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Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “Dramatically improved stylistically from her first novel, Lost Souls, Poppy Z. Brite returns to the town of Missing Mile in this gen-x take on southern gothic fiction. The main characters are well-rounded, if a bit narcissistic, and the story (while dark and morbid) is woven with themes of hope,...” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“DRAWING BLOOD by Poppy Z. Brite has everything a great horror novel should have; likeable characters, excellent back story, a moody atmosphere, and a sense of reality, that of which is often missing in most books. The novel is shocking, exciting, erotic; it's so many things at once that it's hard to describe.
Kody Boye wrote this review 12 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
The novel opens up with the McGees ready to move to a new town. Bobby McGee is convinced that he can take his family further than the small town of Missing Mile, but ultimately fails to do so when the old car breaks down. So, after moving into a small house, life seems to start out normal enough. Little Trevor has discovered his love of drawing, which he's inherited from his father, his little brother is content with being a toddler, and Bobby's drawing while his wife works small jobs in town.
The day after Bobby tells Trevor he draws a mean junkie, the oldest child's world is torn apart. He wakes to find his mother and little brother dead, his father hanging by a rope in the bathroom.
Fast forward twenty years and we're introduced to a few other characters. Eddwina, or Eddy, a woman who works as a stripper down at the Pink Diamond; Zach, a young computer hacker who makes his money through theft and fraud; Kinsey, who is still haunted by what happened to the McGees, though is now running a bar called The Secret Yew; and, of course, our own Trevor. It immediately becomes apparent that Trevor and Zack are our main characters. Trevor's going back to Missing Mile because he's finally ready to face his past; Zach's running from the law after a friend messages him on a hacker`s forum saying `They`re on to you.'
Through an odd twist of fate, the two young men meet fall in love. Trevor learns of Zach's law troubles while Zach learns of Trevor's own, of the birdland that haunts the back of his lover's mind. And while Trevor is searching for the reason behind Bobby's murder-suicide mission, the pieces are slowly starting to piece together, especially when they're living in a house that's tasted blood.
DRAWING BLOOD was my first taste of Poppy's fiction, and I've enjoyed it immensely. It's been a long time since a novel has taken hold of me and literally forced me to keep reading. I would read for hours at a time, delving into the dark world that Poppy created in Missing Mile, North Carolina. The dark atmosphere and moody, disturbing story is appealing to any horror fan.
Those who are thinking of NOT reading this novel based on the gay element, you better change your mind. Yes, while there are gay men as the main characters, that doesn't distract from the story any. While some people may think that all gay men are the stereotypical flamboyant people that the media illustrates, Brite gives all of her characters personality, hopes, dreams, fears, and even dark nightmares.
This novel is definitely a must-read for any horror fan. The atmosphere is perfect, the story is chilling, and the characters are interesting enough to make you worry about them in ways that you don't normally worry about fictional people. Poppy really does an amazing job drawing you into her world and gluing you to it.”
“A book that, for me, is in between two entirely different phases of Brite's work. It's better than Lost Souls but not as good as Exquisite Corpse, the book that follows. ”
Jesse H wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Raw and wonderful. I have read and re-read and re-re-read this so many times and I always love it more for it. Beautiful characterization, amazing horror and the prose, as always, to die for. ”
Maru-Anne wrote this review Thursday, September 17 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“As much as sequel to Lost Souls as it isn't. Some characters show up again and the setting is the same - a lonesome, beautiful, terrifying place called Missing Mile.”
Sunshine Dust wrote this review Saturday, August 29 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Haunting and erotic.”
Jon wrote this review Monday, June 15 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“So good! Another fave!”
Heather M wrote this review Friday, June 12 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Robert McGee is a comic book artist that has lost his muse. While traveling the east coast with his family the car breaks down in Missing Mile, N.C. They rent a dilapidated house on Violin Street with the last of their money. Robert sinks into depression and the bottle. Trevor wakes up one morning to find his mother and little brother have been murdered by his father who then committed suicide. At the age of five Trevor has lost everything but the talent his father passed on to him. When he is 25 he returns to Missing Mile to confront his past.
rowanthea wrote this review Wednesday, June 10 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Zack is a 19 year old computer hacker who is wanted by the FBI. He hits the road and also ends up in Missing Mile. Zack doesn't trust anyone due to the abuse he received at the hands of both his parents.
These to damaged souls meet and for the first time they have a reason to live and love. They stay in the haunted house and work out their nightmares together.
There is a wonderful cast of characters that revolve around this story. I loved it.
*disclaimer* contains graphic violence, homosexual relationships, blood and gore, and people smoking ganja like cigarettes. If none of this bothers you it's a great read.”
“Another Poppy Z. Brite masterpiece! Brite far outshines other horror novelists, moving in to fill Anne Rice’s shoes as Queen of Darkness. Drawing Blood is an amazing novel and unlike anything I have ever read. While Brite’s style remains the same as her brilliant novel Lost Souls this book has a different flavor. There are definitely still supernatural elements in Drawing Blood but it also focuses more on the murder of Trevor McGee’s family at the hands of his father. Again I was drawn in by the characters and Brite’s outstanding voice. This book is not for the faint of heart but I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes horror novels!”
Mental Apparition wrote this review Sunday, April 12 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
