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Carrion
Elliot Kruger, a wealthy eccentric, hires McAllister Fain, a small-time con man posing as an expert on the supernatural, to bring Kruger's dead wife back to life
Paperback
First published June 12, 1986
About the author
Gary Brandner
84 books103 followersGary Phil Brandner (May 31, 1930 – September 22, 2013) was an American horror author best known for his werewolf themed trilogy of novels, The Howling. The first book in the series was loosely adapted as a motion picture in 1981. Brandner's second and third Howling novels, published in 1979 and 1985 respectively, have no connection to the film series, though he was involved in writing the screenplay for the second Howling film, Howling II: Your Sister Is a Werewolf. The fourth film in the Howling series, Howling IV: The Original Nightmare, is actually the closest adaptation of Brandner's original novel, though this too varies to some degree.
Brandner's novel Walkers was adapted and filmed for television as From The Dead Of Night. He also wrote the screenplay for the 1988 horror film Cameron's Closet.
Born in the Midwest and much traveled during his formative years, Brandner published more than 30 novels, over 100 short stories, and also wrote a handful of screenplays. He attended college at the University of Washington where he was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity. After graduating in 1955, he worked as an amateur boxer, bartender, surveyor, loan company investigator, advertising copywriter, and technical writer before turning to fiction writing. Brandner lived with his wife, Martine Wood Brandner, and several cats in Reno, Nevada.
He died of esophageal cancer in 2013.
Brandner's novel Walkers was adapted and filmed for television as From The Dead Of Night. He also wrote the screenplay for the 1988 horror film Cameron's Closet.
Born in the Midwest and much traveled during his formative years, Brandner published more than 30 novels, over 100 short stories, and also wrote a handful of screenplays. He attended college at the University of Washington where he was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity. After graduating in 1955, he worked as an amateur boxer, bartender, surveyor, loan company investigator, advertising copywriter, and technical writer before turning to fiction writing. Brandner lived with his wife, Martine Wood Brandner, and several cats in Reno, Nevada.
He died of esophageal cancer in 2013.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 13, 2022
Brandner, probably most famous for writing The Howling, delves into some voodoo and other supernatural here in Carrion, and created a fun, quirky zombie novel. Our main protagonist, Mac, is basically a hustler, quick with 'magic' tricks and lives in a run down part of L.A. making money by reading Tarot cards and such. He's a smartass, in his 30s, and is getting by ok, and has an 'up and coming' actress for a girlfriend. To expand his 'business', he takes out an ad in the local pulp newspaper (e.g., like the Enquirer), billing himself as a master of the occult.
After establishing Mac as a character, Brandner shifts to a multimillionaire with a wife 40 years younger than him, who dies of an embolism. The rich guy has her frozen in nitrogen, hoping perhaps for some cure in the future, but finally decides to give Mac a call. He gives him 10 big ones just to make the attempt to bring his lovely wife back to life, and Mac figures, what the hell? Easy money! To make sure he has the right props, he visits a local voodoo man, who proceeds (based upon the hint of magical abilities he sees in Mac) and gets the props, and some instructions. When the time comes, Mac gives it a go and to his surprise (and everyone else's) it actually works! The dead now alive wife, however, has changed, and it looks like not for the better...
The cover blurbs and digest really do not do this novel justice, making it seem like a cheese fest for sure. Yet, Carrion is a surprisingly good read and Mac a great character. Carrion is also fun for the representation of L.A. and its movie scene; once the news of the dead/alive wife gets out, for example, Mac is quickly approached by a sleazy promotion agent who looks and acts the part. This is not a bloody gore fest by any means, unlike many zombie novels, but really a story of Mac, his new found abilities, and of course, the consequences. Good stuff! 4 undead stars!!
After establishing Mac as a character, Brandner shifts to a multimillionaire with a wife 40 years younger than him, who dies of an embolism. The rich guy has her frozen in nitrogen, hoping perhaps for some cure in the future, but finally decides to give Mac a call. He gives him 10 big ones just to make the attempt to bring his lovely wife back to life, and Mac figures, what the hell? Easy money! To make sure he has the right props, he visits a local voodoo man, who proceeds (based upon the hint of magical abilities he sees in Mac) and gets the props, and some instructions. When the time comes, Mac gives it a go and to his surprise (and everyone else's) it actually works! The dead now alive wife, however, has changed, and it looks like not for the better...
The cover blurbs and digest really do not do this novel justice, making it seem like a cheese fest for sure. Yet, Carrion is a surprisingly good read and Mac a great character. Carrion is also fun for the representation of L.A. and its movie scene; once the news of the dead/alive wife gets out, for example, Mac is quickly approached by a sleazy promotion agent who looks and acts the part. This is not a bloody gore fest by any means, unlike many zombie novels, but really a story of Mac, his new found abilities, and of course, the consequences. Good stuff! 4 undead stars!!
September 16, 2019
Not your average zombie story
Written almost like a 1930s noir set in 1980s Los Angeles, this little-known tale of the undead was a pleasant surprise. It begins with some of the best opening lines I've read to a novel in years, and has one of the most likeable ensemble of oddball characters brought to the page. Leading the cast is Mac Fain, a hard-boiled, wise-cracking, middle-aged hipster making a meager living as an amateur occultist soothsayer and magician. Equally delightful is his spunky partner and failing actress, Jillian Pappas, with her running gag of neologisms. The banter between her and Mac is enjoyable and downright funny. In fact, this is probably one of Gary Brandner's more comic efforts, which embraces the pulp genre with gusto and affection.
There are quite a few laugh-out-loud moments (even the sex-scenes were written with a dry wit), but this was supposed to be a horror novel. That being said, "Carrion" is as light on scares as it is heavy on the humor.
Much of the novel centers around the quick rise to fame and riches of Mac Fain after he unwittingly brings to life the body of a wealthy oil tycoon's wife. The novel has much to say about how quickly public favor can be lost, about truth in news reporting, and the cost of wealth. Mac Fain goes from messiah to pariah within the span of weeks because of his illusions, but in his journey we see that the world operates and functions in illusions. Everyone builds their life on a fantasy of who they want to be or how they want to be seen, and our lives are fragile to the casting of a revealing light. Nothing is as it seems, and everything has hidden costs or unforeseen consequences.
But despite the cynical themes, the book is very lighthearted and a joy to read. Just don't expect to be frightened out of your wits. There are some well-crafted moments of tension, but overall it is a mostly comical tribute to the pulps with some important but familiar things to say.
Written almost like a 1930s noir set in 1980s Los Angeles, this little-known tale of the undead was a pleasant surprise. It begins with some of the best opening lines I've read to a novel in years, and has one of the most likeable ensemble of oddball characters brought to the page. Leading the cast is Mac Fain, a hard-boiled, wise-cracking, middle-aged hipster making a meager living as an amateur occultist soothsayer and magician. Equally delightful is his spunky partner and failing actress, Jillian Pappas, with her running gag of neologisms. The banter between her and Mac is enjoyable and downright funny. In fact, this is probably one of Gary Brandner's more comic efforts, which embraces the pulp genre with gusto and affection.
There are quite a few laugh-out-loud moments (even the sex-scenes were written with a dry wit), but this was supposed to be a horror novel. That being said, "Carrion" is as light on scares as it is heavy on the humor.
Much of the novel centers around the quick rise to fame and riches of Mac Fain after he unwittingly brings to life the body of a wealthy oil tycoon's wife. The novel has much to say about how quickly public favor can be lost, about truth in news reporting, and the cost of wealth. Mac Fain goes from messiah to pariah within the span of weeks because of his illusions, but in his journey we see that the world operates and functions in illusions. Everyone builds their life on a fantasy of who they want to be or how they want to be seen, and our lives are fragile to the casting of a revealing light. Nothing is as it seems, and everything has hidden costs or unforeseen consequences.
But despite the cynical themes, the book is very lighthearted and a joy to read. Just don't expect to be frightened out of your wits. There are some well-crafted moments of tension, but overall it is a mostly comical tribute to the pulps with some important but familiar things to say.
August 17, 2015
Décédé il y a deux ans, Gary Brandner était un auteur et scénariste américain spécialisé dans l'horreur . Bien que sa bibliographie compte plus d'une trentaine de romans et une centaine de nouvelles, il est surtout connu pour sa trilogie horrifique ''Hurlements'' dont le premier tome a été adapté au cinéma par Joe Dante. Il est d'ailleurs l'un des auteurs qui ont fait les beaux jours de la collection ''épouvante'' des éditions J'ai Lu.
Carrion, sorti en 1986 suit les aventures de McAllister Fain, un voyant un peu escroc sur les bords mais qui a un vague don dont il ne sait presque rien. Le hasard des choses et les grosses ficelles scénaristiques le placent sur le chemin d'un milliardaire qui lui demande de ressusciter sa femme contre une très grosse somme d'argent. Ce qui devait être à la base un canular s'avère un succès, Fain a bien la capacité de faire renaître les morts et il en fait un business lucratif.
Si l'idée de traiter le thème du zombie peut de nos jours tomber sous le sens -voir même causer une moue désapprobatrice tant ça frise l'overdose- en 1986, ça relevait de la nouveauté, du moins dans la littérature. Mais point de bouffeurs de cervelle ici, ni de chair fraîche, les revenants sont présentés comme des âmes en peine qui se transforment peu à peu en entités maléfiques et dangereuses. Le roman n'est jamais aussi prenant que lorsqu'il traite des lentes métamorphoses de ces revenants -putréfaction, penchants de plus en plus sanguinaires- et surtout l'impact de leur résurrection sur leurs proches.
Hélàs, l'auteur préfère se concentrer principalement sur sur les pérégrinations de son héros, fort sympathique au demeurant, mais qui n'a pas grand chose à raconter. On apprend qu'il a un pouvoir, on ne sait pas trop lequel jusqu'à ce que sa maman -présumée disparue- réapparaisse dans un Deux Ex Machina embarrassant pour lui expliquer que... et bien qu'il a toujours eu un don. Dès lors, la trame se concentre sur le parcours façon rise and fall de Fain, devenu une célébrité du jour au lendemain, un Jésus du 20ème siècle et qui se transforme en connard fini en prenant gout au pouvoir. Si cette partie du récit recèle pas mal de moments d'humour, on constate bien vite qu'elle prend bien trop d'espace, au détriment même de l'intrigue de base. C'est à se demander ce que voulait raconter au juste Gary Brandner. Heureusement, un dernier acte, un peu tardif, arrive à point pour emballer le tout dans un final assez original.
Carrion est un très bon moment lecture qui souffre certes de quelques baisses de régime mais qui offre pas mal de moments d'angoisse bien troussées, sans oublier un humour omniprésent pas déplaisant. Un très bon représentant de l'illustre collection culte J'ai Lu épouvante.
Carrion, sorti en 1986 suit les aventures de McAllister Fain, un voyant un peu escroc sur les bords mais qui a un vague don dont il ne sait presque rien. Le hasard des choses et les grosses ficelles scénaristiques le placent sur le chemin d'un milliardaire qui lui demande de ressusciter sa femme contre une très grosse somme d'argent. Ce qui devait être à la base un canular s'avère un succès, Fain a bien la capacité de faire renaître les morts et il en fait un business lucratif.
Si l'idée de traiter le thème du zombie peut de nos jours tomber sous le sens -voir même causer une moue désapprobatrice tant ça frise l'overdose- en 1986, ça relevait de la nouveauté, du moins dans la littérature. Mais point de bouffeurs de cervelle ici, ni de chair fraîche, les revenants sont présentés comme des âmes en peine qui se transforment peu à peu en entités maléfiques et dangereuses. Le roman n'est jamais aussi prenant que lorsqu'il traite des lentes métamorphoses de ces revenants -putréfaction, penchants de plus en plus sanguinaires- et surtout l'impact de leur résurrection sur leurs proches.
Hélàs, l'auteur préfère se concentrer principalement sur sur les pérégrinations de son héros, fort sympathique au demeurant, mais qui n'a pas grand chose à raconter. On apprend qu'il a un pouvoir, on ne sait pas trop lequel jusqu'à ce que sa maman -présumée disparue- réapparaisse dans un Deux Ex Machina embarrassant pour lui expliquer que... et bien qu'il a toujours eu un don. Dès lors, la trame se concentre sur le parcours façon rise and fall de Fain, devenu une célébrité du jour au lendemain, un Jésus du 20ème siècle et qui se transforme en connard fini en prenant gout au pouvoir. Si cette partie du récit recèle pas mal de moments d'humour, on constate bien vite qu'elle prend bien trop d'espace, au détriment même de l'intrigue de base. C'est à se demander ce que voulait raconter au juste Gary Brandner. Heureusement, un dernier acte, un peu tardif, arrive à point pour emballer le tout dans un final assez original.
Carrion est un très bon moment lecture qui souffre certes de quelques baisses de régime mais qui offre pas mal de moments d'angoisse bien troussées, sans oublier un humour omniprésent pas déplaisant. Un très bon représentant de l'illustre collection culte J'ai Lu épouvante.
October 14, 2022
Carrion just didn't work for me, but I gave it a try.
March 27, 2023
Sad to say that a pretty interesting and well written book just dissolved into the laziest ending I have ever read in my entire life.
Brandner spends 200 pages setting up the story, only to swiftly resolve the whole thing in the last 30 pages, and here I have to repeat what I said earlier, the laziest and most disrespectful way to the reader. I'd love to know what made him quit on this book.
Maybe he got an advance for Howling 3 and had to drop this off in the mail to get started on that bigger paycheck?
Brandner spends 200 pages setting up the story, only to swiftly resolve the whole thing in the last 30 pages, and here I have to repeat what I said earlier, the laziest and most disrespectful way to the reader. I'd love to know what made him quit on this book.
Maybe he got an advance for Howling 3 and had to drop this off in the mail to get started on that bigger paycheck?
March 19, 2024
Having Nick Nocturne read to me definitely enhanced the experience greatly. Decent story about how terrible Hollywood is, as well as the unrestful dead. Don’t know which one I’d rather deal with, honestly.
February 4, 2024
Totally different than I expected but still a great read. While it was light on the horror it was still a great story and I was captivated from start to finish. I particularly liked the ending.
April 3, 2010
A cocky "spiritualist" who makes his living providing old ladies with optimistic palm readings, finds himself in the media spotlight after he successfully reanimates a dead woman. He has no knowledge of how he obtained the ability to do this, or how the reanimation works, but makes a ton of money off of it. The only problem--and one he is ignorant of until after having reanimated a number of corpses--is that the dead return without their souls.
It's got an intriguing premise, a likable hero, and good supporting characters. Most of the violence is left towards the end, with the story slowly building. The hero is such a wise-ass that the novel gets particularly dark or intense. But it's got a cool, kind of creepy, fun tone that works.
It's got an intriguing premise, a likable hero, and good supporting characters. Most of the violence is left towards the end, with the story slowly building. The hero is such a wise-ass that the novel gets particularly dark or intense. But it's got a cool, kind of creepy, fun tone that works.
January 26, 2010
An okay Zombie story that fills the time
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews