Short Thoughts on Short Fiction is a new monthly column that will focus on short stories. Each month we will review a small selection of short stories from anthologies, collections, and zines, both old and new. We want to acknowledge some of the great short fiction that’s out there, shine a light on emerging writers, and point readers in the direction of great fiction. Have a collection or anthology coming out, get in touch!
Iqsinaqtutalik Piqtuq: The Haunted Blizzard by Aviaq Johnston from Taaqtumi: An Anthology of Arctic Horror Stories
This is the opening story to the anthology and it’s a strong start. A sudden blizzard closes school and when grade seven student Panik is making her way home, she wonders if she saw something in the storm.
“My mother doesn’t know. She’s too grown up to remember the scary parts of our land.”
A creepy and relatable monster story for those who have heard a noise while walking home and wondered what was behind therm.
Recommended
Readymade Bodhisattva by Park Seonghwan from Readymade Bodhisattva: The Kaya Anthology of South Korean Science Fiction
If science fiction is the fiction of ideas, Readymade Bodhisattva extends that tradition by being chock full of them. Can a robot achieve enlightenment? This story debates the idea from multiple perspectives. Fascinating start to this anthology.
Highly recommended
Aggressive Mimicry by Hailey Piper from Black Rainbow
Aggressive Mimicry is about a group of teen boys who seek out the local legend of a beautiful, naked woman who swims at a certain spot and can be seen sometimes. One of the boys has a crush on one of the other boys, and while his unrequited love may be the cause of his heartbreak, it may also save his life. Hailey Piper really puts you inside the bones of her main character. You really feel for him. One thing that’s really clear, especially when you think of this story and her novella Benny Rose the Cannibal King, is that Piper really enjoys the idea of local legends and has a ton of fun creating them.
Highly Recommended
Daddy’s Girl by Jennifer R. Donohue
Lilyn sez: Excellent story that spans a good portion of a child’s life. It was too easy to tell where it was going, but that knowledge didn’t stop my enjoyment of the read, either. Donohue does a great job of immediately sucking you in and keeping you hooked.
Highly Recommended
What short fiction did you love in January?
Brian Lindenmuth is the former non-fiction editor of Spinetingler Magazine and the former editor of Snubnose Press. He likes both kinds of books, fiction and non-fiction. He blogs about subtitled TV shows and movies at One Inch Tall Movies
Making my way through the Metaphorosis anthologies…beautiful writing,wonderfully imaginative,totally absorbing.