Tayana Osuna, arts and culture editor
Growing up I spent a ton of time reading Creepypasta stories. So much so that you can probably tell just by looking at me. I loved reading everyone’s renditions of their favorite characters. I got to see monsters like Jeff the Killer and Eyeless Jack come to life and grow the more people wrote about them. I thought they were just so cool and I loved how weird and creepy the stories were (not the nasty ones alright, get ya head out of the gutter). I had yet to find something in my adulthood that scratched that same itch; until now that is.
“Monsters We Have Made” by our very own Lindsay Starck, an English professor here at Augsburg, is an absolute masterpiece! The story follows a mother and father, Sylvia and Jack, whose daughter, Faye, at the young age of 10 years old attacked her babysitter with her best friend all in the name of the Kingman; an internet phenomenon of a mysterious creature that may or may not actually exist outside of our browsers.
The story takes place 13 years after the brutal attack that left the poor babysitter in the hospital, but Faye and her friend are not the only children who have been engrossed in the life of this monster. In fact there are other cases happening all around the country where children who worship the Kingman turn violent.
Sounds a lot like the Slenderman killings, doesn’t it? I’m not sure if that was the intent, but either way it does not take away from its originality. I found myself absolutely consumed by this book, reading it in just two days! I had plenty of readings to do for school (don’t we all) but I made sure to find time for this book (ignoring my schoolwork at times, sorry professors).
My favorite part about this book is the Kingman himself. I too found myself seeing black shadows in the corner of my eye because I so badly wanted him to exist! He’s described in the novel as wearing “a light-colored crown and a black cloak that was sometimes, when he appeared in colder climates, rimmed with the fur of a snowshoe hare.” He is seen by “humans of all ages” but “it was children who tended to vanish with him.” While he’s seen all across the states, his castle is known to be located right here in Minnesota. He is “a creature of the forest,” so if you’re out camping and think you see a dark shadow, run.
Lindsay has been such a wonderful professor, and to have the honor of reviewing her book is just amazing. Even when I reached the final page I wasn’t finished. I continue to think about Faye and the Kingman and whether or not they’re real, because frankly, I’m not convinced this is fiction. I think the Kingman’s out there. I see him amongst the trees and in my dreams. And if you see him too, know that he’s got his eyes on you.
Lindsay has been such a wonderful professor, and to have the honor of reviewing her book is just amazing. Even when I reached the final page I wasn’t finished.
Tayana Osuna