Unconventional horror is the name of the game for Our Frail Disordered Lives, and it does not take long to reach this conclusion once you start reading. Mary M. Schmidt brings you a story that will not just entertain on several levels, but you will constantly find yourself wondering – what comes next?
Larry Kavanaugh appears to be an ordinary family man with typical problems. But to him, these problems are just a little too much to handle, which opens up an opportunity for a demon called Roach. As a minion of Satan and assigned to gain souls in the Upper World, Roach is not the dark angel’s favorite. Instead, he gets all the bad assignments that eventually lead to him looking more incompetent as eternity rages on.
Finally, Roach decides to defy the orders of his master and stay in the Upper World, where he can embody another human while keeping a close eye on Larry. More specifically, Roach is determined to turn time back and get his spot in Dante’s Inferno – a spot that Satan took away from him – and Larry is the person that is going to help him.
After reading more than my fair share of titles filled with blood, guts, and diabolic entities, this book by Schmidt took me down a very different road. With a casual and laidback style, Schmidt paints a corporate side of hell you probably do not think about every day. Overall, the style is humorous and lighthearted, although it addresses many issues a lot of families face every day.
The pacing of the story is spot-on, and the way Schmidt pieced the book together flows perfectly with the premise of the plot. It does not move too fast or too slow, and there is always something happening somewhere. In terms of plot originality, it is not the first time hell and its creatures have been portrayed with likable elements, but Schmidt manages to put her own fresh spin on things.
As for the characters that make up this refreshing story, they are as colorful as they are entertaining. From Satan and Roach to Larry and his wife, there is never a lack of authenticity. They all blend perfectly to deliver the type of horror story you cannot help read with a permanent grin.
What is quite clear from the beginning is that Our Frail Disordered Lives is not meant to leave you paranoid and scared. This is because the premise makes light of something that is very misunderstood, namely the afterlife. It also looks at how far people will go just to make things easier on themselves within the current moment.
Readers who want to break away from the dark and twisted, this is definitely a book I would recommend. Make no mistake; there are some dark moments, but given the style and tone of the story, they do not linger. Chances are you will read the last page with more appreciation for what you have, and you will think twice about selling your soul without making sure all the details have been covered.
Reviewed by Damnetha Jules
Damnetha is a staff writer, horror book and movie critic.
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