Disturbing books like Perfume by Patrick Suskind

[kostiik]

I am usually a slow reader, but I just finished Perfume by Patrick Suskind in one sitting. I am looking for a similar book, but my main condition is that it is very disturbing but also well written.

Spoiler:

My favorite part was when he killed the first girl and smelled every inch of her body, I am looking for something erotic like that.

The more messed up the better. Nothing is off-limits content-wise, but I would rather have a less disturbing book with great writing, characters, and story than a more disturbing book with mediocre writing. This might be asking too much but I would also like it to be a very unique book like Perfume is, not just another murder mystery or something like that.

TLDR: disturbing, erotic, unique

[poohbear_nc]

Chelsea Cain's Archie Sheridan and Gretchen Lowell series is quite disturbing --beginning with Heartsick

Very well written and compulsively readable.

[poohbear_nc]

David Peace's Red Riding Trilogy (1974, 1980, 1983) is also quite disturbing - and well written.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by kostiik

...my main condition is that it is very disturbing but also well written.

I wouldn't consider it erotic, but the one book I couldn't finish because I found it too disturbing is Joe R. Lansdale's The Nightrunners. Joe is a VERY good writer, but the book was just too dark for me. I bailed out about two thirds in. Surprisingly, it doesn't look like there's an ebook available.

Another book that I've heard is extremely disturbing, though I haven't read it yet is The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum. And that one is available as an ebook.

I haven't read Perfume, so I can't say how my recommendations compare.

[Dr. Drib]

I have a First Edition paperback of "The Nightrunners" in storage and, although I have yet to read this particular title, I've read quite a number of titles by him, since early on we both appeared in Eldritch Tales together. He's a wonderful writer; and in fact, I would say he is great writer.

I was surprised to find, when doing additional research for this post, that he (like me) was published by Beeline Books - a porn publisher from the 60s - 80s (?). Apparently, they published his very first title, one that saw print in 1982 under a pseudonym.

I was looking on calibre to find out if I had this title as an ebook - and I do! I probably obtained it back in 2002/2003, back when I had a PDA and was reading .Lit files while sitting comfortably in Borders and drinking cappuccinos.

I'm also a fan of Jack Ketchum. I read "The Girl Next Door" back when it first came out. From what I remember (but not much), it was a chilling read. I remember that it had my complete attention. I need to go back and re-read it and see if it has the same effect.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

I have a First Edition paperback of "The Nightrunners" in storage and, although I have yet to read this particular title, I've read quite a number of titles by him, since early on we both appeared in Eldritch Tales together. He's a wonderful writer; and in fact, I would say he is great writer.

Dr. have you watched the Hap and Leonard TV series? It's available streaming on Netflix in the US. Ran for three six episode seasons, each season adapted one Hap and Leonard novel. I'd highly recommend it.

From Lansdale, I've read The Drive-In and The Drive-In 2 and the first Hap and Leonard book, Savage Season and various comics work (he did some Jonah Hex miniseries that were terrific).

I'm also a fan of Jack Ketchum. I read "The Girl Next Door" back when it first came out. From what I remember (but not much), it was a chilling read. I remember that it had my complete attention. I need to go back and re-read it and see if it has the same effect.

From Ketchum, I've only read Off Season, which I enjoyed. I want to read The Girl Next Door, but I just don't know if I want to put myself through it, you know?

[Dr. Drib]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Dr. have you watched the Hap and Leonard TV series? It's available streaming on Netflix in the US. Ran for three six episode seasons, each season adapted one Hap and Leonard novel. I'd highly recommend it.

From Lansdale, I've read The Drive-In and The Drive-In 2 and the first Hap and Leonard book, Savage Season and various comics work (he did some Jonah Hex miniseries that were terrific).



From Ketchum, I've only read Off Season, which I enjoyed. I want to read The Girl Next Door, but I just don't know if I want to put myself through it, you know?

I read Lansdale's Drive-in books when they first came out. They are hilarious! I have an original paperback in storage (mint condition) and also the ebook.

I don't have the Hap and Leonard book and have not read it. I have yet to read any comics (from anyone) in years.

What do you recommend?

I like Ketchum. I think he's a good writer, but he's very realistic in his 'gruesomeness'.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

I don't have the Hap and Leonard book and have not read it. I have yet to read any comics (from anyone) in years.

What do you recommend?

Joe and artist Tim Truman teamed up to do a couple of adult Jonah Hex weird westerns in the '90's. This have been collected as Jonah Hex: Shadows West. I'd recommend that.

[Dr. Drib]

OK, thanks. When it drops in price, I'll take a look at it.

[HLS]

Exquisite Corpse is kinda F'ed up. A good book by Poppy Z Brite. Gutshot By Amelia Grey ( I think that's her name) Is bizzare. Short stories 3 or 4 pages each most are disturbing, some mind benders and some leave you asking WTF?

The book that really disturbed me the most is The Troop by Nick Cutter. Horror novel. I thought I was numb to horror till this one. Its very good and well written