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Simulacrum and Other Possible Realities
ORDER HERE: http://www.hippocampuspress.com/mytho...
Jason V Brock is one of the most dynamic young writers of weird and science fiction, and this first collection of his short fiction reveals the wide diversity of his talents and the gripping power and intensity of his conceptions.
Among these sixteen stories are such masterworks as “P.O.V.,” a multilayered narrative about a grisly murder; “The History of a Letter,” an ingenious riff on the iconic figure of H. P. Lovecraft; “Milton’s Children,” an expansive novella that hints of unthinkable horrors in the Antarctic; and “Simulacrum,” a scintillating science fiction novella that evokes the shade of Philip K. Dick. Also included are thirteen of Brock’s evocative poems.
With a foreword by William F. Nolan and an introduction by James Robert Smith.
--TABLE OF CONTENTS--
Foreword: Man of Many Talents, by William F. Nolan
Preface, by Jason V Brock
Introduction, by James Robert Smith
What the Dead’s Eyes Behold (Story)
Pathologist’s Roulette (Poem)
The Central Coast (Story)
Passage (NEW Poem)
One for the Road (Story)
Palindrome Syndrome (NEW Poem)
The Hex Factor (Story)
Valve: The Heart as a Metaphor for Postmodern Blight (NEW Poem)
Valor: A Fable (Story)
Dragon (NEW Poem)
Object Lesson (Story)
Dream Poem #00 (NEW Poem)
Where Everything That Is Lost Goes (Story)
Godhead: How to Become a God/Goddess in Six Steps (NEW Poem)
The Underground (Story)
Frac/tion (NEW Poem)
Van Helsing: His True Story (Story)
Story of a Blade (NEW Poem)
P.O.V. (Story)
People After Their Murder by the U.S. C.I.A. (NEW Poem)
“By Any Other Name. . .” (Story)
Fever/Wart (NEW Poem)
Red-Wat-Shod (Story)
Poem from the Future (NEW Poem)
The History of a Letter (Story)
Wind (NEW Poem)
Black Box (Story)
Milton’s Children (Story)
Simulacrum (NEW Story)
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Jason V Brock is one of the most dynamic young writers of weird and science fiction, and this first collection of his short fiction reveals the wide diversity of his talents and the gripping power and intensity of his conceptions.
Among these sixteen stories are such masterworks as “P.O.V.,” a multilayered narrative about a grisly murder; “The History of a Letter,” an ingenious riff on the iconic figure of H. P. Lovecraft; “Milton’s Children,” an expansive novella that hints of unthinkable horrors in the Antarctic; and “Simulacrum,” a scintillating science fiction novella that evokes the shade of Philip K. Dick. Also included are thirteen of Brock’s evocative poems.
With a foreword by William F. Nolan and an introduction by James Robert Smith.
--TABLE OF CONTENTS--
Foreword: Man of Many Talents, by William F. Nolan
Preface, by Jason V Brock
Introduction, by James Robert Smith
What the Dead’s Eyes Behold (Story)
Pathologist’s Roulette (Poem)
The Central Coast (Story)
Passage (NEW Poem)
One for the Road (Story)
Palindrome Syndrome (NEW Poem)
The Hex Factor (Story)
Valve: The Heart as a Metaphor for Postmodern Blight (NEW Poem)
Valor: A Fable (Story)
Dragon (NEW Poem)
Object Lesson (Story)
Dream Poem #00 (NEW Poem)
Where Everything That Is Lost Goes (Story)
Godhead: How to Become a God/Goddess in Six Steps (NEW Poem)
The Underground (Story)
Frac/tion (NEW Poem)
Van Helsing: His True Story (Story)
Story of a Blade (NEW Poem)
P.O.V. (Story)
People After Their Murder by the U.S. C.I.A. (NEW Poem)
“By Any Other Name. . .” (Story)
Fever/Wart (NEW Poem)
Red-Wat-Shod (Story)
Poem from the Future (NEW Poem)
The History of a Letter (Story)
Wind (NEW Poem)
Black Box (Story)
Milton’s Children (Story)
Simulacrum (NEW Story)
Acknowledgments
About the Author
252 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2013
25 people want to read
About the author
Jason V. Brock
76 books81 followersBLURBS:
“Jason V Brock… A bold new voice in American fiction. Watch this man! You may be in at the birth of a legend.”
--William F. Nolan (co-author of "Logan’s Run"; screenwriter for "Burnt Offerings")
“[Brock] makes the fantastic utterly believable… a fine writer, indeed.”
--George Clayton Johnson (writer for "Star Trek" and "The Twilight Zone"; co-author, "Logan’s Run")
“Bravo!”
--Ray Bradbury (author of "Fahrenheit 451" and "The Martian Chronicles")
“…a clever young man, Jason Brock.”
--Harlan Ellison (author of "Deathbird Stories" and "A Boy and His Dog")
“[Brock] knows how to tell a story… [he] has heart… real emotion… [it’s] a strong part of writing that most writers never capture.”
--James Robert Smith (author of "The Flock" and "Hissmelina")
“[Brock] takes… characters into places I never expected…”
--Richard Matheson (author of "Somewhere in Time" and "I Am Legend")
---------------
Writer ("Weird Fiction Review"; "Like Water for Quarks"; "Fangoria"), filmmaker ("Charles Beaumont: The Short Life of Twilight Zone's Magic Man"; "The AckerMonster Chronicles!"; "Image, Reflection, Shadow: Artists of the Fantastic"), guitarist/composer/singer (ChiaroscurO), artist/designer. Worked with "Dark Discoveries" magazine as Managing Editor/Art Director. Publisher (Cycatrix Press; "[NameL3ss] Digest (http://www.NamelessMag.com)") /Co-Editor of "The Bleeding Edge" and "The Devil's Coattails" with William F. Nolan. Lead Story/Costume Design for Bluewater Comics's "Logan's Run: Last Day"; also a writer on one of their horror titles. Member, PMA, SPFE, CPC, HWA, SFWA.
More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_V_...
“Jason V Brock… A bold new voice in American fiction. Watch this man! You may be in at the birth of a legend.”
--William F. Nolan (co-author of "Logan’s Run"; screenwriter for "Burnt Offerings")
“[Brock] makes the fantastic utterly believable… a fine writer, indeed.”
--George Clayton Johnson (writer for "Star Trek" and "The Twilight Zone"; co-author, "Logan’s Run")
“Bravo!”
--Ray Bradbury (author of "Fahrenheit 451" and "The Martian Chronicles")
“…a clever young man, Jason Brock.”
--Harlan Ellison (author of "Deathbird Stories" and "A Boy and His Dog")
“[Brock] knows how to tell a story… [he] has heart… real emotion… [it’s] a strong part of writing that most writers never capture.”
--James Robert Smith (author of "The Flock" and "Hissmelina")
“[Brock] takes… characters into places I never expected…”
--Richard Matheson (author of "Somewhere in Time" and "I Am Legend")
---------------
Writer ("Weird Fiction Review"; "Like Water for Quarks"; "Fangoria"), filmmaker ("Charles Beaumont: The Short Life of Twilight Zone's Magic Man"; "The AckerMonster Chronicles!"; "Image, Reflection, Shadow: Artists of the Fantastic"), guitarist/composer/singer (ChiaroscurO), artist/designer. Worked with "Dark Discoveries" magazine as Managing Editor/Art Director. Publisher (Cycatrix Press; "[NameL3ss] Digest (http://www.NamelessMag.com)") /Co-Editor of "The Bleeding Edge" and "The Devil's Coattails" with William F. Nolan. Lead Story/Costume Design for Bluewater Comics's "Logan's Run: Last Day"; also a writer on one of their horror titles. Member, PMA, SPFE, CPC, HWA, SFWA.
More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_V_...
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 30, 2013
Woah.
That was the word running through my mind upon finishing the masterwork that is "Simulacrum and Other Possible Realities," by esteemed author, poet, musician, and filmmaker Jason V. Brock.
I closed my laptop and blinked a little. Stared into space for a few seconds. And then:
Woah.
This collection is deep. Deep and very, very good.
"Simulacrum" is not just a collection of words, it is a collection of ideas. It made me think about life. My life. It made me think about death, spirituality, human sovereignty, and things like the nature of reality, and what it all does (or doesn't) mean.
Now, don't get me wrong about one thing: for all its gravitas, "Simulacrum" is an entertaining read. There are enough babes, well-spattered blood, plot twists, and boogeymen (or women!) to keep any horror/sci-fi head glued to the pages. When the mood suits, Brock has a talent for working wry, humorous asides into even the most horrifying moments (egg drop soup, anyone?) ;D
There were two themes that stood out to me as I burned through this collection: a fascination with the mysteries of death, and a strong social conscience. As I see it, these are the common threads binding all of "Simulacrum"'s works, as varied as they are, together. I also enjoyed the short story/poem-pairing layout, each story with its own complimentary poem/vignette like good cheese to a bottle of wine. The author's notes were a special bonus--who doesn't like to peek behind the curtain at the inspiration and ideas behind an artist's work (plus, it's a lot of fun to see whether you, the reader, got the impression Jason had originally intended!)
The book begins with a glowing foreward by `Logan's Run' luminary William F. Nolan, followed by the author's preface and an excellent introduction by James Robert Smith, who writes of Brock's blossoming from teenager to illustrious artist. The first story, "What the Dead's Eyes Behold," plays directly on the theme of death's mysteries. Intoxicatingly written, and with vivid characterization and a sensual, almost poetic style, it is about a serial killer willing to go to the ultimate lengths to find out what happens after we die. This one just begs a sequel story, but in the meantime, "Pathologist's Roulette' serves as the perfect poetic companion, the slice of Camembert to the bloody bottle of Merlot.
"POV" was a fascinating exploration into the different angles and effects of a woman's death, from the cold, clinical point of view of a coroner's report, to the heart-wrenching emotions of the people who knew her, whom she mattered to. Here, Brock switches deftly between technicality and emotionality, and the contrast is shocking. Not many writers would be able to pull off such a contrast--or to write such convincing technical details--but Brock excels to jarring effect.
"The Central Coast" was another deliciously morbid standout. In "Coast," Alex, a porn director, finally breaks out his best bottle of wine for a dinner party that ends in such a way that his sanity (and his flooring), are ruined forever. We know immediately that the party didn't end well when he steps on his late lover's eyeball on his way out of the room (GREAT touch!), but that's not the whole story: in Brock's words, we "Start in the present, return to the past, end in the future" to discover what led up to this carnage.
Bonus points for the sentence "Many years later, Alex was a saggy old man!"
"The Hex Factor" was another of my personal favorites, a playful counterpoint to the spooky thematic gravitas of death. Herein, Rupert Blackwood is an attorney who specializes in dealing with the gripes of the supernatural--and by supernatural, I mean clients like vampires, werewolves, and witches--and must navigate the case of an especially cantankerous client, an old witch named Mrs. Stonecipher. Playful, fun, and humorous--look out for it!
Poem-wise, one that especially stood out for me was 'Dragon,' a departure from Brock's characteristically free-form verse style into rhyming. This one was a great shot of color and flavor; it reminded me of the beautiful old Welsh fairy tales about mermaids, dragons and giants I loved as a kid.
"Where Everything That is Lost Goes" was excellent. This one explores the concept of mind over matter: what if we could stop the ravages of time simply by refusing to acknowledge time even exists? While waiting to meet his wife for a dinner date at their favorite bistro, Rod runs into an old friend who has hardly seemed to have aged at all--which is incredible, considering it's been forty years since they last spoke. Things then change for Rod in surprising ways you are going to have to find out for yourself.
'Valve: The Heart as a Metaphor For Postmodern Blight,' was a well-worded vituperation against killing animals for our own selfish gain. I wanted to stand up and cheer. Here, Brock asks what makes us think we have more of a right to live than an animal? Furthermore, what right do we have to kill them for our own gain, when oftentimes we create that "need" in the first place with our own selfishness and stupidity?
Bravo.
The next time you see a package of rotting lunch meat sitting forgotten in your fridge, think about the fact that an animal lost its life for it. I know I will, and 'Valve' underscores how un-proud I am to have bought it in the first place.
The collection closes with its namesake, "Simulacrum," a science fiction opus. One word? WOW. `Simulacrum' is about a virtual reality software designer whose self-created worlds begin to take on lives of their own, to terrifying and puzzling effect. The detail therein, both technical and conceptual, is astounding. What I got from this tale was an exploration of the difference between reality and perception with a dash of mind over matter. Misty, the story's protagonist, says it best: "Perhaps simple consciousness is enough to attain personhood." I should also mention that I will not soon forget the description of Svetlana Dragonovic, man oh man! Read that one and tell me it doesn't creep up on you for days.
Bottom line: I loved this collection, and if you love horror and sci-fi, I think you will, too. "Simulacrum" has the trademark of a great tale: You open a book, and at first, you start out walking. Soon, you're running, and before you know it, you're flying, and you're not even conscious of it happening; you don't see the walls around you, you aren't thinking about thinking about the story: you're all in.
Well, I'm all in.
This was my experience, and this is why I why I highly, highly recommend you check out a copy of "Simulacrum" as fast as you can type the word "Amazon."
http://www.amazon.com/Simulacrum-Othe...
http://namelessmag.jasunni.com/
http://www.amazon.com/The-AckerMonste...
That was the word running through my mind upon finishing the masterwork that is "Simulacrum and Other Possible Realities," by esteemed author, poet, musician, and filmmaker Jason V. Brock.
I closed my laptop and blinked a little. Stared into space for a few seconds. And then:
Woah.
This collection is deep. Deep and very, very good.
"Simulacrum" is not just a collection of words, it is a collection of ideas. It made me think about life. My life. It made me think about death, spirituality, human sovereignty, and things like the nature of reality, and what it all does (or doesn't) mean.
Now, don't get me wrong about one thing: for all its gravitas, "Simulacrum" is an entertaining read. There are enough babes, well-spattered blood, plot twists, and boogeymen (or women!) to keep any horror/sci-fi head glued to the pages. When the mood suits, Brock has a talent for working wry, humorous asides into even the most horrifying moments (egg drop soup, anyone?) ;D
There were two themes that stood out to me as I burned through this collection: a fascination with the mysteries of death, and a strong social conscience. As I see it, these are the common threads binding all of "Simulacrum"'s works, as varied as they are, together. I also enjoyed the short story/poem-pairing layout, each story with its own complimentary poem/vignette like good cheese to a bottle of wine. The author's notes were a special bonus--who doesn't like to peek behind the curtain at the inspiration and ideas behind an artist's work (plus, it's a lot of fun to see whether you, the reader, got the impression Jason had originally intended!)
The book begins with a glowing foreward by `Logan's Run' luminary William F. Nolan, followed by the author's preface and an excellent introduction by James Robert Smith, who writes of Brock's blossoming from teenager to illustrious artist. The first story, "What the Dead's Eyes Behold," plays directly on the theme of death's mysteries. Intoxicatingly written, and with vivid characterization and a sensual, almost poetic style, it is about a serial killer willing to go to the ultimate lengths to find out what happens after we die. This one just begs a sequel story, but in the meantime, "Pathologist's Roulette' serves as the perfect poetic companion, the slice of Camembert to the bloody bottle of Merlot.
"POV" was a fascinating exploration into the different angles and effects of a woman's death, from the cold, clinical point of view of a coroner's report, to the heart-wrenching emotions of the people who knew her, whom she mattered to. Here, Brock switches deftly between technicality and emotionality, and the contrast is shocking. Not many writers would be able to pull off such a contrast--or to write such convincing technical details--but Brock excels to jarring effect.
"The Central Coast" was another deliciously morbid standout. In "Coast," Alex, a porn director, finally breaks out his best bottle of wine for a dinner party that ends in such a way that his sanity (and his flooring), are ruined forever. We know immediately that the party didn't end well when he steps on his late lover's eyeball on his way out of the room (GREAT touch!), but that's not the whole story: in Brock's words, we "Start in the present, return to the past, end in the future" to discover what led up to this carnage.
Bonus points for the sentence "Many years later, Alex was a saggy old man!"
"The Hex Factor" was another of my personal favorites, a playful counterpoint to the spooky thematic gravitas of death. Herein, Rupert Blackwood is an attorney who specializes in dealing with the gripes of the supernatural--and by supernatural, I mean clients like vampires, werewolves, and witches--and must navigate the case of an especially cantankerous client, an old witch named Mrs. Stonecipher. Playful, fun, and humorous--look out for it!
Poem-wise, one that especially stood out for me was 'Dragon,' a departure from Brock's characteristically free-form verse style into rhyming. This one was a great shot of color and flavor; it reminded me of the beautiful old Welsh fairy tales about mermaids, dragons and giants I loved as a kid.
"Where Everything That is Lost Goes" was excellent. This one explores the concept of mind over matter: what if we could stop the ravages of time simply by refusing to acknowledge time even exists? While waiting to meet his wife for a dinner date at their favorite bistro, Rod runs into an old friend who has hardly seemed to have aged at all--which is incredible, considering it's been forty years since they last spoke. Things then change for Rod in surprising ways you are going to have to find out for yourself.
'Valve: The Heart as a Metaphor For Postmodern Blight,' was a well-worded vituperation against killing animals for our own selfish gain. I wanted to stand up and cheer. Here, Brock asks what makes us think we have more of a right to live than an animal? Furthermore, what right do we have to kill them for our own gain, when oftentimes we create that "need" in the first place with our own selfishness and stupidity?
Bravo.
The next time you see a package of rotting lunch meat sitting forgotten in your fridge, think about the fact that an animal lost its life for it. I know I will, and 'Valve' underscores how un-proud I am to have bought it in the first place.
The collection closes with its namesake, "Simulacrum," a science fiction opus. One word? WOW. `Simulacrum' is about a virtual reality software designer whose self-created worlds begin to take on lives of their own, to terrifying and puzzling effect. The detail therein, both technical and conceptual, is astounding. What I got from this tale was an exploration of the difference between reality and perception with a dash of mind over matter. Misty, the story's protagonist, says it best: "Perhaps simple consciousness is enough to attain personhood." I should also mention that I will not soon forget the description of Svetlana Dragonovic, man oh man! Read that one and tell me it doesn't creep up on you for days.
Bottom line: I loved this collection, and if you love horror and sci-fi, I think you will, too. "Simulacrum" has the trademark of a great tale: You open a book, and at first, you start out walking. Soon, you're running, and before you know it, you're flying, and you're not even conscious of it happening; you don't see the walls around you, you aren't thinking about thinking about the story: you're all in.
Well, I'm all in.
This was my experience, and this is why I why I highly, highly recommend you check out a copy of "Simulacrum" as fast as you can type the word "Amazon."
http://www.amazon.com/Simulacrum-Othe...
http://namelessmag.jasunni.com/
http://www.amazon.com/The-AckerMonste...
April 12, 2013
NO: I am not reviewing my own works, but I have some outside links to a few reviews for SIMULACRUM that I can share here (I'll post them as they come in):
From Hellnotes: Dr. Michael Collings Review
From Weekly Wilson: Review
From Bizzarocast (Podcast): Review
From Count Gore De Vol's Tomb: Review
From Hellnotes: Dr. Michael Collings Review
From Weekly Wilson: Review
From Bizzarocast (Podcast): Review
From Count Gore De Vol's Tomb: Review
April 23, 2014
I came to know Jason through social media and then came to this book. It's simply an amazing gem of modern short fiction and poetry. Jason shows through as not only a master of the craft but as a visionary in the realm of surreal imagination. This book is worth both the investment in time and money, as it and the stories in it will stick with you for years to come.
October 30, 2013
SIMULACRUM AND OTHER POSSIBLE REALITIES
By Jason V Brock
Hippocampus Press, 2013; Paperback
ISBN: 978-1-61498-055-1
http://www.hippocampuspress.com/mytho...
$20; 250 pgs
Renaissance man Jason V Brock has done it again, this time with a collection of poetry and short stories not to be missed. Filled to the top and over with ideas and philosophies, this book questions just about everything from what is real and what is not, to death, to being human—the big three.
Brock’s social consciousness is brought to the fore in several stories, as well, most notably in “Milton’s Children.” But if you are for one moment thinking that these stories are too cerebral and will be slow, dense reading, think again. Though the stories and the abstractions in them are profound, they are also accessible and contain their fair share of the devices that horror/sci-fi readers have come to cherish.
Here they are:
“What the Dead’s Eyes Behold”— A serial killer with an unusual motivation
“Central Coast” — You’ll think about this story the next time you buy an expensive bottle of wine.
“One for the Road” — Rest areas late at night…the creepiest places on earth.
“The Hex Factor” — A story about a lawyer that is actually funny.
“Valor: A Fable” — This one would have made a great Twilight Zone episode. A compassionate heart is as important as valor.
“Object Lesson” — A powerful story dealing with parental death, hospitals, life-support issues. Just because we can, should we?
“Where Everything That is Lost Goes” — A sci-fi gem dealing with physics and time. Fascinating. Ultimately, appreciate what you have…and when.
“The Underground” — A conversations between two odd passengers on a hellbound subway.
“Van Helsing: His True Story” — Interesting take on the most famous fictional vampire killer in the world.
“P.O.V.” — A murder from three points of view and humanity stolen in two different ways.
“By Any Other Name” — Here’s a job you never want to interview for.
“Red Wat Shod” — is Scottish for “Bloodstained Shoes.” An eerie, dreamlike tale.
“The History of a Letter” — Brock finds a letter in a book in a used bookstore. Mysterious. The story is very like something that Poe would write, both in subject and in style. We read the letter about a grotesque antique shop and the horror in the window along with the author. This is my favorite story in the book.
“Black Box” — This is an amusing read, especially for Twilight Zone fans, being a continuation of Richard Matheson’s "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet." Another standout.
“Milton’s Children” —the story of a scientific expedition coming home from Antarctica that finds an uncharted archipelago which asks the questions, ‘Are we really at the top of the food chain?’ and “Are animals really ’dumb’?’
“Simulacrum” — A story of many questions and few answers on the nature of reality; but one which will stay with the reader and provoke much thought.
Though each story is followed by a relevant poem, I, alas, have not reviewed them. Suffice it to say that there is poetry in this book, and knowing Brock’s myriad of abilities, from writing to filmmaking to publishing, to artwork, to editing, I think I could safely say that the poetry is undoubtedly brilliant, as well. My poetry education is somewhat lacking, and so I shall leave that area of review to those who are more qualified than I. However, since poetry is, and always has been, different things to different people, perhaps you’ll read it and decide for yourselves, yes?
In this 250-page book, there is something for everyone, with exposure to concepts and perceptions that may not have occurred to the reader and can be enriching if the mind is open to new ideas…and some new spins on old ones.
As Albert Einstein said, “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.”
Simulacrum and Other Possible Realities is a valuable book; but is also a successful book in that it accomplishes what it sets out to do, proving that both are possible.
--Carson Buckingham
By Jason V Brock
Hippocampus Press, 2013; Paperback
ISBN: 978-1-61498-055-1
http://www.hippocampuspress.com/mytho...
$20; 250 pgs
Renaissance man Jason V Brock has done it again, this time with a collection of poetry and short stories not to be missed. Filled to the top and over with ideas and philosophies, this book questions just about everything from what is real and what is not, to death, to being human—the big three.
Brock’s social consciousness is brought to the fore in several stories, as well, most notably in “Milton’s Children.” But if you are for one moment thinking that these stories are too cerebral and will be slow, dense reading, think again. Though the stories and the abstractions in them are profound, they are also accessible and contain their fair share of the devices that horror/sci-fi readers have come to cherish.
Here they are:
“What the Dead’s Eyes Behold”— A serial killer with an unusual motivation
“Central Coast” — You’ll think about this story the next time you buy an expensive bottle of wine.
“One for the Road” — Rest areas late at night…the creepiest places on earth.
“The Hex Factor” — A story about a lawyer that is actually funny.
“Valor: A Fable” — This one would have made a great Twilight Zone episode. A compassionate heart is as important as valor.
“Object Lesson” — A powerful story dealing with parental death, hospitals, life-support issues. Just because we can, should we?
“Where Everything That is Lost Goes” — A sci-fi gem dealing with physics and time. Fascinating. Ultimately, appreciate what you have…and when.
“The Underground” — A conversations between two odd passengers on a hellbound subway.
“Van Helsing: His True Story” — Interesting take on the most famous fictional vampire killer in the world.
“P.O.V.” — A murder from three points of view and humanity stolen in two different ways.
“By Any Other Name” — Here’s a job you never want to interview for.
“Red Wat Shod” — is Scottish for “Bloodstained Shoes.” An eerie, dreamlike tale.
“The History of a Letter” — Brock finds a letter in a book in a used bookstore. Mysterious. The story is very like something that Poe would write, both in subject and in style. We read the letter about a grotesque antique shop and the horror in the window along with the author. This is my favorite story in the book.
“Black Box” — This is an amusing read, especially for Twilight Zone fans, being a continuation of Richard Matheson’s "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet." Another standout.
“Milton’s Children” —the story of a scientific expedition coming home from Antarctica that finds an uncharted archipelago which asks the questions, ‘Are we really at the top of the food chain?’ and “Are animals really ’dumb’?’
“Simulacrum” — A story of many questions and few answers on the nature of reality; but one which will stay with the reader and provoke much thought.
Though each story is followed by a relevant poem, I, alas, have not reviewed them. Suffice it to say that there is poetry in this book, and knowing Brock’s myriad of abilities, from writing to filmmaking to publishing, to artwork, to editing, I think I could safely say that the poetry is undoubtedly brilliant, as well. My poetry education is somewhat lacking, and so I shall leave that area of review to those who are more qualified than I. However, since poetry is, and always has been, different things to different people, perhaps you’ll read it and decide for yourselves, yes?
In this 250-page book, there is something for everyone, with exposure to concepts and perceptions that may not have occurred to the reader and can be enriching if the mind is open to new ideas…and some new spins on old ones.
As Albert Einstein said, “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.”
Simulacrum and Other Possible Realities is a valuable book; but is also a successful book in that it accomplishes what it sets out to do, proving that both are possible.
--Carson Buckingham
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews