shock you.The final story is 'The Sea-Slop Thing' which is a brand new unpublished story!  It's a fun over-the-top, sexually charged story where a... well, an easily aroused woman comes face to uhh...genitals with a telepathic sea creature blob that eats people and then poops out gold.  Hey, it does have a happy ending and it's nice to see the author having fun with this one.All in all, Terra Insanus is a neat little collection.  Sure, it could have been a better group of stories with more of a theme.  And it could also of have more stories included to thicken the book up more but whatever, it's a great entry for Edward Lee fans everywhere trying to get their hands on everything they can find.

I have read reviews saying that this isn't for the weak or easily offended. Those are half right. It would be better to say this doesn't just push the limits of good taste, it also pushes the boundaries of bad taste to far. So only the most hardened reader will not stop and cringe at this book. I am a fan of Edward Lee. I like to test myself a see just how far is to far. This book or more specifically sick woman reaches that point for me. Now there are spoilers here, but literally only for the first couple of pages. The first story starts off with a man telling his wife she will be used as his toilet paper. Not to far, then it tells how he convinces her. By showing snuff and rape tapes of little kids. That right there is where I had to stop.

Edward Lee Is Back With a Force Of Dark and Horrific Tales. This Book Is Horror For The Mind,and Darkness For The Soul. A Must Read For Edward Lee Fans,and Horror Fans Everywhere. The Stories Are These.1.The Stick Woman. 2.Shi#-House. 3.The Ushers. 4.The Sea-Slop Thing,"Appears In Print Here For First Time.I Enjoyed Reading These,and I Believe You Will Also.""A Mustread.""

If you are someone who gets easily offended by what you read then dont read this book.For those of you who like the graphic violence and demented then this book is great.I loved it.

Decent but far from his best. The Stick Woman was good. The next two were mediocre at best. Sea Slop was good.

Arrived quickly and as described.

This guy has a sick and twisted mind and i love it,not for the weak stomach or easily offended,Enjoy his latest offering