Comments on: Pseudopod 034: Bliss http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/ The Sound of Horror. Pseudopod is the world\'s first audio horror magazine. We deliver bone-chilling stories from today\'s most talented authors straight to your computer or MP3 player. Sat, 11 Oct 2008 21:30:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: KJToo » Podcasts: Pseudopod http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-19523 KJToo » Podcasts: Pseudopod Sat, 29 Mar 2008 22:42:28 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-19523 <p>[...] long as you’re heading over to Pseudopod, I encourage you to check out “Bliss“, by James Michael White (read by Mur Lafferty). Laura and I listened to this one on a recent [...]</p> [...] long as you’re heading over to Pseudopod, I encourage you to check out “Bliss“, by James Michael White (read by Mur Lafferty). Laura and I listened to this one on a recent [...]

]]> By: Dr. White http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-3443 Dr. White Sun, 22 Jul 2007 16:42:29 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-3443 <p>A visceral tale simply but powerfully told. Bliss contains thematic elements which hint at both subtle deeper meaning and which also behaves like a blood splattering cudgel. Outstanding, world-class prose juxtaposes the subtleties with crude reality. Mesmerizing repetition innocently draws the reader toward a fantastic but horrific reality that is Bliss, and it hits its mark. Psychological layers peel away like living tissue in defiance of deconstructionism as the story progresses, and what is exposed is both basely human and transcendent. Dr. Mandrake devolves while Bliss evolves. A multi-layered ensemble of psychological horror, blood-curdling gore tempered by more than the need to shock, and the complexities of humanity have combined in a unique tale that begs, like Bliss, to grow beyond its confines.</p> <p>Excellent work. I highly recommend this tale for those whole love the gore, and for those who love a more cerebral but creepy yarn.</p> A visceral tale simply but powerfully told. Bliss contains thematic elements which hint at both subtle deeper meaning and which also behaves like a blood splattering cudgel. Outstanding, world-class prose juxtaposes the subtleties with crude reality. Mesmerizing repetition innocently draws the reader toward a fantastic but horrific reality that is Bliss, and it hits its mark. Psychological layers peel away like living tissue in defiance of deconstructionism as the story progresses, and what is exposed is both basely human and transcendent. Dr. Mandrake devolves while Bliss evolves. A multi-layered ensemble of psychological horror, blood-curdling gore tempered by more than the need to shock, and the complexities of humanity have combined in a unique tale that begs, like Bliss, to grow beyond its confines.

Excellent work. I highly recommend this tale for those whole love the gore, and for those who love a more cerebral but creepy yarn.

]]> By: Dischord http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-2386 Dischord Fri, 22 Jun 2007 04:34:57 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-2386 <p>And yes, the psychological aspect was very well done. Bliss' insanity was very consistent and well-researched. Above poster is smoking crack, or trolling. I vote for trolling since he fails to state what point he sees aside from horror (and what else would bring you to a horror podcast?)</p> And yes, the psychological aspect was very well done. Bliss’ insanity was very consistent and well-researched. Above poster is smoking crack, or trolling. I vote for trolling since he fails to state what point he sees aside from horror (and what else would bring you to a horror podcast?)

]]> By: Dischord http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-2385 Dischord Fri, 22 Jun 2007 04:32:27 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-2385 <p>Now this, THIS is horror. Magnificent stuff. Disturbing, twisted, internally believable, and actually made me shudder, which is hard to do. The reading was great, the story was beautifully written and paced... superb.</p> Now this, THIS is horror. Magnificent stuff. Disturbing, twisted, internally believable, and actually made me shudder, which is hard to do. The reading was great, the story was beautifully written and paced… superb.

]]> By: Bob http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1960 Bob Mon, 11 Jun 2007 03:52:06 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1960 <p>You people actually liked this/were grossed out by this?!? It's a stupid story that you peopel missed the point of. It seems most of you listen for the horror aspect and not the psychological aspect. If you did, you would realize how stupid the story is.</p> You people actually liked this/were grossed out by this?!? It’s a stupid story that you peopel missed the point of. It seems most of you listen for the horror aspect and not the psychological aspect. If you did, you would realize how stupid the story is.

]]> By: Janni http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1836 Janni Fri, 08 Jun 2007 01:22:20 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1836 <p>I'm catching up on my Pseudopod listening this week, and I agree with others here--this is, I think, the strongest story you've run here so far. Well done.</p> I’m catching up on my Pseudopod listening this week, and I agree with others here–this is, I think, the strongest story you’ve run here so far. Well done.

]]> By: Amber http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1394 Amber Wed, 23 May 2007 00:50:12 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1394 <p>I've just been getting into the Pseudopods and i absolutely adore Bliss. I think thats its a really..earth child story. But this is coming from the girl who went to a cadaver yesterday and had a blast.</p> I’ve just been getting into the Pseudopods and i absolutely adore Bliss. I think thats its a really..earth child story. But this is coming from the girl who went to a cadaver yesterday and had a blast.

]]> By: Stephen Heath http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1205 Stephen Heath Thu, 10 May 2007 17:31:41 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1205 <p>Fantastic story... My fiancee and I listened to it on a plane flight and we are still talking about it a week later! Loved it!</p> Fantastic story… My fiancee and I listened to it on a plane flight and we are still talking about it a week later! Loved it!

]]> By: Lynoure Braakman http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1203 Lynoure Braakman Thu, 10 May 2007 16:42:26 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1203 <p>I thought it was beautiful, in a way. But I have always liked pretty alien girls in fiction.</p> I thought it was beautiful, in a way. But I have always liked pretty alien girls in fiction.

]]> By: Matt Willis http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1144 Matt Willis Sat, 05 May 2007 20:50:56 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1144 <p>Put me down with everyone else; it's extremely hard to get me to really react to a story, but this one got to me.</p> <p>I think it probably had to do with the fact that the characters were all developed to the point that it felt like they could be real people. Extremely good story.</p> <p>The end was gratifying, as well.</p> Put me down with everyone else; it’s extremely hard to get me to really react to a story, but this one got to me.

I think it probably had to do with the fact that the characters were all developed to the point that it felt like they could be real people. Extremely good story.

The end was gratifying, as well.

]]> By: Ken Ryan http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1142 Ken Ryan Sat, 05 May 2007 03:09:00 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1142 <p>Wow.</p> <p>I just recently tried Pseudopod, and I just got finished listening to all of the back episodes over the space of about a week and a half. In spite of the relatively high doses of horror, this is the only episode that really bothered me.</p> <p>Bliss could easily have been a girl I knew in college. Stunningly beautiful, smart, wealthy family, into art, professional modelling, music and cutting. I didn't know it was called cutting back then. I sat suicide watch more than once, dragged her to the emergency room once, sicced the school counselor on her multiple times (in retrospect he was thoroughly incompetent), and so on. I eventually understood that she never put her life in danger (other than perhaps via infections) but I never understood her fascination with blades.</p> <p>It was way too easy to put her in Bliss's shoes.</p> <p>Interestingly, after listening to this episode I think I have a better understanding of this girl than I ever have. I remember her telling me about the feelings and experiences; I made what I thought was the right noises in response but until now I never really understood what she was talking about.</p> <p>Thank you Mr. White, Ms. Lafferty, for an outstanding story that affected me on levels it's going to take me a while to sort out!</p> <p>[I haven't spoken to this girl in decades, but from what I gather she is doing fine.]</p> <pre><code> ken </code></pre> Wow.

I just recently tried Pseudopod, and I just got finished listening to all of the back episodes over the space of about a week and a half. In spite of the relatively high doses of horror, this is the only episode that really bothered me.

Bliss could easily have been a girl I knew in college. Stunningly beautiful, smart, wealthy family, into art, professional modelling, music and cutting. I didn’t know it was called cutting back then. I sat suicide watch more than once, dragged her to the emergency room once, sicced the school counselor on her multiple times (in retrospect he was thoroughly incompetent), and so on. I eventually understood that she never put her life in danger (other than perhaps via infections) but I never understood her fascination with blades.

It was way too easy to put her in Bliss’s shoes.

Interestingly, after listening to this episode I think I have a better understanding of this girl than I ever have. I remember her telling me about the feelings and experiences; I made what I thought was the right noises in response but until now I never really understood what she was talking about.

Thank you Mr. White, Ms. Lafferty, for an outstanding story that affected me on levels it’s going to take me a while to sort out!

[I haven't spoken to this girl in decades, but from what I gather she is doing fine.]

  ken
]]> By: Julio from NY http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1130 Julio from NY Thu, 03 May 2007 18:22:47 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1130 <p>wow!! Much more disturbing than killing jars, fetal position or famine to feast. I'm stlll cringing in fear of being skinned. Very well done.</p> wow!! Much more disturbing than killing jars, fetal position or famine to feast. I’m stlll cringing in fear of being skinned. Very well done.

]]> By: Wiz http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1124 Wiz Thu, 03 May 2007 12:46:52 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1124 <p>Well, I'm a big wuss bag. I had to stop listening about halfway through.</p> <p>My getting grossed out by dissections is the major reason I didn't go into medicine. That huge wimp-factor blot on my record apparently still lives on.</p> <p>So I guess I'd have to say it was pretty a skin-crawling story, just not my cup of tea. I'll keep listening!</p> Well, I’m a big wuss bag. I had to stop listening about halfway through.

My getting grossed out by dissections is the major reason I didn’t go into medicine. That huge wimp-factor blot on my record apparently still lives on.

So I guess I’d have to say it was pretty a skin-crawling story, just not my cup of tea. I’ll keep listening!

]]> By: Loz http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1120 Loz Wed, 02 May 2007 20:28:56 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1120 <p>I have to agree with the majority of opinions here, this could be the best story yet. It was so vivid that I'm glad I was listening to it on a bright sunny morning to negate some of it's power.</p> I have to agree with the majority of opinions here, this could be the best story yet. It was so vivid that I’m glad I was listening to it on a bright sunny morning to negate some of it’s power.

]]> By: Derek http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1080 Derek Sun, 29 Apr 2007 23:52:39 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1080 <p>Wow. Pseudopod hasn't made me want to throw up so strongly until today, when I listened to Bliss. Very nice story. I was fully creeped out and very glad to be listening to this in the broad light of day.</p> <p>Good selection with this one. Luck to the author.</p> Wow. Pseudopod hasn’t made me want to throw up so strongly until today, when I listened to Bliss. Very nice story. I was fully creeped out and very glad to be listening to this in the broad light of day.

Good selection with this one. Luck to the author.

]]> By: Mr. Bernie http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1066 Mr. Bernie Fri, 27 Apr 2007 20:41:56 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1066 <p>simply great such pain, such feeling great job Mur, for the reading Mr. White thanks a lot for such a great story this has to be the best story ever</p> simply great such pain, such feeling great job Mur, for the reading Mr. White thanks a lot for such a great story this has to be the best story ever

]]> By: Dennis_Mahon http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1051 Dennis_Mahon Thu, 26 Apr 2007 16:48:29 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1051 <p>I couldn't stop twitching when she peeled herself. This is going to stay with me for a long time.</p> <p>Outstanding horror.</p> I couldn’t stop twitching when she peeled herself. This is going to stay with me for a long time.

Outstanding horror.

]]> By: digit http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1045 digit Wed, 25 Apr 2007 19:21:33 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1045 <p>im horrified and disgusted.</p> <p>nice work!</p> im horrified and disgusted.

nice work!

]]> By: dequeued http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1039 dequeued Tue, 24 Apr 2007 20:29:25 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1039 <p>That was one of the most bloody stories I have heard, it was worse than counting from ten.</p> <p>`</p> That was one of the most bloody stories I have heard, it was worse than counting from ten.

`

]]> By: Adam http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1038 Adam Tue, 24 Apr 2007 18:08:21 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1038 <p>That was great! I think it's the first time I've had to take a break half way through a story to let me stomach settle!</p> That was great! I think it’s the first time I’ve had to take a break half way through a story to let me stomach settle!

]]> By: Joseph http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1032 Joseph Tue, 24 Apr 2007 04:10:46 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1032 <p>Bloody hell! I listened to this over six hours ago and my skin still feels bad on me.</p> <p>Bliss convinced me!</p> <p>This is the best of Pseudopod to date [although it might be the 2nd best had "Just Do It" been posted here instead of on Escape Pod.]]</p> <p>Mr White, Mrs Laferty, thank you. Now, off to find that donate button.</p> Bloody hell! I listened to this over six hours ago and my skin still feels bad on me.

Bliss convinced me!

This is the best of Pseudopod to date [although it might be the 2nd best had "Just Do It" been posted here instead of on Escape Pod.]]

Mr White, Mrs Laferty, thank you. Now, off to find that donate button.

]]> By: Shane Kelly http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1028 Shane Kelly Mon, 23 Apr 2007 19:49:55 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1028 <p>Yeah this one really did it for me, the writing and the characterization were really top notch. Really made me shudder. More like this one please. I don't know the author, does he have other good stories you guys can run?</p> Yeah this one really did it for me, the writing and the characterization were really top notch. Really made me shudder. More like this one please. I don’t know the author, does he have other good stories you guys can run?

]]> By: Brian http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1026 Brian Sun, 22 Apr 2007 16:12:25 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1026 <p>This is the first story that really made my skin crawl. Outstanding story.</p> This is the first story that really made my skin crawl. Outstanding story.

]]> By: D.C. Burns http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1022 D.C. Burns Sat, 21 Apr 2007 02:46:45 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1022 <p>Fell asleep? Must not have been listening. This is terrific storytelling. He makes you FEEL it. I read this story in Talebones and tasted blood in my mouth. All of his writing that I have seen in various publications is vivid, and to hear it told was a particular treat.</p> Fell asleep? Must not have been listening. This is terrific storytelling. He makes you FEEL it. I read this story in Talebones and tasted blood in my mouth. All of his writing that I have seen in various publications is vivid, and to hear it told was a particular treat.

]]> By: asha http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1020 asha Fri, 20 Apr 2007 17:05:54 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1020 <p>eh. i kind of fell asleep listening. Worked for soothing background noise at work. Wasn't particularly fond of this one but still love ya and will still be tuning in next Friday.</p> eh. i kind of fell asleep listening. Worked for soothing background noise at work. Wasn’t particularly fond of this one but still love ya and will still be tuning in next Friday.

]]> By: Jaye Sunsurn http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1017 Jaye Sunsurn Fri, 20 Apr 2007 06:50:54 +0000 http://pseudopod.org/2007/04/20/pseudopod-034-bliss/#comment-1017 <p>When I was much younger I watched a bad copy of a copy of a copy of a copy and probably a few more generations besides of the original faces of death.... it bored me except for one scene of a mortician folding the skin on a dead persons skull... that scene made me quite nauseous for some reason I nearly threw up on the spot, it also gave me nightmares for a few days. This story has made me relive that memory of that scene over and over again... a full body memory... I don't think I'm going to sleep tonight... not well at least. Note this is a compliment...</p> When I was much younger I watched a bad copy of a copy of a copy of a copy and probably a few more generations besides of the original faces of death…. it bored me except for one scene of a mortician folding the skin on a dead persons skull… that scene made me quite nauseous for some reason I nearly threw up on the spot, it also gave me nightmares for a few days. This story has made me relive that memory of that scene over and over again… a full body memory… I don’t think I’m going to sleep tonight… not well at least. Note this is a compliment…

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