Review: Big Box
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 09 30, 2012
I normally don't like short stories - I feel that that author doesn't get a chance to develop the characters and/or the situation that they are involved with.  I make an exception with Big Box because, while it is a series of short stories, each is intertwined with the next so that it actually reads more like one big story with different chapters focusing on specific characters.The first story begins with an older couple, Mary and Joe, who are leaving Chicago after date day at the museum, to their house in the suburbs.  They decide to stay off the interstate and drive through their old neighborhoods, sharing memories, and extending their enjoyable afternoon, when they see a big flash of light.  They pull over and of course, it is a series of nuclear explosions over Chicago.  Joe grabs Mary and pulls her into a local "big box" store that is being evacuated since the power is off.  They decide to build a shelter to protect themselves from radiation and ride out the aftermath until it is safe to venture out.A few things here - first, the ideas that you get to build a shelter quickly (or even long term) are WONDERFUL.  I couldn't build a shelter even if my husband didn't think I was crazy and locked me up (maybe even in my new shelter!), mainly because we live in Texas close to the coast and are at sea level.  We can't have thinks like basements or underground shelters because they would fill up with water as soon as you dug the hole.  What they did to survive was COOL.  On the other hand, I had a couple of "suspend belief" moments - I thought that if a nuclear bomb went off that close that the cars would be fried with the EMP - need to research that.  Also, Joe carries a radiation detection device on his keychain.  While this comes in handy over the next few months, who really does that?From this story, we move onto other "chapters" that eventually tie together.  Stories that include what will be other members of their eventual party before they all join together.What I enjoyed:  How all of the stories tie together.  Most creative (little spoiler alert):  One was told from the viewpoint of a gun!  Best story:  Last chapter that told how/why this all happenedWhat was a little disappointing:  I would expect life to be a bit more difficult than what the characters faced.  Minor spelling errors, one time they called the character the wrong name in a sentence (nit picking there but while I can over look spelling errors, that one made me go back and read a few pages to make sure I knew who it was talking about).Most disappointing:  The ending seemed kind of rushed - a few pages to wrap it all together and tell us of how everyone's future ended up over the next 10 or so years but, on the other hand, I guess since it is a collection of short stories, it is nice not to be left hanging.All in all, an enjoyable light read with a few good survival tips.Pick it up and enjoy Big Box!