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Henry Hinder
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Bad Strings: An Existential Comedy Kindle Edition

by Henry Hinder (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 37 ratings
"As darkly funny as it is thought-provoking..." "What a delightful short book this is..." "Hilarious and thoughtful..." "Very funny..." "An existential comedy indeed..." "Dumb. Not funny. Not even close..."

We are not in control.

Cosmic parasites that multiply via the suicides of their hosts have invaded Earth, hell-bent on all life’s destruction, one dark thought at a time. For no reason in particular, they decide to start their grand invasion with Hugo. A nobody.

As Hugo’s parasite grows in strength - injecting thoughts, twisting feelings, never letting up for even a second - Hugo lashes out at those around him. Not understanding what is happening, Hugo spirals into a dark tunnel with seemingly only one exit...

"I've never read a book quite like it."

Inspired by the writings of Kurt Vonnegut, Albert Camus, Bret Easton Ellis, Donald Glover, and Jesse Armstrong, this existential absurdist comedy asks who's pulling your strings, and whether you should cut them.
Someone pass the scissors.


Cover art by the incredible Max Rugers.

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  1. Print length
    198 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    January 9, 2022
  5. File size
    2.1 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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From the Publisher

Bad Strings
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09Q5MK7GN
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Outside Publishing
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 9, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.1 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 198 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 37 ratings

About the author

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Henry Hinder

Henry Hinder

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One name. One man. Won no awards.

Henry Hinder is an Amazon best-selling author of several novels and novellas, specialising in dark comedy, and following in the footsteps of writers such as Bret Easton Ellis, George Saunders, Kurt Vonnegut, and Hunter S. Thompson.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
37 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book thought-provoking. The humor receives mixed reactions, with some finding it very funny while others disagree.

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3 customers mention "Thought provoking"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking, with one customer particularly appreciating its theme of optimism.

"Simply put this book is good! It’s both funny and thought provoking...." Read more

"...Bad Strings is all three of those things. I loved its theme of optimism in the face of total nihilism. I look forward to more from this author." Read more

"I highly recommend this book. very funny and thought provoking. I can't wait to read more of Henry Hinder's books." Read more

5 customers mention "Humor"3 positive2 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's humor, with some finding it very funny while others disagree.

"Simply put this book is good! It’s both funny and thought provoking...." Read more

"I highly recommend this book. very funny and thought provoking. I can't wait to read more of Henry Hinder's books." Read more

"...My one criticism is that the story can jump around a lot and can drag on I found myself skipping these chapters and still having a full narrative." Read more

"...What we get is sharp parody of nihilism with some Existentialist arguments. The jokes and dialogue can be cheesy but that's part of the charm...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Seth Clark
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must read by up and coming author.
    Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Simply put this book is good! It’s both funny and thought provoking. The writer did a great job of putting the existential dread of our day down on paper.

    Keep it up HH!
    Helpful
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  • JackLens
    5.0 out of 5 stars Unique and thoughtful.
    Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I'm a big fan of Hinder's. His narration is simultaneously sly, thought-provoking, and melancholy. Bad Strings is all three of those things. I loved its theme of optimism in the face of total nihilism. I look forward to more from this author.
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  • Juliette B
    4.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful
    Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2023
    Just a few chapters I could've done without, but overall I enjoyed it.
    Are we in control?
    Helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars A Cheesy but Worthwhile Adventure
    Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I was drawn to this book on the recommendation of a friend who called it a Sci fi black comedy book. What we get is sharp parody of nihilism with some Existentialist arguments. The jokes and dialogue can be cheesy but that's part of the charm. My one criticism is that the story can jump around a lot and can drag on I found myself skipping these chapters and still having a full narrative.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Alan D. Klein
    5.0 out of 5 stars excellent book
    Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I highly recommend this book. very funny and thought provoking. I can't wait to read more of Henry Hinder's books.
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  • Headly
    1.0 out of 5 stars Why bother?
    Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    The author tells us at the beginning of the story that it has lows at the start and rises to highs as we continue to read. And please, he says, give it at least 60% before making a decision.
    Ok, I gave it 64% and it's still dumb.
    A parasite in a mans brain continues to control him to the point of suicide, which is what the parasite ( actually its a " life form" from space) needs in order to replicate.
    The story is full of cursing and ridiculous rantings that make no sense to anyone with a brain.
    Not funny.....not even close. Also I disliked how our Armed Forces are portrayed as over zealous idiots.
    Leave this one alone.... You'll feel much better.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Pheisterfamine
    4.0 out of 5 stars an existential comedy indeed
    Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Perhaps your bad thoughts and self doubt are really the product of an alien parasite intent on destroying the human race one person at a time. For those of us who have suffered through depression, that actually makes a certain kind of sense. It is also the premise of this book, which I came across in the existentialism subreddit. I figured I’d give it a shot, and I really enjoyed it.
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • PH
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 23, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    A very entertaining and engaging read. It's a strange story that manages to be both thought provoking and very funny at the same time. An interesting (and hopefully exaggerated..) take on the conversations we have with ourselves. Highly recommend.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thought-provoking and legitimately hilarious
    Reviewed in Australia on June 30, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Bad Strings had me contemplating depression, existentialism and prompted me to recall what I knew about Cartesian philosophy. What more could you ask for from a short piece of absurdist sci-fi fiction?

    The book’s short, sharp chapters are littered with sparkling sentences that prompt plenty of reflection. The dual POVs of the affected person, and the parasite doing the affecting, combine to present a fascinating, cynical, absurdly real view of the meaning (or lack thereof) of life on this planet and beyond.
    I particularly enjoyed Hugo’s chapters, where the character is forced to face his own concept of self and to attempt to come to grips with his bug-induced actions.

    A surprising, interesting read that is sure to have you questioning the nature of your own existence at least a couple of times before you’re done reading it.
    Report
  • Vladimir Piterbarg
    5.0 out of 5 stars hilarious but thoughtful
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 23, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    What a delightful short book this is, both funny but thought provoking at the same time. Characters are very relatable - even the parasite! Well worth a read
    Report
  • Alexi Demetriadi
    5.0 out of 5 stars Witty, funny, revealing and gripping – when Hinder is good, he's very good
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 12, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I've read three of Hinder's works now, each one is better than the last. His writing is vivid and sharp, his characters poignant and relatable, his humour dark and cutting. Bad Strings is an excellent addition to his repertoire and won't disappoint readers who enjoyed "BHT" and "TKWSTAD".

    Highly recommend to existing fans and newcomers alike.

    Bravo, HwH!
    Report
  • Dr S Kay
    5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining, clever, funny, witty… what more could you want?
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 23, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Bad strings? More like great strings! ;)

    Definitely worth a read, this book had everything. Hinder’s writing style has you gripped, entertained and waiting for the next book!

    Highly recommend this book to all.
    Report

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