In 'Carrion Comfort,' Dan Simmons weaves a chilling tale where a group of powerful psychic beings manipulate humanity for their own dark purposes. As the world teeters on the brink of chaos, a determined U.S. Army officer and a reclusive survivor of the psychological war embark on a desperate quest to confront these malevolent forces. The narrative delves into themes of free will and the depths of human depravity, raising gripping questions about the nature of evil. With its intense psychological tension and a web of interconnected characters, the story keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Will they uncover the truth before it's too late, or become pawns in a game they cannot comprehend?
By Dan Simmons
Published: 2009
""True power is never about control; it is about the capacity to reshape a mind, to make one see the world through a lens of your choosing.""
“CARRION COMFORT is one of the three greatest horror novels of the 20th century. Simple as that.” --Stephen King "Epic in scale and scope but intimately disturbing, CARRION COMFORT spans the ages to rewrite history and tug at the very fabric of reality. A nightmarish chronicle of predator and prey that will shatter your world view forever. A true classic." --Guillermo del Toro "CARRION COMFORT is one of the scariest books ever written. Whenever I get the question asked Who's your favorite author? my answer is always Dan Simmons." --James Rollins "One of the few major reinventions of the vampire concept, on a par with Jack Finney’s Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Richard Matheson’s I Am Legend, and Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot. --David Morrell THE PAST... Caught behind the lines of Hitler’s Final Solution, Saul Laski is one of the multitudes destined to die in the notorious Chelmno extermination camp. Until he rises to meet his fate and finds himself face to face with an evil far older, and far greater, than the Nazi’s themselves… THE PRESENT... Compelled by the encounter to survive at all costs, so begins a journey that for Saul will span decades and cross continents, plunging into the darkest corners of 20th century history to reveal a secret society of beings who may often exist behind the world's most horrible and violent events. Killing from a distance, and by darkly manipulative proxy, they are people with the psychic ability to 'use' humans: read their minds, subjugate them to their wills, experience through their senses, feed off their emotions, force them to acts of unspeakable aggression. Each year, three of the most powerful of this hidden order meet to discuss their ongoing campaign of induced bloodshed and deliberate destruction. But this reunion, something will go terribly wrong. Saul’s quest is about to reach its elusive object, drawing hunter and hunted alike into a struggle that will plumb the depths of mankind’s attraction to violence, and determine the future of the world itself…
Dan Simmons is an acclaimed American author known for his contributions to science fiction, fantasy, and horror literature. Born on April 4, 1948, in Peoria, Illinois, he gained prominence with his Hugo and Nebula Award-winning series, "Hyperion," which blends literary depth with intricate world-building. Simmons's work often explores profound themes such as mortality, existence, and the nature of evil, captivating readers with his rich storytelling and complex characters. In addition to the Hyperion Cantos, he has written numerous standalone novels, including "Carrion Comfort," which showcases his versatility across genres. With a career spanning several decades, Dan Simmons continues to be a significant figure in contemporary speculative fiction.
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“"True power is never about control; it is about the capacity to reshape a mind, to make one see the world through a lens of your choosing."”
Carrion Comfort
By Dan Simmons
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