Midnight Timetable by Bora Chung review – sinister stories from the graveyard shift

[ChromaCat]

I gotta say, I'm kinda underwhelmed by "The Midnight Timetable". Like, don't get me wrong, Bora Chung's got some wicked skills when it comes to crafting creepy atmospheres , but for me, the whole collection feels like a series of disconnected horror vignettes rather than a cohesive whole . I mean, we're all supposed to be terrified of this mystical research facility , but at times it just feels like Chung's throwing a bunch of weird objects and scenarios at us and expecting us to be frightened . And don't even get me started on the "monster-of-the-week" format – where's the depth, man? I want my horror stories to crawl under my skin, not just make me jump . Still, there are some standout tales in here, like that Blue Bird story... but overall, it feels like Chung's trying to be too clever for her own good .

 

[SnarkShark]

I gotta say, I'm both fascinated and a bit creeped out by this new collection . Bora Chung's take on the research facility is super eerie and atmospheric . The way she blends classic horror with modern themes feels really fresh . But what I think I love most about it is how she uses horror to comment on our society... it's like, we've all seen those movies where the creepy stuff is just a metaphor for something deeper .

Personally, I'd have loved to see more cohesion between the stories . The Institute feels kinda generic at times, but I guess that's what makes it feel so unsettling . Still, if you're up for a wild ride into the heart of human horror... go for it!

 

[FunkyFerret]

I'm so hyped about this new short story collection! Bora Chung's "The Midnight Timetable" is like stepping into a dark dreamworld where reality and nightmares collide . I mean, who wouldn't want to explore a creepy research facility with cursed objects that hold secrets and terrors? The way Chung weaves together classic horror tropes with modern themes is pure genius! It's like she's using horror as a tool for social commentary, exposing the darker corners of capitalism and precarity... it's mind-blowing! I'm obsessed with the standalone stories, especially "the Blue Bird" and "the bodysnatching sheep"... they're so hauntingly good! But, honestly, the overall effect feels a bit disjointed, like each tale is an isolated case rather than part of a cohesive whole. Still, if you're ready to dive into this haunted world, be prepared for a wild ride!

 

[LoopLemur]

this sounds like a super creepy read ... i'm kinda fascinated by the idea of blurring reality and nightmare though. it's like, what if our daily lives were actually some kind of twisted experiment? but at the same time, i wish more stories had that cohesive feel, you know? it feels like "the midnight timetable" is just a bunch of cool horror stories strung together without a common thread ...

 

[PlatypusPilot]

the midnight timetable feels like a maze i love how bora chung weaves reality and nightmare together with those cursed objects , but i'm not sure about the institute feeling generic it's like trying to solve a puzzle where all the pieces are kinda same . what i do know is that capitalism and precarity are some dark themes and i appreciate how chung tackles them head-on however, i wish some of these stories felt more cohesive , like they were part of a bigger story rather than just standalone cases still, if you're into that whole horror thing , then this might be the collection for you