Ferryman

by Nigel Edwards

"Well-written" doesn't even begin to describe Ferryman; it's engrossing. - Book BrouhahaWhat kind of society condones and regulates suicide? What kind of people would kill you for a fee? The Ferrymen would, that’s who. But are they gods or devils? Live a day in the life of a ferryman, and decide for yourself...This Greyhart Press eBook is a short story, a perfect length to enjoy on your lunch break, or to complement a drink in your favorite coffee house. Be warned, though, this story might worry at you long after you've finished reading. In paperback this would be about 20 pages.

Genres: Science Fiction

24 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 7, 2011

About the author

Born a long time ago in a distant country, Nigel is Welsh but living in England with his wife plus the occasional child or pet (currently we have a pair of rabbits).

Nigel has been a spare-time writer since around 2005 (give or take a year), and has been published by Indie Press names NewCon Press (Ian Whates) and Greyheart Press (Tim Taylor).

For a living Nigel works as a software tester/manager in the IT industry, sometimes in London, sometimes elsewhere.

Nigel's ambition is to become a world famous author and then retire to the romantic coastline of Cornwall. Until then, Nigel just puts up with having to be nice to employers and potential employers.

Reviews

[Indie e-books · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent short story that's had me thinking it over for weeks now. It's difficult to review without giving spoilers as part of the charm is working your way through the world laid out by Nigel Edwards but here goes:

[Lynxie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third of Nigel’s stories I’ve read, this one is by far, the best to date.

Only short in length it packs a punch when you’re least expecting it. With surprisingly complex characters and a thought-provoking theme running at the story core, this one will leave you thinking about it long after you’ve finished reading it.

I’d love to see more in this world. Get a better understanding of the characters drivers, how one becomes a Ferryman, what reasons they all have to be one. It would be an interesting delve into the more taboo side of things I’m sure.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be a short story but it will leave a lasting impression. The "Ferryman" is a thought provoking short story by Nigel Edwards which explores a dark and disturbing reality that could still be our own. This story will haunt you. You will be left thinking about the elective responsibility of a society and where our decisions could still lead us. But for me it is the lead character, Mr George, who has captured my attention. Mr George has more than a hint of a terrible darkness within that will sit on my mind for weeks to come. Edwards's writing is wonderfully descriptive. It is reads like this that give short stories their popular place.

It is most notable that while the story in its very title and from the very beginning is hinting at dying and death, the story cleverly avoids these words. As such I was expecting a diverging twist that never came. Of course one could argue that the twist was in the very style that all along the story was actually about dying and death, a fact which the author mentions in his "About this story".