Hello all,
I've been writing a story about a murderer in the 1800s. There are some dark comedic elements, some light hearted scenes, and some grim death. I'm having trouble maintaining a steady tone.
It seems I'm bouncing around between writing that's too dark in tone and writing that's too light-hearted.
I was hoping to get some recommendations for research. If you've read some books that have a nice balance of murder/death and laughter, I'd love to hear what they are.
Thanks much,
Charlie
Jeff Strand is an author who writes humorous horror. Might be worth checking out. Graverobbers Wanted (No Experience Necessary) is the only one book of his that read. A few Carlton Mellick 3 books may fit as well such as Zombies and Shit and Apeshit. I'm amused that both those titles have "shit" in them considering he has published so many books and those are the only two with the word in the title.
Vonnegut is always a good starting point for combining darkness and humor. Mother Night and Slaughterhouse Five, specifically. Less Than Zero and Rules of Engagement by Brett Easton Ellis get emotionally dark and have a very bitter humor to them.
If you want something more period appropriate, though, you can't go wrong with Oscar Wilde. The Picture of Dorian Gray is a quick read, dark and, since it's Wilde, has plenty of humor.
@Cowboy: That's Rules of Attraction, Bud. Sorry, Bret be my favorite...
@Charles: I like Hell by Robert Olen Butler and I, Lucifer by Glen Duncan. Both funny, yet dark.
I agree with Rules but add American Psycho to that list. Chuck Palahniuk (his early books). Brandon Tietz, Nik Korpon and Craig Clevenger all have pretty good books. A lot of the books on The Velvet really. William S. Burroghs of course.
Joe R. Lansdale.
Despair by Nabokov
Deadeye Dick by Vonnegut, it's a quick read and often overlooked.
Twilight, Twilight: Eclipse, Twilight: New Moon, Twilight: Breaking Dawn.
(Seriously: As well as those mentioned in this thread, Woody Allen's Insanity Defence also has some humorous short stories.)
the Wimbledon Poisoner by Nigel Williams (more humour than dark, but there's murder going on)
How could I forget Angela's Ashes. It's a sad story all together, but a hilarious read.
I am reading Practical Jane by Thomas Cole. It's a very dark comedy
I gotta throw my own shit in here haven't I? http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=malice+in+blunderland&tag=go...
Definitely agree with the Vonnegut mentions, he's wonderful.
DBC Pierre's Vernon God Little is one of my all time favourite dark comedies. I recommend it to pretty much anyone.
Tom Robbins' Still Life with Woodpecker and all of his other books that I've read were sort of in the same vein, and super enjoyable.
Also anything by Chris Walter (www.punkbooks.com) is a great mix of comedy, tragedy and just plain rock n roll. My favourites are Boozecan and East Van, but I haven't read one that I didn't like. Really raw style, fast read, too.
The Death Of Bunny Munro from Nick Cave is fun, too, in a fairly sadistic way.
I'd have to go home and look at my bookcase to remember what else I've enjoyed, but check some of those out.
I, Lucifer by Glen Duncan. Basically God gives the devil a shot at redemption and living in a mortal body. Hilarity ensues.
Read my story in the workshop called, "Merry Christmas Satan!", it's dark comedy lol ;) I think its fun.
Most Kurt Vonnegut stuff is dark comedy.
I just bought Death of Bunny Monroe for 3 bucks off barnesandnoble.com. They are having a year end booksale of a large selection of their hardbacks 3-4 dollars. Just fyi.
I have a dark story on Solarcide.
I'll have to say J.G. Ballard.
The third novel-lenght story I wrote (I hesitate to call it a novel) was called A Very Dark Comedy as a placeholder for a real title. This was back in '04 or so. It's about a man in the middle of an identity crisis when he finds out his father was a serial killer/rapist and then decides to follow in daddy's footsteps.
I really should rewrite that. I won't. But I should.
