“Scenes from the Second Storey”
Review copy received through the courtesy of one of the editors, Amanda Pillar
I like music, but I cannot say that is one of my
passions. I guess I like it as much as any other person, I enjoy listening and
buying the albums of the bands and singers I like, but I tend to be pretty
conservative and inconsistent on the matter. But when I heard about Amanda
Pillar and Pete Kempshall’s anthology based on a music album, The God Machine’s
“Scenes from the Second Storey”, the concept I was immediately intrigued and my
curiosity picked. I was very interested to see how the wheels of imagination
were spun by The God Machine’s songs.
“Dream
Machine” by David Conyers – After seventy-six years in Hell Barry Adamson
is reassembled at the Hell’s Overload order for an assassination mission. David
Conyers spawns with frightening ability scenes that could fuel the most
terrifying of nightmares. The hell’s torments traded for a world of endless
corridors full of strange paintings and whispers, the painful reconstruction of
Barry Adamson’s body and an operation held in the hallucinatory surgical tent
together with the deviant methods of training are meticulously shaped into an
amazing story. The reason for Barry Adamson’s punishments in Hell is revealed
too, but I found it lacking a bit of motivation. I understand from the author’s
afterword, however, that “Dream Machine” is part of a series of interconnected
short stories, so maybe these aspects have a connection with the other tales.
Nonetheless, David Conyers’ “Dream Machine” is the perfect start for the
anthology.
“She
Said” by Kirstyn McDermott – It is the story of an artist, Josh, and of
his girlfriend and muse, Mallory. A beautiful and melancholically story, but
with very dark elements. The inspirations and creation of art works tightly
hand in hand with life in general and love in particular here. There is a
parallel between Josh creating his art pieces and his romantic relationships
with his lovers and muses. The touch of life on the artwork gets a new meaning
on “She Said” though, but despite this new distinction Josh doesn’t seem to be
able to feel fully accomplished neither in art or life.
“The
Blind Man” by Felicity Dowker – After the savage beating of a school
colleague Greg is condemned to a suspended twelve-month juvenile detention and
one hundred hours of community service. While serving his community service
hours at The Willows aged care facility Greg meets the mysterious Mr. Salioso.
There is a twist in the presence of Mr. Salioso, but the true horror of the
story is not found there. The story is told in a strong and bitter voice of
Greg, a character with an internal turmoil, but with whom the reader cannot
feel sympathetic. Moments of tenderness are turned into brutality and innocence
is twisted by violence in a story that is uncomfortable in many ways, but very
difficult to forget at the same time.
“I’ve
Seen the Man” by Paul Haines – The story of an addictiveness. Paul Haines
plays his addicted character to perfection, revealing his dependency late into
the story for a greater impact on the reader. The end of the story adds a
heavier accent on this aspect, but also a sadder tone. Paul Haines’ recent and
unfortunate departure from our world gives “I’ve Seen the Man” new depth and
meaning.
“The
Desert Song” by Andrew J. McKiernan –
When people start disappearing in an outback town Josh the undertaker goes out
into the desert for coffinwood trees to use for his coffins while Reverend
Garland Wallace sees the situation as an opportunity to gain new followers and
redeem their souls. The post-apocalyptic setting is the scene where religion
and science clash again. Since neither ideology is willing to make concessions
the conflict will rapidly escalade. The solitude of the desert is highlighted
by a new world emerged after a world-conflict. The respective conflict is
barely hinted by Andrew J. McKiernan, but enough to give the setting shape and
representation. The zombie/vampire tropes take a scientific form in “The Desert
Song” and that is a very welcomed changed for two sub-genres that tend to
become very stereotypical.
“Home”
by Martin Livings – The soldier Jack tries to makes sense of his
surreal present situation. “Home” is a haunting short story, with elements that
not only send Jack, the main character, in an uncertain position, but makes it
feel like a perpetual nightmare. Or an endless punishment in Hell. Martin
Livings’ story has an undertone that hints at the horrors of war, be they
physical or mental.
“It’s
All Over” by L.J. Hayward – James goes to an isolated old lighthouse
reported to be haunted by a ghost in search of material for his psychology
thesis, but also in need to make peace with his past and present. L.J. Hayward creates
a very nice ghost story mixing atmosphere with mystery while steadily building
the climax amplified by an excellent twist. The journeys James takes down his
memory lanes into the past leads the reader to what seems to be a certain
outcome, but the story’s finale makes this deceiving one of the main qualities
of “It’s All Over”.
“Temptation”
by Trent Jamieson – Bolland and Smirker are attempting to cross
Victoria Bridge. This is the base idea of Trent Jamieson’s story, but the
imagined world of “Temptation” is definitely wider. Crossing a bridge seems to
have become a profession in this story and the task is not as simple and
carefree as we know it. The bridges are a world on their own, labyrinthine and
dangerous as the setting that encompass them is very dark. But Trent Jamieson’s
story is very confusing, raising more question than offering answers. It has an
intriguing universe and I did not ask how this world came into existence, but I
had a few unanswered inquires, important to the development of the story in my
opinion, that don’t seem to have an answer. Unfortunately, I have to say that I
was unsatisfied by the general feeling left by “Temptation”.
“Out”
by Stephen Dedman – Suri was born and raised on zero gravity, but
the perspective of landing on a new planet is not as welcomed for her as it is
for the rest of the space crew. A wonderful story, which comes with a twist
that is another excellent addition to this particular turns encountered in the
anthology. The story is told through the voice of a tech and offers the tale of
a misfit from the perspective of another misfit. A very solid tale, with a
wonderful tone and a clever spin.
“Ego”
by Robert Hood – Stefan Clemens and Merrin reached a breaking point
in their relationship, but when Merrin’s younger sister, Alice, shows up at
Stefan’s door things take a new turn. “Ego” is a short story that keeps the
reader almost clueless of what it is actually taking place and what is going to
happen. If I can make a comparison it is like walking along a dark corridor
with a closed door at the end outlined at the edges by the light behind it. I
was never certain what awaited me behind the door, but curiosity push me
forward and rewarded me at the end. Better still, I recommend a return to the
opening paragraph of “Ego” after finishing Robert Hood’s story, because in the
light of the story’s conclusion that particular start recompenses the reader
further more. I was not sure about the significance of the main character’s
cancer, but after reflecting on this matter a bit more I believe that this is
another great approach from the part of Robert Hood, because I do think that in
the case of “Ego” cancer doesn’t refer literally to the disease, but rather to
a more subtle psychological affection, as dark and dangerous as this terrible
illness is.
“Seven”
by Stephanie Campisi – Elizaveta tries to cope with the disappearance
of her beloved Mikhail and recollects the relationship with him. The story
exhales a melancholy infused atmosphere. The main character suffering is almost
palpable, the bitter memories of her past lover and their not always easy
relationship are enforced by the feeling of solitude induced by her move from
home country and the isolation she feels in the new home. Most of the story
conflict is implied, nothing is stated clear in the face of the reader. The
same goes for the speculative element of the story, only barely seen, but
efficient nonetheless. With an excellent technique Stephanie Campisi might not
line up “Seven” is the same category as the rest of the stories when it comes
to the force with which the subject is delivered, but it is a very sensible
tale.
“Purity”
by Kaaron Warren – Unsatisfied by her personal life and the medium she
lives in Therese joins Calum and Daniel, an unusual preacher and his grandson.
It is a story that touches firmly the bizarre, but with an adequate effect.
Kaaron Warren is proficient in creating the atmosphere of religious hypnosis
and the image of a strange cult leader and his followers. The end is unsettling
and amplifies the impression of grotesque and strangeness.
“The
Piano Song” by Cat Sparks – Charise fights against a system and tries to
find her unique way in the middle of an imposed behavior and hierarchy. Cat
Sparks creates a world, a vision of Earth’s possible future, in which the music
stars are created by a certain pattern, each role is clearly defined and where
uniqueness is not easily accepted. Charise’s struggle against the all defining
current ends in a shift of her perceivable reality, inducing a dreamlike state
with cheerful tones, but with an unclear border between the two.
I am not sure about The God Machine’s “Scenes from the
Second Storey”, it doesn’t seem to fit any of my musical preferences, but
Amanda Pillar and Pete Kempshall’s anthology is impressive. I’ve rarely seen
such an exceptional collection, with such powerful voices, strong narratives
and outstanding stories. I might seem overly excited by it, but I assure you
that Amanda Pillar and Pete Kempshall’s “Scenes from the Second Storey” is
nothing but top quality. It is an anthology to be held dear, a collection to be
read and re-read.
