Review: Reality unravels one thread at a time. Loved it
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 5, 2013
This is told in an almost diary style. It's short and sweet in length (a very quick read).The main character finds lodging closer to work, only to feel that he's not getting full disclosure from his landlord about the odd disturbances in his very humble abode. It's lovely in the way it's told, the way all of us when faced with the unexplainable then try to logically disregard the oddities so that our comfort zone isn't disturbed - and it's in this detached and very male way that we're privy to the events within this novellette.Anyone who is adept with the supernatural would find this an authentic read, when an overpowering stench begins to manifest around a certain item in his room. But like you and me, he shrugs it off, hoping it's just one of those weird occurrences that has no deeper meaning or significance.The appalling state of the hovel in which he is lodging does make me have huge empathy for the main character, as he discloses in his diary the frustrations of a bipolar woman who is so neurotic, alluding to the noises in the attic being her dead husband and she doesn't like to disturb him. Our logical main character assumed the noises above keeping him awake and on edge were merely rats. No matter what he does he's met with resistance by his tetchy landlady who is just awful (you instantly loathe the woman.)Despite this being quite the supernatural tale, it's told in such a conversational and lively tone that you adore this poor man thrust into an appalling situation. He's a normal lad, he reasons through his issues, he wants to be warm, to have an open window, to eat more than reheated beans, but the spidey senses keep hinting that something here is amiss, if only he could fathom what. He's reaching the end of his tether and is considering moving to a different location because the lack of sleep and the foul smells are making him ill.And that's when the story culminates. It has the best last line I've ever read in a  book. It gave me chills. It's just beautiful and disturbing all at the same time.For a short read this one was awesome! A total recommend from me.