Review: Doubleshot Reviews book review
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 14, 2011
Technically a 4.5 starYou can't stay in your corner of the forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes. ~Winnie the PooIf You Go Into the Woods introduces the reader to Jiri Beranek a young boy who is drawn to the forest near his home. He is completely enthralled by the birds that are hidden out of sight by the canopy of the wood, yet his curiosity is curbed by his fear of the unknown...of the darkness within the deeper parts of the forest. Will little Jiri ever get near the birds he so longs to see or will the foreboding nature of the wood keep him safe at home?The title story, If You Go Into the Woods, is a very well developed short story that had me longing to know more at the end. David Gaughran truly captures the inner turmoil of Jiri in his desire to go deeper into the woods and the nagging fear that keeps him on safer grounds is a familiar theme for all. I greatly enjoyed this tale and would DEFINITELY be interested in learning more about this world.The Reset Button tells the tale of a divorcee, Linus Eriksson, who has a memory problem; as in he is total forgettable, no one seems to remember him.Bonus content, The Reset Button, touches on a fear that strikes at the heart of many people, being forgotten, being left alone and unloved. This story is one that can definitely make you think about the various people in your own life.  Has your presence impacted their lives? How does their acknowledgement of you (or lack of) make your life better/worse?Overall two very well constructed and thought provoking tales from an author I know I will be keeping my eyes on for in the future.