Synopsis:
The Hoyers are an American family. Two parents, two kids, a house they can’t afford, and a deep desire for more. When the black-clad, seemingly omniscient Mr. Cormorant comes to town, it seems that they might finally be able to cash in on their American Dream.
You see, Mr. Cormorant is a psychographist-an expert in consumer personas. And Mr. Cormorant is testing a Product. And Mr. Cormorant has selected the Hoyers for a simple task-test the Product. Live with it. Breathe it in. Abide by its demands.
In return?
Riches.
The cost?
Immeasurable.
The Psychographist is a disturbing novel of consumption, advertising, focus groups, and the decisions that define us.
Review:
Carson Winter’s “The Psychographist” is like taking Bentley Little and Thomas Ligotti, combining their strengths, and initiating Winter’s own strength and signature styles. With a strength of writing and character, Winter lampoons modern day consumerism with a twisted and mind bending tale that can only be described as unique and terrifying.
As representatives of the mysterious Carmichael and Cormorant, Mr. Cormorant has arrived to meet the Hoyers and deliver them the American Dream. Ed and Vee are given a chance for what they want most as long as they care for “The Product,” a mysterious item whose identity they cannot know. Unfortunately, the Product has a horrible effect on them and subsumes their morals and inhibitions until they are shells and can only consume.
“The Psychographist” is Winter’s strongest work yet. Few authors have the same flair for the grotesque with the same style, nor the same hauntingly bitter and cynical take on the modernity of American life. There is a rot at the heart of suburbia in his writings nd he plumbs the depth with ferocious aplomb, wanting to gouge out the reader’s disgust and enhance it to make his points while still telling a horror story.
It’s a dark and gruesome tale, with Winter ensuring that the madness within is encapsulated, from differing hungers for consumerism, the personification of empty consumption, lust and incest and increasingly bizarre and vivid descriptions that remain haunting.
You’ll never look at a cheeseburger the same way again.
Rating: 8.5/10
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