Review: Hidden Dimensions
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 20, 2013
I don't normally go for the whole ghost story genre but this author has a rather original idea which he develops extremely well as he conjures up a complex tapestry of interwoven narratives. The central story, as commented by other reviewers, is that of a 'death train' which begins to roam the countryside snatching people both alive and dead as 'fuel' for its boiler.However, other themes make this a rich, rewarding read as a range of mythical rural characters interact with both the main story and that of a megalomaniac who wants to rule the world in an almost Tolkienesque manner.The book is well written and the story largely credible - quite an achievement when writing about an entirely fictitious world - but the thing that really grabbed my attention was the sub-textual commentary on American culture.Not since reading Steinbeck have I come across such a revealing expose of the barely hidden undercurrent of aggression and violence which seems to form the backbone of American society. Whether this is the reality or merely the perception of the author, I couldn't comment but the similarities between the culture in 'Grapes of Wrath' and that described in 'Death Train' are startling.All in all, this book is well worth a read even if Ghost stories are not your normal genre. If this is an area of interest I'm sure you'll find everything you're looking for in this story.