I am reading short stories for a while because I am having trouble keeping the details of long stories in my mind. Short attention span maybe. Closed head injury maybe. I have recently finished reading the Burke series by Vachss and had some problem with the level of complexity as the series concluded. So I didn’t enjoy the books at the end of the series as much as I enjoyed the books at the beginning. This book of short stories is nearly twenty years old – from 1994. I am pretty used to reading older books. I just finished a book of short stories that was first published in 1935. So this one is pretty new!

I am feeling a book vigilante right now. My message: you don’t need to read this book! Several years ago I picked up Vachss books because I thought his war against “freaks” – child abusers – was a just war that needed fighting. In spite of having put in some time as a frontline child abuse and neglect worker, I thought that there was something he could tell me about a solution to the problem. But as I begin to read Born Bad, I find mostly retaliation, retribution, revenge. I am struggling to figure out what I think we should do about evil in the world. I believe that, yes, there is evil. But I just can’t accept that some people are born bad and need to be eliminated. I think things happen to create evil people, that every infant has a potential for good but that sometimes that potential gets derailed. Call me a bleeding heart liberal if you want. I think bad things happen to good people, sometimes when they are very tiny. I have a hard time buying into evil genes!

Reviewing a book is passing judgment. I gave The Devil All the Time two stars because I thought the violence went too far. I gave Just Babies five stars because I thought it was uplifting and shined a positive light on human potential. I do not favor banning books but I am trying to learn to suggest you read this one and not that one. We all have limited reading time and have to make choices. Goodreads is one resource that can help make those hard choices. But you do not see too many single star for some reason.

I hate to start reading a book and then stop. But somehow I have to practice putting books down that do not help me grow. I am consciously putting this book down to make space in my life to read a book that is better for me. And I am giving this book one star as a warning to others. My input for what it is worth.
crime short-stories3 s Anita DaltonAuthor 2 books164

I know, I always say I will never read another Vachss book and then I always do. His endings always infuriate me. All that tension, all that tight writing, all that intense noir and it ends with a big bang of nothing. I hate it and yet I keep reading.

But this time, I am so happy to say, Vachss gets almost everything right. The stories sickening, upsetting, morally depraved and just plain nasty, and every one of them has a decent ending, the sort of ending that means you don't regret having read it.

This is an excellent collection that mines all the veins Vachss is so famous for, and in a collection of 46 stories, only two or three are clunkers. That's a pretty good ratio, if you ask me.

Never mind this borderline giddy reaction - I'm just glad that my decision to keep reading Vachss has finally been vindicated.

Also less Asian fetishization. So there's that.

So I recommend this book. Truly.books-we-own child-abuse mystery ...more3 s Jacob708 28

A surgeon wielding a scalpel and cutting into your conscience with each precise movement. Not easy to read due to content and sad truth.mystery-or-crime-fiction2 s Stephen J. GoldsAuthor 28 books82

A really great collection of crime short stories.
Highly recommended
5/5 1 The_Mad_Swede1,346

In an interview made sometime in the 90s, Andrew Vachss stated that he has ONE message, one tune, and regardless of whatever instrument one puts in his hands, that's the tune he'll play. The tune in question involves child abuse and the protection of children (especially as there is a cycle where the abused can easily become the abuser in time, monsters breeding monsters in a sense).

Fully in line with his own view of his role as a writer, Vachss writes the following in the introduction to Born Bad: "Writing isn't my work, it's an organic extension of that work. I may not be a good writer, but I write for a good reason." It should be added that the statement is overly modest. Vachss is a good writer. Given that the material in this collection is of varying quality, as is mostly the case with short story collections, especially ones of this type where play fragments and other writings have been included, but "the good reason" (driving Vachss' writing) is far from the only thing that makes this worthwhile to read.

Vachss depicts a raw and often fairly brutal world, seen both from the victims and the perpetrators (if not at the same time). In a lot of ways, Vachss moralises a lot, but it is moralising in a fashion that is thoughtful, that actually raises the right kind of questions – concerning whose rights counts, etc.

A slightly surprising element in the collection, though much appreciated, are the four included Underground short stories. Here Vachss creates a postapokalyptic world in a convincing manner and uses it as a background to his usual tune. Well worth reading!2007 crime short-fiction1 Adam253 234

I don't question why Andrew Vachss chooses to write about the subjects he writes about--he's devoted nearly his entire life to working with abused children and prosecuting sexual crimes against minors--but that doesn't change the fact that this collection of short stories is almost unbearable. The nonstop litany of sexual violence, molestation, and incest (sometimes even told from the point of view of the assailant) in each of these stories always follows a predictable arc. Horror is piled upon horror, and finally ends with some kind of brief, unsatisfying revenge. Also, the fact that in each of these stories the police and courts are portrayed as ineffectual is particularly depressing considering the fact that Vachss himself is a lawyer. On the plus side, it's refreshing to read crime fiction in which the author actually has an understanding of criminal psychology and causality. Still, I probably wouldn't recommend it to anyone I know, and I'm not sure if this collection really does the world any good or if writing these stories was simply a way for Vachss to exorcise some of his demons.crime-fiction fiction short-stories1 Bryce WilsonAuthor 10 books202

When you buy an Andrew Vachss novel you're helping to fight evil.

Vachss is a damn fine writer and his novels and short story have a gristle and bone toughness to him that other Crime Writers can only dream of.

Sadly, this comes well earned.

For Vachss writing is a sideline, used to fund the pro bono legal work he does defending abused children. His work can be hard to read, and this collection of short stories, unfinished novels and plays and other bits of ephemera show him at his toughest. It's not exploitation though. It's almost the opposite, he wants you to know. 1 M1,557 16

Andrew Vachss knows about the seedy side of the world. Showing his knowledge of criminology in his stories, Vachss reminds us all that the evil can lurk right outside the door. Born Bad often showcases the nature vs. nurture argument, with tales that deviate from children who develop a predeliction for violence to broken adults who have barely survived the world. I am not usually one to follow authors, but I had to head back to the library to read more of his collections.1 Sharon Michael663 49

Didn't this collection of short stories as well as the other collection I read. Some were great ... one was enough of a kick to the gut to make me put it down for a week ... there were several 'screen play' type short stories I didn't care for.

Very typical of the author's writing, however, bleak, grim and incredibly memorable.1 Michelle17 1 follower

I was introduced to the work of Andrew Vachss back in 1993-1994 sometime. This was the first book I read, and this collection of short stories remained my favourite book of his even as I worked my way through his catalogue. For the next 10-12 years I read each book as it came out, stopping coincidently as the Burke series finished.

I recently heard of his passing and I brought this favourite out for a re-read, which mostly held up over time. I was surprised to see such mixed on here, but as I gave it more thought, they're more than fair. Vachss isn't for everyone. The novels are repetitive, they usually cover the same ground, with the same characters each time. But he's a good storyteller, and an atypical writer. I enjoy seeing how he weaves the plot lines together, and his stylistic choices in language. His material is dark. He was a lawyer in child abuse cases, and he pulls no punches about what the world is for people with such trauma. Some things are a little improbable, there's not a ton of background on the characters, but it's usually a good read -- intensity of subject notwithstanding.


Holger HaaseAuthor 7 books17

It took me years before I dared approach my first Vachss novel a few months ago. Heard so much about how depressing his books could be and need to be in a special mood for reading downers but when I read it I felt ... "That was it?!?"

BORN BAD is now my second Vachss book and in contrast a short story collection. It was gifted to me by a friend who was getting rid of some of his books and repeated the usual refrain: "Beware, this is VERY unpleasant!!!"

And yet again, found it perfectly readable but though hardly cheerful by far not as daunting as everyone else seems to think those books are. In actual fact, if anything reading his tropes in short story format it became nearly predictable. : "Oh wait, incestual reveal is due soon. Hang on, here comes the rape sequence."

What surprised and intrigued me most was his series of Sci fi short stories set in a post-apocalyptic landscape.
Shawn Bramanti108

Most of Andrew Vachss' books are similar, hard material portrayed in an unflinching style. Most of his characters you would not to meet. That being said an interesting and compelling read. I d the mix of stories, a little horror, a bunch of science fiction, and a good mix of his more familiar cast of characters. Geoffwood94 1 follower

On the one hand, a collection of short stories (mostly) about the (mostly implied) torturing and killing of chomos is necessarily somewhat fascist adjacent, on the other, it's a percussive blend of pulp and vigilantism that is in exact parallel development to Sin City if not directly ripped off of by it (one notes the Cross novels started years before the comic book). Bill52 7

Way more good than bad in this collection. Dementropy16 23

I've dodged this author for various reasons - mostly out of emotional and psychological self-defense. However, this is where one realizes that a difficult upbringing is really a sliding scale. While not discounting what others may describe as a hard childhood ("And then they, , didn't give me $40 to spend at the mall! Can you believe that? It's SO unfair!"), Vachss draws stories where no amount of disbelief needs to be suspended, as the characters and experiences can be found in every walk of life, if you know where to look. This collection of short stories is probably going to take a long while to get through, as it is punctuated by showers, anything that's unrelated to the subject matter, and just staring blankly and asking myself rhetorical questions , "Are human beings really capable of this? And how can I call them human beings after reading what they've done?"

For those who haven't encountered Vachss yet, or are entangled in other literature:

Vampires do not sparkle. There are no werewolves that change shape to profess undying love. But there are monsters, and there are demons that try to keep the world dark so that they aren't called out for what they are. They fear the light, and usually suffer from a curse that is acquired through generations. These are the stories of the people who - through any means - break those curses.

tl;dr

Do not read this book if you wish to remain blissful of human nature, and think the 6 o'clock evening news is the only place where the bad people exist, on the other side of the screen. Al945 12

From a writer whose novels have been acclaimed for their unflinching exploration of evil comes a brilliant collection of short stories—some never before published—that distill dread back down to its essence—and inject it straight into the reader's back brain. Andrew Vachss might have scissored his characters from today's headlines: a stalker prowling around an anonymous high-rise; a serial killer whose transgressions reflect a childhood of hideous abuse; an inner-city gunman who is willing to take out a blockful of victims in order to win a moment of acceptance. Tautly written and endowed with murderous ironic spin, Born Bad plunges us into the hell that lies just outside our bedroom windows. A collection of dark tales from author Andrew Vachss Oliver135 2

Large collection of short stories varying in quality but averaging somewhere between 3 and 5 pages in length. Stories themselves are all written well enough (trademark Vachss style) but only about a third of them are really interesting or developed well. Typical Vachss plotlines, half of which seems to be from the perp's pov, the other half from the avenging angel's.

Stories I d:
Anytme I Want
Cain
Bandit (favorite)
Kidnap
Date Rape
Family Resemblence
Hostage
It's A Hard World
Plan B
Placebo
Step On A Crack
Stone Magic
Unwritten Law
Treatment
Bad Babies
Warlord

I'd recommend this to hardcore fans of Vachss only. Not much I could get here that I couldn't get out of his other "longer" work. Juanita770 8

Review: Born Bad by Andrew Vachss.
I don 19t know why I 19m even going to write a review on this one. I thought it was a terrible book. However, I did read it cover to cover. I figured it wouldn 19t get any better as I read on but what the hell I made it to the end.

There wasn 19t any original ideas. It was all shot stories of crime but I don 19t even think they were short stories. There was nothing to them. There was no real story, no characters of interest, not even a plot to consider. They were all just parts of a story that never materialized into anything but undisruptive and confusing words.

I checked some of the other and there were many who rated it high. I to know what made sense to them that I missed 26.
Steve52 4 Read

A collection of short stories from the man who writes one of my favorite series, the Burke series of "urban noir." I'm not a big fan of short stories, which is why this book, along with a later collection, has sat on my shelf for many years. But I decided to give it a try. Wow, Vachss is good! Many are very short--only 3-4 pages. Vachss' trademark themes--his hostility toward child abuse and all kinds of sexual abuse, and his love for dogs (and use of them to wreak justice)--are on prominent display in these stories. If they're not, the story probably involves a criminal or someone living on the edge of the criminal world. Excellent stuff. black-lizard Lee837 37

This was one of my best finds - in my library used book section. Vachss' first book of collections. His ever present stories on abused kids is very prevalent. The dark, dirty side of sections in New York, makes the reader not to want to be out at night in the big city. He had a few stories about a one named character named Cross - who turned out to be his anti-hero Burke, in a favorite series of mine. If I would have read this back when it came out - I would have already begun to Vachss....before Burke! Du4287 30

I really dig Vachss' short stories. Each is a loaded gun of pain and suffering right to the nutsack. There's a great one in here about a prizefighter who takes a dive, a play examining a girl's mental trauma from child molestation, and a series of "Underground" stories where Vachss imagines a sci-fi future where everyone has been forced to live underground in brutal gangs and communities. Good shit.crime Aaron215 26

Plodding, redundant, no more shocking than Law and Order SVU... as many have said before, including the author himself, Vachss ultimately only tells variations on the same story. Fine, but to do so requires that each story be worth telling, when in this case many fall entirely flat. To be fair there are a handful of interesting plots and approaches to his theme, but just as many miss the mark. The Burke novels are better, though the moral crusader bit gets tired no matter how you spin it. DominickAuthor 16 books30

Vachss's first short story collection features several doses of his particular brand of social activism/extreme noir sensibility. Vachss's literary minimalism often serves him in good stead, as many of these stories pack quite a punch. Overall, though, the quality of the collection varies widely; several pieces need overhaul. short-stories Laura385 587

Though I admit I don't remember much about this book, even when I read it, my feeling about Vachss is that once you're read one of his works, you've read all of them. All his stuff is variations on a theme, and the variations are not even all that varied. I know that's a cliche, but it fits here.fiction read-dont-remember GD1,070 23

I never really finished any other book by Andrew Vachss for some reason, but I really d this one. Lots of short stories about vigilantes beating the fuck out of child molestors, dog-beaters, and other unsavory people. Chuck Espinoza26

The book sat unread for months as I was reluctant to commit to a book of short stories. I was wrong to have ignored it. I was amazed at how much Vachss can pack into a few short pages. The bookends with a novella that was a great follow up to characters he introduces in the book. Kyle F3

Seemed the same charector in most of the stories and that charector seemed an awful lot Burke. I have now read a few of Vachss' non Burke novels but it seems that he can't write any other kind of charector. Roger1,068 11

I've often said that an anthology is only as good as its' weakest story. All the stories in Andrew Vachss' Born Bad are roundhouse kicks to the face. Nothing weak here. Great collection of disturbing crime fiction. Amy244 2

I actually didn't finish the last quarter of this book because I got bored with the stories. Some of them weren't bad, but others just didn't make sense. Caleb Guillotte31 1 follower

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