Plot: Twenty-four-year-old Joseph Marshal has just lost his mother. He had never left home and had rarely ventured out in public. He misses his mother but is not lonely. He worries about how he will survive without her to provide a buffer between himself and the rest of the world. At her funeral, a tall,Continue reading “Review of “Living Image” by James Rumpel”
Category Archives: Theme of Absence
Review of “How to Get to Heaven” by Trina Jacobs
Janet has died during what was supposed to be a routine appendectomy. Something went wrong. Now she sees a ghost in the corner telling her not to go into the light. “You wouldn’t like it there.” The ghost is a young man wearing a black leather jacket and blue jeans, bearing an uncanny resemblance toContinue reading “Review of “How to Get to Heaven” by Trina Jacobs”
Review of “Canaries” by JR Gershen-Siegel
The unnamed narrator and others have to leave when they came. She (or he?) takes her pet canaries and as much seed as she can carry. Others, she notes, takes clothes or emergency rations. A woman who had been rich on earth brought a bottle of perfume. The reader is not told who “they” are,Continue reading “Review of “Canaries” by JR Gershen-Siegel”
Review of “Have You Ever Not Seen The Rain?” by Martin Lochman
The rain keeps Eliza awake. She’s waiting for her sister, Kathleen, who should have been home two hours ago at a quarter past eight. Kathleen’s lateness reminds her of the evening ten years before when their parents were late. At first, it didn’t worry them, but as time wore on, they began to wonder. ThenContinue reading “Review of “Have You Ever Not Seen The Rain?” by Martin Lochman”
Review of “Traditional” by Todd Wells
Richard sulks on the edge of the bed. Amber tries to cheer him up. It’s their wedding night. It was a beautiful wedding, nice and traditional. Amber chose a quaint little church. They rode in a horse-drawn carriage rather than a limo. There are only two more things left to do. Of course, these days,Continue reading “Review of “Traditional” by Todd Wells”
Review of “The Interview” by JR Gershen-Siegel
“So, how long have you wanted to hunt demons?” The question is put to the narrator by the head of the agency. This is an unusual question at a job interview, but this is not a typical job interview. Over a lunch of Fettuccine Alfredo and Chicken Marsala, the unnamed narrator responds, “Since I wasContinue reading “Review of “The Interview” by JR Gershen-Siegel”
Review of “Mourning Melanie” by Ronald Schulte
Gloria wakes to the sound of the teakettle whistling. She didn’t mean to fall asleep. She’s just tired from the funeral. Alone now, she can curl up under a blanket with a cup of tea and relax. She’s run out of her favorite tea. This is a homemade gift, one of many snacks, desserts, andContinue reading “Review of “Mourning Melanie” by Ronald Schulte”
Review of “Apex Predators” by Lance J. Mushung
The unnamed narrator and his only companion, Krenote, man an early warning station. The narrator stares at the deep black speckled with tiny dots, waiting for something to happen. Krenote decides to debate whether the unknown species known as Humans exist. It is an old debate. An official report from a Brontian prisoner told ofContinue reading “Review of “Apex Predators” by Lance J. Mushung”
Review of “Speeding Toward Oblivion” by Steve Carr
Colm (not calm, but Colm) breaks the news to Director Tymo that they’ve managed to decipher images and sounds carried on radio signals they’ve been picking up since entering the present galaxy. The alien language is a simple tongue the natives refer to as “English.” The technicians have been able to puzzle out, “Greetings fromContinue reading “Review of “Speeding Toward Oblivion” by Steve Carr”
Review of “Prodrome” by Amanda Leigh
The title “Prodrome” is defined in an epigraph: “any symptom that signals the impending onset of a disease.” Sage tells his story in a series of journal entries beginning December 3, 2017. He is outside walking his dog when he sees the old man who lives in the apartment below him walking. The old manContinue reading “Review of “Prodrome” by Amanda Leigh”
Reviews of Old and New Stories. Mostly Old 