The Expression Hub

Author: Jason Pargin

Genre: Comic-horror

“I knew nothing but shadows and I thought them to be real.”

Oscar Wilde

Sincerest apologies for being away from you people since a long time. I guess I must have been away from the writing space since two weeks. Believe me I missed my calm as well thanks to my hectic schedule . Life can be hectic especially when you try to juggle multiple things at once. But I guess sometimes its okay to take a break when life gets a bit hectic so as to realign your things as well as your thinking. Though it does disturb your routine a bit but you do come back fresh and clear.

Okay so lets set the ball rolling since its been a pretty long time I hit the keys. Halloween is just 2 days away and since we had dedicated October to things which are supposed to be eerie and paranormal, bringing to you a book which belongs to the genre. This book again seemed interesting when I first heard the title but was a bummer. Yet I as a responsible blogger will review about the same😝 and leave the choice to you whether you want to indulge in the same or not. This is because there can be a difference in the opinion as well. What might seem as a total disappointment from my side might be a treasure from your side isn’t it? So, keeping this in mind lets dig in my latest pick.

About the book: This one’s called John Dies At the End. This title seemed interesting and what added to my interest when I initially searched for this one was that it was supposed to be a horror with a dose of comedy. So, this had piked my interest.The book supposedly narrates the tale of two paranormal investigators named David and John who live in an unnamed Midwestern town. Dave meets a reporter named Arnie in a local restaurant and starts recounting the origin of his and John’s unusual abilities. The main story begins where John is performing with his band. David leaves the party early after confronting an amateur magician who is supposed to have some supernatural powers which leaves him shaken. David is awakened by John in the middle of the night by John in order to save him from something. After going to someone’s house John reveals that he has taken a drug known as Soy Sauce😂(what a weird name for a drug) which causes those who consume it to drift to a place from where they cannot return. But it seems as John and Dave miraculously escape the ill effects of the drug . However, they begin encountering a lot of monstrous beings and a lot of strange phenomena caused by these monstrous beings. The rest of the story narrates of how John and Dave fight these monstrous beings and the story of their adventures being recounted by Dave to Arnie who seems not to be buying the tale despite being shown the evidence.

Analysis: This book tries to explore some paranormal elements called the Shadow Men and their devotion to a big boss called Korrok who is supposed to cause all the trouble . But lets be honest the story could have been more interesting. I personally found the whole story to be super confusing. Also, the confusing plot makes the story to be super boring. What was supposed to have piked my interest initially turned out to be a super frustrating journey. I just wanted to stop reading the book thanks to the plot but the stubborn part of mine I just persevered throughout the book though it was a complete pain for me. The reason being I just feel it is sort of an injustice to leave a book incomplete however boring the plot maybe. Though it feels like a pain in the ass to finish boring plots, but the obsessive part of me just wants to finish whatever undertaken to the finish line. This can be viewed as a good or a bad quality. Good because you finish the work and bad because you can be viewed as an obsessive human being and also a person who will procrastinate the work until it is perfect. But with time I have learnt not to feel bad about my obsessive side because it allows me to get my work done. And as long as my work is done I don’t give a hoot.

Verdict: A book which could have had a better plot given the genre.The thought I was having while reading the book was what the heck am I reading ? But somehow the obsessive side let me finish the book. Personally speaking, I did not enjoy the book. In other words it was a pain to finish the book due to a lack luster yet super boring plot. The only interesting part was the character of Molly which provided some comic relief .

Que: What is the name of the band of which John is a member of?
a. Beastie Boys

b. Red hot chilli peppers

c. Three arm Sally

d. Dire Straits

Cite Bite:” Which would prove I’m a monster, Arnie? Sacrificing the people I love for the fight? Or walking away from the fight to save the people i love?”(David to Arnie)