The Sadist’s Bible
Nicole Cushing
01Publishing
April, 2016
Reviewed by Jess Landry
If any cautionary tale of meeting someone online should be followed, Nicole Cushing’s The Sadist’s Bible is pretty much the utmost extreme of what could go wrong (well, supernaturally, anyway).
Ellie is a middle aged woman who lives a lie, from her sham of a marriage down to her very existence. When she meets Lori online, the two form a tight bond that eventually leads to an agreement — to meet up, have sex, and then kill themselves. What Ellie doesn’t know is that Lori’s problems far outweigh her own, and that the suicide pact they’ve made is Lori’s only way out from a force that’s claimed her for itself, a force that may be God or that may be the Devil.
The heart of this novella are the two main characters, Ellie and Lori, from their loves to their secrets and their lies. It explores what makes up their moral fiber — what drives them to do what they’ve done and what they’re planning on doing. Both women believe they have plenty of reasons to die, though their reasons differ greatly.
There are hints of the great Clive Barker hidden in Cushing’s words, specifically when it comes to the topic of sexuality. Both authors tackle the subject without regrets, and Cushing unabashedly delves right into something that many people consider taboo (those people probably wouldn’t consider reading something called The Sadist’s Bible anyway). For those more receptive of the subject, it’s refreshing to see a work of fiction that explores female sexuality in a way that doesn’t hide it or repress it. The same can also be said about how Ellie and Lori explore their religions (and again, if religion is taboo for you, perhaps avoid this title. Or don’t, and challenge yourself by stepping out of your comfort zone).
The Sadist’s Bible is as relentless as it is exhilarating. The narrative marries real life issues with the metaphysical, both of which come together seamlessly in the novella’s epic and holy-shit! inducing conclusion. It’s gut wrenching. It’s unapologetic. And more importantly, it sticks with you — a clear sign that you’ve read something special.
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