WOOM by Duncan Ralston: A Descent into Twisted Darkness
“I don’t believe in ghosts. But I do think places, like this motel room, I think they hold on to bad things, the way people hold on to memories. Grief. Pain. Disease. Addiction. I think when you enter a place that’s absorbed enough bad things, it pukes them out at you. It drenches you in them. So a relatively innocuous room, like this one, will appear evil. Because bad things happened here.” (Expert From “WOOM”)
Overview
Duncan Ralston’s novella “WOOM” is an unrelenting dive into psychological horror that tests the boundaries of the genre and the reader’s endurance. This work stands as one of the more extreme examples of body horror in contemporary literature, blending elements of psychological thriller, body horror, and transgressive fiction into a compact yet intense reading experience.
Setting & Premise
The entirety of “WOOM” unfolds in room 6 of the Lonely Motel, a dilapidated establishment that serves as both the physical setting and metaphorical womb where the narrative gestates. The story centers on two characters: Shyla, a prostitute who arrives for what she believes will be a standard client encounter, and Angel, who has specifically requested her services.
What begins as a seemingly straightforward transaction quickly spirals into something far more disturbing. The male protagonist reveals that he has a particular connection to this motel room—it’s where he was conceived—and he has returned with a specific, twisted purpose in mind. As the night progresses, he shares a series of increasingly horrific stories, each connected to the room and to themes of birth, death, and bodily violation.
Narrative Structure
Ralston employs a story-within-a-story format, using the narrator’s tales to build tension while gradually revealing his true intentions. Each anecdote serves as both exposition and foreshadowing, creating a sense of inevitable doom that permeates the narrative. This structure allows Ralston to incorporate multiple horror scenarios within the confined setting, maximizing the novella’s impact despite its limited length.
Themes & Analysis
At its core, “WOOM” explores several interconnected themes:
Birth and Rebirth: The womb imagery is pervasive throughout the text, with the motel room serving as a symbolic womb from which the narrator seeks rebirth. His obsession with returning to a womb-like state drives the narrative toward its disturbing conclusion.
Body Horror: Ralston doesn’t shy away from graphic descriptions of bodily violation, medical procedures gone wrong, and visceral physical trauma. The body—particularly the female reproductive system—is presented as both sacred and profane, a site of creation and destruction.
Trauma and Mental Illness: The narrator’s deteriorating mental state becomes increasingly apparent as the story progresses. His traumatic past has shaped his worldview and warped his perception of reality, resulting in his disturbed plan.
Control and Power Dynamics: The relationship between the narrator and Shyla evolves throughout the novella, with shifting power dynamics that add layers of tension to their interaction.
Writing Style
Ralston’s prose is direct and unflinching, employing clinical detail when describing bodily functions or violence. This matter-of-fact approach makes the horror more impactful, as it normalizes the abnormal. The dialogue feels authentic, particularly Shyla’s increasing discomfort as she realizes the danger of her situation.
The pacing is deliberate, with each story increasing in intensity and depravity, creating a crescendo effect that culminates in the novella’s shocking finale. Ralston effectively creates atmospheric tension within the claustrophobic motel room setting, making readers feel as trapped as Angel becomes.
Critical Reception
“WOOM” has developed something of a cult following among extreme horror enthusiasts. It’s frequently mentioned in discussions of boundary-pushing horror literature, often alongside works by authors like Jack Ketchum and Edward Lee. Critics have noted both its narrative effectiveness and its potential to disturb even seasoned horror readers.
The novella is certainly not for everyone—many readers find its content too extreme or gratuitous. However, those who appreciate transgressive fiction often praise Ralston’s commitment to his vision and his ability to create genuine unease.
Final Assessment
“WOOM” succeeds as extreme horror by creating a reading experience that lingers uncomfortably in the mind long after the final page. Ralston demonstrates skilled craftsmanship in building tension and creating memorable, if deeply disturbing, imagery.
That said, the novella’s extreme content means it can only be recommended to readers who specifically seek out transgressive literature and are prepared for graphic depictions of body horror, sexual violence, and psychological disturbance. For the appropriate audience, “WOOM” delivers a concentrated dose of horror that few other works match in intensity.
“WOOM” accomplishes what many longer works cannot—it creates a visceral reaction that challenges readers’ boundaries while maintaining narrative coherence and thematic depth. It stands as a testament to Ralston’s willingness to explore the darkest corners of human experience without compromise.
Rating: 4/5 for genre enthusiasts, with the strongest possible content warning for general readers.
