Blurb: Embark on a mesmerizing journey through the realms where reality intertwines with the surreal in "AVOID SEEING A MOUSE: AND OTHER TALES OF THE REAL AND SURREAL" by James Dorr.
From the enigmatic landscapes of ancient Memphis to the mysterious dreams that blur the lines between waking and slumber, Dorr weaves a tapestry of stories that defy conventional boundaries.
Delve into the secrets of an otherworldly love, the apocalyptic visions that haunt the corners of our minds, and the strange encounters that shape the destiny of characters on the brink of revelation.
Dorr's prose, rich with symbolism and mysticism, invites readers to explore the intricate dance between the tangible and the fantastical. In this collection, the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and the surreal whispers the hidden truths of existence.
"AVOID SEEING A MOUSE" beckons you to step into a world where dreams and reality converge, inviting you to question what you thought you knew about the nature of the universe.
Review: This collection of speculative fiction is marvelously written and nabs your attention right away with a great storm. There are stories that play on old fairytales and ghouls and vampires. It's dark and humorous, and meant to be read with a light on.
I've read stories from James Dorr before, and I loved to see ones that centered around his bleak futuristic world introduced in one of his previous books, Tombs: A Chronicle of Latter-Day Times of Earth. A dark world of radiation and ghouls. "The Last Dance" takes place in that realm, and it's one of my favorites of this collection. One more party for the dead. "Crow and Rat" also swept me away, taking the reader where we haven't been in the Tombs world before: into the sewers. A powerful love, even after death. It reads like a folktale, mysterious and dream-like.
A few other standout stories for me are "Bottles," which starts off slowly with Maria who is wanting to make her way in the post-WWII world. A good girl, though carrying the superstitions of her the old world. What exactly is her new employer up to? I love the way the story unfolds and wraps up so wonderfully. "The Dark Call of the Sea" is a Lovecraftian tale of music and art, twined together in harmonic madness. (I'm always a fan of Lovecraftian horror.) The final story of the collection, "Avoid Seeing a Mouse" is a modern piece featuring the pyramid in Memphis, Tennessee. Henry has dreams he believes are from the Goddess Sekhmet and she has him do small tasks. What for? Only the goddess knows.
There are twelve stories in this collection, each with its own dark humor and twist. Highly recommended.