I ❤ Richard Laymon. I own ALL his novels & have most of his short stories. I've read & re-read him for many years. I love his simple style of writing, how you can relate to it - & how he can turn a normal everyday situation into a horrific adventure. The most painful thing for me is knowing that; since he passed away (R.I.P), I will never get to feel that eager excitement & anticipation of having a new & unread Laymon book to read, ever again ❤
I just finished this book and I have to agree. It’s very different from everything I’ve read so far. Although I’ve only read about 7 so far, but I recently purchased 15 or so of his books from a used bookstore, which I hope to read soon. I think he might be my favourite author, if not top 3.
I obviously respect anyone’s decision to not enjoy an author, but for me, several of Laymon’s works just feel so nostalgic. I love them. Is he a deep thinker when writing? Not really. Is his work particularly scary? No. But there’s something oddly familiar about it that draws me in. Particularly, The Traveling Vampire Show. Maybe it’s reminiscent of the puppy love I experienced as a teenager, mixed with the idea of horror being right around the corner from mischief we got into.. but then being something else. Ironically, I’m eating a cheeseburger as I’m writing this, albeit, without velveeta lol.
I graduated in 1988. Loved Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Clive Barker. I've read a good number of horror books. 9 Years ago, I wanted to write horror scripts and short stories. Many I wanted to sell on Amazon. Once I found Laymon, I was excited. I was like cool splatterpunk. To be honest, I liked a few of Laymon's books and that's it. Bently Little has a few good ones. As one who wanted to be a horror author, I have left it all behind me. I enjoy thrillers and good horror. Good horror barely exist.
This is definitely one of my least favorite entries by the author. I had eaten up some of his other work but i almost quit reading this one at least once. I remember skimming over the second half of the chapter dedicated to the prepping, grilling and eating of hamburgers once i realized nothing was going to happen. Gotta figure there wasn't a lot of competition for the Bram Stoker award that year
I’m reading Island by Laymon right now. Slightly better than some of his, but not much. I’ve read close to 10 of his novels and nothing has blown me away. The Cellar is by far the worst trash I’ve ever read.
I recently bought an old Richard Laymon book at a flee market, but haven't read it, nor any of his work before. I have heard some negatives about his work, such as what you spoke about here.
I have several of Laymon's books in my collection. I haven't read all of them yet and to be honest I probably will not. What I have read of his (The Cellar, Dark Mountain (which I think was aka Tread Softly), The Woods are Dark, Night in the Lonesome October) I did like, with the exception of Savage, which I DNF'D. I'm going to pass on The Traveling Vampire Show because it doesn't sound like one I would like. I for one don't mind the sexual content but I do understand where it would turn some people off. If this is your 4th time reading him and you still don't like him I'd say your wise to give up on him. Excellent review, excellent points. Sorry if this comment rambled.
Thanks for the comment John. Dark Mountain wasn't too terrible, and maybe I just kept picking out the wrong books by him, but I'm done giving him chances after this one lol. I would definitely advise skipping The Vampire Show
I agree with the summation of this book. However, I have read around twenty or so novels of his, and while a majority of them seem overly gratuitous in many areas, there's more of an intriguing and suspenseful aspect to them that is completely absent in this novel. Some people have the audacity to compare this novel to one of my favorite books of all time, Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury, and while to each their own, that is like comparing Gershwin to the Art of Noise, not trying to necessarily downgrade one artist from the other. I'm just saying they are on completely opposite ends of the spectrum. To end this rant, I like Laymon more than others, but this book was a let down for me.
The only Laymon book I ever really liked was "Endless Night," because it plays like the best '70s grindhouse horror that never got made. The rest of his work that I've read -- including "Travelling Vampire Show" -- were kind of meh.
i dint care for this one either. "come out tonight" is another im sure you wont like, it was another one with a girl making terrible choices that leave you thinking "wow really, that makes no sense". "The Glory Bus" and "The Stake" were two of his other books that went on and on and after i was done reading them i could not really remember to much about them
They are trashy horror books, like the literary equivalent of a slasher, an off brand slasher. They are not horrible, if you know what your expecting. I enjoyed them.
Richard Laymon books work better in audiobook form. Somehow the narrators infuse the characters of his books with more character then Laymon ever managed. Strange how that works.
Was Richard Laymon a good write…. No but he was a fun writer. I listen to this books on tape as a kid dad didn’t let me finish. This is different from his other books because this has atmosphere and description. I thought there was enough weird stuff going on in the 300 pages to keep my interest I hated Rusty’s sister.But I really liked the characters and story some parts felt like a Stephen King Book. The difference is King makes it look easy we’re Laymon shows the work that goes into it
They are the equivalent of mid 80s slasher B movies. The sexual stuff is often cringeworthy, bad (sometimes laughable which can be funny, most times insufferably bad). Breast fixation. It’s as if he were a sex starved nerd as a youth growing up and never got over it. His best ones are 3-4 stars, but not many in his catalogue. Savage is the one that is actually well written has a strong narrative with none of the negatives - his best. Flesh and a few others are decent but there are a couple I DNF’d because the characters were acting so stupidly, going into a bad situation that anyone with two brain cells would avoid. And apparently there are a couple novels with underage sex that he has the villain do to make him detestable but he lingers on the descriptions way way too much. Cringe again
I read three of Laymon's books, including this one, and I agree with your assessment. He's a quick read, and he has some decent ideas (his novel The Stake was a great idea), but his sexual fixation is creepy and wearisome. "Island" left me feeling like I needed a shower; it's worse than this one by a good bit.
I read 📖 vampire show years ago and as far as I can remember it wasn't bad. You should give Night of the lonesome October and Savage a read. Personally I thought they were fabulous reads
Laymon was more style over substance. You’re right about this book. I thought it was awful too. I read one of his called Bite. It was basically a short story stretched to absolute breaking point.
I almost picked up alot of his books when I was still buying books on impules. Glad I didn't now haha. Don't think he fits my tastes either from what u described about the refrigerator and opening jars Haha
I laughed when I saw the title of this video. Laymon is just so terrible, inexcusably so. I have read a few of his books… I’m not even sure why! They never got any better. They are always wretched in a specifically Laymon way.
I never finished Traveling Vampire Show. That thing DRRRAAAAAGGGGGED. I stopped right before they get to the show. Night in Lonesome October seems promising. It’s pretty creepy tbh but holy shit the main character, Ed, is annoying and kind of weird. Not likable tbh but it’s not a bad book so far. Definitely quite a bit of sex in it though.
I ❤ Richard Laymon. I own ALL his novels & have most of his short stories. I've read & re-read him for many years. I love his simple style of writing, how you can relate to it - & how he can turn a normal everyday situation into a horrific adventure. The most painful thing for me is knowing that; since he passed away (R.I.P), I will never get to feel that eager excitement & anticipation of having a new & unread Laymon book to read, ever again ❤
I love Laymon. I’ve read over 20 of his novels, he is my favorite author. Traveling Vampire Show is very different from most of his other books.
I just finished this book and I have to agree. It’s very different from everything I’ve read so far. Although I’ve only read about 7 so far, but I recently purchased 15 or so of his books from a used bookstore, which I hope to read soon. I think he might be my favourite author, if not top 3.
I obviously respect anyone’s decision to not enjoy an author, but for me, several of Laymon’s works just feel so nostalgic. I love them.
Is he a deep thinker when writing? Not really. Is his work particularly scary? No. But there’s something oddly familiar about it that draws me in. Particularly, The Traveling Vampire Show. Maybe it’s reminiscent of the puppy love I experienced as a teenager, mixed with the idea of horror being right around the corner from mischief we got into.. but then being something else.
Ironically, I’m eating a cheeseburger as I’m writing this, albeit, without velveeta lol.
I graduated in 1988. Loved Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Clive Barker. I've read a good number of horror books. 9 Years ago, I wanted to write horror scripts and short stories. Many I wanted to sell on Amazon.
Once I found Laymon, I was excited. I was like cool splatterpunk. To be honest, I liked a few of Laymon's books and that's it. Bently Little has a few good ones. As one who wanted to be a horror author, I have left it all behind me. I enjoy thrillers and good horror. Good horror barely exist.
This is definitely one of my least favorite entries by the author. I had eaten up some of his other work but i almost quit reading this one at least once. I remember skimming over the second half of the chapter dedicated to the prepping, grilling and eating of hamburgers once i realized nothing was going to happen. Gotta figure there wasn't a lot of competition for the Bram Stoker award that year
I’m reading Island by Laymon right now. Slightly better than some of his, but not much. I’ve read close to 10 of his novels and nothing has blown me away. The Cellar is by far the worst trash I’ve ever read.
Just read my first one....and I think you made some very good points just based on my limited experience!
I love the intro 😮 I am currently reading the book ( The Cellar ) my first book of his .
I recently bought an old Richard Laymon book at a flee market, but haven't read it, nor any of his work before. I have heard some negatives about his work, such as what you spoke about here.
I have several of Laymon's books in my collection. I haven't read all of them yet and to be honest I probably will not. What I have read of his (The Cellar, Dark Mountain (which I think was aka Tread Softly), The Woods are Dark, Night in the Lonesome October) I did like, with the exception of Savage, which I DNF'D. I'm going to pass on The Traveling Vampire Show because it doesn't sound like one I would like. I for one don't mind the sexual content but I do understand where it would turn some people off. If this is your 4th time reading him and you still don't like him I'd say your wise to give up on him. Excellent review, excellent points. Sorry if this comment rambled.
Thanks for the comment John. Dark Mountain wasn't too terrible, and maybe I just kept picking out the wrong books by him, but I'm done giving him chances after this one lol. I would definitely advise skipping The Vampire Show
@@Monsterblood Gotcha. I usually pick something to read by him maybe once or twice a year.
Poor laymon, first he died, and now this!
I agree with the summation of this book. However, I have read around twenty or so novels of his, and while a majority of them seem overly gratuitous in many areas, there's more of an intriguing and suspenseful aspect to them that is completely absent in this novel. Some people have the audacity to compare this novel to one of my favorite books of all time, Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury, and while to each their own, that is like comparing Gershwin to the Art of Noise, not trying to necessarily downgrade one artist from the other. I'm just saying they are on completely opposite ends of the spectrum. To end this rant, I like Laymon more than others, but this book was a let down for me.
Laymon - forever in our hearts❤
The only Laymon book I ever really liked was "Endless Night," because it plays like the best '70s grindhouse horror that never got made. The rest of his work that I've read -- including "Travelling Vampire Show" -- were kind of meh.
Hey yo, buddy I am back, ur special supporter is here! Took a break from youtube but back anyways legendary review my broda!
I hope you remember me?
Can't say that I do, sorry 😬
@@Monsterblood ok so go onto the vid of urs "The Troop-Nick Cutter Review" I hope then just something changes!
@@Monsterblood and also read tge comments!
He’s done with you too! Lol
i dint care for this one either. "come out tonight" is another im sure you wont like, it was another one with a girl making terrible choices that leave you thinking "wow really, that makes no sense". "The Glory Bus" and "The Stake" were two of his other books that went on and on and after i was done reading them i could not really remember to much about them
Haven't read this one yet but will be reading it. What's the "nipple" word count in this one? 😂 Dude was obsessed with writing about nipples.
Nipples? I thought he was obsessed with rumps! All kidding aside, I've been a fan of his since 1995 with The Stake
I think his best is Darkness, Tell Us imo. I haven’t read many of his but it sticks out to me the most.
They are trashy horror books, like the literary equivalent of a slasher, an off brand slasher. They are not horrible, if you know what your expecting. I enjoyed them.
Savage was great.
Richard Laymon books work better in audiobook form. Somehow the narrators infuse the characters of his books with more character then Laymon ever managed. Strange how that works.
I agree that he's not a horror novelist. He write horror themed erotica and gore.
Nice review man. I stopped reading Richard Laymon after this book too. It definitely doesn't feel like a horror book at all.
Read- those who wish me dead by koryta . If u like intensity by koontz
Was Richard Laymon a good write…. No but he was a fun writer. I listen to this books on tape as a kid dad didn’t let me finish. This is different from his other books because this has atmosphere and description. I thought there was enough weird stuff going on in the 300 pages to keep my interest I hated Rusty’s sister.But I really liked the characters and story some parts felt like a Stephen King Book. The difference is King makes it look easy we’re Laymon shows the work that goes into it
They are the equivalent of mid 80s slasher B movies. The sexual stuff is often cringeworthy, bad (sometimes laughable which can be funny, most times insufferably bad). Breast fixation. It’s as if he were a sex starved nerd as a youth growing up and never got over it. His best ones are 3-4 stars, but not many in his catalogue. Savage is the one that is actually well written has a strong narrative with none of the negatives - his best. Flesh and a few others are decent but there are a couple I DNF’d because the characters were acting so stupidly, going into a bad situation that anyone with two brain cells would avoid. And apparently there are a couple novels with underage sex that he has the villain do to make him detestable but he lingers on the descriptions way way too much. Cringe again
A few of his books even have sex starves nerds as the killer so that may be the case.
I read three of Laymon's books, including this one, and I agree with your assessment. He's a quick read, and he has some decent ideas (his novel The Stake was a great idea), but his sexual fixation is creepy and wearisome. "Island" left me feeling like I needed a shower; it's worse than this one by a good bit.
Laymon rocks. Better than King in my opinion.
The way Laymon writes is too simple. His books are long winded and contain a lot of unnecessary details as you mentioned.
I love Laymon’s simple writing style. The complete opposite of King, who I can’t stand.
@@Bloody-Butterfly Laymon's style isn't for me. King's horror stories are far better written.
@@filmfan9793 Yeah, some people like a fine wine (King) but some people would rather just have a Budweiser (Laymon).
I read 📖 vampire show years ago and as far as I can remember it wasn't bad. You should give Night of the lonesome October and Savage a read. Personally I thought they were fabulous reads
Savage was a great one with Jack the Ripper. I love how it started in England and epically ended in the Wild West.
Laymon was more style over substance. You’re right about this book. I thought it was awful too. I read one of his called Bite. It was basically a short story stretched to absolute breaking point.
I almost picked up alot of his books when I was still buying books on impules. Glad I didn't now haha. Don't think he fits my tastes either from what u described about the refrigerator and opening jars Haha
I laughed when I saw the title of this video. Laymon is just so terrible, inexcusably so. I have read a few of his books… I’m not even sure why! They never got any better. They are always wretched in a specifically Laymon way.
Did he write political speeches? Long boring and not too scarey.
i used to like your channel. but now i've watched every video all you do is criticise every book, i can't respect that
I never finished Traveling Vampire Show. That thing DRRRAAAAAGGGGGED. I stopped right before they get to the show. Night in Lonesome October seems promising. It’s pretty creepy tbh but holy shit the main character, Ed, is annoying and kind of weird. Not likable tbh but it’s not a bad book so far. Definitely quite a bit of sex in it though.