The Haunted Hillbilly: A Novel (Soft Skull ShortLit)

Derek McCormack's writing fills me with a joy that is usually only triggered by sex, sweeping landscapes, Caravaggio, really good coffee. His style is so terse and tight it takes some getting used to - we don't expect writers to be so economical with their words. this book made me wish it was ten times longer.

Nudie, the costume designer for a mysterious carnival, takes a shine to up-and-coming countrysinger Hank. Hank's just been asked to appear at the Grand Ole Opry, and Nudie convinces Hank to allow him to design his clothes. Soon, it becomes clear that Nudie's intentions are more wicked and devious than what Hank is prepared for. With minimal and precise words, author Derek McCormack creates a creepy underworld of country music and vamprisim. He uses only what is necessary and allows the reader's mind to fill in the scenes, offering a very effective story that sent chills down my spine during the last chapter. A fine, quick read.

The Haunted Hillbilly combines elements of country music history, fantasy, horror, and most of all, incredibly funny looks at the world of Hank Williams and his contemporaries. Nudie is a gay vampire with a clothing store that caters to people like Hank Williams. He starts a trend toward flashy clothing, rhinestones and all, among other stars, such as Ernest Tubb. Nudie is the maker of Hank as a star and also his downfall. Scenes with Hank's wife, his mistress and a jealous Tubb are falling down funny. A great read and a marvelous look at the country and western music scene. The author has obviously been to Nashville and is familiar with the stars that he lampoons. A good book to give for Halloween or any other time.

Derek McCormack's short-short novel, THE HAUNTED HILLBILLY, is the definition of edgy queer lit. McCormack has already proved his capabilities as one of the best upcoming writers with his debut, GRAB BAG, and THE HAUNTED HILLBILLY does not dissapoint. Set in the carnivale atmosphere of rural Canada, Nudie is a vampiric tailor with an unhealthy sexual appetite for the simple minded struggling folk singers. While the characters resemble country/western singer icons, Derek's incarnations are of a much darker breed. Nudie, himself, who molds the impressionable (and simple minded) Hank into a folk singer, wearing his signature gawdy outfits. However, the true story focuses on Nudie's obsession, manipulation and eventual destruction of his unsuspecting protege. McCormack masterfully combines the elements of horror, sexuality and the carnivalesque musical scene like a tailor would mend fabrics. He truly is marvelous. The vampire element is almost an undertone to this novella. Nudie's mere undead presence goes unnoticed by the other characters, as his thirst for blood is subdued with his rapture of Hank on both a physical and mental level. THE HAUNTED HILLBILLY seems more like a morality tale: beware of wolves in sheep's clothing. McCormack's signature writing style is near perfect: simplistic but literary, full of mix-matched details that all seem to bare some relevance, but not so complex that the average reader has to reread the story to understand what's going on. Derek McCormack will soon be a major name in the indie-publishing scene. For fans of Dennis Cooper and Kevin Killian, he is a must-read.

An interesting little story about vampires that is remarkable for its style. Something in how McCormack writes creates an overwhelming sense of being on a bad bender - one where you know things are out of control and going wrong, but in which you don't have your wits about you enough to do anything about it. You have no choice but to lurch along for the ride, not seeing enough to completely understand what's happening to you, but knowing that whatever it is, it's bad.One of the best things I've read in years.