When one hears the name Jack Ketchum they
think of splatter punk, extreme horror, and outrageous violence. With
such a reputation his books have never been found on best sellers lists.
An avid cult following however has arisen that has made his novels and
short stories hugely popular. Five feature length films have been made
out of his works and his writings have brought such prestigious honors
as multiple Bram Stoker Awards and the World Horror Convention Grand
Master Award.
In 1995, Jack Ketchum released a novel that
would seem more apt to have been written by someone other than a
speculative fiction author. The novel Red, with elements that seem out
of a Cormac McCarthy novel, twists a tale that should lead to vengeance
into a story filled with forgiveness and love. Avery Ludlow, a widower
and senior citizen from Maine, lives a quiet life with his dog Red. His
daily routine includes such hobbies as fishing and managing his general
store. One fateful fishing trip down by the local creek, a shocking
event turns his world upside down. Seeking understanding, asking only
for impartiality, offering total absolution, Ave does his best to remain
human in a world that offers nothing but melancholy and unfairness.
In 2008, a film of the novel starring Brian
Cox with an important cameo by Robert Englund was highly regarded by
critics while being a very faithful adaption to the story. Dark
Discussions discusses this fantastic novel, the wonderful movie, and how
the character of Avery Ludlow, flaws and all, is the model of how every
human being with nothing more than a big heart can overcome whatever is
wrong in the world.
Download from here.
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