Horror Book Review: Carrion Comfort – Dan Simmons

Carrion Comfort, published in 1989, is a thick horror novel written by Dan Simmons that mixes elements of supernatural thriller, historical fiction, and psychological horror. The story revolves around a group of powerful individuals with the ability to mentally control others, using them as puppets for their own evil agenda.

Imagine a world where there are people with the ability to control the minds of others. Now imagine that these people are sadistic monsters who use this power to cause nothing but chaos and death. That’s the premise of Carrion Comfort. The book takes us through several periods, from World War II to the present day, following a group of survivors trying to stop these mind vampires before it’s too late.

Carrion Comfort isn’t just a book, it’s a fucking boulder of a book! The table of contents alone is the length of a novel, can you believe it? Simmons himself says the first draft of the manuscript was over 1500 pages. 1500! You could have used it as a weapon, I swear! Even after it passed through the hands of the editors and ended up in a pocket-sized version (if you have pockets the size of backpacks), it was still over 900 pages. It’s the book you take with you on vacation and you don’t need any other clothes – you use it as a pillow, blanket, and bear protection!

The Carrion Comfort was inspired by a dream fragment that deeply impressed Dan Simmons. In the introduction, he recounts this dream, describing an elderly woman running through a dark forest, pursued by a menacing black helicopter. The image itself was unsettling, but what struck Simmons most was the unexpected sense that the woman was not a victim but a “monster” worth catching.

And that’s where it all started. Dan Simmons, who apparently had a lifelong fascination with this idea of people imposing their will on others (I wonder what kind of childhood he must have had?), took this weird dream and turned it into a 900-page nightmare for the rest of us.

I promise my review for Carrion Comfort will be less than 900 pages. 🤪

Who is Dan Simmons?

Dan Simmons, a remarkably versatile American author, has made significant contributions to science fiction, horror, and historical fiction. Before his writing career, Simmons worked as an elementary school teacher, a background that probably enriches his stories. His ability to create complex narratives in all genres has won him a devoted following and critical praise.

Simmons is best known for “Hyperion Cantos“, a science fiction series that began with the 1989 Hugo Award-winning novel “Hyperion”. However, his works extend far beyond science fiction, including “The Terror“, a haunting blend of historical fiction and horror based on a doomed Arctic expedition, and “Ilium“, a science fiction reimagining of Homer’s Iliad. These novels demonstrate Simmons’ talent for creating complex plots, rich world-building, and seamless integration of historical and literary references.

One of Simmons’ trademarks is his taste for epic novels, with many of his books exceeding 500 pages. Despite their length, these works are praised for their depth of character development and engaging narratives. Simmons’ contributions to literature have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including the Hugo, World Fantasy, Bram Stoker, and Locus awards. His novel “The Terror” gained wider recognition after it was adapted into a critically acclaimed television series in 2018, introducing Simmons’ work to an even wider audience.

What does Carrion Comfort mean?

The title Carrion Comfort comes from the poem “Carrion Comfort” by Gerard Manley Hopkins. The poem, partially quoted in the book, explores themes of despair, temptation, and the struggle against darkness.

Not, I'll not, carrion comfort, Despair, not feast on thee;
Not untwist—slack they may be—these last strands of man
In me ór, most weary, cry I can no more. I can;
Can something, hope, wish day come, not choose not to be.

--Gerard Manley Hopkins

The expression “carrion comfort” itself is a paradox, emphasizing the contradictory emotions of finding comfort in despair. Just as the corpse offers food to necrophagous creatures, despair can offer a perverse kind of comfort by numbing the pain and offering an escape from the struggle of life.

Although the book doesn’t explicitly state that Dan Simmons chose the title for this specific reason, the themes of poetry resonate throughout the novel.

• Melanie Fuller, the main antagonist, embodies this concept of the “comfort of death”. Having lived for centuries, she has become desensitized to the suffering she inflicts and gains a sense of perverse satisfaction from the control she exerts over others.
• The novel also explores the despair experienced by other characters, such as Saul Laski, who faces the horrors of the Holocaust. Laski’s journey involves confronting this despair and choosing to fight against the darkness, rejecting the glamour of the “comfort of death”.

Echoing Hopkins, Simmons adds a layer of depth to the exploration of violence, and human capacity to do good and evil in the novel.

What is Carrion Comfort about?

Carrion Comfort starts in 1942 in the Chełmno concentration camp in Nazi-occupied Poland. Saul Laski, a young Jewish man, witnesses a gruesome demonstration of the mind-control powers of Oberst Wilhelm von Borchert, an SS officer. Von Borchert forces prisoners to kill each other, demonstrating his ability to control the minds of others. Saul survives this traumatizing experience and vows revenge on von Borchert.

After the war, Saul studies psychiatry, dedicating his life to understanding and hunting down what he calls “mind vampires” – individuals capable of controlling the minds of others.

The main action of the book takes place in 1980. Saul, now an elderly psychiatrist, continues his search. Meanwhile, Natalie Preston, a young journalism student, begins to investigate the mysterious death of her father. Her investigation leads her to the discovery of the existence of mind vampires.

In Charleston, South Carolina, Sheriff Bobby Joe Gentry investigates a series of seemingly random murders. These investigations will bring him into contact with Saul and Natalie, involving him in the battle against mind vampires.

The story then weaves between events in the present and flashbacks to World War II, revealing how Saul first met Oberst (Willi Borden) in the concentration camp and how he managed to resist his control. Throughout the book, the origins of mental vampire abilities are revealed. It is suggested that these powers have existed throughout human history, responsible for numerous historical atrocities and the rise and fall of empires.

As Saul, Natalie, and Bobby Joe’s investigations converge, Saul, Natalie, and Bobby Joe find themselves caught up in a deadly game between Melanie Fuller and her rival, Willi Borden. The two mind vampires are involved in a strange contest called “The Game”, in which they compete to cause the most interesting and most deaths through the people they control.

Tony Harod, a Hollywood producer with a lesser version of the ability, becomes entangled in the conflict. Initially using his power for personal gain and sexual gratification, Harod finds himself in over his head when confronted with the true extent and brutality of Melanie and Willi’s activities.

The climax of the novel takes place on a private island where Melanie, Willi, and other mind vampires have gathered for a big tournament of the Game. Saul, Natalie, and their allies infiltrate the island, leading to a series of intense confrontations and revelations.

The climax of the novel takes place on a private island where Melanie and Willi have gathered other mind vampires for a big tournament of the Game. Saul, Natalie, and their allies infiltrate the island, leading to a series of intense confrontations and revelations.

Throughout these chapters, Simmons explores the ethical implications of such a power and the different ways mind vampires justify their actions. Some consider themselves superior beings with the right to control “lesser” humans, while others revel in the sheer sadism of their abilities.

As the novel comes to a close, Saul and his allies face Melanie, Willi, and the other mind vampires in a series of psychic and physical battles. The final confrontations are intense and costly, with several characters making supreme sacrifices to stop the mind vampires’ reign of terror.

The ending is bittersweet, offering a resolution to the immediate conflict, but also hinting at the continuing threat posed by other mind vampires still at large in the world. Simmons leaves readers with a sense of unease, suggesting that the fight against such insidious evil never truly ends.

My honest Carrion Comfort review

When it comes to Carrion Comfort by Dan Simmons, I feel somewhat divided. On one hand, I was seriously disappointed, but on the other hand, I really appreciated certain aspects of the book. I think my disappointment stems mainly from the expectations I had created for myself based on the reviews I read previously.

I have heard countless times how scary this book is, so I prepared myself for a terrifying reading experience. But to my surprise, I didn’t feel remotely scared while reading. Yes, some parts were quite brutal, and the actions of many of the characters were truly heinous, but I didn’t feel that visceral dread I was expecting, I didn’t get goosebumps at all, and I didn’t dread reading it at night.

Nothing about this book made me want to sleep with the light on at night, which, for me, is one of the aspects I appreciate most about the horror genre. I love the adrenaline rush that horror brings, that tension that keeps you up at night thinking about what you’ve read. Unfortunately, Carrion Comfort didn’t give me that experience.

However, the story itself was interesting. I appreciated the way Simmons weaved such a complex and convoluted web. Everything was so well interconnected that it kept me intrigued enough to keep reading to the end. He managed to create an intricate story with multiple narrative threads that intertwine in unexpected ways.

One aspect I particularly appreciated was the ending of the book. It was really great and gave me some chills. I wish the whole book could have had the same effect on me. The last few pages managed to capture the essence of what I was looking for in this read – that perfect combination of suspense, horror, and narrative satisfaction.

I think Carrion Comfort is a book that excels at building a complex story and memorable characters rather than creating an atmosphere of pure horror. It’s more of a psychological thriller with horror elements than a classic horror book.

Perhaps my expectations were misguided. Instead of expecting pure scares and fear, I should have been prepared for a deep psychological exploration of human nature and the effects of absolute power on individuals.

Overall, although Carrion Comfort was not the horror book I was expecting, it was a gripping read in its own way. It made me ponder the nature of evil, manipulation, and human resilience in the face of seemingly overwhelming forces. It may not have made me tremble with fear, but it certainly made me think.

For readers looking for a pure horror experience, this book might not be the best choice. But for those who appreciate complex narratives, well-developed characters, and a more subtle exploration of dark themes, Carrion Comfort could be a satisfying read. Just strap yourself in with steely patience to plow through the nearly 900 pages!

Final words

Carrion Comfort alternates between multiple perspectives, giving the reader a complete picture of events. We see the action through the eyes of Saul, Natalie, Sheriff Gentry, as well as the mind vampires, especially Tony Harod and Melanie Fuller.

Carrion Comfort combines elements of horror with political and historical thrillers. Simmons maintains a constant atmosphere of tension and paranoia, suggesting that anyone could be under the control of a mind vampire.

The book’s complex narrative structure, with multiple narrative threads and time jumps, helps to create an atmosphere of mystery and suspense. The reader, as well as the characters, must piece together various pieces of information to understand the entire story.

In the end, Carrion Comfort is an epic novel about power, control, and survival in the face of seemingly unbeatable forces. The struggle of Saul and his allies against the mind vampires serves as a metaphor for resistance in the face of tyranny and organized evil.

Happy horror!

Rox