Book Review: The Language of Fear by Del James
Review by Dana R. Davidson
The Language of Fear is one of the best books on human condition horror that I have read in a very long time. Author Del James weaves a fascinating, real, gruff, raw, no bull shit or apologies ride in The Language of Fear, a collection of 15 short stories in real life terror, all distinctly different yet sharing the same heart ache, pain, and human condition, with a forward by Axl Rose.
Del’s grasp on life, pain, angst, spite, hatred, addiction, and love is eloquently displayed in some of the most wonderfully written gory and horrific ways. For truly, at least to this writer, the most horrific monsters and monstrosities in this world lie within the human condition, human decisions, in our selves, and those humans around us. With out giving too much away, seriously anything I write will not do this book justice, here is a brief extremely simplified description of the short stories that in no way does justice to Del’s writing. Read the book. Seriously.
“A Tale of Two Heroines” does a smashing job as the opening story, a rough and tumble, no-holds-barred ride into the lives of two heroin junkies and their child. An absolutely amazing, horrific, and heart wrenching story worth reading over and over.
“Adult Nature Material” tells the story of a man who works in an adult theater and really explores the horrors that can lie inside both the theater and the mind. A great follow up to “A Tale of Two Heroines.”
“Bloodlust” revolves around a prize fighter and his world of fighting to the death, with an opening page that immediately grabs the readers attention and showcases Del’s eternal quest at exploring the mind, existentialism, life, death, and culture.
“Date Rape” is about a man who kills his wife for a phone sex operator only to find out that all isn’t what it seems to be.
“High School Memoirs” weaves an absolutely gory and beautiful yet complicated tale of the volatile and brutal teenage condition.
“Mama’s Boy” is about a writer with a twisted relationship to his dead mother, the binds from a childhood he hated, and the ramifications there of on his life.
“Mindwarp” is a fabulously written acid trip gone wrong, so beautifully crafted and written it seriously made me relive the days of old when I did the drug. Minus the killing, or not…
“Salt Water and Blood” is about a fisherman and his family, he and his wife stay together for their daughter, who is the light in their life. In this story we experience animal suicide and we hear ideas on death from the prospective of a child. The quote of the little girl at the end of the story truly evokes emotion and shows a new side to Del’s writing.
“Skin Deep” is a fun read about tattoos, power, death, and Satan.
“The Atheist Prayer” is about a girl waiting for a bus in Hollywood where she meets a bum. It’s a truly beautiful story that encompasses death, past, as well as the new. Del shows that he understands both the male and female perspective on life.
“The Fumes of Friendship” weaves a tale of mental illness, the sometimes weird bonds of friendship, and the devastating effects there of. This story also has one of the most brutal attempted rape and murder scenes I’ve ever read.
“The Immortals” is a story about a biker, his wife, crazy kids who steal organs, and revenge.
“The Melrose Vampire” tells the tale of the Hollywood art scene, love, monogamy, double standards, and a vampire.
“The Nerve” is a great story that most can relate to; don’t go in the woods or the monster will get you, in this case it’s The Nerve. A fun read with a great ending.
“With Out You,” the story that inspired the music video for Guns N’ Roses “November Rain,” is a beautifully written story about the trappings of self, drugs, love and fame.
I feel that I’ve already given away too much, this book is an absolute must read for both horror fans and fans of the human condition, fans of human pain. If you have truly experienced life you will understand all of the stories which are multi-layered with meaning, subtext, and emotion.
This book is proof that the fascinating life of Del James, road manager for Guns N’ Roses, father, and avid horror fan, has been spent learning and relearning from every experience in his life and the lives of those around him. His words are like beautiful, grotesque poetry derived straight from his, for lack of a better word, soul. I readily await Del James’ next contribution to the writing world.
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