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Strangely Enough
Neglected by society, a group of caravanning 60-somethings encounter a place where time stops. A baby swims in a witch’s cauldron. A statue of Jesus grows fat off fish and chips. An ancient Egyptian God swims through the sewers under a suburban street and a desperate family harvests the fingers they find growing in their soil after their final food supplies wither.Strangely Enough is a celebration of the far-reaching possibilities of short fiction from some of Australia’s most creatively ambitious minds. Surreal and haunting, funny and gripping, these intensely strange tales encompass what it means to grieve, love, wonder, fear and change, each ultimately offering something entirely unexpected and strangely, deeply human.‘ Strangely Enough is an unsettling yet moreish anthology. Many of these stories skilfully recognise that strangeness lives close to home, in the mundane – in a row of slippers, in mushrooms, in broth, in our own fallible bodies that can be cut down by a whiff of pollen or a miniature man with a surfboard; some stories suggest that peace can be found in the most unlikely places, and that strange happenings present opportunities to find our authentic selves; while other stories are quick, potent darts shot out from the shadowy nooks of the authors' imaginations. I look forward to the next time I encounter the work of these talented writers — I look forward to the bewilderment, terror, and delight.’ — Elizabeth Tan, author of Rubik and Smart Ovens for Lonely People‘Strangely Enough is a treasure box of the gloriously weird. A Christ statue grows fat on fast food, a band of miniature surfers seeks the perfect wave, a woman welcomes a cat into her home to bizarre consequences. This wonderful anthology, curated by the team behind the Australian Short Story Festival, is a must read for anyone who delights in the strange, the dark and the twisted.’ — Wayne Marshall, author of ShirlContributors Leo AlderShaeden BerryLiz BettsMikaela CastledineAz CosgroveDorothy-Jane DanielsJake DeanRebecca-Anne Do RozarioXandra FowlerDeborah FrenkelVictoria GriffinRowan HeathKeren HeenanMatthew HootonKaty KnightonMarian MattaSam MayneHelena PantsisRaeden RichardsonAmber K TilleyR T WenzelPublication made possible by the Australian Government through the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand Fund.
- GenresShort Stories
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 4, 2024
4.5 Stars (rounded down)
Strangely Enough is a collection of short stories by various Australian Authors that range in topic, from youth to motherhood to mental health and death. Edited by Gillian Hagenus, it provides a fantastic and very Australian viewpoint on these subjects, whose respective stories are bound together by the general theme of strange and supernatural happenings. It is difficult to assess the collection as a whole, given that there isn't one singular writer to praise and critique. However, as a whole collection, it succeeds in providing a consistent tone that complements each story and its subject matter - furthermore, it does a great job at showing a broad range of the subcultures of Australia and how they might interact with these various strange occurrences.
Usually with a collection of stories, I have the critique that some stories are stronger than others - However, I'd argue that almost all but one or two of the stories here are really strong: I enjoyed the majority a whole load. However, just because they work for me, doesn't mean they'll work for you. As such, I've gone through and done a quick mini review of each author's story.
The Builder/Dreamer - Victoria Griffin: Strange introduction to the anthology, not the strongest story as it feels unfocused. About a group of researchers watching a man go about an unknown task.
Mycelium Bride - RT Wenzel: Really short and sharp story about a nun's bizarre relationship with nature. Very well written and paced.
Cuckoo - Caty Knighton: One of the stories to tackle the heaviest subject matter - miscarriages - doing so perfectly. Charming, unsettling, set on a very Australian mid-rural farm. Focuses on a mysterious creature.
The Twelve - Rowan Heath: Perhaps my personal favourite of the collection, oozing with tangible setting and charm + a story that is sad and unsettling, but isn't too out-there. Focuses on a teacher with a new class of mysterious students, set in a rainforesty area that feels very Australian.
To Have Bones - Helena Pantsis: A shorter one in the collection that has an unsettling core idea, children being born without skulls, that doesn't go much further than that.
Noodles at 8 - Shaeden Berry: One of the most charming and down-to-earth stories of the collection, follows a woman trying to get to a noodle store while high. A high point in the collection certainly, very funny and cute.
Deep Water - Keren Heenan: Another very unsettling one that accumulates a sense of dread as it progresses, about a family coping with grief in the Aussie outback.
Those Forgotten Dreams - Marian Matta: An intriguing idea with an execution that is somewhat difficult to follow. Some really beautiful moments. About cosmic entities interacting with people's dreams.
Atrophy - Az Cosgrove: Fascinating exploration of disability, not particularly supernatural but exceedingly uncomfortable and interesting. About a person undergoing a debilitating and mysterious illness.
Out of the Cauldron - Rebecca Ann Do-Rozario: A heavy and supernatural story about motherhood and youth, centring around a child being birthed in a witch's cauldron.
Shiv and the Fat Statue - Raeden Richardson: One of the most unique stories in the collection, a really beautiful ending. Explores faith, delinquency and the pandemic through the lens of a statue of Christ gaining weight from fish and chips. Very Aussie.
Behind the Rowan Trees - Xandra Fowler: A departure from the more contemporary style of the anthology, this story takes on the essence of classic fairy tales as it follows two young children who come across a cursed mansion in the woods.
Coming of Age - Dorothy-Jane Daniels: A really charming story about youth, where caravanning geriatrics come across a place where time stops. Heart-warming, sweet, and with really strong storytelling.
Shut your mouth, Block your ears - Amber K. Tilley: One of the most broad-spanning stories the collection, with a sci-fi tone that packs a huge amount of world building into such a small allocation of pages. About a dystopian society where noise is forbidden.
Hannah - Liz Betts: A very domestic story about our impact on the world and others, about a mother who's house begins to experience bizarre occurrences. Has a lot of heart.
Marrying the Ropemaker's Daughter - Mikaela Castledine: So good, a really short one about a heavy topic. A premise similar to stupid deaths, from horrible histories.
Great Big World - Jake Dean: Super cute and charming, about a man taking four miniature men under his wings. About mate-hood and youth.
Every Beast, Every Creeping Thing - Sam Mayne: So good, a really unsettling story that builds tension well and tackles a very amorphous subject matter in a fascinating way.
Visions of the Afterlife - Matthew Hooton: The worst one.
Fingers in the Dirt - Leo Alder: Another dystopian one that I prefer less but still enjoyed and can recognise the merits of. About what happens when all the food runs out.
Cat/Lady - Deborah Frenkel: Such a great way to end the collection, balancing wit and creepy strangeness so well. About a woman and her relationship to a stray cat.
Clearly, this anthology tackles such a broad and interesting range of subjects. Its breadth is one of my favourite parts, but honestly this is one of many as there is a lot to love here. Reading a little about each author at the end of each chapter is really nice, and you get to see how where they live may have impacted the contents of their story. I wholeheartedly recommend this one.
Strangely Enough is a collection of short stories by various Australian Authors that range in topic, from youth to motherhood to mental health and death. Edited by Gillian Hagenus, it provides a fantastic and very Australian viewpoint on these subjects, whose respective stories are bound together by the general theme of strange and supernatural happenings. It is difficult to assess the collection as a whole, given that there isn't one singular writer to praise and critique. However, as a whole collection, it succeeds in providing a consistent tone that complements each story and its subject matter - furthermore, it does a great job at showing a broad range of the subcultures of Australia and how they might interact with these various strange occurrences.
Usually with a collection of stories, I have the critique that some stories are stronger than others - However, I'd argue that almost all but one or two of the stories here are really strong: I enjoyed the majority a whole load. However, just because they work for me, doesn't mean they'll work for you. As such, I've gone through and done a quick mini review of each author's story.
The Builder/Dreamer - Victoria Griffin: Strange introduction to the anthology, not the strongest story as it feels unfocused. About a group of researchers watching a man go about an unknown task.
Mycelium Bride - RT Wenzel: Really short and sharp story about a nun's bizarre relationship with nature. Very well written and paced.
Cuckoo - Caty Knighton: One of the stories to tackle the heaviest subject matter - miscarriages - doing so perfectly. Charming, unsettling, set on a very Australian mid-rural farm. Focuses on a mysterious creature.
The Twelve - Rowan Heath: Perhaps my personal favourite of the collection, oozing with tangible setting and charm + a story that is sad and unsettling, but isn't too out-there. Focuses on a teacher with a new class of mysterious students, set in a rainforesty area that feels very Australian.
To Have Bones - Helena Pantsis: A shorter one in the collection that has an unsettling core idea, children being born without skulls, that doesn't go much further than that.
Noodles at 8 - Shaeden Berry: One of the most charming and down-to-earth stories of the collection, follows a woman trying to get to a noodle store while high. A high point in the collection certainly, very funny and cute.
Deep Water - Keren Heenan: Another very unsettling one that accumulates a sense of dread as it progresses, about a family coping with grief in the Aussie outback.
Those Forgotten Dreams - Marian Matta: An intriguing idea with an execution that is somewhat difficult to follow. Some really beautiful moments. About cosmic entities interacting with people's dreams.
Atrophy - Az Cosgrove: Fascinating exploration of disability, not particularly supernatural but exceedingly uncomfortable and interesting. About a person undergoing a debilitating and mysterious illness.
Out of the Cauldron - Rebecca Ann Do-Rozario: A heavy and supernatural story about motherhood and youth, centring around a child being birthed in a witch's cauldron.
Shiv and the Fat Statue - Raeden Richardson: One of the most unique stories in the collection, a really beautiful ending. Explores faith, delinquency and the pandemic through the lens of a statue of Christ gaining weight from fish and chips. Very Aussie.
Behind the Rowan Trees - Xandra Fowler: A departure from the more contemporary style of the anthology, this story takes on the essence of classic fairy tales as it follows two young children who come across a cursed mansion in the woods.
Coming of Age - Dorothy-Jane Daniels: A really charming story about youth, where caravanning geriatrics come across a place where time stops. Heart-warming, sweet, and with really strong storytelling.
Shut your mouth, Block your ears - Amber K. Tilley: One of the most broad-spanning stories the collection, with a sci-fi tone that packs a huge amount of world building into such a small allocation of pages. About a dystopian society where noise is forbidden.
Hannah - Liz Betts: A very domestic story about our impact on the world and others, about a mother who's house begins to experience bizarre occurrences. Has a lot of heart.
Marrying the Ropemaker's Daughter - Mikaela Castledine: So good, a really short one about a heavy topic. A premise similar to stupid deaths, from horrible histories.
Great Big World - Jake Dean: Super cute and charming, about a man taking four miniature men under his wings. About mate-hood and youth.
Every Beast, Every Creeping Thing - Sam Mayne: So good, a really unsettling story that builds tension well and tackles a very amorphous subject matter in a fascinating way.
Visions of the Afterlife - Matthew Hooton: The worst one.
Fingers in the Dirt - Leo Alder: Another dystopian one that I prefer less but still enjoyed and can recognise the merits of. About what happens when all the food runs out.
Cat/Lady - Deborah Frenkel: Such a great way to end the collection, balancing wit and creepy strangeness so well. About a woman and her relationship to a stray cat.
Clearly, this anthology tackles such a broad and interesting range of subjects. Its breadth is one of my favourite parts, but honestly this is one of many as there is a lot to love here. Reading a little about each author at the end of each chapter is really nice, and you get to see how where they live may have impacted the contents of their story. I wholeheartedly recommend this one.
February 9, 2024
Favourites inc Katy Knighton, Jake Dean, Raedon Richardson and Matthew Hooton
December 10, 2023
We are certainly in global strange times so it seems perfect timing for this collection of the weird, the odd and the bizarre by creative Australian writers in the anthology Strangely Enough: Short Stories for Strange Times (Midnight Sun 2023), edited by Gillian Hagenus. Midnight Sun is known for publishing slightly offbeat writing that tests the parameters of reality, or plonks us directly into a world that is slightly ‘off’ (or sometimes massively so) and this collection is for those (like me) who really enjoy writers who push the boundaries and shift the kaleidoscopic lens so that what we see is either not what we think we see, or not what we expect.
The content is wide and varied: a family farming fingers, a baby in a witch’s cauldron, an Egyptian God in the suburban sewers, but the themes are constant: surrealism, grit, wit, grief, ghostly presence, fear, change and ultimately, human connection.
The book opens with the omnipotent, experimental story The Builder/Dreamer by Victoria Griffin and ends with the weird Cat/Lady by Deborah Frenkel. In between, some of my favourites are the haunting The Twelve by Rowan Heath, the fascinating Atrophy by Az Cosgrove, the mysterious powers of the forest in Behind the Rowan Trees by Xandra Fowler, the futuristic Shut Your Mouth, Block Your Ears by Amber K. Tilley, the creepy Marrying the Ropemaker’s Daughter by Mikaela Castledine, the chilling Every Beast, Every Creeping Thing by Sam Mayne and of course, the wondrously weird Fingers in the Dirt by Leo Alder (why not eat fingers if they’re growing and potatoes are not?!) But you will have your own favourites. There is guaranteed to be something to delight, surprise, frighten or amaze you.
Australian short fiction is flourishing and I love nothing more than dipping into a collection compiled of many authors I don’t know, some emerging and some more established, wondering what I will find. There is always treasure.
The content is wide and varied: a family farming fingers, a baby in a witch’s cauldron, an Egyptian God in the suburban sewers, but the themes are constant: surrealism, grit, wit, grief, ghostly presence, fear, change and ultimately, human connection.
The book opens with the omnipotent, experimental story The Builder/Dreamer by Victoria Griffin and ends with the weird Cat/Lady by Deborah Frenkel. In between, some of my favourites are the haunting The Twelve by Rowan Heath, the fascinating Atrophy by Az Cosgrove, the mysterious powers of the forest in Behind the Rowan Trees by Xandra Fowler, the futuristic Shut Your Mouth, Block Your Ears by Amber K. Tilley, the creepy Marrying the Ropemaker’s Daughter by Mikaela Castledine, the chilling Every Beast, Every Creeping Thing by Sam Mayne and of course, the wondrously weird Fingers in the Dirt by Leo Alder (why not eat fingers if they’re growing and potatoes are not?!) But you will have your own favourites. There is guaranteed to be something to delight, surprise, frighten or amaze you.
Australian short fiction is flourishing and I love nothing more than dipping into a collection compiled of many authors I don’t know, some emerging and some more established, wondering what I will find. There is always treasure.
June 29, 2025
This was a brilliant anthology, packed full of my favourite short story genre: surreal-whimsical-weird-creepy-folksy. Fans of Mariana Enriquez, Samanta Schweblin and Agustina Bazterrica will enjoy this, particularly the Australian angle. Plus, sooooo many cats. Too many stories stood out for me, but particular favourites were 'The Builder/Dreamer', 'Cuckoo', 'The Twelve', 'Behind the Rowan Trees', 'Coming of Age', 'Every Beast, Every Creeping Thing' and 'Fingers in the Dirt'; so, a whole third of the collection. The world needs more strange stories.
September 11, 2024
4.5/5
i truly loved this collection. like all anthologies, some stories were weaker than others, but the vast majority felt really strong and those that faltered only did so slightly. some of my favourites are the twelve by rowan heath, noodles at 8 by shaeden berry, shut your mouth, block your ears by amber k. tilley, and every beast, every creeping thing by sam mayne.
i truly loved this collection. like all anthologies, some stories were weaker than others, but the vast majority felt really strong and those that faltered only did so slightly. some of my favourites are the twelve by rowan heath, noodles at 8 by shaeden berry, shut your mouth, block your ears by amber k. tilley, and every beast, every creeping thing by sam mayne.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews