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Fragile Dreams
When a savage earthquake rocks Los Angeles, buildings crumble and highways fall apart. Matthew Calvert, a young family man on the job interview of his life, finds himself at ground zero of the destruction – his building collapses beneath him and he wakes to find himself buried under a mountain of rubble, badly injured, trapped in the dark.
As his injuries worsen with each passing hour, he clings to memories to fight off the fear of impending death, the hope for salvation. Soon, however, the memories turn dark and his terror escalates.
There are things with him in the dark.
Trying desperately to hold onto his sanity, Matthew clings to the barrier between this life and the next, his mind flipping between reality and delusion, before confronting a final horrifying truth:
Sometimes the hallucinations are real.
As his injuries worsen with each passing hour, he clings to memories to fight off the fear of impending death, the hope for salvation. Soon, however, the memories turn dark and his terror escalates.
There are things with him in the dark.
Trying desperately to hold onto his sanity, Matthew clings to the barrier between this life and the next, his mind flipping between reality and delusion, before confronting a final horrifying truth:
Sometimes the hallucinations are real.
106 pages, Paperback
Published November 18, 2016
7 people are currently reading
723 people want to read
About the author
Philip Fracassi
73 books1,808 followersPHILIP FRACASSI is the Bram Stoker and British Fantasy Award-nominated author of the novels A Child Alone with Strangers, Gothic, Boys in the Valley, The Third Rule of Time Travel, and The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre. He is also the author of the story collections Behold the Void, Beneath a Pale Sky, and No One is Safe!
His stories have been published in numerous magazines and anthologies, including Black Static, Best Horror of the Year, Nightmare Magazine, Interzone, and Southwest Review.
Philip lives in Los Angeles and is represented by Copps Literary Services, Circle M + P, and WME. You can find him on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky, or visit pfracassi.com.
His stories have been published in numerous magazines and anthologies, including Black Static, Best Horror of the Year, Nightmare Magazine, Interzone, and Southwest Review.
Philip lives in Los Angeles and is represented by Copps Literary Services, Circle M + P, and WME. You can find him on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky, or visit pfracassi.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
August 5, 2018
4.5 stars!
FRAGILE DREAMS, by Philip Fracassi, is a novella of psychological and visceral horror that had me questioning "reality" all along the way. This is the third book I have read by this author, and his unique "voice" in writing has yet to disappoint me.
The synopsis tells of a man, Matthew Calvert, going for an important job interview, when the entire building is hit by a massive earthquake. The precise pictures that Fracassi painted in my mind were almost surreal! As the structure begins to collapse, I felt as if I were watching things occur in slow motion as everything and everyone descended into the hidden depths of purgatory.
". . . the kind of scream that was created from way deep down, in the abyss of absolute terror that opened with the knowledge that your life was about to end . . . "
Well, maybe more like hell.
"There are a million ways to suffer . . ."
Coming back to consciousness, trapped beneath the remnants of what was once the large multi-storied office building, Matthew realizes that while he may still be alive, he is completely incapacitated.
What follows is a psychological journey into Matthew's every thought and dream. Sensations that he feels--but can't quite identify--take their place between the memories of his life before this fateful day. Alternating with his physical pain are likewise visions--but are they merely dark delusions caused by his body's predicament, or true sights and imaginings?
". . . his phone likely vibrating stupidly underneath a hundred pounds of rock and steel, the "smart" technology inside too stupid to know how useless it was."
We are taken on this journey with Matthew as he tries to hold onto both his life and sanity. The scenes we are witnesses to are as conflicting as they can possibly be. What is the reality for a man slowly dying under a mountainous pile of what was once part of Los Angeles? Fracassi takes you there with such sure and powerful writing--almost poetic one moment, and terror-filled the next--as you find yourself mentally spiraling down along with Matthew.
". . . The rats are REAL, oh yes, boy-o, they're very real . . . "
When the very fabric of all you hold to be true starts to unravel, what do you chose to believe? And exactly how accurate are those memories of long-ago that only now come back with such newfound clarity?
This is a novella with no easy answers, and one in which you won't want to turn away from even for a moment.
Who knows just what might follow you up from the depths if you do?
**Following this story is a bonus one entitled "Death, My Old Friend". Part comedic, part all too emotionally potent, this tale is one with an entirely different mental feel to it, yet very engrossing in its own way.**
I am greatly looking forward to reading more from this talented author.
Highly recommended!
FRAGILE DREAMS, by Philip Fracassi, is a novella of psychological and visceral horror that had me questioning "reality" all along the way. This is the third book I have read by this author, and his unique "voice" in writing has yet to disappoint me.
The synopsis tells of a man, Matthew Calvert, going for an important job interview, when the entire building is hit by a massive earthquake. The precise pictures that Fracassi painted in my mind were almost surreal! As the structure begins to collapse, I felt as if I were watching things occur in slow motion as everything and everyone descended into the hidden depths of purgatory.
". . . the kind of scream that was created from way deep down, in the abyss of absolute terror that opened with the knowledge that your life was about to end . . . "
Well, maybe more like hell.
"There are a million ways to suffer . . ."
Coming back to consciousness, trapped beneath the remnants of what was once the large multi-storied office building, Matthew realizes that while he may still be alive, he is completely incapacitated.
What follows is a psychological journey into Matthew's every thought and dream. Sensations that he feels--but can't quite identify--take their place between the memories of his life before this fateful day. Alternating with his physical pain are likewise visions--but are they merely dark delusions caused by his body's predicament, or true sights and imaginings?
". . . his phone likely vibrating stupidly underneath a hundred pounds of rock and steel, the "smart" technology inside too stupid to know how useless it was."
We are taken on this journey with Matthew as he tries to hold onto both his life and sanity. The scenes we are witnesses to are as conflicting as they can possibly be. What is the reality for a man slowly dying under a mountainous pile of what was once part of Los Angeles? Fracassi takes you there with such sure and powerful writing--almost poetic one moment, and terror-filled the next--as you find yourself mentally spiraling down along with Matthew.
". . . The rats are REAL, oh yes, boy-o, they're very real . . . "
When the very fabric of all you hold to be true starts to unravel, what do you chose to believe? And exactly how accurate are those memories of long-ago that only now come back with such newfound clarity?
This is a novella with no easy answers, and one in which you won't want to turn away from even for a moment.
Who knows just what might follow you up from the depths if you do?
**Following this story is a bonus one entitled "Death, My Old Friend". Part comedic, part all too emotionally potent, this tale is one with an entirely different mental feel to it, yet very engrossing in its own way.**
I am greatly looking forward to reading more from this talented author.
Highly recommended!
March 25, 2017
This novella is simple but shockingly intense. After an earthquake rips through the Los Angeles area, Matthew Calvert is trapped in a collapsed office building. As the rubble slowly crushes him to death, he tries to hold on to hope for rescue, as well as keep his grip on reality as he realizes that there might be something else down there with him in the dark.
Philip Fracassi might end up being one of my favorite author discoveries this year. His prose-style is both soaring and fiercely intimate at the same time. The language here is vivid and evocative as he places you right there under all that rubble with Matthew, in the pitch-black darkness, with a piece of wall slowly breaking your spine and something unseen scuttling around you in the void. Here's an example of Fracassi's word-talent as he describes the earthquake:
Philip Fracassi might end up being one of my favorite author discoveries this year. His prose-style is both soaring and fiercely intimate at the same time. The language here is vivid and evocative as he places you right there under all that rubble with Matthew, in the pitch-black darkness, with a piece of wall slowly breaking your spine and something unseen scuttling around you in the void. Here's an example of Fracassi's word-talent as he describes the earthquake:
The building gave in to the earth's desires, and graceless as a dying giant, it collapsed in an implosion of glass and concrete and iron, heaping itself atop the bodies within, burying everything inside of it in a tangled black mass of clumsy, angry death.Fragile Dreams is a pretty unsettling reading experience but also emotional due to Fracassi's efficient character development. I also loved how he kept certain elements vague and mysterious, recognizing that a lot of his story's strength lies in the hidden and the unfathomable. The book also includes an unexpectedly playful and charming short story called "Death, My Old Friend," about a boy's lifelong friendship with Death. This is recommended to anyone that likes unnerving horror, or dark or weird fiction. Fracassi has a few new book's coming this year and I'll be buying them all.
November 19, 2016
Philip Fracassi never fails to amaze me and that's more true than ever with this book. I'll post a longer write up later this week but suffice it to say this book blew my mind. Well worth the price of admission.
February 27, 2017
Fracassi turns the mundane into the monstrous with this story. Superb pacing, a creepy direction, and wonderful characterisation makes Fragile Dreams a must read for fans of genre fiction.
January 9, 2017
This is the second work I've read from Philip Fracasi, and it is outstanding. As much as I enjoyed his story, Altar, Fragile Dreams blows it away. The tension, emotion, and atmosphere evoked in this work are truly masterful. With the premise of a man trapped after an earthquake one might expect a slow burn horror. What you get is a swift, but claustrophobic nightmare that demands you to keep turning the pages. Don't miss out on this.
November 19, 2016
When “Death” arrives at our side we are powerless, “Hope” is that tiny, spark of light some choose to hold onto tightly. What lies waiting on the other side for the ones who just let go?
Death eventually comes for us all.
Author, Philip Fracassi, wrote an excellent and very intense novella that lets us consider one of life’s darkest fears, “Death”. To do that we must descend with the main character into a very claustrophobic atmosphere, where that fine balance is always teetering just on the edge. Becoming so extremely terrified while reading and hoping there won’t be a slight shift in that direction. You will easily be caught up in this gripping story, trapped and struggling with severe physical, emotional, suffering and pain. Yet, still holding on to being rescued and seeing your family again. So, distraught trying it hang onto your own survival, not even thinking once of theirs. That’s how the panicked mind works and the author skillfully conveys that all throughout the pages. Where the psyche shifts between the conscious, and the subconscious. When exhaustion and sleep finally overcomes, then slipping into bizarre dreams and long forgotten memories. Ones that are so fragile, they can shatter in an instant.
This is how we meet and learn all about the main character, 28-year-old Matthew Calvert, who was waiting to be interviewed. When a major Earthquakes rocks L.A. causing the ground to open and swallow entire building, housing the offices of Baskin and Associates. Where the most horrifying thing awaiting in the dark, may not be “Death” at all.
Reviewed by robinleehorrorbookreviews.com
Death eventually comes for us all.
Author, Philip Fracassi, wrote an excellent and very intense novella that lets us consider one of life’s darkest fears, “Death”. To do that we must descend with the main character into a very claustrophobic atmosphere, where that fine balance is always teetering just on the edge. Becoming so extremely terrified while reading and hoping there won’t be a slight shift in that direction. You will easily be caught up in this gripping story, trapped and struggling with severe physical, emotional, suffering and pain. Yet, still holding on to being rescued and seeing your family again. So, distraught trying it hang onto your own survival, not even thinking once of theirs. That’s how the panicked mind works and the author skillfully conveys that all throughout the pages. Where the psyche shifts between the conscious, and the subconscious. When exhaustion and sleep finally overcomes, then slipping into bizarre dreams and long forgotten memories. Ones that are so fragile, they can shatter in an instant.
This is how we meet and learn all about the main character, 28-year-old Matthew Calvert, who was waiting to be interviewed. When a major Earthquakes rocks L.A. causing the ground to open and swallow entire building, housing the offices of Baskin and Associates. Where the most horrifying thing awaiting in the dark, may not be “Death” at all.
Reviewed by robinleehorrorbookreviews.com
November 5, 2016
When a savage earthquake rocks Los Angeles, buildings crumble and highways fall apart. Matthew Calvert, a young family man on the job interview of his life, finds himself at ground zero of the destruction – his building collapses beneath him and he wakes to find himself buried under a mountain of rubble, badly injured, trapped in the dark.
As his injuries worsen with each passing hour, he clings to memories to fight off the fear of impending death, the hope for salvation. Soon, however, the memories turn dark and his terror escalates.
There are things with him in the dark.
Trying desperately to hold onto his sanity, Matthew clings to the barrier between this life and the next, his mind flipping between reality and delusion, before confronting a final horrifying truth:
Sometimes the hallucinations are real.
As his injuries worsen with each passing hour, he clings to memories to fight off the fear of impending death, the hope for salvation. Soon, however, the memories turn dark and his terror escalates.
There are things with him in the dark.
Trying desperately to hold onto his sanity, Matthew clings to the barrier between this life and the next, his mind flipping between reality and delusion, before confronting a final horrifying truth:
Sometimes the hallucinations are real.
November 14, 2016
Originally published at Risingshadow.
Philip Fracassi (the author of the excellent novelettes Mother and Altar) is one of the rising stars in the field of modern horror fiction and literary weird fiction. His latest story, Fragile Dreams, proves that he is one of the most talented authors of weird fiction to have emerged during the recent years, because he writes powerful stories.
Fragile Dreams is an exceptionally thrilling and well written novella. I was very impressed by Philip Fracassi's storytelling skills, because he delivers a gripping story with an unsettling atmosphere. This novella is a deliciously disturbing and unnerving slice of claustrophobic nightmare that unfolds powerfully towards the chilling ending.
Here's a bit of information about the story:
- A man called Matthew Calvert is about to have a job interview at Baskin and Associates when an earthquake rocks the building. He sees how the walls, the floor and the ceiling crack and collapse around him. The whole building seems to collapse in an implosion of glass, concrete and iron...
- When Matthew regains his consciousness he finds himself buried under a pile of rubble. He is stuck and can't move. As his injuries worsen, he desperately clings to memories to fight off the fear of death, but soon things turn macabre...
This is all I'll write about the story, because I don't want to give away too much information about it. I'll only mention that it's an excellent story that's worth reading.
Matthew is an interesting protagonist. He is a young family man who is married to Diane with a son, Robbie. The memories are interesting, because reveal a lot of information about Matthew's feelings and his life (the author paints a vivid picture of Matthew's life).
Philip Fracassi's vision of being buried under rubble is very powerful and disturbing. Reading about Matthew's struggle for sanity and survival is thrilling, because the author pulls all the right strings to make the reader feel uncomfortable and creates a claustrophobic atmosphere that feels realistic. When you read this story, you can easily imagine what it feels like to be trapped with nowhere to go, because the author gives his readers a stunning glimpse into how Matthew's mind works when faced with a stressful situation.
I like the author's way of maintaining suspense and tension throughout the story, because he never lets the atmosphere slacken. One might easily think that a story about being trapped under a pile of rubble would be boring, but this story is anything but boring. When you begin to read it, you'll find yourself wholly captivated by it.
After reading Mother, Altar and Fragile Dreams, I can say that Philip Fracassi is an author whose stories deserve to be read. I consider him to be fully equal to such authors as Laird Barron, Livia Llewellyn, John Langan, Nathan Ballingrud, Michael Wehunt and Richard Gavin, because he writes good prose and thrills his readers with weird happenings that shake the lives and minds of his protagonists.
Philip Fracassi's Fragile Dreams is a tour-de-force of storytelling, atmosphere and creepiness. If you call yourself a fan of modern weird fiction and love psychologically challenging horror fiction, you should put this novella immediately to your reading list, because it's a a genuinely frightening and memorable reading experience. Trust me, you'll love it!
Highly recommended!
Philip Fracassi (the author of the excellent novelettes Mother and Altar) is one of the rising stars in the field of modern horror fiction and literary weird fiction. His latest story, Fragile Dreams, proves that he is one of the most talented authors of weird fiction to have emerged during the recent years, because he writes powerful stories.
Fragile Dreams is an exceptionally thrilling and well written novella. I was very impressed by Philip Fracassi's storytelling skills, because he delivers a gripping story with an unsettling atmosphere. This novella is a deliciously disturbing and unnerving slice of claustrophobic nightmare that unfolds powerfully towards the chilling ending.
Here's a bit of information about the story:
- A man called Matthew Calvert is about to have a job interview at Baskin and Associates when an earthquake rocks the building. He sees how the walls, the floor and the ceiling crack and collapse around him. The whole building seems to collapse in an implosion of glass, concrete and iron...
- When Matthew regains his consciousness he finds himself buried under a pile of rubble. He is stuck and can't move. As his injuries worsen, he desperately clings to memories to fight off the fear of death, but soon things turn macabre...
This is all I'll write about the story, because I don't want to give away too much information about it. I'll only mention that it's an excellent story that's worth reading.
Matthew is an interesting protagonist. He is a young family man who is married to Diane with a son, Robbie. The memories are interesting, because reveal a lot of information about Matthew's feelings and his life (the author paints a vivid picture of Matthew's life).
Philip Fracassi's vision of being buried under rubble is very powerful and disturbing. Reading about Matthew's struggle for sanity and survival is thrilling, because the author pulls all the right strings to make the reader feel uncomfortable and creates a claustrophobic atmosphere that feels realistic. When you read this story, you can easily imagine what it feels like to be trapped with nowhere to go, because the author gives his readers a stunning glimpse into how Matthew's mind works when faced with a stressful situation.
I like the author's way of maintaining suspense and tension throughout the story, because he never lets the atmosphere slacken. One might easily think that a story about being trapped under a pile of rubble would be boring, but this story is anything but boring. When you begin to read it, you'll find yourself wholly captivated by it.
After reading Mother, Altar and Fragile Dreams, I can say that Philip Fracassi is an author whose stories deserve to be read. I consider him to be fully equal to such authors as Laird Barron, Livia Llewellyn, John Langan, Nathan Ballingrud, Michael Wehunt and Richard Gavin, because he writes good prose and thrills his readers with weird happenings that shake the lives and minds of his protagonists.
Philip Fracassi's Fragile Dreams is a tour-de-force of storytelling, atmosphere and creepiness. If you call yourself a fan of modern weird fiction and love psychologically challenging horror fiction, you should put this novella immediately to your reading list, because it's a a genuinely frightening and memorable reading experience. Trust me, you'll love it!
Highly recommended!
July 7, 2025
Having recently read a Michael Bray short story with the same theme and situation, I was curious to see where an entire novella might go with it. It seems that Fracassi can take it quite far! The last third of the book was my favorite part, as the rest is mostly set up and characterization. The last third prepares the ground for a totally surprising ending, which can be interpreted in many different ways: cosmic horror, psychological horror, even cult horror. I understand the novella's title to be some kind of hint, though my own interpretation prefers the cosmic horror angle. Recommended!
February 16, 2017
The book was fantastic, really wasn't what I expected it would be.
My only complaint was the ending. I wanted Matthew to so badly be reunited with his family, for Dee to survive and there to perhaps be a bit more background on what happened aside from just a simple earthquake. While the latter wasn't a big deal, I hated that the ending was left so ambiguous. I suppose, though, that the point was to leave Matt's fate and the fate of his family, up to the reader.
I was prepared from pg 50 to give this 5 stars, but this, sadly, is why it got 4.
Would definitely still recommend this short story, though.
My only complaint was the ending. I wanted Matthew to so badly be reunited with his family, for Dee to survive and there to perhaps be a bit more background on what happened aside from just a simple earthquake. While the latter wasn't a big deal, I hated that the ending was left so ambiguous. I suppose, though, that the point was to leave Matt's fate and the fate of his family, up to the reader.
I was prepared from pg 50 to give this 5 stars, but this, sadly, is why it got 4.
Would definitely still recommend this short story, though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2016
The Scariest Story I've Read in Years
There are SO MANY different literary definitions of Horror, but at the root of each is a single question: Is it scary? I read A LOT of Horror, but not many stories can frighten me. They can disquiet or upset me, sure, but FRIGHTEN? Well, Philip Fracassi does it. The story is one perfectly excruciating situation, played out with a grace and elegance I haven't seen a whole lot of in recent fiction. From a deeply human experience, then expanding to a cosmic, the-entire-human-race-is-OVER kind of horror, for my money this novella is a work of art. I love it. Easily my favorite thing Fracassi has released so far, and one I'll be returning to in the future, if only to dissect it to see how he created such a beautiful, shattered monster.
As a bonus, there's a great backup story about Death!
Highly recommended!
There are SO MANY different literary definitions of Horror, but at the root of each is a single question: Is it scary? I read A LOT of Horror, but not many stories can frighten me. They can disquiet or upset me, sure, but FRIGHTEN? Well, Philip Fracassi does it. The story is one perfectly excruciating situation, played out with a grace and elegance I haven't seen a whole lot of in recent fiction. From a deeply human experience, then expanding to a cosmic, the-entire-human-race-is-OVER kind of horror, for my money this novella is a work of art. I love it. Easily my favorite thing Fracassi has released so far, and one I'll be returning to in the future, if only to dissect it to see how he created such a beautiful, shattered monster.
As a bonus, there's a great backup story about Death!
Highly recommended!
February 12, 2017
Odd, that's all I can say.
December 24, 2016
While on an important job interview, an earthquake strikes and Matthew Calvert finds himself trapped – buried under masses of concrete and glass. Badly injured and alone in the dark, Matthew struggles to fend off fear and desperation. While his injuries worsen, it becomes clear that there are things lurking in the dark.
Fracassi is an amazing writer who knows how to weave a frightening story with tight descriptions and real characters. He has a way of playing on the reader’s worst fears and sucking them into the nightmarish story where terrible things prowl in the darkness. I was hooked from page one. A must read for lovers of horror.
Fracassi is an amazing writer who knows how to weave a frightening story with tight descriptions and real characters. He has a way of playing on the reader’s worst fears and sucking them into the nightmarish story where terrible things prowl in the darkness. I was hooked from page one. A must read for lovers of horror.
April 28, 2017
Grim and claustrophobic. A great novella.
September 24, 2017
Fragile Dreams encompasses the spiritual and psychological journey of a man named Matthew, who becomes trapped beneath rubble in the brutal aftermath of an earthquake. The story revolves around his journey in the darkness, clinging on to life and reliving several aspects of his past while also experiencing vivid and terrifying hallucinations in the process.
In the less-than-one-hundred pages of this chronicle, readers are stricken with lucid and eloquently-written sensations of claustrophobia and isolation. Where most authors would be challenged in writing a storyline that, at its epicenter, is small in scale and concise, Fracassi finds a way to transform the blackness and lack of discernible environment with haunting execution. Matthew's past and present share equal attention, grasping the readers and allowing them to care for the protagonist as more than just a man buried beneath rubble, but as a father, a husband, and a man with real-life trauma and authentically-crafted behavior.
Readers will find themselves gripping the spine of this book, white-knuckled and turning page after page with increasing speed, not even realizing they have reached the climax once that final page presents itself. With parallels to the visceral eyewitness accounts from survivors of 9/11, the fierce and unforgiving qualities of mortality are put on display. The eventual psychosis of Matthew is terrifying and filled with morbidity, his nightmares exhuming dread and mournful aspects of the main character's life.
Though an intentionally closed-in and isolated work of fiction, the relationships displayed, most notably with his best friend Robbie and the other survivor Dee, are spotlighted with realistic interactions and often heartwarming moments. Fracassi crafts an often poetic verse, combining realism with disturbing detail and frighteningly cosmic moments of horror.
The only minute flaw that this novella holds, is in pace and structure, though these are easily overlooked and hardly noticeable amidst the graphic storytelling and engaging plot. These small flaws could also be attributed to length constraints, but for most readers they will be too lost in the beautiful language that Fracassi illustrates to notice.
In Fragile Dreams, readers are offered the fragility of the human psyche and the vulnerability of the human body; both are explored and investigated with stunning prose and visceral description, offering a tale that is as endearing as it is evocative.
We recommend this novella to lovers of horror, especially fans of the more psychological aspects of the genre. If this piece is any foreshadowing on the rest of Philip Fracassi's works, we are delighted to traverse further into his meticulous and creative mind.
--The Gehenna Post
In the less-than-one-hundred pages of this chronicle, readers are stricken with lucid and eloquently-written sensations of claustrophobia and isolation. Where most authors would be challenged in writing a storyline that, at its epicenter, is small in scale and concise, Fracassi finds a way to transform the blackness and lack of discernible environment with haunting execution. Matthew's past and present share equal attention, grasping the readers and allowing them to care for the protagonist as more than just a man buried beneath rubble, but as a father, a husband, and a man with real-life trauma and authentically-crafted behavior.
Readers will find themselves gripping the spine of this book, white-knuckled and turning page after page with increasing speed, not even realizing they have reached the climax once that final page presents itself. With parallels to the visceral eyewitness accounts from survivors of 9/11, the fierce and unforgiving qualities of mortality are put on display. The eventual psychosis of Matthew is terrifying and filled with morbidity, his nightmares exhuming dread and mournful aspects of the main character's life.
Though an intentionally closed-in and isolated work of fiction, the relationships displayed, most notably with his best friend Robbie and the other survivor Dee, are spotlighted with realistic interactions and often heartwarming moments. Fracassi crafts an often poetic verse, combining realism with disturbing detail and frighteningly cosmic moments of horror.
The only minute flaw that this novella holds, is in pace and structure, though these are easily overlooked and hardly noticeable amidst the graphic storytelling and engaging plot. These small flaws could also be attributed to length constraints, but for most readers they will be too lost in the beautiful language that Fracassi illustrates to notice.
In Fragile Dreams, readers are offered the fragility of the human psyche and the vulnerability of the human body; both are explored and investigated with stunning prose and visceral description, offering a tale that is as endearing as it is evocative.
We recommend this novella to lovers of horror, especially fans of the more psychological aspects of the genre. If this piece is any foreshadowing on the rest of Philip Fracassi's works, we are delighted to traverse further into his meticulous and creative mind.
--The Gehenna Post
March 15, 2017
Accomplished screenwriter and author, Philip Fracassi, has established himself as a master of the horror genre, garnering praise from the likes of Laird Barron, Paul Tremblay and Adam Nevill, to name only a few. While continuing to work as a screenwriter, in 2016 alone Fracassi has released two novelettes, Altar and Mother, to critical acclaim, as well as contributing short stories to various venues. Here we take a look at his most recent release, Fragile Dreams.
The story opens with our protagonist, Matthew, arriving at the offices of Baskin and Associates, a law firm, in desperate need of employment. After spending just a couple of pages in Matthew’s head, we are firmly in his corner, wishing him only the best for the job interview ahead, a daunting position that most readers will have experienced at some point. But this is a horror story, so we are always weary of the story taking a turn for the worse.
We are not always sure of where the story is going or how it is going to end, or even if what Matthew is experiencing is a horrifyingly dark reality or the hallucinations of a dying mind, but thanks to the wonderful writing talent and dark imagination of the author, we are guaranteed a suspenseful and terrifying trip.
To read the full review, head over to This Is Horror
The story opens with our protagonist, Matthew, arriving at the offices of Baskin and Associates, a law firm, in desperate need of employment. After spending just a couple of pages in Matthew’s head, we are firmly in his corner, wishing him only the best for the job interview ahead, a daunting position that most readers will have experienced at some point. But this is a horror story, so we are always weary of the story taking a turn for the worse.
We are not always sure of where the story is going or how it is going to end, or even if what Matthew is experiencing is a horrifyingly dark reality or the hallucinations of a dying mind, but thanks to the wonderful writing talent and dark imagination of the author, we are guaranteed a suspenseful and terrifying trip.
To read the full review, head over to This Is Horror
March 3, 2017
This was a highly entertaining book by Philip Fracassi; the second that I have read by that writer. In a very abbreviated synopsis, a man goes to a high rise in California to interview for a job. There is an earthquake and he is buried in the rubble, a large column pinning him in place. The story then details his thoughts while he hopes to be rescued. The first three quarters of the story were truly horrific and quite easy to empathize with. In the last quarter of the book a weird element was introduced that I felt was unnecessary and seemed to detract from the truly nightmarish scenario already introduced. It did not, however, detract overmuch from my enjoyment. The author has a sure hand with characterization and dialogue and quite easily "put you there" in a far too possible predicament. True horror does not need monsters, human or otherwise.
February 7, 2017
After reading Philip's previous books Altar and Mother and absolutely loving them I had high hopes for this book and they were certainly met. Once again Philip has masterfully crafted a story with skill and precision. The tension and atmosphere are perfect and made it impossible for me to put the book down. The story is emotive and so well expressed I was completely lost in the story of Matthew as he undergoes this horrific ordeal. Being a bit claustrophobic myself the story really got to me and along with some effectively creepy moments this story really stays with you beyond the last line.
I also really enjoyed the bonus story 'Death, My Old Friend' which was also a welcome addition.
I also really enjoyed the bonus story 'Death, My Old Friend' which was also a welcome addition.
September 3, 2018
Klaustrofobická novela o přeživším pod tunami železobetonu po zemětřesení. Klaustrofobická nejen z očividného důvodu, že hlavní postava je nehybně přišpendlená na jednom místě, ale především proto, že Fracassi skvostně zachytil tenkou linii, kdy se postupem času kombinací dehydratace, únavy, zraněních, naděje a mnohého dalšího ztrácí rozdíl mezi realitou, vzpomínkami, sny a přeludy. Krátké, úderné a fungující o to více, že Matthew je psychologicky propracovaná a skrz na skrz sympatická (rozdrcená) hromádka masa a kostí.
A nádavkem je na závěr odlehčená povídka (no, jednohubka) o tom, jaké je to sedět v jedné lavici na základce se Smrtěm.
A nádavkem je na závěr odlehčená povídka (no, jednohubka) o tom, jaké je to sedět v jedné lavici na základce se Smrtěm.
November 30, 2016
Fragile Dreams is a rock solid nightmare.
January 27, 2021
nullimmortalis February 8, 2018 at 4:19 pm Edit
FRAGILE DREAMS
“The receptionist had sucked-in bronze cheeks bookending glossy lips that made Matthew think of two fat babies lying back to back, red as blood.”
Don’t expect me to say anything about this novella. Other than what it says on the blurb, that is. Even though I know that gives you no clue as to what it is about. And if I tell you what it is about, and the characters in Matthew the protagonist’s backstory, past dreams, present dreams, his current parlous state, you will realise how fragile such a re-telling can be and how my words will root right back to to the beginning and cause what happened in the first place. As if like Robbie, who was to be a writer, was writing it from scratch? And others (Matthew’s grandfather, parents, wife, the other Robbie, even Dee) will start fiddling at the edges to adjust the story. Fiddling first at Matthew’s toes then working towards the head, as I did as a child when trying to go to sleep. To put some colour back into sky, or squeeze my eyes to see floaters as pinprick stars or other shapes moving into focus…?
——————————
“Many of the words were hard to make out, but once he got a feel for the author’s form, the words cleared, came into focus:”
“You are just that to me. A wonderful idea I had upon waking. An idea I will realize fully once aware, best left to a dream.”
“He touched his eyes with his fingers and felt their I’mreal solidity.”
“the world slipping into a cone of muffled quiet.”
———————————
That Cone Zero.
nullimmortalis February 8, 2018 at 4:59 pm Edit
DEATH, MY OLD FRIEND
It’s a spoiler in itself to reveal with this review that there is a bonus track at the end in the shape of this story. Because otherwise, before you reached it, you might have thought the preceding novella was longer than you hoped, expected or dreaded it to be. A bit like Death?
A moving story, with Death’s own bonus track, as it happens.
“who I used to play lawn darts with, and who’d once put one right through my foot”
FRAGILE DREAMS
“The receptionist had sucked-in bronze cheeks bookending glossy lips that made Matthew think of two fat babies lying back to back, red as blood.”
Don’t expect me to say anything about this novella. Other than what it says on the blurb, that is. Even though I know that gives you no clue as to what it is about. And if I tell you what it is about, and the characters in Matthew the protagonist’s backstory, past dreams, present dreams, his current parlous state, you will realise how fragile such a re-telling can be and how my words will root right back to to the beginning and cause what happened in the first place. As if like Robbie, who was to be a writer, was writing it from scratch? And others (Matthew’s grandfather, parents, wife, the other Robbie, even Dee) will start fiddling at the edges to adjust the story. Fiddling first at Matthew’s toes then working towards the head, as I did as a child when trying to go to sleep. To put some colour back into sky, or squeeze my eyes to see floaters as pinprick stars or other shapes moving into focus…?
——————————
“Many of the words were hard to make out, but once he got a feel for the author’s form, the words cleared, came into focus:”
“You are just that to me. A wonderful idea I had upon waking. An idea I will realize fully once aware, best left to a dream.”
“He touched his eyes with his fingers and felt their I’mreal solidity.”
“the world slipping into a cone of muffled quiet.”
———————————
That Cone Zero.
nullimmortalis February 8, 2018 at 4:59 pm Edit
DEATH, MY OLD FRIEND
It’s a spoiler in itself to reveal with this review that there is a bonus track at the end in the shape of this story. Because otherwise, before you reached it, you might have thought the preceding novella was longer than you hoped, expected or dreaded it to be. A bit like Death?
A moving story, with Death’s own bonus track, as it happens.
“who I used to play lawn darts with, and who’d once put one right through my foot”
November 23, 2016
I'm not sure how, but this book simultaneously gives the gut-punch adrenaline-shock of survival-horror, and the slow and disquieting deconstruction of what is real found only in the best cosmic-horror. The story itself gets going fast, and is straight-forward enough, Matthew Calvert becomes trapped in the rubble of a building after it collapses in a record-shattering earthquake. What comes next is a strange blend of vignettes; memories, both warm and bittersweet, jarring nightmares, and the perpetually fragmenting reality of his current situation. Is Matthew dead, or on the precipice between life and death? Has his mind become as damaged as his body in the harsh situation he finds himself in, hallucinations filling in the gaps sensory deprivation has created, or has the worst come true, and has some outer horror found him, seeping in through the cracks this trauma opened? Fracassi provides the story with a resolution while still leaving it open enough to a great deal of personal interpretation. Highly recommend to fans of weird fiction and horror, and to anyone who can appreciate very well written prose and powerfully emotional storytelling.
December 19, 2016
Wicked story. The crushing weight. The confined space. The things that come to us in our final moments. That which moves in the dark beyond our perception and beyond our comprehension; all of it made this nonstop page turner a thrilling read.
June 24, 2017
An earthquake shatters a building under its attendance leaving Matthew stuck under the rumble. Death is pinching... what light will Matthew see first.
Survival Horror is lying on a thin piece of glass the hope to be rescued is sometimes just shatter memories.
Great Read!
Survival Horror is lying on a thin piece of glass the hope to be rescued is sometimes just shatter memories.
Great Read!
December 3, 2016
Starting from a survival horror premise, which it does very well, this excellent novella slowly morphs into a pleasing piece of cosmic horror. As with Philip's previous novella, "Altar", the story is driven by strong characterisation. The portrayal of Matthew as his world descends into disaster, and the wanderings of his fractured mind as death seems near, is sympathetic and believable. A fast-paced and entertaining read that packs a neat punch in the final act- recommended!
March 31, 2023
Both these stories are excellent. Both also included in PF's collection BENEATH A PALE SKY, which I highly recommend checking out.
August 12, 2023
So as a disaster movie, this was great. The "cosmic horror" element was so stupid it close to ruined it
July 1, 2024
Really like it. It can be read in one sitting.
December 14, 2024
3.5- good, sad, simple, short. Lots of unanswered questions but you can assume the answers and that's par for the course when a book is only 100 pages.
February 13, 2017
Haunting...after an earthquake the protagonist must endure the reality of his situation. A mix of hallucinations and the true situation Fracassi tells a suspenseful ominous tale. Very well written it will haunt your head long after the page is read.
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