Zach Hughes (1928–2016)

WTF did I just read?!

GWEN, IN GREEN by Hugh Zachary is the latest release in the Paperbacks From Hell collaboration, and I think this is one of the more whackadoo books in the series, and that’s saying something as there are a lot of weird books released in this series. There’s some pseudoscience about plants being telepathic, a touch of horror, and lots and lots of sex and outdated sexual ideas about women, which is specifically covered in the introduction by Will Errickson, who tries show more to explain away the way Gwen is treated as a timid sexually frigid woman as a sign of the times the book was written, while never touching on the fact that Gwen basically statutorily rapes all the 13 year old boys in town. I guess that’s ok because they’re boys? I’m pretty sure if the genders were flipped in that particular scenario, this book would have never seen the light of day in this series. Plus, maybe aliens? I don’t know. The Paperbacks From Hell have generally been a hit for me, but aside from the all-over-the-place writing and storytelling, I think all of the over-the-top sexual identity issues in this book really did not work for me, despite the introduction trying to warn me about this very thing. Perhaps this is one particular volume that should have stayed obscure. show less

Very interesting if short story. Making it even shorter, the last 3rd jumps to a completely new (but connected) narrative, then finally ending on a coda back to the first narrative, tying things up. So the main story is barely 100 pages. But, it was unique and had new world and creature exploration. I liked it and would recommend.

One for the Eco-Warriors amongst you I think. A young couple buy a house with lots of land. Nearby, a development is going on, machines clearing the vegetation and waterways being disturbed and polluted. But fortunately nature has a means of fighting back, in the form of the young lady that's just taken up residence. Her name's Gwen and before too long she's maiming and killing like a good'un, and all in the name of the environment. What a gal!

There's more to it than that actually but I show more won't spoil it for you. Suffice to say, this'll have you looking at your vegetarian meal in an entirely different light, not to mention entertaining you with Gwen's sexual antics, which are many and varied and cover all ages.

This was different and it may even make you stop for a moment and take stock of your life, making you wonder if all is as it seems. It's not too in-your-face in that sense, but it is there if you look closely enough. I really enjoy novels like this that are not only fantastically original, and wonderfully entertaining, but also point just a little towards something more... and of course there's always the sex to fall back on if nothing else.

A great read. Highly recommended. show less

Surprisingly enjoyable. Appears to be a sequel as the hero has trouble coming to grips with his murdered wife, which forms a minor subplot. Characters are colorful if a bit two-dimensional, but I liked Sherriff Jug, the good ole boy who's really making an effort to change his racist ways. I imagine the characters are pretty realistic for the Southeast in the early 80's, and the puzzle is good. Odd how all these books from this timeframe are right around the 160-page mark. It's why they only show more cost a buck-ninety-five, I guess. show less