Cocoon by Thomas Ligotti

Metamorphosis.

By Thomas Ligotti’s standards of deeply disturbing and twisted horror, Cocoon feels relatively tame—though no less chilling. The story still possesses his signature creepiness and eerie allure, an interesting blend of mystery and horror that pulls the reader in slowly. The pacing is intentionally measured, allowing the author to immerse the reader in his unique brand of the macabre and psychological horror—a decaying, shadowy cityscape pulsing with despair, madness and an undercurrent of malevolent intrigue. He successfully creates this bleak urban nightmare, where decay and dread linger around every corner. The cocoon metaphor of rebirth and transformation is well integrated throughout the story.

The final act is stellar with a surprising twist ending that I did not see coming. The grotesque and visceral horror in these moments bring to mind the dark, flesh-crawling aesthetics of a David Cronenberg film. Ligotti’s unsettling use of imagery, particularly with insects and larvae, adds another layer of discomfort, making this a read best avoided by anyone squeamish around bugs. Overall, Cocoon is an intriguing, surreal and creepy tale that showcases Ligotti’s ability to disturb without veering into "what-the-hell-did-I-just-read" territory, like some of his other stories.