Fear, Tear, and Wear: Eleven Bittersweet Short Stories

by Shawe Ruckus

In this collection of eleven bittersweet and thought-provoking short stories from Shawe Ruckus, the lives of everyday people intertwine, connecting with unforeseen twists and unexpected surprises. Deftly exploring the inner workings of the human soul, this eclectic collection of modern-day dramatic stories spans genres from mystery and fantasy to science fiction and suspense. Throughout, Ruckus presents joy, sadness, a sense of longing, intrigue, and introspection in this series of stories that will resonate with readers. In this page-turning anthology, readers will join a city worker who unexpectedly receives secret pink envelopes to unusual events. They will accompany a pub-goer who is told a tale of a mysterious couple and their penchant for origami cranes folded from cash. Readers will meet a renowned TV news anchor who is being replaced by an AI version of himself. And finally, they will encounter a mysterious woman who claims to be from the Victorian era and who longs to be reunited with her reincarnated husband. The cast of characters in this collection of short stories for adults live their seemingly unassuming lives, which often intersect in the most surprising ways. Their secrets are told, their lives unfold, and their stories long for an audience.

92 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 6, 2023

About the author

Shawe Ruckus is an author of urban mysteries and YA science fantasy, in which cold cases and legendary creatures take centre stage.

Shawe is a globetrotter born in Inner Mongolia. Having woven a rich tapestry of experiences from her diverse residencies—including China, the UK, Austria, South Korea, Switzerland, and Japan—Shawe brings a unique medley of humour, bad humour, suspense, and slices of everyday life to her stories.

Having attended King's College London and the University of Cambridge, Shawe also took courses at the International Space University, where she acquired much useful technical knowledge for her writing. She was a student at the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries in London, where Agatha Christie learned how to poison.

Her first book in the Mercenaries in Suits series was shortlisted for the 2023 Readers' Favorite Book Award in the Urban Fiction category.

When not writing, Shawe Ruckus indulges in culinary adventures, offers mentorship sessions to inspiring entrepreneurs to 'hunt' their next unicorn, and persistently attempts to cultivate a green thumb.

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Reviews

[Rachel Loveday · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usually, a collection of short stories are both standalone yet connected, Ruckus’ "Fear, Tear, and Wear", are both these things and more.

Coming in at 92 pages, Ruckus manages to seamlessly tell eleven captivating short stories across a wide variety of genres.

The collection gets off to a fascinating start with a city worker who receives anonymous pink envelopes with invitations to unusual events that sees him have fun and get out of his comfort zone (“Pink Mail”). The collection then continues with stories about a variety of people from a young woman’s long-distance relationship deteriorating (“Three and a Half White Roses”), a pub-goer who is told a story about an odd couple who would make origami cranes from cash (“Money Crane”), a gay man who went to China to start a new career shortly before COVID-19 lockdowns (“Silent Disco”), a TV news anchor being replaced by an AI version of himself (“News”), to a backpacker providing translation services for a Ukrainian surrogacy clinic (“Bowtie”), and more (“Life is Short”, “A Purple Cat Got My Tongue”, “A Good Cry”, “A Lady Who Parked a Whale Outside My Balcony”, and “Not One More”).

All the short stories are captivating page turners on their own, however they also manage to make subtle connections to one another. “A Purple Cat Got My Tongue” provides some continuation of “Pink Mail” and includes a character from “Silent Disco”, and “A Good Cry” contains a character from “Three and a Half White Roses”. I personally enjoyed stumbling across these connections and appreciated that they were noticeable enough but didn’t overshadow the stories entirely.

I also appreciated the references to current issues in the world from the effects of COVID-19 to the issues presented by the growth of AI. I also loved the unexpected twists and turns, and overall comment on the human condition.

Overall, this collection was a highly enjoyable and captivating read that I would recommend to anyone.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Fear, Tear, and Wear: Eleven Bittersweet Short Stories’ by Shawe Ruckus features a collection of short tales that addresses the particulars of the human emotions and experiences. Each story is dramatic synonymous to the fear, tear, and wear we all experience as we go through the motions of life. Credit to the author for an imaginative series that handles different characters in their different walks of life. Ruckus utilizes drama and suspense in ensuring the readers are entertained. The collection is broad and covers diverse genres which to me was interesting as it moves you from low to high moments. He utilizes vivid description which draws readers into the stories. I loved the bit about the nature of life to be bittersweet. Ruckus is blunt when it comes to addressing humanity’s core aspects. Reading through one finds it easy to relate to the themes of grief, fear, and loss. The character experiences are empathetic and one cannot help but feel remorse. The story titled ‘News’ is hilarious but true to the times we are living as a news anchor is replaced by an AI. Reading feels interesting as the book focuses on diverse characters whose lives are unmasked. Hope and despair are topics he evidently addresses. Some titles are inviting, ‘A lady who parked a whale outside my balcony’ and ‘Good Cry’ pique readers interests to find what lies below the layers of emotions and intricacies.
The short stories are a great read and one can enjoy as they go about their hassles without worry of ever finishing. Readers will be thrilled.

[Tima · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of beautiful and engaging short stories by Shawe Ruckus. This book is not lengthy which is how Shawe Ruckus writes his work, small chapters full of events, covering diverse experiences. And this book is just a reflection of that custom. Fear, Wear and Tear has diverse lifestyles and tales of intertwined relations that make social existence possible and shareable.

This book has no central character which I really like because reading about lives in general is more realistic, everything seems passing by through phases which are all worth telling stories in their own nature.

The book also runs with contemporary life events, randomly picked up that makes it all authentic. A conversation about the virus at a pub or the influence of online interaction, AI taking over: it all really makes sense. Some stirring and strange stories but it all seems seasoned with different passages of lives. It is depicted simply as it happens so thumbs up for this.

The stories are superb and this is a really brief book which you can read a chapter at a tea or any other peaceful time. There could have been a definite address to the characters which are on show so follow up would have been more clean.

A diverse and inclusive read. Definitely these short stories are enjoyable to read with plenty of emotions to offer.

[S Prakash · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have had the pleasure of delving into the works of Shawe Ruckus and can confidently state that he possesses a remarkable talent for crafting engaging stories. Crafting a compelling short story can be a challenging endeavor, as it requires one to deftly balance character development and scenario building within a limited space. Ruckus, however, masterfully navigates these constraints to create riveting tales that are reminiscent of action movies, thrusting readers directly into the heart of the action.

Notably, Ruckus's short stories explore a wide array of topics, ranging from the pandemic to artificial intelligence, serving as a testament to his versatility as an author. As a self-professed techie, I found particular enjoyment in his story 'News,' which cleverly delves into the realm of AI. The other stories delve deep into the human experience, exploring themes such as love, loss, and grief, as well as the impact of the pandemic.

Ruckus seamlessly connects the stories with subtle hints, creating a cohesive and engaging experience. The relatable characters draw readers in, while the author's unique voice and vivid descriptions transport them into each world. Balancing humor and sadness, each story is a roller coaster of emotions.

For someone interested in short stories or simply a meaningful and memorable read, this book is sure to leave an impact.

[Lily A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once in a while, we stumble upon a book so good that it holds us raft until the last page. Shawe Ruckus is a gifted writer. Being the third book that is reading by this author, "Fear, Tear, and Wear: Eleven Bittersweet Short Stories", did not disappoint.

These daring and imaginative short stories careen across a variety of genres such as contemporary urban fantasy, science fiction, and mystery. Each piece carries its unique tone, prose, and distinctive characters. The overarching themes in these stories range from contemplation, artificial intelligence, grief, nostalgia, despair, and hope. Some titles beckon the reader from afar while others need to delve into the story therein to perceive their meaning.

Polished and unaffected, this anthology is multifaceted and focuses on everyday issues, an aspect that gives the book a high poise. Overall, there is a story for everyone with most characters remaining in a reader's mind long after the reading is done. Truly this author's work is necessary voice in our world today.

[Hannah Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book I've read by Shawe Ruckus, though the first one to not be in an established series. I greatly enjoyed this book of short stories. Layered, visceral, eloquent, poignant, dynamic, and yet simple--the human experience is well encapsulated within these pages.

Reading this collection I was often reminded of Black Mirror episodes, of J.D. Salinger's book of short stories, of David Sedaris excerpts, or the unique observations and humor of Kurt Vonnegut.

Ruckus manages to deftly cross genres and emotions in this collection of short stories, making for a uniquely human experience. At times sad and silly, reading these stories was such a joy. I so deeply look forward to more from Ruckus and his talent of bringing human complexity to our hearts in an accessible and enjoyable way.

[Aditya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down this were one of the best short story collections I have ever read. I loved the stories, the characters, and the dilemmas. The reason why I love short stories so much is simply that I do not have to read a 400-page book to reach the end. I mean do not get me wrong, long books have their own charm but sometimes you just want to read something short, maybe on a bus ride or train ride. This is the perfect book for it.

I would not spoil anything further, since the stories are already short and therefore must be experienced by the reader individually. Overall I loved the book and will recommend it to everyone who wants a quick but good read.

Much gratitude to the author for writing such a great book for us the readers.

Thank you
Happy Reading

[Dylan Kinloch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read other works by author Shawe Ruckus, and I have never been disappointed. When I discovered "Fear, Tear, and Wear", I could not click "purchase" fast enough.

"Fear, Tear, and Wear" is a magnificent collection of short stories, touching on a myriad of human emotions. Ruckus employs these themes and emotions through various characters that are extremely relatable and amazingly complex. My favorite entry in the entire collection tells the story of a TV news anchor who is replaced by AI. This storyline is just so fitting, considering the climate of the world and the current events that dominate the headlines in the present.

Simply put, this is a phenomenal piece of work by Ruckus, and a definite 5 out of 5 stars for me!!

[Ritaban Biswas · Rating 4 out of 5]

[I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.]

I really liked News for its scathing take on modernism. I also liked the Murakami-esque narrative of Pink Mail. Loved the essence of absurdity of Life is Short and Three and a Half White Roses.

There are 11 short stories in this "uncanny" collection, out of which 4-5 stories stood out, while others fell flat (for me). Overall, it's a contemplative one-time read for short-story-lovers.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shawe Ruckus does a great job in writing these short stories, it had everything that I was hoping for and I was never bored going on. The characters in each story was what I was hoping for and glad I read this.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[J R · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, captivating set ofextremel distinct short stories. my favroite was the woman missing her heart. thanks for the arc. 4.5

[Diamond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow

I found this collection of short stories to be interesting. Some I felt great connection with, others not so much, and other still left me wanting more. Ruckus did a really good job with the placement of the stories. There seem to be a seamless level of continuity as we move from 1 to the next. Add it to my experiments as a reader, and I can see the genius behind it as a writer. I did find myself confused a few times with culture references, but not the point of not understanding, given the contextual clues, what was going on in the story.

If you didn't know much about Ruckus, reading these stories would, at the very least, let you know that they are British, or residing in Britain... There were a lot of mentions about covid as well, so I worked with the assumption that they wrote this book during the pandemic, or soon after the main influx of the pandemic. It was a curious reminder of what we as a global community went through when Covid spread. In some ways those reminders connected me more to the book, it acted as a tether for me to become more emotionally invested.

This book is all age appropriate, although I would not recommend it for middle school or younger simply because of different themes and ideas. I think that younger children may have a harder time exploring the text then high schoolers and the those older. This could actually be used in high school to teach students How to connect with different cultures, notice different cultural references, and it could be used to teach them how to analyze text. For adults, this is a book that you take your time with. It's not meant to be rushed or binge read. This book is a very "make yourself a cup of tea and relax" type of book.

[Chevaughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inventive Collection

Shawe Ruckus' Fear, Tear and Wear is an imaginative collection of Short stories, varied enough that each is distinct but interwoven together through subtle hints to the other stories giving you a more complete picture.
The stories are intriguing and capturing, letting you know the characters enough to care about their fates. About love, friendship, family dynamics, things we've all experienced and with the underlying tones of the Covid19 Pandemic giving depth to some the struggles many of us faced.
I enjoyed the stories and felt the depth of some characters but occasionally the writing felt a little jarring. Shirt disjointed sentences that felt forced and were almost a play by play of someone's thoughts, it pulled me away from the feeling of the moment.
Overall a very good collection, the connections between the stories kept me reading wanting to find out how paths had crossed and what fate was to befall each if them.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting collection. For me, it felt like little snippets of people's lives via train of thought. It was overall enjoyable and definitely conveyed different emotional states, but for me, it was a little disjointed. I had trouble really connecting to each of the story tellers, so it didn't really have as much of an impact on me as a reader.

I found the scenarios to be interesting and each story intriguing in its own way. I think that the brevity of each tale prevented a deeper connection. I did enjoy the little connections that I was able to piece together. I also found the different perspectives regarding the global crisis to be interesting and appreciated that, while included, it was not the focus of the tales.