Review: Very good collection
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 09 20, 2011
Unexpected twist at the end is staple of short stories. Gillan makes them integral, defining part of his stories, not some forced punchline at the end of not very funny joke, but perhaps over-relies on them slightly: after three or four titles reader expects them.Not that this spoils the joy of reading this collection: the prose is very fluid, scenes masterfully painted in a sentence or two, and characters and their interaction built up just as much as needed. Themes are varied, and some very original. Occasional lighter, slightly humorous points usually work, but not always perfectly (especially in grittier stories).A very satisfying read (and it was free!). Now on to author's novels (which are reportedly quite different)...