R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed on + 1452 more book reviews
One must have an interest in the macabre to truly enjoy this story. I am not certain that I have that interest but this is a well written tale based on work of Edgar Allen Poe, especially a short story by the same title. The differences are in some of the characters.
Araby Worth is a teenager who has lost her twin brother and mourns for him. He was a victim of a plague which invaded the city in which she and her scientist father live. She seeks relief and oblivion in drugs and drink with her friends in the Debauchery Club. Her best friend, April, is a rich, wild, free spirit who introduces Araby to this entertainment. And, it is here, too that Araby meets Will, manager of the club. The attractive Will appeals to many girls but only Araby meets his family, a younger brother and a sister for whom he is responsible.
As the story spins to its strange conclusion we discover that it was Araby's father who was responsible for the plague. It was he, too, who invented the masques which help protect people who can afford to buy them. The trouble is few can afford them because the prince has control of the supply. Araby meets April's brother. Elliott, whose goal is to steal the plans for making the masques and distribute them to the poor. There are others who want to control the city so the race is on when another even more virulent disease hits the city. This time the masques provide only some protection. Those who contract the disease die almost instantly with blood running from their eyes, mouth, ears and other orifices.
Yes, it's a strange story but readers may understand it better if they read Poe's own "Masque of the Red Death." It is much like the tale written by this author whose book is derived from the story. I read the story after I read the book. Wish I had seen it sooner.
Araby Worth is a teenager who has lost her twin brother and mourns for him. He was a victim of a plague which invaded the city in which she and her scientist father live. She seeks relief and oblivion in drugs and drink with her friends in the Debauchery Club. Her best friend, April, is a rich, wild, free spirit who introduces Araby to this entertainment. And, it is here, too that Araby meets Will, manager of the club. The attractive Will appeals to many girls but only Araby meets his family, a younger brother and a sister for whom he is responsible.
As the story spins to its strange conclusion we discover that it was Araby's father who was responsible for the plague. It was he, too, who invented the masques which help protect people who can afford to buy them. The trouble is few can afford them because the prince has control of the supply. Araby meets April's brother. Elliott, whose goal is to steal the plans for making the masques and distribute them to the poor. There are others who want to control the city so the race is on when another even more virulent disease hits the city. This time the masques provide only some protection. Those who contract the disease die almost instantly with blood running from their eyes, mouth, ears and other orifices.
Yes, it's a strange story but readers may understand it better if they read Poe's own "Masque of the Red Death." It is much like the tale written by this author whose book is derived from the story. I read the story after I read the book. Wish I had seen it sooner.
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