It took me a long time to get around to writing this review, mostly because I didn't want to think about this book anymore. I had plans of writing something long and in depth, but instead I will keep this short and to the point. 

Cuts can be summed up in one word: Tits....or breasts, if that word makes you feel more comfortable. Richard Laymon is a boob man through and through, it's obvious as the day is long. Not a chapter in this book goes by without a reference to a woman's chest. Even if it isn't in a sexual way, the boobs are there no question, but let's be honest, it's usually sexual.

Now, I'm not a prude at all (which is why I made a point of using tits there at the beginning :P), but I've never read something written for adults with such a juvenile approach to sexuality. Most of Laymon's work covers these basis, but none of the others I've read scraped the bottom of the boob barrel so unapologetically. 

I hope Laymon's heaven is two massive chesticles pressed to either side of his face for all time, I truly do. But for you, dear reader, chose another book.

Decided on another Richard Laymon. This one starts out with a 17 yo boy with boobs in his face. By the end of the chapter, he's stabbing a dog to death. Laymon is back to his old tricks.

There is no filler in Laymon's writing. The sentences are short and very seldom is there any semblance of craft in the them. I don't say this as a bad thing, just a fact. Laymon gets right to the point, and that lends itself to a novel that I read in a blink.

I've read some previous books by Laymon that focused in on the sexual aspects of horror. He often describes woman in a way that almost makes me feel slimy for reading the words. Still, I am no PC social justice warrior. Everything has it's place. The issue is really just the one-sidedness of the characters. If a woman only exist on the page as sexual candy or rape fodder, then there isn't much to the character, is there? The Cellar has less chauvinism than some of the others I've read, and because of that, is a more rounded story.

I definitely enjoyed this one the most out of those I've read and am actually pretty excited to read the next in the series. I gather that he actually wrote four more-though I also gather that they aren't as good. Time will tell.

3 best friends spend the day trying to figure out how to get in to see the female vampire in a traveling side show.  They spend the day freaking out over weird happenings.  Things get weirder when they get to the show.

I don't think the sister-in-law, Lee, was very realistically written, even considering this takes place in 1963.  Or maybe because it takes place in 1963.  And the clothing described sounded more late 70's early 80's to me.  Although I'm not up on what was fashionable in the early 60's.

This one felt like Laymon was trying for a Robert McCammon feel. He didn't do half bad in my opinion.

However, he managed to pack 3 days worth of activities into the hours between 9am and midnight of one day.  Maybe everyone was the Flash.

Dwight's mowing the yard and he's sweating so the sun is up, friends show up, they sneak out to the forbidden field to try and get an early peek at the show, get attacked and treed by a dog that is either rabid or has been shot in the head (or something else) once they get there, one heads back to town for rescue, comes back and they aren't there, goes back to town, finishes mowing the yard, Slim hasn't shown up yet but mom comes home.

And it's only lunch time.

And it's apparently at least an hours walk to this field.

Man, I wish I could get that much done by lunchtime.

And there's no corn!