Mama's Boy by Fran Friel

[jennifer_brozek]

I won this book from the Apex Book Company raffle. Fran Friel is a new-to-me author and one for me to look for in the future. I really liked her story collection filled with dark tales set both in hard reality and soft fantasy. Several of the stories based around a mother's love for her son and keeping him safe, helping him grow up and/or teaching him stretch the concept of "mother," "love" and "son." The relationship, however it is created, is paramount and powerful, lending a sense of emotional density that touches the reader. This collection of short stories runs the emotional gamut from touching and sweet to cruel, sadistic and horrific. There are moments of hilarity that made me ashamed for laughing because what I had just read wasn't funny – but it was. I very much enjoyed it and will look for more stuff by Fran Friel in the future. I highly recommend Mama's Boy for anyone who likes dark, twisted tales.

Comments

[franfriel.livejournal.com]

Jennifer - Thank you so much for the very kind review. I'm so glad you enjoyed the collection. And you really made me think--I never got the connection that quite a number of the stories were mother/son related. I saw some other threads, but thanks so much for helping me see what was right under my nose all along.

With Gratitude,
Fran

PS - I'm a little ashamed for the not-supposed-to-be funny bits, too...but I so enjoyed writing them. ;-)

[franfriel.livejournal.com]

Dang, what a nice thing to say. Thank you!

[jennifer-brozek.livejournal.com]

You are welcome. Sometimes, horrific things are funny. We horror authors just can't help ourselves when we read or write it.