Author: Joe R. Lansdale
Publisher: Tachyon Publications (2010)
Note: This short story was originally published in The King is Dead: Tales of Elvis Post-Mortem, 1994It all started with a short story and it only took two years for Michael and I to add another short to the wordy bit of our joint reviews. It's just icing on the cake that we're getting to serve this one up on the same weekend that college football starts. I'd say this review is going to be short because the story was short but, come on, we all know it's because halftime only lasts 20 minutes. But, wait!
We absolutely cannot continue with this post without a huge shout out of thanks to Michael for the awesome Bubba Ho-Tep DVD edition he sent to Dr Musacha and me. Holy crap, it is so freaking cool! Click here for details and, no, that is not a picture of Elvis' uniform it is an actual slip off cover that is a miniature of the shirt. Sweet!!!!!
For anyone new to the this series, this is where we choose a book/movie pairing and I say a few words on the book and Michael says a few words on the movie.
Elvis is not dead, he's in a Texas rest home. However, he's not resting peacefully. His old body is falling apart and even his, erm, VIP is letting him down. But when weird shit starts up in the Convalescent Home and his fellow denizens begin die of unnatural causes, it's just the inspiration he needs to pee in the toilet and be the hero he always played in the movies.
This is a weird, weird, weird story. I've never read any Lansdale but I get the impression this is not his only weird story. When I first started I was put off by the focus on body parts, fluids and general raunch but as I continued reading it was impossible to not get involved in Elvis' pit of despair. Elvis is pretty pitiful at the outset. Mentally and physically he is a poor specimen and pretty much waiting to die. Underneath all the parts that made me go "ew, are you kidding?" was a really sad man with a series of regrets. I wasn't expecting such a genuine depiction of the frustrations of old age in a story entitled Bubba Ho-Tep but there's no denying the running theme, even during the heroic ending, of the challenges of old age and of being left behind.
But still, it's so weird and pretty gross, too. You really should prepare yourself for icky moments and wtf moments but if you can get past them* you'll find some genuine fun. How could it possibly not be fun when a mummy invades a rest home? When Elvis gets to be not only alive but a mummy slayer!
*and perhaps you won't even need to get past them because this type of story is quite popular with some so don't take my ick factor as the end all be all
I have many comments on the movie so I'm heading over to the review... in between the football games, of course. :)
rating: 3 of 5 stars
Click here for an index of the joint post series
I very much enjoyed its story. I've read Joe Lansdale before -- he writes the "Hap Collins and Leonard Pine" mysteries. Like this, it's one-of-a-kind. I, too, was at first off-put by the ice-factor. But, I then started to think about the elderly family member of mine. The shift of things we think important does shift as we age. I think Lansdale's tale reflected that. And yes, crudely. But, you were never bored ;-).
ReplyDeleteYep, it's a good story for a half-time. I'd forgotten college football season began this weekend. Perfect for this, don't 'ya think? I'm glad you received and enjoyed the gift. When I saw it, I thought it'd find a good home with you two. Glad we did this one. Many thanks, Rachel.
I haven't read the story, but I LOVED the movie. Just an all around great time. I keep a look out for the story.
ReplyDeleteMichael - It's amazing how such a goofy, weird, and gross story becomes something touching and evocative when the resolution of the two men comes to the fore. I also thought on an elderly family member whilst reading and it was pivotal to my reading. I wonder how I would read it if I had no experience of an aged relative with limited ability and freedom.
ReplyDeleteJed - I think you would definitely like this story. It'll play right into your pooh humor and probably have a bit in common with your cyberclunk novella.