Richard Laymon, Quake

Laymon's novel 'Quake' which was first published back in 1995 is a fast-paced disaster tale that draws upon the events of a small number of survivors that are left to cope with the after effects of a giant earthquake. Leaning heavily towards the elements involved in a classic post-apocalyptic novel, Laymon creates a world of chaos and bloodshed where law and order have been totally forgotten.

With a brazen underlying social commentary that strikes the reader with the subtlety of a sledgehammer, Laymon has fun delivering a somewhat exaggerated message of the hidden corrupt nature within humankind that is only kept in check for the majority of us by the fear of law and reprimand. Once these social constraints are removed, society quickly reverts back to that of barbaric savages raping and murdering with no thought for your fellow man.

Written in a way whereby the reader follows the story of three groups of survivors as their paths and stories gradually draw together at the final conclusion, Laymon manages to maintain a non-stop action filled tale that keeps the reader perched on the edge of their seat from the very outset.

With regular bursts of sadomasochist violence and an almost non-stop undercurrent of perverted lust that forms the main thrust behind one of the most predominant characters, the novel can be a little excessive for some.

As the tale progresses, the reader follows the survivors as all hell breaks loose in Los Angeles, with all morality and social conscience spiralling downwards until there is nothing left but sheer brutality.

The tale ends on a slightly weak note after a long build up whereby the paths of all three groups of survivors finally entwine.

Characterization is full-bodied and well formed, offering up powerful and strong characters with exaggerated personalities. No one in the novel is left to simply thicken out the numbers. Each individual you meet from the start to the final conclusion of the book, seemingly leaps out from the pages with their over-the-top quirks and constantly clashing personality traits.

For sheer entertainment the novel desires nothing short of ten out of ten. At no point during reading it do you find your mind wondering as you leap from one extreme cliff hanging event to the next. Not a novel for everyone, but a definite recommendation for fans of Shuan Hutson or the early splatterpunk era of James Herbert's work.