Deeper

by Cliff Jackman

"Nothing is what it seems in these intriguing short stories exploring plausible dark scenarios in gripping detail ... Jackman expertly pulls the reader into nightmare worlds blending the banal with the truly terrifying... easily one of the best collections of short stories I've ever read ... Jackman is a major find - I look forward to reading more of his work..." - Michael B Davie, author, The Late Man Clifford Jackman - regarded by some as Canada's answer to Steven King - was born in Deep River and raised in Ottawa. He holds a Master's degree in English from Queen's University, and a Bachelor of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law School. The practicing lawyer resides and works in Toronto. Deeper is a collection of short stories probing beneath the surface of our ordinary lives and unthinking assumptions to startling hidden truths Featured stories Escape to Parry Sound - A man struggles to keep his family safe after society's collapse. Treading Water - A bestselling author, with an unexplainable bout of depression, suddenly finds himself alone in dangerous waters. Nothing to Worry About - Prisoners in a concentration camp in Northern Ontario ponder the nature of resistance and learn exactly how far they'll go to stay alive Natural and Unnatural Animals - An unusually clever mouse takes on a remorseless housecat.

146 pages, Paperback

First published November 20, 2014

About the author

Clifford Jackman was born in Deep River and raised in Ottawa. He received a Bachelor's in English from York University, a Master's in English from Queen's University, and a Bachelor of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law School. The practicing lawyer resides and works in Toronto.

Reviews

[Jason Hayward · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this collection of four stories. Jackman isn't particularly artful in his prose - although there is a neat turn-of-phrase once in a while - but is quite adept at a more succinct, restrained style. Every sentence counts; nothing is superfluous. Moreover, there's no dry or cliched writing. Where his creativity particularly shines is with the imaginative scenarios and characters. The stories (maybe three out of four) are fairly dark, although I wouldn't necessarily call them bleak (not after reading The Perfect Nanny anyway). There's more here than mere entertainment, although I'm hard-pressed writing off-hand to tell you what that "more" might be - some food for thought at least. I do, however, recommend that you read and see for yourself!