Synopsis:
This new edition of Thomas Tessier’s acclaimed Finishing Touches (1986) features a new introduction by Will Errickson and the original cover painting by Chris Moor.
BENEATH THE STREETS OF LONDON, DESIRE AND TERROR CARESS…
On a quiet holiday in London, Dr. Tom Sutherland befriends the genial but mysterious Dr. Nordhagen and falls into a wild love affair with his assistant, the exotic Lina Ravachol. Bewitched by her sexual sorcery, Tom follows her into every fantasy and forbidden pleasure, deeper and deeper into a swirling vortex of erotic cruelty… into the cellar-crypt of Nordhagen’s laboratory, a secret chamber of living human horrors.
Edition:
Paperbacks From Hell
My Thoughts:
Finishing Touches is a really interesting book. A lot of these older horror stories don’t work super well in modern times, but I think this one does. Although the bulk of the criticism I’ve seen levied at Finishing Touches in recent memory seems to indicate that the book is about the inherent evil of women, I actually took away something completely different from it. I mean, is Lina awful? Absolutely. No doubt about it. But I think this story is more about the inherent weakness of humanity, and specifically of human men.
Yes, Lina does very bad things. But she is nothing more than a complicit assistant to Dr. Nordhagen’s horrific experiments. Not that she deserves any absolution (she definitely doesn’t), but she’s at least not the mastermind, for whatever that’s worth (basically nothing). And Tom. Fucking Tom. What a joke of a human being he is. He’s the worst kind of evil – he commits actual atrocities just because he wants to keep banging away at Lina. And if he isn’t able to at least match her level of evil, she couldn’t possibly want him, right? Yeah, Tom sucks in a really big way. Tom is the perfect storm of active and passive evil – he’s like super evil.
“These are despicable, perverse, and wholly awful people.”
Every last one of them. I guess my thesis is simply that I don’t think the premise of the book is that women are evil. It’s that all people have capacity for it, and some lack the moral fortitude or whatever to not do the worst possible thing when motivated.
If you’re looking for something supernatural or creature-featurey, look elsewhere. But if you’re in the market for a bleak, distressing story about humans’ ability to be the absolute worst you can imagine, Finishing Touches might be just the ticket. This isn’t one of those books you leave feeling good about. There is no redemption. Only awfulness written about in such a bleak, unflinching fashion it will blow your fucking mind. Imagine anything Bret Easton Ellis has ever written, minus the pretension.
Rating:
Finishing Touches is a feel-bad, yet somehow still fun read.
Finishing Touches By Thomas Tessier Valancourt Books Published: January 1, 2023 Originally Published: January 1, 1986 ISBN: 9781960241016 Paperback 210 Pages
I agree. I read this a few years ago but still remember it which is a rarity and for me it was more about how weak-willed some men can be and how easily swayed they are by a beautiful face and body. I think I gave it a 4. My copy was the old Leisure version and included an atrocious, exploitative short story. Sometimes bonus stories are great but I wish I’d never read that one!
Lol, not super sad I missed that short. Although I’ll admit, I am a little curious – I actually enjoy Thomas Tessier’s books quite a bit.
Also, for what it’s worth, I miss seeing you around on Twitter (I’m not on there anymore). I hope you’re doing well!!