Review: Heartwarming Horror
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 5, 2013
It's Christmas in July!  Today's Flash Friday is a heartwarming zombie horror tale (yes, you read that right), by genre master Joe R. Lansdale.  Originally appearing in Mammoth Book of Best New Horror Volume 22, you can now read just this story for .99 cents.I don't even remember where I picked this up, but something about the combination of Horror and the happiness of Christmas mashed together always makes me take a bit of notice.This story is a bit different than I thought because it takes place after the zombie apocalypse.  Clive is barricaded in his house and surviving day by day after having to kill his wife and daughter two years prior, on Christmas Eve no less.  Today is Christmas, and come hell or high water he's going to put his decorations up and have a proper Christmas to remember them by.I was surprised that in such a short time, I made a connection and felt for Clive.  Joe weaves the present with a little back story incredibly well in these 20 or so pages.  You feel bad for him, you ache for what he's been through, and you root for him to get his display up, and to be able to have this one pseudo happy Christmas.You get a glimpse into his life as he goes into town, for supplies, and the mentality of how he goes on from day to day.The Bottom Line:  The ending will surprise you a little.  It was very heartwarming, even with the zombies being around.  Joe managed to create a tale that was violent, horrifying, and touching all in about 20 pages.  When I was done with it, I couldn't help but just smile.