A unique take on relationships, life, death, and human nature are explored in this collection of six short stories. He looks into our memories, our fears, even our deepest secrets. Reflected in a cracked mirror, you may see the woman down the street, whose son seems just a little off, the man in the next office, who is convinced every woman is out to get him, or your Great Aunt Edna, who was certain she knew who Death really was. Or you may just find your own secret self hiding among the pages.
Tags: dark fantasy · death · love · modern · romance · short stories
Listed: Dec 8, 2008
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The description of this volume is more tantalizing and involving than the collection itself. I kept looking for a thread to tie the stories into a complete whole, but I didn’t find it. The main theme (for some of them at least), seems to be death. The code on some of the stories was funked up and I wasn’t able to read the last paragraphs of some of them (which could be where the thread I’m looking for is hidden).
The author tried to explore human nature and fears, but it didn’t quite take. Sometimes he comes close, but no cigar. I do think, however, that the Remembering is definitely worth checking out.
Below, I’ve written a blurb of my thoughts for the stories that comprise the collection.
A Carnivore’s Confession: I wanted to like this, I really did. A quirk almost made an appearance in the author’s voice, but not quite. The end left me with a "huh" . . . but not a good sort of "huh" that acknowledges the unexpected or ironic twist. I think the main issue here is that it tried too hard to be something quirky.
The Way We Die: I liked this story mostly. Death once again featured as a girl, though not nearly as attractive and living as Gaiman’s portrayal. I think the only thing that I would have liked would have been more of a connection with the main character and a bit more characterization of Lady Death.
Woman Training: The Paranoid Conspiracy Theory aura was strong with this one. However, I had a difficult time identifying with it, possibly because I know it’s not true and couldn’t possibly be true. My main trouble with this is that it one dimensionalized both women and men and I just don’t care for that sort of thing.
The Trivia Game: This story wasn’t engaging enough and read more like a diary than story.
The Remembering: This is by far my favorite short story of the collection. The idea is unique, the end is poignant and sad.
Little Matty Eats Things: This was weird. And mildly disturbing in an almost nightmarish sort of way.
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