Gary A. Braunbeck
Author of In Silent Graves
About the Author
Image credit: Lucy A. Snyder
Series
Works by Gary A. Braunbeck
Smiling Faces Sometimes 6 copies
Our Things 6 copies
Flesh is Fleeting... Art is Forever! or Some Bullshit will Continue Even After the Dead Wipe Us Out (2008) 3 copies
Rami Temporales 3 copies
However… [short fiction] 2 copies
All But The Ties Eternal 2 copies
Return To Mariabronn 2 copies
Small Song 2 copies
The Marble King 1 copy
Just Out of Reach 1 copy
Tessellations 1 copy
All the Unlived Moments 1 copy
Curtain Call [short story] 1 copy
Blackboard Sky 1 copy
Duty 1 copy
Reflections Of 1 copy
Matters Of Family 1 copy
Safe 1 copy
Iphigenia 1 copy
In Cupboards And Bookshelves 1 copy
Midnight Museum 1 copy
Glorietta 1 copy
Associated Works
The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror: Ninth Annual Collection (1996) — Contributor — 258 copies, 3 reviews
He Is Legend: An Anthology Celebrating Richard Matheson (2009) — Contributor — 210 copies, 6 reviews
The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror: Third Annual Collection (1988) — Contributor — 194 copies, 2 reviews
Hint Fiction: An Anthology of Stories in 25 Words or Fewer (2010) — Contributor — 150 copies, 26 reviews
Mister October: An Anthology in Memory of Rick Hautala (Volume 1) (2013) — Contributor — 78 copies, 32 reviews
Further Adventures of Xena: Warrior Princess (Xena: Warrior Princess (Berkley)) (2001) — Contributor — 55 copies, 1 review
Shadows Over Main Street: An Anthology of Small-Town Lovecraftian Terror (2015) — Contributor — 51 copies
Phantasm Japan: Fantasies Light and Dark, From and About Japan (2014) — Contributor — 50 copies, 1 review
Mister October: An Anthology in Memory of Rick Hautala (Volumes 1 and 2) (2013) — Contributor — 17 copies, 15 reviews
Dead Cat Traveling Circus of Wonders and Miracle Medicine Show (2006) — Contributor — 11 copies, 1 review
Guardian Angels: Heart-Warming Stories of Divine Influence and Protection (2000) — Contributor — 10 copies
Long Division: Stories of Social Decay, Societal Collapse, and Bad Manners — Contributor — 10 copies
Piercing the Darkness Anthology: A Charity Anthology for the Children’s Literacy Initiative (2014) — Contributor — 7 copies
Qualia Nous: Vol. 2 — Contributor — 2 copies
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Birthdate
- 1960
- Gender
- male
- Occupations
- author
adjunct professor (Seton Hill University) - Organizations
- Horror Writers Association
- Agent
- Richard Curtis
- Relationships
- Snyder, Lucy A. (wife)
- Short biography
- Gary A. Braunbeck is a prolific author who writes mysteries, thrillers, science fiction, fantasy, horror, and mainstream literature. He is the author of 19 books; his fiction has been translated into Japanese, French, Italian, Russian and German. Nearly 200 of his short stories have appeared in various publications. Some of his most popular stories are mysteries that have appeared in the Cat Crimes anthology series. His fiction has received several awards, including the Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in Short Fiction in 2003 for "Duty" and in 2005 for "We Now Pause for Station Identification"; his collection Destinations Unknown won a Stoker in 2006. His novella "Kiss of the Mudman" received the International Horror Guild Award for Long Fiction in 2005.
As an editor, Gary completed the latest installment of the Masques anthology series created by Jerry Williamson, Masques V. - Nationality
- USA
- Birthplace
- Newark, Ohio, USA
- Places of residence
- Newark, Ohio, USA (birth)
Worthington, Ohio, USA - Associated Place (for map)
- Ohio, USA
Members
Discussions
main character owns comic shop, mentally handicapped nephew, people turned into animals by society o in Name that Book (July 2010)
Gary A. Braunbeck's 'Cedar Hills' books... in Thing(amabrarian)s That Go Bump in the Night (September 2009)
Reviews
Gary Braunbeck knows how to write about the darker things life can offer up. But why do I trust his word over most? Because nothing is wasted on him. This man has been through it (some of the events he takes us through in detail are enough to make you want to put the book down for a while in the interest of recovery) and no matter how hard times have gotten for him, there's always a lesson to be learned and most importantly, a story to tell. You never get the sense that he is preaching or show more asking for pity. You never get the sense he wants you to admire him. In fact, judging by this book and the majority of his fiction, he may well be the most self deprecating man alive. But through his insightful critique of film, literature and the writing process, we get a picture of a writer (and person) who should very much be admired for his intellect, humour, perseverance and love of his work. I recommend this book to anyone who loves the horror genre. This is a mandatory introductory course. show less
Another outstanding offering by Braunbeck. He continues to write the most innovative horror in the longer form while avoiding almost all the usual horror tropes and never repeating himself. While not quite as good as [b:Keepers|19138|Keepers|Gary A. Braunbeck|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1390998061s/19138.jpg|20433] or the magnificent [b:In Silent Graves|19140|In Silent Graves|Gary A. Braunbeck|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1297542862s/19140.jpg|20435], he almost show more reaches them.
With a plot so twisted and clever that I'm not even going to try to describe it in detail, okay I will, sorta. Mr. Hands is a sort of retribution machine for child abuse who is the progeny of the deceased mentally handicapped Ronald James Williamson who himself is more like a Dr. Kevorkian on wheels for those that are "hurting." The whole tale has a framing story that makes it almost like one of Dunsany's Jorkens club tales. Then there is Lucy Thompson who gets caught up in the web of both Ronnie and Mr. Hands. This is less than half of it, you still have Thalidomide Man, the Reverend, Henry/Randy, little Sarah, and child abuser Timothy Beals. To say the plot was confusing at times would be an understatement, but Braunbeck brings it all together in an ending that Stephen King would kill for.
In all this Braunbeck really wants to talk about revenge, retribution (divine and otherwise), and justice; guilt and forgiveness and disguise it all as a really clever and literate horror story.
Included in the copy I have is an award winning novella: Kiss of the Mudman, which in the typical fashion of the award winner isn't near as good as the novel here. It won the International Horror Guild Award for novella. Its inclusion here isn't totally random since some of the characters from Mr. Hands are back for an encore.
Go buy anything by Braunbeck, you won't be disappointed. show less
With a plot so twisted and clever that I'm not even going to try to describe it in detail, okay I will, sorta. Mr. Hands is a sort of retribution machine for child abuse who is the progeny of the deceased mentally handicapped Ronald James Williamson who himself is more like a Dr. Kevorkian on wheels for those that are "hurting." The whole tale has a framing story that makes it almost like one of Dunsany's Jorkens club tales. Then there is Lucy Thompson who gets caught up in the web of both Ronnie and Mr. Hands. This is less than half of it, you still have Thalidomide Man, the Reverend, Henry/Randy, little Sarah, and child abuser Timothy Beals. To say the plot was confusing at times would be an understatement, but Braunbeck brings it all together in an ending that Stephen King would kill for.
In all this Braunbeck really wants to talk about revenge, retribution (divine and otherwise), and justice; guilt and forgiveness and disguise it all as a really clever and literate horror story.
Included in the copy I have is an award winning novella: Kiss of the Mudman, which in the typical fashion of the award winner isn't near as good as the novel here. It won the International Horror Guild Award for novella. Its inclusion here isn't totally random since some of the characters from Mr. Hands are back for an encore.
Go buy anything by Braunbeck, you won't be disappointed. show less
A Haunting Masterpiece of Horror - "Keepers" Will Stay with You
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Keepers" by Gary A. Braunbeck is a mesmerizing tour de force in the world of horror literature. This chilling and thought-provoking tale will grip your heart and mind from the very first page and not let go until long after you've closed the book.
Braunbeck's storytelling is a testament to his mastery of the genre. He weaves a deeply atmospheric and suspenseful narrative that transcends the traditional show more horror clichés, offering a unique and profoundly unsettling experience. The small-town setting of Cedar Hill becomes an integral character in its own right, with the author's vivid descriptions drawing you into a world where darkness hides beneath the seemingly ordinary.
The characters in "Keepers" are beautifully drawn, each with their own complex backstories and secrets. You'll find yourself deeply invested in their struggles, their fears, and their attempts to unravel the mysteries surrounding Cedar Hill. The emotional depth Braunbeck infuses into his characters enhances the sense of dread and empathy.
What truly sets "Keepers" apart is its ability to blend supernatural horror with poignant human themes. As the narrative unfolds, it explores the nature of fear, grief, and the enduring power of stories. The sense of unease and dread lingers, making you question the boundaries between reality and the supernatural.
This is a horror novel that will not only send shivers down your spine but also leave you with a haunting sense of introspection. It's a reminder of the uncharted territories of the human psyche and the terrifying secrets hidden within the shadows.
"Keepers" is a must-read for fans of horror fiction and those who appreciate the genre's deeper, psychological aspects. Gary A. Braunbeck delivers a masterpiece that will leave you sleepless and haunted by its brilliance long after you've finished it. It's a true gem that deserves its place among the classics of horror literature. show less
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Keepers" by Gary A. Braunbeck is a mesmerizing tour de force in the world of horror literature. This chilling and thought-provoking tale will grip your heart and mind from the very first page and not let go until long after you've closed the book.
Braunbeck's storytelling is a testament to his mastery of the genre. He weaves a deeply atmospheric and suspenseful narrative that transcends the traditional show more horror clichés, offering a unique and profoundly unsettling experience. The small-town setting of Cedar Hill becomes an integral character in its own right, with the author's vivid descriptions drawing you into a world where darkness hides beneath the seemingly ordinary.
The characters in "Keepers" are beautifully drawn, each with their own complex backstories and secrets. You'll find yourself deeply invested in their struggles, their fears, and their attempts to unravel the mysteries surrounding Cedar Hill. The emotional depth Braunbeck infuses into his characters enhances the sense of dread and empathy.
What truly sets "Keepers" apart is its ability to blend supernatural horror with poignant human themes. As the narrative unfolds, it explores the nature of fear, grief, and the enduring power of stories. The sense of unease and dread lingers, making you question the boundaries between reality and the supernatural.
This is a horror novel that will not only send shivers down your spine but also leave you with a haunting sense of introspection. It's a reminder of the uncharted territories of the human psyche and the terrifying secrets hidden within the shadows.
"Keepers" is a must-read for fans of horror fiction and those who appreciate the genre's deeper, psychological aspects. Gary A. Braunbeck delivers a masterpiece that will leave you sleepless and haunted by its brilliance long after you've finished it. It's a true gem that deserves its place among the classics of horror literature. show less
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
I like to watch TV series in installments: ideally no more than one episode a night so I can savour each one, digesting the ideas and developments before moving on to the next.
Gary A. Braunbeck's collection of short stories requires the same approach. There are 40 stories in total but to gorge yourself on them, to read more than a few in each sitting, would require you to skim the surface when Braunbeck wants you to immerse yourself in the horrors embedded in each of these tales.
-- What's it show more about? --
This is a collection of short stories that spans Braunbeck's career and incorporates a number of genres, including elements of fantasy and science-fiction, but the driving force behind each tale is horror: horror driven by who we are and what we do to each other. As fellow horror/fantasy/supernatural author Tim Waggoner notes in his introduction to 'El Poso Del Mundo', 'true horror - horror that matters - isn't about machete-wielding maniacs, but rather the pain that eats like cold acid at the center of the human heart.' And though the book has its share of machete-wielders, they always have reasons, and there's plenty of pain: loss, death, torture and sexual abuse of young children feature prominently throughout. This is not a book for the squeamish, though there's no graphic glorification of violence here, just stunningly brutal events. (In fact, one story actually criticises the way violence is glorified in culture.)
-- What's it like? --
Varied. As the author himself notes in his introduction to the first part, 'The stories in this section are all over the road. Kind of like my thought processes, but let's not get into my dreadful personality problems this soon..." There are stories featuring cybercults, adults who believe they are children, God's assistant and even ashes who narrate their woes to other heaps of ashes. My reactions were similarly varied: there were some chilling stories I thought were very powerful and some stories where I felt the events were simply too bizarre for me to follow.
Loneliness is a major theme, from the war veteran who is ignored after losing his face in battle to the children's party magician who believes he's Merlin to the man who dreams his blind date into life. The themes are what made reading the entire collection worthwhile; although I didn't 'get' every story, I found it interesting to see how particular subjects were treated when returned to again and again. Fathers come under particular pressure in this collection; there are a number of very angry men whose feelings consume them and spit out their families, making the traditional family seem like quite a frightening idea in itself!
-- What's to like? --
Braunbeck is a writer who is primarily about the ideas (what if this thing happened?) but his prose can be beautifully poetic, too. In Wayne's story, 'For Want of a Smile', we read that 'Wayne's thoughts of his impending blind date retreated to the back of his mind where they curled up in a corner, covered themselves against the cold, and snapped off the light.' Later, in 'Tales the Ashes Tell', a character attempts to explain himself and seek redemption but finds that, 'The rest of it dies in his throat, clogged by phlegm and failure and guilt.'
Braunbeck also has a deliciously dark sense of humour. In 'Just Out of Reach' we are told that, 'It was necessary from time to time to check and make sure his chef hadn't killed anyone. The staff tended to give better service when they weren't dead.' This is a particularly effective story in which a quite comic opening gradually shifts into an incredibly dark and powerful tale.
I also thoroughly enjoyed Braunbeck's use of already established fictional characters and historical figures. In 'Cyrano' he provides an alternative postscript to 'Frankenstein' which makes use of Daniel Hawthorne's 'Rappaccini's Daughter', Oscar Wilde's 'The picture of Dorian Gray', and Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Jekyll and Hyde', among others. Obviously, this kind of intertwining of fictional narratives and characters works best when you have some familiarity with the stories ('Rappacini's Daughter' was completely new to me) but it's still enjoyable as a stand-alone story. Similarly, in 'Curtain Call', Bram Stoker's Dracula haunts his creator in a world where Jonathan Harker has been easily overcome.
What's not to like?
Basic errors, especially in homophones, are relatively frequent and (instances such as 'formerly' instead of 'formally') do catch my attention and inevitably detract from my appreciation of the overall story-telling.
Each of the 16 stories in part two featured an introduction from other writers and, while these were occasionally illuminating, sometimes they contained almost spoiler-esque information (and on a kindle it's more challenging to skip spoilers), which could frustrate some readers who wanted a blank slate to appreciate the stories. (I am well aware that many readers may consider these a bonus!)
-- Final thoughts --
This is a dark and powerful collection of horror stories from a writer who is clearly an accomplished craftsman. I enjoyed the twists and give Braunbeck full credit for writing the most disturbing tale I have EVER read ('Chow Hound' features a baby whose actions disturbed me greatly). In amongst the horror there are some more redemptive stories, which I particularly enjoyed, especially 'Afterward, There Will Be a Hallway', a sweet story in which a dead seven year old girl helps a man back to spiritual life, and 'A Little off the Top', in which a barber and his wife atone for their past sins in a rather magical way. Finally, 'We now Pause for Station Identification' (which won the Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in Short Fiction in 2005,) offers a quietly desperate take on zombies.
This is horror that focuses on the human heart and examines why we do what we do. One not to be missed for horror fans. show less
Gary A. Braunbeck's collection of short stories requires the same approach. There are 40 stories in total but to gorge yourself on them, to read more than a few in each sitting, would require you to skim the surface when Braunbeck wants you to immerse yourself in the horrors embedded in each of these tales.
-- What's it show more about? --
This is a collection of short stories that spans Braunbeck's career and incorporates a number of genres, including elements of fantasy and science-fiction, but the driving force behind each tale is horror: horror driven by who we are and what we do to each other. As fellow horror/fantasy/supernatural author Tim Waggoner notes in his introduction to 'El Poso Del Mundo', 'true horror - horror that matters - isn't about machete-wielding maniacs, but rather the pain that eats like cold acid at the center of the human heart.' And though the book has its share of machete-wielders, they always have reasons, and there's plenty of pain: loss, death, torture and sexual abuse of young children feature prominently throughout. This is not a book for the squeamish, though there's no graphic glorification of violence here, just stunningly brutal events. (In fact, one story actually criticises the way violence is glorified in culture.)
-- What's it like? --
Varied. As the author himself notes in his introduction to the first part, 'The stories in this section are all over the road. Kind of like my thought processes, but let's not get into my dreadful personality problems this soon..." There are stories featuring cybercults, adults who believe they are children, God's assistant and even ashes who narrate their woes to other heaps of ashes. My reactions were similarly varied: there were some chilling stories I thought were very powerful and some stories where I felt the events were simply too bizarre for me to follow.
Loneliness is a major theme, from the war veteran who is ignored after losing his face in battle to the children's party magician who believes he's Merlin to the man who dreams his blind date into life. The themes are what made reading the entire collection worthwhile; although I didn't 'get' every story, I found it interesting to see how particular subjects were treated when returned to again and again. Fathers come under particular pressure in this collection; there are a number of very angry men whose feelings consume them and spit out their families, making the traditional family seem like quite a frightening idea in itself!
-- What's to like? --
Braunbeck is a writer who is primarily about the ideas (what if this thing happened?) but his prose can be beautifully poetic, too. In Wayne's story, 'For Want of a Smile', we read that 'Wayne's thoughts of his impending blind date retreated to the back of his mind where they curled up in a corner, covered themselves against the cold, and snapped off the light.' Later, in 'Tales the Ashes Tell', a character attempts to explain himself and seek redemption but finds that, 'The rest of it dies in his throat, clogged by phlegm and failure and guilt.'
Braunbeck also has a deliciously dark sense of humour. In 'Just Out of Reach' we are told that, 'It was necessary from time to time to check and make sure his chef hadn't killed anyone. The staff tended to give better service when they weren't dead.' This is a particularly effective story in which a quite comic opening gradually shifts into an incredibly dark and powerful tale.
I also thoroughly enjoyed Braunbeck's use of already established fictional characters and historical figures. In 'Cyrano' he provides an alternative postscript to 'Frankenstein' which makes use of Daniel Hawthorne's 'Rappaccini's Daughter', Oscar Wilde's 'The picture of Dorian Gray', and Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Jekyll and Hyde', among others. Obviously, this kind of intertwining of fictional narratives and characters works best when you have some familiarity with the stories ('Rappacini's Daughter' was completely new to me) but it's still enjoyable as a stand-alone story. Similarly, in 'Curtain Call', Bram Stoker's Dracula haunts his creator in a world where Jonathan Harker has been easily overcome.
What's not to like?
Basic errors, especially in homophones, are relatively frequent and (instances such as 'formerly' instead of 'formally') do catch my attention and inevitably detract from my appreciation of the overall story-telling.
Each of the 16 stories in part two featured an introduction from other writers and, while these were occasionally illuminating, sometimes they contained almost spoiler-esque information (and on a kindle it's more challenging to skip spoilers), which could frustrate some readers who wanted a blank slate to appreciate the stories. (I am well aware that many readers may consider these a bonus!)
-- Final thoughts --
This is a dark and powerful collection of horror stories from a writer who is clearly an accomplished craftsman. I enjoyed the twists and give Braunbeck full credit for writing the most disturbing tale I have EVER read ('Chow Hound' features a baby whose actions disturbed me greatly). In amongst the horror there are some more redemptive stories, which I particularly enjoyed, especially 'Afterward, There Will Be a Hallway', a sweet story in which a dead seven year old girl helps a man back to spiritual life, and 'A Little off the Top', in which a barber and his wife atone for their past sins in a rather magical way. Finally, 'We now Pause for Station Identification' (which won the Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in Short Fiction in 2005,) offers a quietly desperate take on zombies.
This is horror that focuses on the human heart and examines why we do what we do. One not to be missed for horror fans. show less
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.Lists
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Statistics
- Works
- 65
- Also by
- 127
- Members
- 1,374
- Popularity
- #18,723
- Rating
- 3.7
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- 120
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