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The Bedlam Bible #4
Fight Tub: The Bedlam Bible #4
The story of a man who became his bathroom.
144 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 2022
About the author
William Pauley III
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"The beauty of Pauley’s work is that he makes the reader (relatively) comfortable with these fun, weird elements and then injects the narrative with short bursts of deep thinking and questions that cut to the marrow of human nature." — Gabino Iglesias, author of The Devil Takes You Home
William Pauley III has been praised by critics and readers alike for his contributions to weird science fiction and horror over the last 15 years. He's received rave reviews from Fangoria Magazine, Verbicide, and Dead End Follies, the latter stating "William Pauley III is one of the most recognizable voices in weird literature." He is the author of The Bedlam Bible, Hearers of the Constant Hum, and Automated Daydreaming. He lives in Lexington, KY.
"The beauty of Pauley’s work is that he makes the reader (relatively) comfortable with these fun, weird elements and then injects the narrative with short bursts of deep thinking and questions that cut to the marrow of human nature." — Gabino Iglesias, author of The Devil Takes You Home
William Pauley III has been praised by critics and readers alike for his contributions to weird science fiction and horror over the last 15 years. He's received rave reviews from Fangoria Magazine, Verbicide, and Dead End Follies, the latter stating "William Pauley III is one of the most recognizable voices in weird literature." He is the author of The Bedlam Bible, Hearers of the Constant Hum, and Automated Daydreaming. He lives in Lexington, KY.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
October 3, 2022
Currently #64 on Amazon's bestseller chart (horror comedy)! Help us get it to #1! Only $2.99! Thanks so much! :)
Fight Tub!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B36T3KSV/...
Fight Tub!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B36T3KSV/...
October 18, 2022
Dammit, Karl, he’s not in a damn fight club!
Definitely the funniest of the BB books. I remember reading the book’s description and thinking “that has to be a metaphor, it can’t be literal” but no, l can confirm the man does become his bathroom.
Definitely the funniest of the BB books. I remember reading the book’s description and thinking “that has to be a metaphor, it can’t be literal” but no, l can confirm the man does become his bathroom.
December 23, 2023
This was so weird, yet absolutely entertaining. I highly recommend just reading or listening to the audiobook when you can. Thank you #netgalley for the chance to enjoy this funny little ARC! #Doomfiction
January 7, 2023
While I did expect this to be ridiculous, I didn't expect to enjoy it so much. It helps that it was well written (and narrated). The fact that I cared about the characters in this short novella more than I did in tons of larger novels is pretty dang impressive.
Thank you to the author for the free Audible code for this book. Now I know I'll be reading the rest of this series!
Thank you to the author for the free Audible code for this book. Now I know I'll be reading the rest of this series!
September 17, 2023
The synopsis had me hooked when all it said was a man who became his bathroom. I don't know what I was expecting but it wasn't something this hilarious. I love weird books, but this was more than I could have ever wished for. It is well written and an engaging story. I cannot wait to read more from this series. I laughed so hard especially at the medical bill part $465 for chit chat. HILARIOUS! My side still hurts from laughing "I'm not in a f***ing fight club Karl". This will be on my reread list.
5 stars
5 stars
November 25, 2022
I demand a signed limited-edition omnibus of the Bedlam Bible Series! I demand it!
Ok. I don’t demand it. It would be nice though.
William Pauley III truly nails the weird that exists within the Eighth Block Tower. This is number 4 in the series and a worthy edition to the Bedlam Bible canon.
The ocean blue eye, layin’ pipe puns, flesh eating fish market barracuda, communing with the commode, bogus anti-fungal cream relief and a delmar taquito. May or may not also have a flamethrower involved at some point.
A Solid 4.5 Stars rounded up to 5 because… 1. I said so and it’s my review and 2. Because this series as a whole is excellently executed and appropriately weird.
“And, no. You can’t flush it.”
Ok. I don’t demand it. It would be nice though.
William Pauley III truly nails the weird that exists within the Eighth Block Tower. This is number 4 in the series and a worthy edition to the Bedlam Bible canon.
The ocean blue eye, layin’ pipe puns, flesh eating fish market barracuda, communing with the commode, bogus anti-fungal cream relief and a delmar taquito. May or may not also have a flamethrower involved at some point.
A Solid 4.5 Stars rounded up to 5 because… 1. I said so and it’s my review and 2. Because this series as a whole is excellently executed and appropriately weird.
“And, no. You can’t flush it.”
July 14, 2023
This book was absolutely delight. The pacing was really well done. It was also so strange and bizarre. Definitely going to be reading more from this author.
July 3, 2023
Hmmm.
Kind of crazy weird, with some humor thrown in.
Overall, interesting.
Kind of crazy weird, with some humor thrown in.
Overall, interesting.
February 11, 2023
ARC audiobook provided in exchange for an honest review.
Holy shit! This has to be my favorite book of the Bedlam Bible yet! The narration was amazing as always, it’s hard to believe Connor Brannigan does all the voices himself! The story had my literally laughing out loud at points! As a die hard Fight club book fan, this really hit home for me! Carl was an absolute riot! I would definitely recommend to anyone, regardless of what your typical genre is, I’ll definitely be purchasing a copy for my daughter of the finished series!
Holy shit! This has to be my favorite book of the Bedlam Bible yet! The narration was amazing as always, it’s hard to believe Connor Brannigan does all the voices himself! The story had my literally laughing out loud at points! As a die hard Fight club book fan, this really hit home for me! Carl was an absolute riot! I would definitely recommend to anyone, regardless of what your typical genre is, I’ll definitely be purchasing a copy for my daughter of the finished series!
February 19, 2023
4 Stars
An extremely well-written (and well-narrated) Kafkaesque book about a man who becomes his bathroom. I expected the absurdity but never imagined I'd enjoy William Pauley III's latest story so much.
How was there so much character development in a 2.5-hour audiobook? And how did I find a book about a man with a toilet flusher for an ear so thought-provoking??
Excuse me while I read every other book in the Bedlam Bible series.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an arc of Fight Tub in exchange for an honest review.
An extremely well-written (and well-narrated) Kafkaesque book about a man who becomes his bathroom. I expected the absurdity but never imagined I'd enjoy William Pauley III's latest story so much.
How was there so much character development in a 2.5-hour audiobook? And how did I find a book about a man with a toilet flusher for an ear so thought-provoking??
Excuse me while I read every other book in the Bedlam Bible series.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an arc of Fight Tub in exchange for an honest review.
June 28, 2023
Karl don't you know the first rule of the fight club🤫..
Fight Tub takes readers on an unexpected journey through a story that is undeniably bizarre, yet astonishingly thought-provoking.
At first glance, it may seem like nothing more than a peculiar experiment in storytelling, but as you delve deeper, you discover that there is a profound layer of depth hidden beneath its seemingly absurd exterior. Author masterfully combines the bizarre with the profound, weaving the metaphor seamlessly throughout the narrative, and blurring the line between imagination and reality.
The more you read, the more you grow to appreciate and even love the book's eccentricities.
While the book revels in its strangeness, it also delves into the human condition, exploring concepts of identity, purpose, and the nature of existence itself.
I utterly enjoyed my listening experience, as narrator does an amazing job of bringing the story and characters to life.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an audio arc.
Fight Tub takes readers on an unexpected journey through a story that is undeniably bizarre, yet astonishingly thought-provoking.
At first glance, it may seem like nothing more than a peculiar experiment in storytelling, but as you delve deeper, you discover that there is a profound layer of depth hidden beneath its seemingly absurd exterior. Author masterfully combines the bizarre with the profound, weaving the metaphor seamlessly throughout the narrative, and blurring the line between imagination and reality.
The more you read, the more you grow to appreciate and even love the book's eccentricities.
While the book revels in its strangeness, it also delves into the human condition, exploring concepts of identity, purpose, and the nature of existence itself.
I utterly enjoyed my listening experience, as narrator does an amazing job of bringing the story and characters to life.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an audio arc.
February 18, 2023
In trying to categorise Pauley III's writing, I sound like a macabre wine critic trying to describe his style. In this iteration, it felt like the hybrid Frankenstein's monster of Armistead Maupin, Kafka, Burroughs and the slacker science fiction of Rob Dircks.
This is both high praise and also detracts from his originality - please remain being you! Entertaining throughout.
In the story, we find that the buildings are alive. In pandemic times - this story resonates in that illness could be everywhere - where you least expect it, as is hope.
Deus ex machina? Here, it's more machina ex homo! Let it flow!
This is both high praise and also detracts from his originality - please remain being you! Entertaining throughout.
In the story, we find that the buildings are alive. In pandemic times - this story resonates in that illness could be everywhere - where you least expect it, as is hope.
Deus ex machina? Here, it's more machina ex homo! Let it flow!
February 17, 2023
This was such a ridiculous and hilarious read. I loved the writing style and creativity of the story. Maybe don’t read/listen to while taking a bath ;)
April 9, 2023
Fight Tub by William Pauley III: A bizarre 5-star read
Narrated by Connor Brannigan
Audiobook Length: 2h 45 min
Drebbin is living his normal life, avoiding any chitter chatter and focusing on his work. He has a liking towards Leila, who according to him is out of his league. He is trying hard to get the promotion by impressing his boss, Mr. Kim.
One fine evening, Drebbin’s life changes when he feels the floor, the commode, the sink and every object in his bathroom breathing. He could feel fear rising inside him but before he knew it, he started becoming his bathroom. The story takes place at the Eighth Block Tower, where Drebbin has his home as well as office. It also deals with how humans are afraid to get sick, mostly because they just cannot afford it.
It’s the fourth book in The Bedlam Bible series, but is completely standalone. When a story has such an interesting build-up, the reader has their own set of expectations. William Pauley III went above and beyond my expectations with this story. He manages to keep up the weirdness level as the story progresses. The story keeps the reader hooked and the highlight is the author’s writing style. The writing gave me immense Murakami-esque vibes. The detailed graphical description of the surroundings was done beautifully (or grotesquely).
While the central emotional tone of the story is weirdness, it still manages to touch romance, comedy, and horror. All the characters have their place but KARL STANDS OUT! Karl deserves his own story! What a quirky personality.
I loved the fact that the author has kept the story quick-paced and wrapped it in just 90 pages. I listened to the audiobook version narrated by Connor Brannigan and kudos to the narrator. Connor does an amazing job in significantly adding on to the different layers of emotions in the story.
I loved the book and would definitely recommend the audiobook version for the increased quota of absurdness.
Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook!
Narrated by Connor Brannigan
Audiobook Length: 2h 45 min
Drebbin is living his normal life, avoiding any chitter chatter and focusing on his work. He has a liking towards Leila, who according to him is out of his league. He is trying hard to get the promotion by impressing his boss, Mr. Kim.
One fine evening, Drebbin’s life changes when he feels the floor, the commode, the sink and every object in his bathroom breathing. He could feel fear rising inside him but before he knew it, he started becoming his bathroom. The story takes place at the Eighth Block Tower, where Drebbin has his home as well as office. It also deals with how humans are afraid to get sick, mostly because they just cannot afford it.
It’s the fourth book in The Bedlam Bible series, but is completely standalone. When a story has such an interesting build-up, the reader has their own set of expectations. William Pauley III went above and beyond my expectations with this story. He manages to keep up the weirdness level as the story progresses. The story keeps the reader hooked and the highlight is the author’s writing style. The writing gave me immense Murakami-esque vibes. The detailed graphical description of the surroundings was done beautifully (or grotesquely).
While the central emotional tone of the story is weirdness, it still manages to touch romance, comedy, and horror. All the characters have their place but KARL STANDS OUT! Karl deserves his own story! What a quirky personality.
I loved the fact that the author has kept the story quick-paced and wrapped it in just 90 pages. I listened to the audiobook version narrated by Connor Brannigan and kudos to the narrator. Connor does an amazing job in significantly adding on to the different layers of emotions in the story.
I loved the book and would definitely recommend the audiobook version for the increased quota of absurdness.
Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook!
April 7, 2023
This one was crazy and really really funny! I love the narration for this series! For this one it was just perfect for the story. I loved Carl. He finally got his Fight Club, kinda. I loved this one. I need the next book in the series right now! LOL Thank you to NetGalley and Doom Fiction for the audio arc in exchange for my honest review.
October 19, 2023
I went into this expecting more of the strange horror-esque writing Pauley is known for. What I WASN’T expecting was a deeply relatable take on capitalism and what it’s like to have a chronic illness you can’t afford. Like the second book in the series, Fight Tub follows one story rather than multiple shorter ones. One of the residents of 8th block tower suddenly starts seeing his body parts replaced by plumbing and tries to figure out how to hide his disease while also fighting off an annoying coworker who wants to keep drawing attention to his ailment by accusing him of being a member of a secret fight club. Totally normal, right? Actually, if you take out the tiny little fact that our main character is turning into his bathroom, the rest of his story is highly relatable. Working a job you don’t like, fighting for a promotion just so you can afford healthcare, pushing through an incredibly debilitating illness because you can’t afford to miss work, the stress that comes when unexpected bills show up, and it really just keeps going. I would go as far as to say that this is my favorite story of the series so far. Things are changing at the office, stop by and see if this is the job for you! (Just don’t mind the giant gaping mouth in the break room- we’re working on it).
September 25, 2023
Bb - fight tub
LOL 😂 this small novella is something! The funniest story so far in the Bedlam Bible series.
This is a stand alone story but perfectly connected to the series by its weirdness, and of course the location is the “Tower”. I am unexpectedly so much enjoying the series. I really would love if there will be the graphic books, it will be so much fan. The author did amazing job here to connect together the horror, romance and comedy.
I listened the audiobook and also wanted to emphasize the amazing job of the narrator.
Thanks to NetGalley for this audio book.
LOL 😂 this small novella is something! The funniest story so far in the Bedlam Bible series.
This is a stand alone story but perfectly connected to the series by its weirdness, and of course the location is the “Tower”. I am unexpectedly so much enjoying the series. I really would love if there will be the graphic books, it will be so much fan. The author did amazing job here to connect together the horror, romance and comedy.
I listened the audiobook and also wanted to emphasize the amazing job of the narrator.
Thanks to NetGalley for this audio book.
December 29, 2023
Funny and horrifying. My favorite book in The Bedlam Bible series do far.
September 22, 2023
This book is creepy, some parts are humorous to me, and so strange. I love these little novellas!
March 25, 2023
I knew this book was going to be odd, and it progressively kept getting weirder- I loved every second of it!
Karl is one of the funniest characters I have read in a while. His Fight Club theory was absolutely hilarious. No, Karl, he’s not in a fight club lolol.
Who would’ve thought the story of a man who became his bathroom would be so beautifully written too? The emotional prose was top tier! And it was refreshing for such a randomly bizarre story.
I think the moral of the story is how the corporate world shits on employees, and if so, I think it was executed in the oddest-most entertaining way.
Karl is one of the funniest characters I have read in a while. His Fight Club theory was absolutely hilarious. No, Karl, he’s not in a fight club lolol.
Who would’ve thought the story of a man who became his bathroom would be so beautifully written too? The emotional prose was top tier! And it was refreshing for such a randomly bizarre story.
I think the moral of the story is how the corporate world shits on employees, and if so, I think it was executed in the oddest-most entertaining way.
March 2, 2023
Funny, absurdist, Kafkaesque story about man morphing into a bathroom.
Obvious comparisons to things like “Metamorphosis” but also reminiscent of surrealist Japanese writing.
It treads the line between being surreal and having enough elements of reality that your still empathise and root for the protagonist.
I don’t want to spoil any of this book for anyone, so I won’t! Just to say “the first rule of Fight Club is…”
Obvious comparisons to things like “Metamorphosis” but also reminiscent of surrealist Japanese writing.
It treads the line between being surreal and having enough elements of reality that your still empathise and root for the protagonist.
I don’t want to spoil any of this book for anyone, so I won’t! Just to say “the first rule of Fight Club is…”
June 3, 2023
I love odd quick reads like this! It’s funny, unbelievable and there is an epic fight scene with the mutated characters in their “evolved” form. People come together quite literally, it’s a blast.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2023
So weird! Guess that's why it's called bizzaro fiction. William Pauley III writes very well, and if you're into this stuff, then I recommend this book. It was entertaining and really out there.
November 23, 2022
Please please please 🙏 tell me this story wasn't made up only due to this lame joke as a title 🙈
But whatever you get what you were promised to with Fight Tub, you've been warned 😆
This feels so much like a Z-movie and it's wonderful for that! Plus that ending... It might be quite a thing if turned in a movie 🤣
But whatever you get what you were promised to with Fight Tub, you've been warned 😆
This feels so much like a Z-movie and it's wonderful for that! Plus that ending... It might be quite a thing if turned in a movie 🤣
August 12, 2023
Yet another weird story from the eighth block and another story I couldn't get enough of. At this point anything William Pauley III writes will probably be a 5 star from me. I don't know how he does it, but my mind is always blown when reading his books. lol
I didn't know if I would like Fight Tub at first, but as the story progressed it reminded me of a mix, of Clark from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation with the way he acted and how his boss treated him, and Milton from Office Space as his trusty sidekick. lol By the end of the story I was cracking up so much, and yet was so disgusted too. It was amazing. LOL Also the revelation of Layla had me screaming "no way." You will have to read the previous book to get it but man I was stunned for a few minutes after that.
Now I'm on to the next book. I think there are only two left in the series and I don't know how I feel about that. LOL
I didn't know if I would like Fight Tub at first, but as the story progressed it reminded me of a mix, of Clark from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation with the way he acted and how his boss treated him, and Milton from Office Space as his trusty sidekick. lol By the end of the story I was cracking up so much, and yet was so disgusted too. It was amazing. LOL Also the revelation of Layla had me screaming "no way." You will have to read the previous book to get it but man I was stunned for a few minutes after that.
Now I'm on to the next book. I think there are only two left in the series and I don't know how I feel about that. LOL
September 6, 2023
This was a very enjoyable book to listen on audiobook. I love This was a very enjoyable book to listen on audiobook. I love where this author takes us in his books. This is a story of a man who turns into bathroom fixtures. He has a love interest at work and a friend who thinks he is in a fight club as he comes to work to cover the pipes and faucets , etc coming from his body. As he tries to hide it, it disrupts everything at work. It’s very humorous and bizarre at the same time. I continue to love the writing of William Pauley III and the narrator Connor Brannigan brings the characters to live. If you want a fun quick read in horror you need to read this book.
I wish to thank NetGalley and Doom Fiction Audio for the audio book of Tub Club in exchange for my honest review.
I wish to thank NetGalley and Doom Fiction Audio for the audio book of Tub Club in exchange for my honest review.
March 7, 2023
Imagine Fight Club, The Fly, but with anarchist politics. I finished this in one fell swoop, and I loved every minute of it. It's so real, and I didn't expect it to be as emotional and poingnant as it was! It focuses so much on the body and getting sick, something we're all worried about. "I just want to get rich enough so I can get sick".
June 11, 2023
This has to be the most absurd story in the Bedlam Bible Series. To be one with the porcelain guy and a bathroom joke gone wrong.
This is a double flusher that sticks to the bowl long after reading.
This is a double flusher that sticks to the bowl long after reading.
June 20, 2023
What the fuck did I just listen to?! First of all, the narrators voice on the audiobook was fantastic. I didn’t realize this was a series, but I think it worked okay as a standalone. I’m not sure what I expected, but this book was wild and ridiculous and unexpected for sure.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy of this!
Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy of this!
November 11, 2023
Soooo admission first, a friend sent me a photo of this book cover and description "Fight Tub: The story of a man who became his bathroom." and we had a good chuckle over it. But, then curiosity took over...I mean, who doesn't want to know how a man became his bathroom? And so, it slid into my downloads.
Being honest, I didn't have high expectations about this "bizarro fiction" so I am pleasantly surprised to admit I actually enjoyed this! While the storyline is whacked, the writing is great, the character building fantastic and the humour really got me.
I literally had laugh out loud moments to lines like, “I turned my head to examine the handle that was forming in my right ear. It looked to be a toilet flusher. I thought what the hell and give it a little push then immediately pissed myself.”
It's a short read (or listen) and it is nice to work your imagination into the visuals of this! Solid 4 stars for the most bizarre plot I think I have ever read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the audio book download!
Being honest, I didn't have high expectations about this "bizarro fiction" so I am pleasantly surprised to admit I actually enjoyed this! While the storyline is whacked, the writing is great, the character building fantastic and the humour really got me.
I literally had laugh out loud moments to lines like, “I turned my head to examine the handle that was forming in my right ear. It looked to be a toilet flusher. I thought what the hell and give it a little push then immediately pissed myself.”
It's a short read (or listen) and it is nice to work your imagination into the visuals of this! Solid 4 stars for the most bizarre plot I think I have ever read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the audio book download!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews