book spontaneous human combustion by richard thomas

spontaneous human combustion by richard thomas book by richard thomas

dive into the unsettling and profound world of richard thomass critically acclaimed short story collection, spontaneous human combustion by richard thomas . this exceptional book, a bram stoker award nominee, blurs the lines between horror, fantasy, and science fiction, offering a truly immersive and thought-provoking reading experience. readers who appreciate dark fiction that delves deep into the human psyche and explores transgressive themes will find this collection captivating. published by turner publishing in february 2022, it features fourteen masterfully crafted tales.

spontaneous human combustion by richard thomas summary

spontaneous human combustion by richard thomas presents a compelling array of fourteen short stories, each pushing the boundaries of dark fiction. the collection weaves together elements of fantasy, science fiction, and horror, exploring themes of people trapped in purgatorial loops, desolate landscapes, regret, and the search for redemption for past transgressions. richard thomas masterfully creates stories that are both provocative and profound, burrowing beneath the skin with their unsettling narratives. for instance, one tale depicts a poker game where a strange prize leads to a life-or-death gamble, while another features twins who develop mysterious powers after an asteroid crash, leading to an uneasy balance in their lives. other stories include a man in a fantasy world seeking to feel whole, only to discover a shocking truth, and a father and son working as slave labor under alien overlords who mount a rebellion. the collection also explores disturbing scenarios like a clown removing his makeup to reveal something far more horrifying underneath. thomass distinctive style, often described as maximalist, rich in setting and sensory details, makes these stories a powerful and haunting journey into the darkest corners of human existence.

about the author richard thomas

richard thomas is an acclaimed american author renowned for his work in neo-noir, new weird, and speculative fiction. born in st. louis, missouri, thomas earned his mfa in creative writing from murray state university. his writing frequently incorporates elements of violence, mental instability, breaks in reality, and unreliable narrators, often with a rich tapestry of sensory details that critics have dubbed "maximalism." he is the award-winning author of numerous books, including novels like disintegration and breaker, and other short story collections such as tribulations and staring into the abyss. thomas has also served as editor-in-chief for prominent publications like dark house press and gamut magazine. he has received multiple nominations for prestigious awards including the bram stoker award, shirley jackson award, and thriller award, establishing him as a significant voice in contemporary dark fiction.

spontaneous human combustion by richard thomas faq

1. what genre is spontaneous human combustion by richard thomas?

   spontaneous human combustion by richard thomas is a collection of short stories that skillfully blends horror, fantasy, and science fiction, often categorized under dark fiction.

2. when was spontaneous human combustion by richard thomas published?

   this compelling collection was published on february 22, 2022.

3. what are the main themes explored in spontaneous human combustion by richard thomas?

   the stories in spontaneous human combustion by richard thomas delve into themes of regret, repentance, redemption for past transgressions, duality, and the human struggle for sanity in unsettling realities.

4. is spontaneous human combustion by richard thomas a novel or a short story collection?

   it is a critically acclaimed collection of fourteen short stories.

5. who is the target audience for spontaneous human combustion by richard thomas?

   this book is highly recommended for readers who enjoy transgressive dark fiction, horror, science fiction, and fantasy with deep psychological and philosophical undertones, particularly fans of authors like h.p. lovecraft, ray bradbury, and jeff vandermeer.