“At Dark I Become Loathsome”
Written by Eric LaRocca
“Every horror story is about power.” This book revels in the power of horror. It tells the story of Ashley Lutin, a man struggling with intense grief, loss, and his own personal demons. In an attempt to help others rediscover the joy in life that he’s lost, Ashley creates a ritual that forces people to choose vulnerability. He finds himself making a connection that pushes him to explore the darkest parts of his psyche, all while continuing the search for his lost son.
Eric LaRocca’s prose in this piece is eloquent, powerful, and revelatory. It is an exploration of grief and helplessness in the face of loss. It paints a stark picture of someone who is breathing, sleeping, and eating with the anguish and despondency that grief creates. As someone familiar with these feelings, I resonated with it.
This book is not for everyone. It is blunt and desperate, violent and chaotic. Ashley, through his self-loathing and destruction, becomes a problematic character to root for. This piece is not for those dipping their toes into the world of horror but for those who stare unflinchingly into the darkest corners of the void. Eric’s writing style is nearly poetic, and his ability to immerse readers in a visceral and enthralling world is unparalleled. “All this happiness makes me sad.” It does indeed, good sir. It does indeed.
Jennifer Farris Writer 