Files, Gemma - In Our Endlessness, Our End
Award winning, and generous collection of restless stories.
“Bulbs” is the first of interviews. Bronwyn has gone off-grid. Completely. Possibly because of her apartment, something about the electro-magnetic field, something slightly beyond.
On glance, “The Puppet Motel” frays the already knotty relationship. The one grown stale, soured. Loren, at least, has an option. The short term rental property belonging to a friend. Between occupants, she cleans it and is allowed sleeping privileges – although sleep seems impossible.
In “Come Closer” the scourge draws ever nearer. Devouring homes, then squatting them back out afterward. Akin to a toxic workplace, cancerous love affair, or simply the ravages of time. Escape is a narrow opening.
“Cut Frame” is another set of interviews. The gem is for film buffs, fans of any troubled Horror production. For followers of fated stars who trail a curse in their wake. Exploitation fans, dial in.
Writers and their crutches. Superstitions. Oh, the exercises, the clichéd workshop exercises. In “Venio” matters proceed one step too many, until participants realize – well, too bad for them.
“Look Up” is rural horror, folk horror. The family curse that lingers across generations. And how about those family reunions? Especially with relatives you have never met? You know, second cousin three times removed. Fortunately there are always souls desperate for family.
Again, this is a thick, hearty collection. Best read carefully, too. The paper is thin, and creases and tears easily.
An oversight, there is no listing of where these tales first appeared. If they are all original to this volume, there is no listing of that either.