Author : Robin McLean
What is it about : A collection of short stories, seemingly each written by a different author as the breadth and scope ranged vastly from - deadly disease in the future space-age world where people were expected to live till 140; 18 wheelers-trucks causing mayhem; a mysterious old lady venturing out to possibly her last swim; a major cold snap hitting a dreary town with deadly consequences; an awkward dinner with an eventual disappearance of the family car; a menacing disgruntled bus commuter waiting to pounce; and a few more.
Some thoughts after having read the book : It was difficult to put a finger on the readability of this book - from story to story, the mood and texture swung from fascinating to inconsequential gibberish; from follow-able to unfathomably incoherent. The readers would have to judge for themselves. The stories I managed to make sense of, oozed class and delighted the mind; the others I just could not wrap my head around them. Oh yeh, and a twist in the tail type of ending should not be expected.
Would I recommend this book to you : "If-fy" had been the word which came to mind as I thumbed through this book in the local library but decided anyhow to give it the benefit of the doubt. I would recommend that the readers do likewise but be prepared to be enlightened or worse, have a few panadols handy.
