“Brain Cheese Buffet” is my 2nd Ed Lee book in as many days and although I was able to finish this one in only a few short hours, I’m still unimpressed with Lee as an author.I didn’t like “The Bighead” due to it’s over exploited shock value, but I did give credit to Lee for being able to craft a good story somewhere among it’s pages. “Brain Cheese Buffet” follows the same formula, and is just as bad, if not worse, than the novel. The collected stories go nowhere, do nothing (except make the reader feel queasy, perhaps) and generally are written in a fickle attempt to see how gross and disgusting the author can be.EVERY single short in here is an experiment in sexual debauchery and exploitation. I don’t even want to waste my time trying to describe any of said stories because even though the characters may be different, as are the settings and lengths, they’re all basically the same plot, same story, same stab at trying to gross out the reader.I suppose, if I had to pick a story in here that was ok, that would fall on “The Dritiphilist”. This may have been the most gross of the book, but not in the sexual way that Lee seems to think all of his stories must have. Sure, this is a piece about a guy who enjoys swallowing phlegm, so it’s not typical reading material, but of the 9 stories, this is the only one I enjoyed.After 2 Ed Lee books, I have to ask, what is the draw to this guy? I know horror and sex go together like a PB&J sandwich, but to put it in just for shock factor, and using it as the only engine in which to write your books, is rather childish and quite ridiculous. Honestly, “Brain Cheese Buffet” isn’t worth your time. by and large this collection comes across as an attempt to reinforce lee's coveted reputation as "edgy". i didn't find it edgy, i found most of the stories to be just attempts at gross out pieces, with no substance to the story. i gave it three stars for the sake of the three stories i found to be entertaining. these stories are the mother, the wrong guy, and grub girl in the prison of dead women.
What do You think about Brain Cheese Buffet (2010)?
Interesting read. I wonder how Edward Lee comes up with his ideas.
—shawnamj
Contains the only story to make dry heave. Edward Lee is the mang.
—irinak
Great book, lots of insane short stories!
—Deyanna
