There is so much going on in this novella. I read it once for the story. You have to do that because this one is going to rip you apart as you follow Fist from the shattering opening scene through one harrowing pivotal scene after another. I then read it again for all of the rest of the story. The symbolism. The literary references. The structure. The landscape as we progress becomes more surreal, the characters more symbolic and archetypal, as we drop from one level to the next and finally into the fire created by his own regret.

Choices. It is all about choices. How some choices, once made, can't be undone. We follow Fist as he carries his dead (both figuratively and literally like Faulkner's characters in As I Lay Dying) to their final resting place and himself to his revenge and, he hopes, redemption. Along the way he meets people that are not necessarily bad, just conflicted like himself. He also meets monsters, some human some not, a fascinating character ("The Artist") that I think of as a reflection of the novelist himself, and in the end, his own personal demon.

Emotionally wringing, this book will take its toll on you. From its devastating first few pages to what is the most gut wrenching final sentence that I have read in a long time. It will leave you shaken and numb. This novella is what dark fiction is all about. ( )

This book would probably appeal to a younger audience, both for its prose level and the simplicity of the story. Basically a run and chase monster story with little character development or real scares along the way although I probably would have liked it as a kid.

I also read The Cold Spot by this author which was slightly better. 3.5 stars but suffered from the same problems. ( )

I won this novella during an online Meet the Author event put on by the publisher Darkfuse.

The story starts off with our protagonist named Fist drunkenly making his way home late at night. During his walk home he is musing about the state of his life and marriage. Fist used to be a boxer, (hence the nickname), but gave it up at the height of his career to become the father he believes his family wanted and needed-a man with a stable job, bringing home a paycheck,and home every night. The idea of what a man(and his family) loses when he gives up who and what he IS soon becomes a moot point as Fist walks into his bedroom and his life changes forever.

What follows is one of the most gut-wrenching scenes I have ever read.

I don't want to spoil the story, so I will just say that this is one novella that is going to stick with you. At times, it is actually difficult to continue reading because the pain of Fist is just too much to bear. I'm not ashamed to say that this novella made me cry, it was THAT powerful.

This is another effective work by Mr. Thompson and one you won't soon forget. I know I won't. ( )