They built a Gallows for You and Me (Splatter Western)
Cody Higgins
BOOK REVIEW

In the gritty tapestry of American literature, few genres grip the imagination as fiercely as the Splatter Western, and Cody Higgins' They Built a Gallows for You and Me exemplifies this fierce penchant for the macabre. With a haunting narrative, Higgins invites readers into a world that pulses with raw, unfiltered storytelling, where every drop of blood spilled is drenched in haunting existential dread and wild conviction.
This spine-chilling offering juxtaposes the rugged allure of the Western frontier with the visceral thrill of splatter horror, crafting a universe where the sun blazes down on dusty trails but also overlooks the lurking, shadowy figures of despair and violence. Higgins doesn't merely write; he constructs a cacophony of horrific images that pop off the page, forcing you to confront the shadowy corners of human existence.
When you dive into this short, intense read, you're whisked away to a time and place fraught with the uncertainty and brutality of survival. The characters are not just sketches; they are deeply fleshed out, steeped in their fears, desires, and, ultimately, their complex vulnerabilities. They are reflective of our own battles, echoing the harrowing questions that plague our modern psyche: What is freedom? What does it mean to be truly alive when death looms so closely?
Higgins' prose strikes you like a cold slap, leaving an imprint long after you've turned the last page. Readers have noted the unsettling imagery, which instills within them a fear that lingers, a disquieting satisfaction that permeates the mind. Some have gone so far as to call it a "haunting masterpiece," a opinion supported by various Goodreads circles, yet critics caution on its graphic nature-an honesty that might not suit all tastes. Some find themselves entranced, while others recoil, finding the intensity overwhelming, and therein lies the brilliance of Higgins' work.
Against the backdrop of Western legends, Higgins raises a powerful mirror to the darker aspects of humanity. This book does more than entertain; it provokes. It calls you out from your complacency, urging you to confront the grotesque realities of the human condition. With masterful strokes, Higgins reveals the gallows we have all built-metaphorical and literal-around our lives. As you traverse themes of friendship, betrayal, and survival in the face of insurmountable odds, your very perception of right and wrong is put to the test.
In this unflinching exploration of morality, readers are left grappling with their own values, questioning what one might do when faced with impossible choices. This is not merely a journey through the harsh landscapes of the Wild West; it's a profound existential odyssey that will leave you breathless and perhaps a little more aware of the gallows looming in your own life.
They say that fiction should always reflect society's truths, and in the case of They Built a Gallows for You and Me, Higgins is not afraid to unveil the blood-stained realities of a society grappling with its demons. His work holds a place in a broader narrative, inspiring thought among budding voices across varying genres. Through the lens of the Western, Higgins has managed to portray the grotesque beauty of survival-the struggle that tugs at the fabric of humanity itself.
Ultimately, Cody Higgins' work is not for the faint-hearted but rather for those willing to wrestle with their own shadows in the desperate search for meaning. As the dust settles after this brutal escapade, remember that They Built a Gallows for You and Me is a visceral experience that transcends mere entertainment-it demands reflection, a confrontation with your own personal gallows, and a reckoning with what it truly means to be human in a world so swiftly spiraling into chaos. 🌪 Don't miss your chance to become part of this disturbing yet profoundly relevant dialogue; it may just change the way you view the world-and yourself-forever.
📖 They built a Gallows for You and Me (Splatter Western)
✍ by Cody Higgins
🧾 102 pages
2021
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