Peaceable Kingdom

Truly a phenomenal anthology, I buzzed through Ketchum's collection like a goose through a field of June-bugs, smacking my lips at every tasty morsel. There are thirty-two stories here in this collection, way to many to give even the briefest of synopsis for each, but trust me when I say that Ketchum runs a gamut here from realism to surrealism straight through the ethereal and on into the pits of hell itself. Yummy. A Mother sees her ten year old son for the monster he is, a mysterious empty box that leaves death in its wake, parrots and body-painting in a haunted bar, the unbreakable melding of minds with twins, a dying author's last wish, new methods of gentlemen's justice, just to skim a few teasers. Of special mention are the tales "Meagan's Law", a horrifying look at a real life monster that twists your views around; "The Great San Diego Sleazy Bimbo Massacre", a brutal and hilarious tale of two barflys and an unwanted husband; "The Rose", in which a tattoo artist frees a slave; and "Lines: Or Like Franco, Is Elvis Still Dead", a realistically scary tale of Fatal Attraction. Ketchum has proven in this collection that he not only writes well, but can cross whatever genre he chooses successfully. Wild, weird, wonderful, horrific, and even inspiring, this is a must-have for you anthology collection. Includes Introduction and Afterward by Jack Ketchum, both factually interesting enough to take note of. Enjoy!

I loved a dozen of the stories, felt lukewarm about another six or so, and didn't care for the rest. Not because they weren't well-written. They simply weren't my speed. Another reader may find them very enjoyable. Short stories are a different beast from a novel, as Ketchum states in the introduction. An author can play with a lot of different ideas without devoting months or years to a project. The stories I loved, I REALLY loved. I bookmarked them so I can jump to my favs if I pull this out again. Still a forever fan of his. He is one of the greats. His art as a storyteller is amazing as are his prose.

If there's a better collection of short stories written by a single author, I've certainly not read it. From story one, Ketchum writes on parts of human nature that few authors dare to. Only those who write with such skill and style can pull it off, but when they do, we're left with stories that are deep, complex, and compelling. Where, if you think more is below the surface, there certainly is (a reread will prove it so... read Megan's Law more than once if you are not picking up what is really happening). Ketchum plays upon our assumptions, opens up our minds, and tells some dark truths. He speaks to things we already knew or suspected but haven't admitted. 'You think the world is a sane, just place? well, look over here, let me shine the light in this dark spot, and if you still feel the same, fine, but at least now you have all the information.' This is all done without preachy, moralistic brow-beating, but rather a detached but observant point of view that makes these stories even more powerful.

Ketchum writes well and generally his story telling is quite enjoyable. This book starts off strong with some good stories but then seems to become a bit tedious towards the end with some stories feeling more like filler. Nonetheless it was generally a good read.

Peaceable Kingdom by Jack Ketchum is not only the best collection I've read this year, but one of the best I've ever read. Like his best novels, Ketchum's short fiction tends to be unflinching, brutal, and grounded in reality. This is a large collection of 32 stories, and while not every story is great, I found every story to be at least interesting. Some of my favorites include 'The Rifle', 'When the Penny Drops', 'The Work', 'The Best', 'The Exit at Toledo Blade Boulevard', 'Forever', 'Gone', 'The Great San Diego Sleazy Bimbo Massacre' (which shows even Ketchum has a humorous side), and the excellent novella 'Closing Time'. 4.5 / 5

First I need to say Ketchum is great at his craft. While this collection of shorts is filled with his usual depiction of man's depravity, it also includes a slightly hopeful light. Perhaps I found Ketchum too late in my life, for I found that after I read these tales, I was sorry to have this stuff in my head. As I age, I choose to fill my mind with the more positive things of life. With that said, I can recommend this book easily and simply add this is no longer my cup of tea.

I've never read a bleaker and more paranoid writer than Jack Ketchum. Very rarely do you see a Jack Ketchum story with a happy ending, and even if there's such a thing, the story in question must've contained a few twisted elements that made you wish you didn't read it in the first place. A story depicting a mother killing her own son after seeing the horror that he keeps in his personal hideout is just the first of this wonderfully written short story collection; most of the rest are just as thought-provoking and bleak. And to mix it up, he's even added some stories outside of his normal writing range. There are comedies and there is even a sci-fi story in "Amid the walking wounded" in there. But make no mistake, this is Ketchum you're reading and like Stephen King said, he doesn't play nice. Not at all. Don't let your fear of Ketchum prevent you from reading this wonderful collection though. You'll be drawn in by some of the best suspense writing this industry has to offer.

I wonderfully written collection of short stories by Jack. Some are thriller, some are horror, some are just strange. Each voice is narration is different and unique. Truly one of my favorite short story collections. Each story had a wonderful arc that did not feel rushed.

also, diese sammlung von kurzgeschichten, geschrieben von jack ketchum, musste ich haben. hat sich auch gelohnt. die meisten der kurzgeschichten sind echt gut, leider würde die rezension viel zu lang werden, wenn ich auf jede einzelne eingehen würde, da es sich hier um mehr 30 kurzgeschichten handelt. die meisten beschäftigen sich nicht mit übernatürlichem horror, sondern mehr mit menschen, die extreme dinge tun oder in extremen situationen sind. sehr gut fand ich z.B. die geschichten the box: in der ein mann einem kind eine leere schachtel zeigt und das kind daraufhin seinen appetit verliert und am verhungern ist, mail order: in der eine kranke fantasie eines mannes wahr wird,nur nicht so ganz wie er es gern hätte. megan's law: ein verurteilter sexualstraftäter wird aus dem knast entlassen und seine neuen nachbarn sind gar nicht erfreut über seine anwesenheit, also nimmt ein normaler familienvater die sache in die hand, if memory serves: eine frau mit mehreren persönlichkeiten druchlebt beim psychiater nochmals die hölle ihrer kindheit - genialer schluss hier. the holding cell: ein mann wird betrunken am steuer erwischt und muss für acht stunden in eine zelle, nur dass diese zelle keine gewöhnliche ist. the best: kurz und brutal, saugut. closing time: viel länger als die anderen. ein paar, welches sich getrennt hat, gerät in das kranke spiel eines räubers. snakes: wer ne schlangenphobie hat, sollte das vielleicht nicht lesen, auf dne ersten blick clichéhaft, aber genial geschrieben. doch leider gibt es auch ein paar schwache stories dazwischen, z.B. rabid squirrels in love. da hab ich mich echt gefragt, was das mit horror zu tun haben soll, wenn zum schluss ein eichhörnchen erschossen wird. mother and daughter: die hab ich nicht verstanden, da ist nix passiert. forever: eher ein drama als eine horrorgeschichte. aber insgesamt eine gute zusammenstellung von mr.ketchum.

I like all things Jack Ketchum.........

Ketchum is a voice. A storyteller. And he tells them well... He opens his worlds quietly and brings you into the maelstrom..