Archelon Ranch

[scouse mac]

Finished reading this a couple of days ago, was going through at a leisurely ten pages every night before I went to bo-bo land.

Read it again cover to cover on Saturday night, I loved it.


Its impossible to pigeon hole this book so Im not even going to try, suffice to say its the most original story Ive read. In short, Bernard is a man who is being experimented on by his father and experiences bouts of Objectivity, which allow him to experience life as anything and everything, from animals to plants, hats to martinis. During one of his turns of Objectivity, Bernard becomes obsessed with finding sanctuary in a place called Archelon Ranch. There is much more but it would be much better if you bought this book and read it yourself.

Garrett Cook is a frickin' weirdo, but has got a cracking imagination. Can I assume that there is going to be other tales involving Archelon Ranch? Is this your Dark Tower?

[neverending]

Still haven't finished this, so thanks for not including any spoilers!

[scouse mac]

Still haven't finished this, so thanks for not including any spoilers!


I knew you were reading it, so did bear that in mind. To be honest though its the sort of book where its easier to read it than attempt to explain it (you prob know this already).

[Doc Faustus]

I certainly did. Took me three days to write the book. Took me six weeks to write the back cover. I don't know if I'll be revisiting the world of Archelon Ranch. It's possible. I think it might be interesting to look at it without Bernard or Clyde or Narrativism. I was thinking of writing something set there about the dollar store hot sauce wars. My Dark Tower will probably be the Murderland saga. I'm working on retooling part 3 to be what I want it to be instead of what I thought those who published commercial horror wanted. I did that for Part 2 and I like how the plot turned out much better. I got to add a ninja fight, more hallucinations and overall more gore and action.

[scouse mac]

I certainly did. Took me three days to write the book. Took me six weeks to write the back cover. I don't know if I'll be revisiting the world of Archelon Ranch. It's possible. I think it might be interesting to look at it without Bernard or Clyde or Narrativism. I was thinking of writing something set there about the dollar store hot sauce wars. My Dark Tower will probably be the Murderland saga. I'm working on retooling part 3 to be what I want it to be instead of what I thought those who published commercial horror wanted. I did that for Part 2 and I like how the plot turned out much better. I got to add a ninja fight, more hallucinations and overall more gore and action.


Murderland 2 was fantastic, I really liked how the characters progressed and evolved so you've got some pressure for book 3 mate!

I don't know if my take on Archelon Ranch was different to what you intended but I saw as some sort of convergence point between weird and wonderful existences, a refuge from the insanity and a place of answers and so forth.

By the way, for some reason the image you created of people standing in the street waiting for the cooling fans to come on, but risking their lives doing so, is one which has stuck with me. Its strange how certain images can be evocative!

[Doc Faustus]

Murderland 2 was fantastic, I really liked how the characters progressed and evolved so you've got some pressure for book 3 mate!

I don't know if my take on Archelon Ranch was different to what you intended but I saw as some sort of convergence point between weird and wonderful existences, a refuge from the insanity and a place of answers and so forth.

By the way, for some reason the image you created of people standing in the street waiting for the cooling fans to come on, but risking their lives doing so, is one which has stuck with me. Its strange how certain images can be evocative!

No, you pretty much hit the nail on the head. It is odd how certain things really stick with people. The Mall seems to have really affected a lot of readers, whereas I thought what would get them would be The Sad House and the Suburbanites. I didn't think The Mall was that weird, but it comes up in almost every review. Like I was really flattered and surprised when Nick Cato of Horror Fiction Review said "Cook's use of a shopping mall as a barrier between classes and gateway to potential paradise brings out stronger social commentary than was even hinted at in Romero's DAWN OF THE DEAD (1979)." Until I started editing the book, I probably couldn't tell anyone what even happened at The Mall. Thanks for the kind words about Murderland 2. I haven't had much feedback on it, so I'm glad it's not a weak entry.

[neverending]

Actually, all the stuff about the mall has me thinking about a story or book all set within a mall world- kind of like a modern Gormenghast.

I'm sure it's been done though.

[Doc Faustus]

I don't know. I was a little worried when I read that Bentley Little had a book called The Mall, but I think his take is different than that.

[Caenxavier]

I certainly did. Took me three days to write the book.

Seriously? Three? Good God man.

Takes me three days to write and edit a short story :p

[Doc Faustus]

I was pretty drained at the end of it all. Caffeine cash and primal scream alike.

[neverending]

Finally finished reading this wonderful book, and have published a review on my blog:

http://neverendingwonder.blogspot.com/2010/03/book-review-archelon-ranch-by-garrett.html

And at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Archelon-Ranch-Garrett-Cook/product-reviews/0980593824/ref=cm_cr_dp_all_recent?ie=UTF8&coliid=&showViewpoints=1&colid=&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending

Feel free to use any quotes you want, Doc!

[Doc Faustus]

Excellent review. I was worried that this book would never be published and when it came out, I was extremely nervous about how people would feel about it. I did something that I always thought was kind of obnoxious and transparent because it felt right and was concerned I hadn't pulled it off. The reception of this book among my peers, those who've read it and critics surprised me a ton. I'm happy to hear you liked this because it goes without saying this is the one that has the most of me in it, except for Jimmy Plush, which I'm relieved to say is finally making editorial rounds. If my ulcer doesn't decide to digest my entire body, it will be a fun experience for everyone. Tomorrow, I'll link up to your review on my blog.