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Born Bad

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Overview

From a writer whose novels have been acclaimed for their unflinching exploration of evil comes a brilliant collection of short stories-some never before published-that distill dread back down to its essence-and inject it straight into the reader's back brain.

Editorial Reviews

Hard, dark, and raw, this collection of 40 short stories and a play provides ample material for Vachss fans. Unfortunately, the quality varies greatly, ranging from the author's earliest, sometimes sophomoric writings to his more current, professionally crafted stories. None of it is light reading. His writing is always on fast forward, curt, terse but it is sometimes blinded by compassion for the victim--most often children who have been sexually,physically or mentally abused (``Watched the little girl testify in court, her tiny hand clutching the magic stone. The defense attorney hammered away at her, like a sweating, fat pig, boring for truffles. But she stuck it out--he couldn't change the truth. I was proud of her.''). This passion, understandable though it is, sometimes overwhelms his craft. Revenge is the justice of choice because, in Vachss's world, the legal system is inept, unfair and unworkable. Vachss has a flair for unique twists in the final story lines that will leave readers twisting in their seats as well. (Aug.) -- PUBLISHERS WEEKLY.

Author Information

Bio of Andrew Vachss

ANDREW VACHSS is a lawyer who represents children and youths exclusively. He divides his time between his native New York City and the Pacific Northwest.

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Additional Info

Imprint

Vintage

Filesize

329.30 KB

Number of Pages

352

eBook ISBN

9780375719097

Excerpt from: Born Bad by Andrew Vachss

Writing short stories is like fighting in a real small ring: whatever your style, you have to get busy quick. It's easier to make mistakes, and it costs more if you do.

If you're looking for a Chandler clone, save your money. If you think "noir" is French for "dark meaninglessness," move on. If your idea of a good time is vigilante slasher-splatter porn, pass.

Those interested in labels will find justification for everything from hardboiled to horror. Some of the pieces concern a mercenary named Cross, soon, if my plans work out, to invade the paperback market. Some are stage plays, others are works-in-progress. Some have been previously published in a wide variety of forums. Others are original to this collection. Most are first-person narratives, some from ground zero and some -- the "Underground" series -- from below that.

I'll spare you self-congratulatory adjectives. Writing isn't my work, it's an organic extension of that work. I may not be a good writer, but I write for a good reason. And if that reason isn't apparent by the time you've finished this collection, I didn't get the job done.