First published back in November of 2012, US author Barry Hoffman’s chapbook ‘Interloper’ was the first chapbook to be published through Jack Bantry’s ‘Splatterpunk Zine’ and formed a loose prequel to the Hoffman’s earlier novel ‘Born Bad’ (2000).
The chapbook was limited to just 300 copies, all of which were signed by the author on the inside page.
The ‘Interloper’ story was originally intended to be a novel, which the author hoped to be published through the Splatterpunk Zine. However, due to initial financial restraints of the DIY publisher, a novel (or novella) wasn’t deemed viable.
As such, Hoffman reduced the wordcount of the tale, so it could instead be published as a chapbook through the newly emerged Splatterpunk Zine. The chapbook has since become an incredibly scarce and highly sought after publication.
The loss of her lover to a fire was beyond devastating for Diana. Prior to Laura’s death, the couple had been together for just six months. However, a further six months after the young woman’s death and Diana continued to blame herself. She knew deep down she could have saved her lover’s life, if only she’d not been so stubborn. So conflicted with emotions from a meaningless argument they’d had that fateful night.
Diana had not left the burning nightclub unscathed. She’d suffered a heavy blow to the head, leaving her unconscious and being dragged out by the emergency services. Since then, Diana had been experiencing recurring dreams. Vivid dreams in which she witnessed the untimely death of others. Waking from the dreams to be wracked with the pain and aftereffects of these unknown individuals’ demise. Bleeding or burnt, and always in crushing pain. After effects which would quickly reside to nothingness.
She soon realised these weren’t just dreams but premonitions. A glimpse of tragedy which would soon occur, if she didn’t do something to intervene. It was then that Diana realised she could save dozens of lives with this gift. A gift which she became convinced had been bestowed upon her by God.
But there was another who shared the dreams. Shanicha had been having the same dreams, witnessing the same visions, night after night. But for Shanicha, the premonitions presented a different opportunity. For the young teen, the dreams offered the potential to intervene with Diana’s task. To prevent Diana from averting tragedy. To mess with the interloper, and bask in the thrill of destroying more lives…
Although the story’s marked as a prequel to the author’s previous novel ‘Born Bad’ (2000), on the surface at least, the two stories are miles apart. As such, there’s no real need to have read the earlier novel, prior to embarking upon this short prequel.
That said, within ‘Interloper’ we’re offered a further glimpse into the make-up of Shanicha Wilkins, back when our antagonist was just sixteen years old. A powerful insight into the girl’s backstory, painting more depth to the picture of her sociopathic mind and what ultimately makes her tick.
However, unlike the aforementioned novel, this prequel takes on a paranormal tone. Where ‘Born Bad’ (2000) was a gritty psychological thriller through-and-through, here we have something that reaches outside of this real-world set up. The story instead immerses itself within the concept of premonitions, in a similar vein to Shaun Hutson’s ‘Shadows’ (1985), although with a far more intimate, personal, and human connection embedded within the tale’s narrative.
However, there’s more layers to the story than just that. Where ‘Born Bad’ (2000) dealt heavily with race, prejudice and seeking one’s own inner acceptance, here we have sexuality being thrown into the spotlight. Diana is a twenty-three-year-old lesbian who finds herself facing an inner battle. She’s had a joyless existence since learning of her supposed gift. Despite the gratification that saving lives brings, it’s also made her miserable. She believes she must now sacrifice her sexual needs to placate God.
This notion of inner turmoil – this facing and eventually overcoming an inner conflict – was also at the root of ‘Born Bad’ (2000). And along with our psychotic pal – Shanicha – and the darkness the fucked-up bitch brings, we have this additional connection between the two stories. This common thread which binds them together.
It’s a moving and dark piece. There’s also a strong element of sexuality embedded into the tale (again a further connection to the novel). Diana’s sexual drive is persistent, her unwanted celibacy hard to swallow, and more than a mere distraction. Indeed, even with such a short page count, we’re still afforded two particularly erotic scenes, one of which brings back memories of Frank De Felitta’s ‘The Entity’ (1978).
The story as a whole is an incredibly compelling read. One which seems much more involved and complexly layered than its page count might suggest. The characterisation is again a key strength to the offering. A forte of Hoffman’s which he capitalises upon through investing us in both Diana and indeed Shanicha before these two opposing characters collide.
What Hoffman has achieved with ‘Interloper’ is an exhibition of his writing talent if nothing else. A thoroughly engrossing read, which draws you in so quickly, so effortlessly, and then takes you through a rollercoaster of emotions. All of this achieved within a short story. It’s insane how skilled Hoffman is at telling a tale.
The chapbook runs for a total of 31 pages.
© DLS Reviews
