Born Bad: Collected Stories

Andrew Vachss

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Born Bad: Collected Stories by Andrew Vachss presents a collection of short narratives that delve into the darkest aspects of human nature. The stories are often unsettling and portray characters like criminals and predators. While some readers found the endings predictable, others appreciated Vachss's direct and lean writing style, which enhances the impact of the tales.

The book is composed of vignettes, with each piece painting vivid and chilling scenarios that reflect a hard-boiled crime fiction tradition. Vachss’s writing is straightforward, making it easy to digest in small portions. With highlights like the titular story 'Born Bad' and others like 'Placebo,' the collection is both haunting and powerful, with some readers calling it a treasure among dark literature.

Characters:

The characters are often morally ambiguous and represent extreme human behaviors, portrayed with depth and realism.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is concise and straightforward, with impactful language that enhances the realism of the stories.

Plot/Storyline:

The collection presents dark narratives focused on crime and the darker aspects of humanity, with some predictable yet engaging conclusions.

Setting:

The setting is primarily urban and contemporary, characterized by darkness and the pervasive presence of crime.

Pacing:

The pacing is quick, making the stories easy to read in short bursts while effectively delivering powerful impacts.

The bitch in 24-G is a whore. A real slut. She parades around in front of her bedroom window in her underwear, trying on different outfits. Sometimes she looks right out the window. She knows I'm here...

Notes:

Andrew Vachss writes in a lean, direct style that makes his rare descriptive phrases stand out.

The stories in 'Born Bad' focus on dark themes, often involving criminals and sexual predators.

Many readers found the endings of his stories somewhat predictable but still engaging.

Vachss's collection is made up of short stories, making it easy to read in small increments.

The title story, 'Born Bad,' is highly regarded for its exploration of psychopathic crime origins.

Vachss's work is often considered to blend elements of mystery and horror.

The stories are described as powerful but not suitable for the faint of heart due to their dark content.

Some readers criticize the lack of plot and depth in certain stories in this collection.

Vachss is known for the Burke series, which features themes of abuse and justice against perpetrators.

The collection includes a well-regarded story called 'Placebo,' which can also be read in graphic novel form on Vachss's website.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include graphic descriptions of violence, sexual predation, and themes of abuse.

From The Publisher:

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. Andrew Vachss might have scissored his characters from today's headlines: a stalker prowling around an anonymous high-rise; a serial killer whose transgressions reflect a childhood of hideous abuse; an inner-city gunman who is willing to take out a blockful of victims in order to win a moment of acceptance.

Tautly written and endowed with murderous ironic spin, Born Bad plunges us into the hell that lies just outside our bedroom windows.

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What can you read after
Born Bad: Collected Stories?

See the list (12 books)

About the Author:

Andrew Vachss is a lawyer who represents children and youths exclusively. His many books include the Burke series, the Aftershock trilogy, the Cross series, numerous stand-alone novels, and three collections of short stories. His novels have been translated into 20 languages, and his…

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