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Rockets Versus Gravity
A multi-faceted story that explores how small actions and changes can give rise to startling and unintended consequences.
Trajectory. Declination. Impact. Escape Velocity. These are rocketry terms that could also describe aspects of the human experience.
A lumberjack obsessed with space travel loses four different wedding rings, and each of the lost rings symbolizes something different to the person who finds it.
There are the members of a rich family whose dramas overlap with those of the homeless people living right next door, under the bridges of the Rosedale Ravine. The wheelchair-bound teen who declares war on a man parking his luxury car in the handicapped parking spot. The would-be rock star selling insurance, whose terminal diagnosis sets his life on a new and dizzying path.
And many others. Every person is connected to every other — genetically, coincidentally, necessarily, or randomly. Every action has a consequence, seen or unseen, from the sublime to the catastrophic.
Trajectory. Declination. Impact. Escape Velocity. These are rocketry terms that could also describe aspects of the human experience.
A lumberjack obsessed with space travel loses four different wedding rings, and each of the lost rings symbolizes something different to the person who finds it.
There are the members of a rich family whose dramas overlap with those of the homeless people living right next door, under the bridges of the Rosedale Ravine. The wheelchair-bound teen who declares war on a man parking his luxury car in the handicapped parking spot. The would-be rock star selling insurance, whose terminal diagnosis sets his life on a new and dizzying path.
And many others. Every person is connected to every other — genetically, coincidentally, necessarily, or randomly. Every action has a consequence, seen or unseen, from the sublime to the catastrophic.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 24, 2016
1 person is currently reading
242 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 23, 2016
Great and wonderful! I can't think of any other words for this collection of short stories. Although to tell you the truth, I can't quite call them short stories - it's more like they're pieces in a whole, a puzzle that makes up the world the author is telling about.
I got Rockets versus gravity at NetGalley for free in exchange for my honest review, and I have to tell you, it was one hell of a bargain. This is one of those instances where it really pays off to dig through the lists of indie books, this is the book that makes you feel you finally found that gem among the pile of fluff you had to review, cause there's no way to tell if they're good before you actually read them.
The stories are all about life events, events that happen to ordinary people like us - some poor, some rich, some just simple folks like most of us. Most of the people the stories center on are sort of like underdogs, but you will sympathise with most. It's funny how the stories don't just center on one person - they're all interconnected and they weave into each other. For example, a story will begin with one character and end with someone you've been done with for a while, summarizing their adventures in the meantime. Almost all the stories have a certain eerie quality to them, like a promise of a storm in the air on a hot but gloomy day. Almost all will feel like the world is justified and karma does indeed exist. And most of them are nostalgic and painfully gripping, I think most readers will find something to emotionally connect with. At least for me, this was a wild ride of emotions and I stayed up half the night to finish it. Delightful indeed. And I normally don't even read short story collections.
I got Rockets versus gravity at NetGalley for free in exchange for my honest review, and I have to tell you, it was one hell of a bargain. This is one of those instances where it really pays off to dig through the lists of indie books, this is the book that makes you feel you finally found that gem among the pile of fluff you had to review, cause there's no way to tell if they're good before you actually read them.
The stories are all about life events, events that happen to ordinary people like us - some poor, some rich, some just simple folks like most of us. Most of the people the stories center on are sort of like underdogs, but you will sympathise with most. It's funny how the stories don't just center on one person - they're all interconnected and they weave into each other. For example, a story will begin with one character and end with someone you've been done with for a while, summarizing their adventures in the meantime. Almost all the stories have a certain eerie quality to them, like a promise of a storm in the air on a hot but gloomy day. Almost all will feel like the world is justified and karma does indeed exist. And most of them are nostalgic and painfully gripping, I think most readers will find something to emotionally connect with. At least for me, this was a wild ride of emotions and I stayed up half the night to finish it. Delightful indeed. And I normally don't even read short story collections.
August 9, 2016
A really quirky and unusual book that proved to be a hugely enjoyable read, 'Rocket's Versus Gravity' takes a seemingly unconnected series of stories and weaves them into interlinked tales, coupled together by the lost wedding rings of a careless lumberjack whose untimely expiration at the hands / teeth of his own chainsaw lights the touch paper for what ensues.
Not all of these rockets defy gravity and soar into the stratosphere - from further untimely expirations, to infidelities, to triumphs and tragedies, this is a wonderful melange of characters and stories that are expertly woven by Scarsbrook into a truly delightful whole. An unexpected treat, and hugely recommended.
Not all of these rockets defy gravity and soar into the stratosphere - from further untimely expirations, to infidelities, to triumphs and tragedies, this is a wonderful melange of characters and stories that are expertly woven by Scarsbrook into a truly delightful whole. An unexpected treat, and hugely recommended.
August 25, 2016
Seemingly random characters, events, and their lives are all tied together. By the end of the book, the reader gets that, but for the characters, most of them probably will never realize it. I suppose that might reflect on our real-life experiences. How many seemingly random, mundane actions that we take and experience have consequences down the line in people and lives we don't even know?
Each story is more-or-less a standalone short story. A few of them span multiple episodes, sometimes broken up and reappearing after intervening chapters. It felt to me that some of the relationships and connections between stories were a bit contrived.
Unless you have an excellent story memory, or are keeping track of the characters and their relationships to other characters, I think sorting out how all the stories relate can be a little confusing. At the end of the book I had several "a-ha" moments as I recognized earlier names and plots weave into the stories. I had to go back and skim the book (and search feature on the e-book) to refresh my memory.
A warning, too, needs to be made that there are profanities and descriptions of sex found within. This book is not intended for the younger set.
I found the book and the stories sufficiently interesting to hold my attention. It was not a "can't put it down" kind of book, however. It is fairly short at around 200 pages, so it makes for a light, quick reading.
Each story is more-or-less a standalone short story. A few of them span multiple episodes, sometimes broken up and reappearing after intervening chapters. It felt to me that some of the relationships and connections between stories were a bit contrived.
Unless you have an excellent story memory, or are keeping track of the characters and their relationships to other characters, I think sorting out how all the stories relate can be a little confusing. At the end of the book I had several "a-ha" moments as I recognized earlier names and plots weave into the stories. I had to go back and skim the book (and search feature on the e-book) to refresh my memory.
A warning, too, needs to be made that there are profanities and descriptions of sex found within. This book is not intended for the younger set.
I found the book and the stories sufficiently interesting to hold my attention. It was not a "can't put it down" kind of book, however. It is fairly short at around 200 pages, so it makes for a light, quick reading.
August 8, 2016
I really enjoyed Rockets versus Gravity. Seemingly unrelated events and characters intersect with surprising consequences. While each chapter stands on its own as an engrossing short story, there is a thread running throughout the book that hints at future connections that keeps you turning the pages.
The ending is satisfying without being predictable. With the diverse storylines and sympathetic characters, I think this book has screenplay potential. Highly recommended.
The ending is satisfying without being predictable. With the diverse storylines and sympathetic characters, I think this book has screenplay potential. Highly recommended.
September 30, 2023
Rockets Versus Gravity has to be one of the most Canadian books I've ever read in the best way possible. Any Ontarion who reads this will instantly recognize the familiar iconography and rights of passage the many characters have throughout the story which is told in a series of interconnected chapters many of which read like short stories. I found it incredibly satisfying putting the pieces together on how each story related to eachother which made a wonderfully fleshed out world I would love to return to again and again.
April 11, 2018
A collection of short stories where the characters are interlinked. Quite clever and it held my interest, but the ending was weird.
April 29, 2018
Really enjoyable collection of short intertwined stories.
Read
February 26, 2017Didn't finish.
March 10, 2017
This was an easy read, and an interesting approach of intertwining the characters.
Liked that the setting is local , and each chapter/part was written well and kept me interested. The details about each character and how they may or may not be connected was a great way to get the reader hooked . I read for entertainment and this book did just that - entertained me.
Liked that the setting is local , and each chapter/part was written well and kept me interested. The details about each character and how they may or may not be connected was a great way to get the reader hooked . I read for entertainment and this book did just that - entertained me.
February 1, 2017
I love books written in Toronto. It's such an interesting and vibrant place to live, and great fodder for any literary setting (I've set a few of my own books in the city).
In Richard Scarsbrook's latest book, several fascinating stories of Torontonians in various states of decline intertwine, from the rich and powerful in their ivory towers, to the dwellers-under-the-bridge who have nothing to lose (and nowhere to go). I particularly enjoyed the use of specific places, like a restaurant in the Eaton's centre, an office on Bay Street, old Mt. Pleasant cemetery and more.
Partly a Rube Goldberg story (where each piece of the story-puzzle relies on the previous piece), partly an expose of the underbelly of modern life, Rockets versus Gravity takes us into backyard ravines and Bay Street towers alike, braiding disparate threads of modern life together in a rich, interesting tapestry. If you like books with a strong sense of place, and realistic characters from all walks of life that tell it like it is, you'll like this.
Note: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I only review books that I like.
In Richard Scarsbrook's latest book, several fascinating stories of Torontonians in various states of decline intertwine, from the rich and powerful in their ivory towers, to the dwellers-under-the-bridge who have nothing to lose (and nowhere to go). I particularly enjoyed the use of specific places, like a restaurant in the Eaton's centre, an office on Bay Street, old Mt. Pleasant cemetery and more.
Partly a Rube Goldberg story (where each piece of the story-puzzle relies on the previous piece), partly an expose of the underbelly of modern life, Rockets versus Gravity takes us into backyard ravines and Bay Street towers alike, braiding disparate threads of modern life together in a rich, interesting tapestry. If you like books with a strong sense of place, and realistic characters from all walks of life that tell it like it is, you'll like this.
Note: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I only review books that I like.
August 10, 2016
Rockets versus Gravity is a book of short stories loosely tied together by a series of wedding rings, lost and found. As always, Richard Scarsbrook creates a bunch of quirky characters, including Stan and Sheila, the unhappy couple whose rings connect the stories, and teenage Clementine, whose name, like everything else in her life, is recycled. My favourite character was James, the wannabe rock star who always has the soundtrack of his life playing in his head.
The book is a quick read and I enjoyed it more on the second reading than I did on the first, understanding who the characters were and knowing how they would be connected. Some stories are hilarious and some are terribly sad, and, as in real life, not everything is resolved.
The book is a quick read and I enjoyed it more on the second reading than I did on the first, understanding who the characters were and knowing how they would be connected. Some stories are hilarious and some are terribly sad, and, as in real life, not everything is resolved.
September 16, 2016
Everyone's life is made of small little events that may connect with other people's little events. We are living in a net of facts and random encounters we hardly notice sometimes. or we just prefer to ignore. Literary renditions like these slow paced short stories by Richard Scarsbrook are a gentle warning to better use our eyes and be more alive, because your life deserves something better. I appreciate the detailed writing of the author and looking forward to more books by his books.
Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange of an honest review
Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange of an honest review
September 16, 2016
(N.B. I'm a student of the author's and have come to know him personally.)
Very crisp read filled with characters that are easy to identify with. The morality of the book divides the characters into haves and have-nots, and invariably it's the have-nots who find freedom from their situation, and find value in things other than... things. Lots of hope. Lots of humour.
Very crisp read filled with characters that are easy to identify with. The morality of the book divides the characters into haves and have-nots, and invariably it's the have-nots who find freedom from their situation, and find value in things other than... things. Lots of hope. Lots of humour.
July 23, 2018
A really unique and funny book that reminded me a lot of a quirky David Mitchell. Only complaint was the ending -
July 25, 2016
Horrible book. What was I reading exactly? Short stories that maybe were interwiened between themselves but boring per sure?
Sorry, not for me.
Sorry, not for me.
November 22, 2016
I received this book in a Goodread's giveaway.
The story telling is very good. I just find it overly sexual at times.
The story telling is very good. I just find it overly sexual at times.
September 24, 2017
I really enjoyed the intertwined stories of the various characters.
March 31, 2017
A lumberjack named Stan reflects on the 4 different wedding rings he has lost, setting in motion an unknown connection that weaves together the lives of the people who populate Rockets versus Gravity. Set in Toronto as well as several fictional small towns, the book focuses on the defining moments in several lives and follow the struggles and advances being faced as these individuals break free from the lives they had been living.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews