La beauté sans vertu by Genevieve Valentine
Published by Tor Books, 2016
My rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
One of the shorts made available for free through Tor.com, this offering from Genevieve Valentine is an unsettling, satirical swipe at beauty standards, and the hidden cruelties of the fashion world. Speculative sci-fi that flirts with body horror, the story explores a concept more than it tells a narrative, as we see the build-up to and aftermath of a catwalk show. With the pursuit of eternal youth having reached horrifying heights, it is now common practice for models to undergo disturbing surgeries, including full limb transplants courtesy of deceased, adolescent donors.
Though Valentine’s critique of the beauty world is clear from this setup, and there is indeed a feeling of unease of pathos throughout, I felt it could have ended with a little more punch. Visually striking and well written, however, I would certainly read more from this author.
If you’d like to give it a go, you can get La beauté sans vertu as an ebook from your usual retailer, or read it online for free by clicking here.
***
The Inner Room by Robert Aickman
Published by Faber & Faber, 2019 (first published in 1968)
My rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
One of the Faber Stories range, this novelette sees a woman reflect on the strange, ornamental dollhouse that both fascinated and disturbed her as a child. Now, as an adult, she stumbles upon a secluded mansion that seems to be an exact replica.
This is another example of a fantastically well-realised concept, and a disturbing tableau that draws on horror conventions to great effect. The prose is solid and the atmosphere builds well towards the heroine’s final confrontation with her own nightmares. Again, I felt the ending could have had a little more impact, rather than the quiet fizzling out we were given, but as far as literary horror goes, and the creation of imagery that will linger in the mind, this is a great little contribution to the genre. Just be prepared for the kind of story that poses questions more than it offers answers.
If you’d like to give The Inner Room a go, you can find a copy here or here.
***
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Callum McLaughlin 
I like the idea of exploring the insane beauty standards of today. By the sounds of it, the author takes this idea further into the extreme (I think it is bad enough as it is today). The world of fashion and catwalk shows is fascinating, it is like a world of its own, which works differently from the rest of the world. Could be tempted by this one (and it is free 😉).
She treads the balance between speculative horror and magical realism very well in that respect. It’s a quick and striking read, so well worth checking out if you’re tempted! 😊
The Inner Room sounds fascinating! I really want to read the collection of Aickman stories Compulsory Games published by New York Review Books.
It’s definitely worth the read! I hope you enjoy his collection, I would certainly be open to trying more of his work.
Great reviews! I completely agree that The Inner Room offers more questions than answers, but I did find the concept particularly haunting. The image of that dollhouse has really stuck with me! La Beaute Sans Vertu sounds interesting as well!
Thank you! They’re both very striking visually. I didn’t read them back to back on purpose, but they actually compliment each other pretty well in that respect.
I want to read both of these RIGHT NOW. They sound fab! Thanks for sharing Callum.
My pleasure! They’re both well worth checking out, and I hope you enjoy them if you do so 😊
omg the cover of La beauté sans vertu is so gorgeous!!!
Right?? The design team at Tor have got their shit together. I love their covers!
As usual, a nicely done review.
Thank you very much!
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Omg La beauté sans vertu sounds so good, I can’t believe the ending let you down a bit!! I need to see read this – sounds amazing. But I am partial towards books that deal with rather, let’s say, lax morals. Great reviews! I love that I always get to know a book I never heard of before whenever I come to your blog.
It’s definitely worth checking out, and I really hope you enjoy it! 😊
Okay so I tried checking it out on the link you gave and… I LOVE the idea of it, but the writing put me off so much I could not even finish. So sad! But a great premise.
That’s a shame! I suppose that’s the beauty of Tor’s free shorts though; there’s no harm in giving something a shot!
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