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The first ever collection of Michael Marshall Smith's award-winning short stories. The first piece of fiction Smith ever wrote -- a short story called The Man Who Drew Cats -- won the World Fantasy award. It's included here along with many others, some unpublished, which show the incredible versatility of one of the most exciting writers working in Britain today. The collection is stuffed with surreal, disturbing gems 'When God Lived in Kentish Town' Someone comes up to you when you're quietly eating your stir-fried rice in a great Chinese take away, and tells 'I've found God'. You try to ignore them, right? But what if they have, and what if He works in a drab old electrical store on Kentish Town Road and he's not getting many customers? 'Diet Hell' Some people will do anything to fit into their old jeans. 'Save As!' What if you could back up your life? Save it up to a certain point and return to it when things went horribly wrong? 'Everybody Goes' An idyllic childhood day from a long, hot summer. The kind you want to last for ever. All good things must come to an end, mustn't they?
This collection of short stories explores the fragile boundary between the mundane world and the surreal, often catastrophic consequences of human desire. The protagonist in each narrative faces a unique, often unsettling reality—whether it is the discovery of a deity in a local shop or the ability to reset one's life like a computer file. These stories operate through a variety of perspectives, ranging from the domestic to the bizarre, forcing characters to confront the logical inconsistencies of their environments. The narrative framework shifts between dark humor and psychological tension, highlighting the instability of everyday life.
This collection serves as a definitive showcase of the author's range within the speculative fiction genre. The stories are noted for their ability to blend domestic realism with unsettling, high-concept premises that challenge the reader's perception of normalcy. Critics and readers alike often point to the author's sharp, economical prose as a primary strength in maintaining tension throughout these varied narratives. The work stands as a significant entry in the author's bibliography, demonstrating a consistent focus on the darker, more absurd aspects of the human condition. By presenting a wide array of tones, the collection effectively highlights the author's capacity to pivot between genres without losing a distinct, recognizable voice.
Page Count:
416
Publication Date:
2000-01-01
Publisher:
Harpercollins Pb
ISBN-10:
0006510078
ISBN-13:
9780006510079
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