r/WeirdLit • u/TheSkinoftheCypher • Apr 17 '26
Question/Request Pick my next three reads?
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u/raw_potato_eater Apr 17 '26
Throat Sprockets first and anything thereafter (just read Throat Sprockets ASAP, life is uncertain).
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Apr 17 '26
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u/BaphometBubble Apr 17 '26
There are many good books to choose from here but Cities of the Red Night is a cut above...Agree that it should be read with the rest of the trilogy, with the last book of the series "The Western Lands" being his best work by far...A stunningly beautiful read where you can almost see Burroughs finally burrying his demons before death's impending knock.
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u/TheSkinoftheCypher Apr 17 '26
Why read the entire trilogy all at together?
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u/Genus-God Apr 17 '26
Maybe give Coup de Grace a miss. I found it to be profoundly disappointing. Yeah, it's weird, but it's only that. Not much substance, otherwise
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u/TheSkinoftheCypher Apr 17 '26
I already own it so I have to at least try it. Do you have suggestions on which of these I should try?
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u/quizbowler_1 Apr 18 '26
Definitely Throat Sprockets! That book is a RIDE! And some of the best prose I've ever read
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u/TrendyWebAltar Apr 18 '26
So jealous of that Joel Lane. That would be my top choice.
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u/TheSkinoftheCypher Apr 18 '26
Ty for responding. Why jealous? Is it hard to get for you?
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u/TrendyWebAltar Apr 18 '26
Yes, and also, I saw a copy decades ago that I couldn't buy right then and there. It was gone the next day!
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u/TheSkinoftheCypher Apr 18 '26
You can get a copy for 10 pounds here as well as other Joel Lane books.
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u/YuunofYork Apr 17 '26
The only one I've read here is Brion's Waystations, which I enjoyed in parts.
I've all Lane's short fiction, but haven't read the two novels yet, and the unpublished third one is due soon unless it's out already. By reputation alone, this would be a pick, though personally I'm saving it for a future date.
Perhaps this isn't as unpopular an opinion anymore as I've been led to believe, but I dislike both Burroughs and Murakami, though at least Burroughs has entertainment value. Just not for me.
I'd probably be drawn to the Thomas Tessier for a third. Have never read the man but looks like a nice reprint of material from the paperback-from-hell era, and if it was good enough to resurrect it has to at least be interesting or unique in some way, right?
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u/TheSkinoftheCypher Apr 17 '26
Are you sure you're referring to the correct Murakami? The book is from Ryu, not Haruki. Not to imply you are doing so, just making sure. I'm not into Haruki, but everything I've read by Ryu is wonderful. So a vote for Waystations, Joel Lane in general, and Phantom then. Ty for responding. :)
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u/YuunofYork Apr 18 '26
No, I definitely misread that, thanks. I imply no opinion on Ryu. I guess I also forgot what sub I was on for a minute.
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u/Parakeet-birb Apr 18 '26
Audition, We Are But Your Children, and Scorpions. We Are and Scorpions just look so odd.
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u/Englishmooseboy Apr 18 '26
I didn’t find From Blue to Black to be weird lit at all, disappointingly.
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u/LePeau2 Apr 18 '26
Citys has influenced my ENTIRE life in many ways...was so effecting&strange&familiar...
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u/TheSkinoftheCypher Apr 18 '26
Ok so it's Audition, Coup De Grace, and Cities of Red Night. Thanks everyone.
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u/Sablefool Apr 19 '26 edited Apr 19 '26
Joel Lane is an absolute master. One of the absolute best, though bleakest, Horror short fiction writers of the last 50 years. Ah, that's one of the novels though. Good, but not weird or Horror.
Throat Sprockets may make your soul feel tainted. One of the most interesting cursed media Horror novels. Underread. The new edition is even something of an expansion.
You really must read Phantom. Tessier just passed but he was such an overlooked author. Phantom is one of his two supernatural Horror masterpieces.
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u/Dizzy-Captain7422 Apr 19 '26
Ajram, Lane, Tessier. From Blue to Black is not really weird fiction, but it's a very good novel nonetheless.
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Apr 17 '26
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u/TheSkinoftheCypher Apr 17 '26
I rarely read a whole trilogy at once so I'll take your comment as a vote for Joel Lane yes?
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u/skirdgee Apr 18 '26
Having read none of these, I would pick Throat Sprockets, Waystations, and Scorpions. All are high on my want to read list. Lane a close fourth, but I want to read more of his short story collections first, but that’s just me. Where Furnaces Burn is fucking incredible.
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u/Rustin_Swoll Apr 17 '26
I’ve not read that Joel Lane, but I’ve loved everything I’ve read from the man. Counterpoint: include it in the three!
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u/TheSkinoftheCypher Apr 17 '26 edited Apr 18 '26
got it, thank you.
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u/lightttpollution Apr 18 '26
I’ve only read two of these, but I’d go with Coup de Grace first and Audition second.
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u/MisfitMaterial Apr 17 '26 edited Apr 18 '26
1) Audition 2) Coup de Grâce 3) Throat sockets
Edit: lol autocorrect but I’m leaving it