- Title: Captain Clive’s Dreamworld
- Author: Jon Bassoff
- Publisher: Eraserhead Press on October 1, 2020
- Genre: Horror/Magical Realism
- Pages: 234
- Formats Available: Paperback, Audiobook, & Digital
- Rating: 4/5
Trigger Warnings: Suicide, Incest, Rape and Murder of Children
Many thanks to Blackthorn Book Tours, Jon Bassoff, and Eraserhead Press for providing me with a digital copy of Captain Clive’s Dreamworld with a request for an honest review.
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Captain Clive’s Dreamworld Blurb
After becoming the suspect in the death of a young woman, Deputy Sam Hardy is reassigned to the town of Angels and Hope, which, within its borders, holds the once magnificent amusement park, Captain Clive’s Dreamworld. When he arrives, however, Hardy notices some strange happenings. The park is essentially empty of customers. None of the townsfolk ever seem to sleep. And girls seem to be going missing with no plausible explanation. As Hardy begins investigating, his own past is drawn into question by the town, and he finds himself becoming more and more isolated. The truth—about the town and himself—will lead him to understand that there’s no such thing as a clean escape.
Provided by Blackthorn Book Tours for Tour Purposes
My Review
I’ve seen Captain Clive’s Dreamworld compared to The Twilight Zone mixed with Twin Peaks. This comparison is what drew me to the book. But, friends, this book is not your average Twilight Zone episode. It is gruesome and so twisted that I am still trying to straighten myself out.
The world that Bassoff creates is interesting in a weird way. You have a definite taste of The Stepford Wives in this so-called crime-free town. You know right away that these people are not right, but no idea why. The unease was a niggle under the surface for a bit. Then when the story started to piece together, I became appalled.
I will fully admit to being a bit sick to my stomach through this book. I was sobbing through many parts of this disturbing tale. I mean, if it were just the Stepford families, or crazy killer clowns or something, I could handle that. But, there is such darkness that I will be heartsick for a long time, and that is even if I can forget what I’ve read.
The events in this book are not to my liking, but you can’t take Bassoff’s incredible imagination for granted. This writing in this novel is brilliant. All I can say is that I wish that Jon Bassoff had been my English teacher. The man is, to use his word, deranged, but an absolute genius as well!
I award Captain Clive’s Dreamworld 4 out of 5 stars. I recommend this book if you are looking for something far from the beaten path. If you like a little deranged genius, you might enjoy this one.
About the Author – Jon Bassoff
Jon Bassoff was born in 1974 in New York City and currently lives with his family in a ghost town somewhere in Colorado. His mountain gothic novel, Corrosion, has been translated in French and German and was nominated for the Grand Prix de Litterature Policiere, France’s biggest crime fiction award. Two of his novels, The Drive-Thru Crematorium and The Disassembled Man, have been adapted for the big screen with Emile Hirsch (Into the Wild; Once Upon a Time in America) attached to star in The Disassembled Man. For his day job, Bassoff teaches high school English where he is known by students and faculty alike as the deranged writer guy. He is a connoisseur of tequila, hot sauces, psychobilly music, and flea-bag motels.
Great review Kimberly, this book sounds so intriguing!
Intriguing is a good word to describe it.