Maxwell Vagus

Just Below, a novella by horror writer John Alaia, tells the story of one man’s ‘symphony of pain’ played out under the floorboards of his very own life. While the story’s body horror grinned at me through a ‘tapestry of shredded lips’, Alaia deftly built a crescendo of psychological thrills that not only kept me unraveling the clues to his protagonist’s plight but also had me glancing inward at that ‘vast, oceanic sadness’ upon which we all float. Alaia’s ability to portray graphic immediacy while incorporating strategic symbolism and striking descriptive phrases adds layers of depth to this novella, enabling it to transcend simple genre labels. If you’re looking for a quick read that makes you squirm and think and reflect, Just Below by John Alaia is the perfect choice.