Posted by Luthor on June 28, 2004 at 07:51:24:
These pieces are almost surely delightful examples of experimental fiction rather than the ravings of an unbalanced mind. Those among us who have had occasion to work with the mentally ill will no doubt attest to the fact that the ravings of an actual lunatic are seldom so cohesive, and certainly not as entertaining as these narratives.
The device used here is similar to an actor using the Method. While the usual aim of a writer is to tell the story, Blue Dreams sets out to instead become the story. And he has done a masterful job! He adopts the educational level and vocabulary of the character. He not only speaks as the character would speak, he writes as the character would write. As the character in the story deteriorates, his spelling and syntax reflect that reality. The reader is never quite sure if what he or she is viewing is a work of fiction or the confessions of a madman. It is that uncertainty that elevates this writer above the usual offering and places him in a class all his own. What, after all, are human beings most afraid of?
The unknown, of course.
I seem to recall that a writer made a handfull of posts a few years ago that appeared to be the disjointed ramblings of a diseased mind that had many of our little club up in arms (I think one described the torture and killing of kittens). I and a few others were convinced the posts were simply a talented writer trying to pull our collective chains, while several others took the posts seriously (Sam -- do you remember these posts, and were they posted by Blue Dreams or someone else?).
Blue Dreams has accomplished the impossible. He has stood up before an audience so jaded that not only are they amused by the average blood and guts horror story, but often find it sexually arousing as well, and managed to throw a good scare into us.
No small accomplishment.
-- Luthor