http://www.snmhorrormag.com/snmfebruaryissue2.htm - (scroll to the bottom of the page, it is the last story posted)
I originally found out about Missoula author Josh Wagner when I read his novel, "Smashing Laptops", over winter break. I loved the grittiness and familiarity of this book (it is set in Missoula), and hoped to find some of the same kind of writing in his other works. I was definitely thrown for a loop when I found "Overexposed" on his website. Wagner clearly demonstrates here the versatility and unpredictability of his writing by tackling the horror genre with this piece. He capitalizes on the creepy factor without being grotesque, and utilizes oddity to give the read that just uncomfortable enough feeling. While he creates an incredibly suspenseful build, I was disappointed by the reveal at the end of the story mostly for the fact that I'm not completely sure what he is trying to convey here. While there the character development is minimal, physicality is the main focus here and emotional investment is not a primary concern in this genre, so he can get away with it. Wagner is an extremely talented writer, but I didn't find exactly what I was looking for with this story. I would recommend "Overexposed" to fans of oddity who are somewhat familiar with medical terms (he uses quite a few of them here), but who don't desire to get too emotional attached to a character.
I liked this story, but I get what you are saying about not being sure what the author intended. It's visceral feel transports the reader and draws them in, but leaves them unsatisfied at the end, not knowing what to make of the photographer's deadly malady.
ReplyDeleteI think that many people would find themselves relating to Remy, because often people are attracted to the grotesque. We all stare at car accidents we pass while driving, etc. We are moved through the story by this desire--we want to see what Remy finds. That was my favorite aspect of this story.
Someone else read this and try to explain the end!!!!
Story is well written, and really interesting, but your right, the ending makes no immediate sense.......... still can't really place what his point is here, that the old man can preserve the images of the children as well? That he distorts reality? Or simply that the camera only sees within the dimension that it was created in. Idk tho. Getting the disease from the camera kind of supports the last theory. Thought it was awesome though, and played out like part of a movie would.
ReplyDeleteReading this story was like watching a horror film, it was very suspenseful and drew me in. I was hoping there would be a horrible monster at the end, but it still played out nicely without a creature eating them. The end was a little ambiguous, but it did leave room for interpretation. maybe the old man did keep the memories of the children alive, like a picture, but unlike a picture he kept them alive too. a photograph of the children shown outside the temple would reflect what they really look like in real-time. Of course this is just personal speculation
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