Synopsis
Four stories by Frank Marcopolos and four poems by Q.R. Maber. Frank's fiction has been reviewed with such praise as:
“This is a thoughtful, articulate, and often humorous narrative about the choices we all make, sometimes in the space of a single heartbeat, and the life-altering impact of our subsequent actions. It’s also a bittersweet tale of self-discovery and seminal experiences, full of realistic dialogue, unexpected situations and offbeat characters. A highly readable novel that recalls the style of Michael Chabon or John Irving, this is a literary gem that should not be missed.” – Blue Ink Review, Starred Review (Eagles and Hawks and Also People As Well)
Quite an eclectic bunch of stories and poems in this volume! My favorites were "Icky" (short story) and "Love on Top of a Washing Machine" (poem).
Belying the titles, both pieces exude sensitivity and warmth. "Icky" starts off in an ordinary manner, but quickly escalates into a psychological thriller. I almost did a double take when "Icky" ended, so unexpected was the twist. "Love on Top of a Washing Machine" is eloquent, raw, and heartrending.
The poems are thought-provoking and incorporate layers of meaning, making each subsequent reading full of surprises and fresh insights. Equally interesting are the short stories--and each of them have a twist that is bound to leave most readers guessing until the end.
No two pieces are similar; this volume is a well-rounded collection guaranteed to give you several hours of pleasurable reading. The language is simple yet purposeful; just the right words used to convey the appropriate emotions.
"The Bitcoin Heist" is both funny and gritty, as it follows the desperate muggings of two drug addicts who try to fund their next drug-addled euphoria. "Cato and Foyle" has a long build-up which does not disappoint--so diabolical is the ending! "Tock-Tick" plays with your mind and leaves you wondering who Allie really is.
I'd recommend readers to take their time to dwell upon each piece, instead of reading through the volume in one go. I'm sure you'll feel compelled to come back to the stories again and again as you try to figure out just what happened!
My reviews are for readers. I attempt to write balanced reviews to help people decide if they'd like to pick up the book. I also post reviews to Amazon India, Goodreads, and my blog: www.satabdimukherjee.wordpress.com.