Name: Drue Thomas's review of Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke by Eric LaRocca
Item: Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke
Rating: 2
Author: Drue Thomas

Eric LaRocca

Sadomasochism. Obsession. Death.

A whirlpool of darkness churns at the heart of a macabre ballet between two lonely young women in an internet chat room in the early 2000s—a darkness that threatens to forever transform them once they finally succumb to their most horrific desires.

What have you done today to deserve your eyes?

Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke

Ribs

Even a carcass can carry life, so why not me?

There's a reason objects burn up when they fall to earth like gruesome angels - a reason other than the obvious one.

It's because the planet is a carnivore and just wants go be fed. People want that as well. People like to eat other people.

I spent so many years forgetting I had teeth, too.

You won't eat me. No matter how much you enjoy the way I taste.

raia – inactive

I close my eyes, and for a moment I wonder if I truly deserve them today.

You won’t eat me. No matter how much you enjoy the way I taste.

I once read somewhere that if your mind continuously returns to the same person over and over again, it means that they’re thinking of you as well.

When you’re gay, you have the privilege of choosing your family.

Alli

What have you done today to deserve your eyes? 

Drue Thomas

Loved it, hated that it had to end like that, are you kidding me? I kept wanting more and more and then there wasn't any more; he should write a never-ending version of this book. I read the foreword 

 acknowledgements just to get more. Such a thought provoking and "relatable" portrayal of online sadomasochist relationships. The dynamic between these two is so realistic and all the horrific embellishments provided such a unique way to convey it. Would read again and again and again.

Iara Ferreira Figueira

Loved it, hated that it had to end like that, are you kidding me? I kept wanting more and more and then there wasn't any more; he should write a never-ending version of this book. I read the foreword and acknowledgements just to get more. Such a thought provoking and "relatable" portrayal of online sadomasochist relationships. The dynamic between these two is so realistic and all the horrific embellishments provided such a unique way to convey it. Would read again and again and again.

Repulsive and appalling. Not because it's "dark" or "gore" but it's evident that it's fetishizing queer relationships, especially towards lesbians. It is lackluster, no substance — no point in the book, just plain gore. If it as if you wanted to write about the inept wirings of the human mind but only did it because it's shocking or because it's cool or whatever. The only good thing I could say about this book was it was easy to be engrossed in. The writing style of the author, although the overall book was rather abhorrent and quite disgustingly absurd, was actually easy to follow through and vivid. Overall, I am terribly disappointed in what I have read and is still repulsed by it. 

finished in one reading and i am appalled, baffled, confused — i have no idea what i really feel about this book. 

Faith

Alex

garbage! who let this guy publish and if he was trying to get a "omg this is so emotional 🥺" kind of reaction he's a fucking idiot and just not that guy.

The relationship between the characters, the pace of the book, everything - it seemed off.

I didn't even understand the ending until I looked it up? But the ambiance was pretty good, so I'll take that as a bloodchild-kind-of booklet.

Okay. That was too quick.

The relationship between the characters, the pace of the book, everything - it seemed off.

I didn't even understand the ending until I looked it up? But the ambiance was pretty good, so I'll take that as a bloodchild-kind-of booklet.

Molly M

oh my god this was insane. i really really really really really liked it. i feel like i'm morally not allowed to give it five stars, but here we are.

Marz 

Never will I think about an apple pealer the same way again

what the fuck did i just read (genuinely not sure if i love it or hate it)

jana 

what the fuck did i just read (genuinely not sure if i love it or hate it)



abby .˚｡⋆ ༊ .˚｡⋆

genuinely don’t know what i just read & i don’t think i liked it. I honestly don’t even know what to rate this?? - & wtf was that ending?!? so abrupt.

Lindy

Lol, it's straight up lesbian fetish porn wherein lesbians = defective women = fetish objects. Would fit seamlessly into an issue of Playboy magazine from the 80s. Can't believe this is winning awards.

Because I (and it appears others as well) am mostly annoyed after reading this, I want to use this space to plug a story with many of the same elements which I thought was executed well: "Where Are You, Dear Heart?" by Mariana Enríquez which can be found in The Dangers of Smoking in Bed: Stories.

Eric LaRocca wrote the nastiest least sympathetic lesbian trauma porn of all time and you freaks ATE IT UP !!! I hate this book tremendously I own it physically and must hide it from myself ro avoid doubling over in anguish at this foolish purchase. Gross. 

Liz Harris

Malia

when i said make fictions weird again i didnt mean THIS

D D D 

Sister asked me to buy this for her for her birthday. Got it in the mail today and read it out of curiosity (about my sister). Finished it in an hour. Learned my sister has horrible taste :(

and other misfortunes

Seriously what the hell was that first story all about I'm actually terrified. I didn't know anything about this story going into it and it got creepier and creepier, weirder and weirder, and the apple peeler motif was amazing. Dumbfounded is the only correct word to describe this story. I don't even know what to rate it, this is probably the most trippiest, fever dreamish book I've ever read, aside from Mona Awad's Bunny who made me probably tear my hair out. One question for you: What have you done today to deserve your eyes? I don't even know if I, I wouldn't say enjoyed or approved, but I don't know how I even feel about it because it's just so absurd it feels unrateable. 

Okay these stories just get creepier and creepier don't they; I mean I saw alot of the stuff coming but that didn't stop this short story from being one of the most gruesome stories I know. But I feel like i'm just not a short story typa gal. I'd rather have a long dragged out with characters who I feel connected to, but still I can see why this book could be someones potential favourite. Olive is one creepy mother I'll tell you that. 

So confused and so scared and just I have so many questions. One of them is 'why'. Seriously, why. I don't understand the point of this book and their novellas and majority of the time I was just questioning the authors choices.

surtified™

Story 1 

Seriously what the hell was that first story all about I'm actually terrified. I didn't know anything about this story going into it and it got creepier and creepier, weirder and weirder, and the apple peeler motif was amazing. Dumbfounded is the only correct word to describe this story. I don't even know what to rate it, this is probably the most trippiest, fever dreamish book I've ever read, aside from Mona Awad's Bunny who made me probably tear my hair out. One question for you: What have you done today to deserve your eyes? I don't even know if I, I wouldn't say enjoyed or approved, but I don't know how I even feel about it because it's just so absurd it feels unrateable. 

Story 2

Okay these stories just get creepier and creepier don't they; I mean I saw alot of the stuff coming but that didn't stop this short story from being one of the most gruesome stories I know. But I feel like i'm just not a short story typa gal. I'd rather have a long dragged out with characters who I feel connected to, but still I can see why this book could be someones potential favourite. Olive is one creepy mother I'll tell you that. 

Story 3

So confused and so scared and just I have so many questions. One of them is 'why'. Seriously, why. I don't understand the point of this book and their novellas and majority of the time I was just questioning the authors choices.

Kendall McClain

Classic apple peeler to insanity pipeline, if you are to read this please do so with no knowledge of what it’s about, truly shocking and disturbing but in a good way (I think?) the depravity of it all made me unable to stop reading

Julia Moran 

This is the weirdest most bizarre thing I've ever read. I'm not sure I like it but I have to admit it's amazing, very smart and enveloping, very well written. It leaves me with a very strange feeling of unease and the sudden urge to puke my guts out, the whole thing is absolutely disgusting. It's brilliant.

Matcha Donut

Hate it with every fibres in my body. I kinda want more but the authors said nahhh cut it short when they both in peak helplessness. I was expecting maybe Agnes was the FBI agent and ready to get this girl behind bars.

azliana aziz

Mirza Alejandra

I actually really liked this but the way their relationship didn’t really develop, just happened left me all confused and I spent more time wondering how they got there so suddenly than reading the book

Drue Thomas &
Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke by Eric LaRocca

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Drue Thomas &Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke by Eric LaRocca

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Drue Thomas &
Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke by Eric LaRocca