Official Review: A Breath of Fiction by Gregory M. Fox

[Ryan]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "A Breath of Fiction" by Gregory M. Fox.]

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2 out of 4 stars

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Attempting to encompass the world and all of its history, this collection of flash fiction by Gregory M. Fox has the reader assassinated as a famous Roman general, embarrassed as a basketball player who misses his shot and reminiscing about friends they’ve never really liked on the journey home. A series of stories usually less than 350 words apiece, the reader will be presented with a diverse array of situations that last no longer than a Twix, but some of which leave an imprint on the memory.

Linked by theme, the stories delineate all of the elements, including air, fire, water, earth etc. and each story explores that element in a specific way. The air gives us stories called ‘Bubbles’, ‘Horizon’ and ‘Sky’, whereas the water gives us stories such as ‘Puddle’, ‘Ice’ and ‘Rain’ and all of which become part of the worldview that the anthology espouses. However, one might wonder how inclusive the stories really are when most include heterosexual couples (married or otherwise) and white working-class Americans. This is not an all-encompassing worldview and the reader should be aware of it. In this respect the anthology fails, and while many of the stories are interesting, they often fail to make an impact the author desired because throughout the reader is aware of this bathos. If the writer attempts a work of epic proportions, the content ought to reflect it and so must the skill of the author.

Ethical considerations aside, most of the stories are generally well-written with clear technical milestones: concise expositions, clear turning points and (usually) appropriate denouements. Many are poignant, some are funny and a sprinkling are horrific and there is enough diversity to keep the reader interested. It should be noted, however, that many of them are ambiguous and might therefore be difficult for some readers. Whether or not this is due to the incompetence of the writer I will leave for the reader to decide, but one should not allow this to influence one’s decision as most are clear and concise. The writer also gets credit for varying the tone of the stories whenever things become too grim or fluffy and the reader will often find delightful juxtapositions that enrich one another.

That said, many of the stories are repetitive and lack thematic complexity entirely. Allowances can be made for the length of the stories, but a more skilled writer might have managed to create more insightful narratives with the same amount of words. One aspect that will not disappoint is the various forms the stories take as some of which are written in dialogue form with no declarative description, which lends itself well to the purposes of the anthology. Treats such as these are few and far between and if more common would certainly have improved its score -– unfortunately, however, most of them are written in a confused first- and third-person that detract from the immediacy instead of conjuring it. This is not made any better by the many typographical and grammatical errors that pervade the work.

Generally, the anthology is ambitious but fails to deliver what it promises. It is written with some technical skill, but even here there is much room for improvement: the stories are diverse and interesting, but not nearly inclusive enough to achieve its purpose. If the reader enjoyed Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf, then perhaps this collection might be suited to them, and similarly for anybody who wishes to give something different a go. Just don’t get a God complex when you do!

I rate this book 2 out of 4 stars.

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A Breath of Fiction
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Like ryanj1's review? Post a comment saying so!

[Gravy]

Great review!

[Ryan]

Thanks, Gravy!

[Gravy]

:text-welcome:

[ALynnPowers]

Thanks for the review.

The idea of the elemental divisions is interesting to me. Which did you enjoy most?

[Ryan]

Thanks, ALynn!

'Air' was probably the best. The stories in that part were much more diverse. There's one called 'Bubbles' (mentioned in the review) in which a mother allows her child to blow bubbles, but whenever they pop they say something. It's quite touching

[ALynnPowers]

Sounds cute. I wonder if I would appreciate the "earth" section, since I am a child of earth.

[Gravy]

@"ALynnPowers"
Is it weird that I identify with all the elements?
I've always found that strange

[ALynnPowers]

You must have a weird birthday that falls on a boundary of elements. There is actually a word for this is Japanese but I can't think of it right now.

[Gravy]

So...I am weird
@"ryanj1"
Which element do you associate with?

[Ryan]

Well, I certainly don't believe that my "soul" is one with the ocean, but I'm glad to see that you appreciate the concept When I was reading it I thought it was all a little hokey. But that might appeal to many people, so who am I to complain?

[ALynnPowers]

I love that idea. And maybe you are a child of the ocean even if you don't believe it.

[Gravy]

Well, I certainly don't believe that my "soul" is one with the ocean, but I'm glad to see that you appreciate the concept When I was reading it I thought it was all a little hokey. But that might appeal to many people, so who am I to complain?

Unfeeling stone then
Got my answer
It's really not got anything to do with a soul you know!

It's just a matter of preference

I like them all equally

[Ryan]

I guess I'd go for air, then. I love a nice cool, refreshing breeze

[Gravy]

I wonder if the author identified with air more than the others...

Given the title
And the apparent attention to detail in those stories?
Curious.