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Michel Faber’s first collection of short stories is remarkably diverse, yet all 15 are anchored by his radically inventive and often surreal style: “Fish,” for instance, projects a futuristic world populated by fish swimming in the air, attacking humans at will. Published to outstanding critical acclaim, this prize-winning debut is a wickedly satirical yet profoundly moving collection. “Somerset Maugham has shacked up with Ian McEwan, and [this] is their monstrous, magnificent first-born.” Duncan McLean, author of Bunker Man
This collection of fifteen short stories explores the friction between mundane human existence and surreal, often unsettling, manifestations of reality. The protagonist in each narrative faces a distinct, often bizarre, challenge that forces them to confront the absurdity of their environment. Whether navigating a world where fish swim through the air or dealing with the psychological weight of isolation, the characters are bound by the author's inventive, satirical lens. The narrative framework shifts across the collection, utilizing varied perspectives to examine the fragility of human social structures and personal identity.
This debut collection is widely recognized for its stylistic audacity and its ability to blend the grotesque with the poignant. Critics have noted the author's capacity to maintain a consistent, inventive voice while shifting between vastly different narrative premises. The work is frequently cited for its dark humor and its refusal to adhere to traditional genre boundaries. Readers often highlight the collection's ability to provoke discomfort while simultaneously offering deep insights into the human condition. The reception remains anchored in the appreciation for the author's early mastery of the short story form.
Page Count:
276
Publication Date:
2004-09-27
Publisher:
HarperCollins
ISBN-10:
000639373X
ISBN-13:
9780006393733
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