Book Review: Tales of Woe by John Reed

"True stories of totally undeserved suffering.
Spectacularly depressing.
Nobody gets their just desserts."

The world is a very imperfect place. For every success story, there are 1,000 more stories of failure that we never hear about. Rarely does reality ever let anyone live happily ever after or fulfill their lifelong dreams. It a sad fact, but a fact nonetheless. Those happy endings are reserved for the financially privileged and an extreme minority of lucky individuals. Happy endings for all only exist in Hollywood movies and literary works...except for this one, Tales of Woe by author John Reed (MTV Press).



Reed presents his readers with several independent stories of pain, suffering and heartache. All of which are completely uninvited and undeserved from each tale's affected victims. As you journey deeper and deeper into his book, each story seems to be even worse than the last. These tales will thrust you into a universe of sin, suffering, pain, dread, perversion, and depravity.

My professional background in television news has accustomed me to having my days and nights filled with hearing stories of sadness and grief. But even in that type of "leave your morals at the door" environment, the producers offer their viewing audience a few feel good news items to take the edge off their dose of tragedy. However, you will get no sort of ease from Reed. It is not his intention to do so. Toddlers, infants, children, teens, adults, the elderly...no one is off limits.



Even with an overlying theme of despair, each tale is unique. This allows the book to remain fresh and interesting to the reader. Some tales are longer than others and some provided some graphic artwork or some visual aid to help drive the piece. When I glance at one of the accompanying pieces of art work, it almost feels as if the story is a painting by Robert Williams that has been fleshed out into words. Each story has that type of feeling and I state that with the utmost compliment to Reed.



Nature gone wild, ghosts, zombie infestations, indestructible killers are all a part of the horror genre. They make for some good reading and fun in the one's horror. Tales of Woe delivers some real life horror and exposes us to the depravity existing in the world that we are fortunate enough not to experience.

This is kind of stuff that really gets under my skin and makes me look over my shoulder while I am in unprotected environments. These tales share the dark side of the world that exists where any one of these events can happen to anyone of us if we are unlucky enough. Think your day is bad? Read any one of these stories to make you feel that your life is perfect and carefree.

You will sympathize with lawbreakers when you learn why violent criminals should not share the same quarters with non-violent offenders in the segment Out of the Frying Pan, Into the Freezer and a Cold-Served Dish of Unjust Desert. You can see how a sunny, fun-filled day dedicated to happiness can turn into unexpected terror in the segment Art Attack. How about statutory rape sleepovers in the high esteemed Bucks County, PA in A Bee To the Honey-Slut?



Am I recommending this book? Absolutely and without any second guessing. If you like romance novels and happy endings, this might not be your cup of tea. If you are into horror, anthologies and want to read something different than the norm, hit your local Barnes & Noble or visit Amazon online when Tales of Woe is released tomorrow, August 17th.




For other takes on this book, check out my pals Jonny Metro and his review at Midnite Media and The Mike and his review over at From Midnight, With Love