Review: "Phantasmic Flashes"... a different focus for AMD but nonetheless,  a great tale
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 20, 2013
"Phantasmic Flashes (and other synaptic misfires)" is a short work by author Allison M. Dickson.This Kindle e-book was a 197 Kb download and sold for $1.99 at the time of writing this review.The body of the main story was divided into four short chapters and each of these segments were separated by another even shorter, completely unrelated tale.Spoilers (main story)Our nameless heroine awakes in a dumpster, not knowing where she is or even who she is. Her story is really one of a series of horrific mental flashes as she slowly regains some vague memories allowing her to try to piece together some of her recent past. But sometimes revelations from the past can be more than a crippled soul can bear.End SpoilersSome thoughts on " Phantasmic Flashes..." (main story)1.) a short and well written piece, replete with Allison's usual realistic vernacular, her graphic descriptions and her impeccable sense of pace and timing for releasing the next unexpected detail.2.) different than most of Dickson's other stories as this one has a very solitary and lonely affect to it. A personal tragedy, if you will, as there really is no one else, other than our heroine involved.3.) limiting this tale to four segments was (IMHO) a wise choice. Allison indicates in her author's notes, that she'd about 20 chapters available but decided on the four that are found here. Any more I think would have tended to desensitize the reader and dragged this tale out needlessly without adding anything beneficial.Impression:While typical of AMD's skillful use of prose to manipulate her heroes and her readers, the subject matter of this piece (discovered late on) had enough truth associated with it that the ending may not be as unrealistic as it first appears. And it's not really until the end that you begin to realize the significance of this short work.In the end, a beautifully written but sad, sad tale... a tale to make us think about others less fortunate.A favorite line (from the 4th segment)... 'You never know how alone you are until you're with someone you don't want to leave.'The three (3) 'synaptic misfires'A tale of a house, a teacher and a Halloween psycho. All completely different and absolutely nothing to do with each other or the main story. I loved all three of these ultra shorts... but just not sure why Allison included them in this book.As it is... 5 Stars.Ray Nicholsonraynicholsonsreviews@hotmail.com