Sour Candy
Kealan Patrick Burke
At first glance, Phil Pendleton and his son Adam are just an ordinary father and son, no different from any other. They take walks in the park together, visit county fairs, museums, and zoos, and eat together overlooking the lake. Some might say the father is a little too accommodating given the lack of discipline when the child loses his temper in public. Some might say he spoils his son by allowing him to set his own bedtimes and eat candy whenever he wants. Some might say that such leniency is starting to take its toll on the father, given how his health has declined. What no one knows is that Phil is a prisoner, and that up until a few weeks ago and a chance encounter at a grocery store, he had never seen the child before in his life.
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0A solid horror short story that was easy to read through. The only thing is that I wish I got to know the main character a bit better, so I’d feel for him more. Overall, it was a fun read!
0This little horror novella was great although short. Burke really took the concept of parenthood and twisted in such a fantastic way. Our MC never wanted kids and seeing a child scream in the supermarket really solidifies that notion for him until his life is completely upended. It was very much like an episode of black mirror. He goes from waking up childless to everyone telling him he has this son who to him is a parasite. Burke really high lighted how almost life sucking being a parent is. Everything you do revolves around that child from nutrition, hygiene, and maintaining your own mental health. Parenthood is hard but even in the end the MC second guessed himself.
It was short but sweet. I highly recommend to anyone who like those weird horror books that have amazing metaphors for regular everyday life.
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