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Mind in the Gap
14 inter-connected stories of consciousness, synchronicity and tecnhology that will bend your mind!
The body likes continuity. It’s part of the deal. But the truth is, there are gaps everywhere. Gaps only the mind can slip through…
Across the multiverse, strangers with purple eyes are appearing on transportation routes. Bringing chaos into the paths of commuters, they navigate reality eclipses, mind-detaching psychedelics, security bots with a hunger for brainwaves, and digital synchronicity maps – all with one purpose in mind.
A multi-dimensional short story collection from the author of Fragments of Perception. Complex, dizzying, and remarkably original, Mind in the Gap will leave you pondering both our future with technology and the very nature of reality.If you loved the marvellous minds of Philip K Dick, William Gibson, Aldous Huxley and Robert Anton Wilson, then without a doubt, this is a book for you.
Readers are
“Mind-bogglingly brilliant. A unique melding of quantum physics, metaphysics, philosophy, psychology, emotion and wit all in one volume.”
“Funny, terrifying and heart-breaking.”
“The closest thing to a psychedelic epiphany without a mind-altering substance.”
“Surreal, short sharp shocks that transport you to possible futures. I’ll never think about consciousness – or reality – in quite the same way again.”
The body likes continuity. It’s part of the deal. But the truth is, there are gaps everywhere. Gaps only the mind can slip through…
Across the multiverse, strangers with purple eyes are appearing on transportation routes. Bringing chaos into the paths of commuters, they navigate reality eclipses, mind-detaching psychedelics, security bots with a hunger for brainwaves, and digital synchronicity maps – all with one purpose in mind.
A multi-dimensional short story collection from the author of Fragments of Perception. Complex, dizzying, and remarkably original, Mind in the Gap will leave you pondering both our future with technology and the very nature of reality.If you loved the marvellous minds of Philip K Dick, William Gibson, Aldous Huxley and Robert Anton Wilson, then without a doubt, this is a book for you.
Readers are
“Mind-bogglingly brilliant. A unique melding of quantum physics, metaphysics, philosophy, psychology, emotion and wit all in one volume.”
“Funny, terrifying and heart-breaking.”
“The closest thing to a psychedelic epiphany without a mind-altering substance.”
“Surreal, short sharp shocks that transport you to possible futures. I’ll never think about consciousness – or reality – in quite the same way again.”
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 23, 2018
3 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
C.R. Dudley
4 books40 followersC.R Dudley is a visual artist, writer and self-proclaimed mind explorer. She is fascinated by the human condition in all of its guises, and has been heavily influenced by Jungian psychology, existentialism and eastern mysticism.
Often writing from unusual perspectives, she weaves together esoteric philosophies with modern scientific and technological developments to give a many-layered approach to storytelling.
Her first novel is planned for release in 2019, but she also continues to write short fiction daily to give voice to smaller creative echoes. She sees everything she creates as fragments of one continuous artwork.
C.R. Dudley lives in York, UK, and is a lover of forest walks, pizza, tequila and dark music.
Often writing from unusual perspectives, she weaves together esoteric philosophies with modern scientific and technological developments to give a many-layered approach to storytelling.
Her first novel is planned for release in 2019, but she also continues to write short fiction daily to give voice to smaller creative echoes. She sees everything she creates as fragments of one continuous artwork.
C.R. Dudley lives in York, UK, and is a lover of forest walks, pizza, tequila and dark music.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 4, 2019
This book rocked my world. Given the breadth of style and subject matter, I am shocked that each of the stories collected came from the same author. This took me back to reading anthologies of year's best science fiction featuring greats like Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov, and Poul Anderson.
Science based scifi, speculative fiction, quantum tunnels, entanglement, and heart. The stories work individually, and thematically as they link and dovetail into a bigger picture of the universe. Truly a wonderful read.
Science based scifi, speculative fiction, quantum tunnels, entanglement, and heart. The stories work individually, and thematically as they link and dovetail into a bigger picture of the universe. Truly a wonderful read.
February 17, 2019
A remarkably imaginative, original book. It's packed with concepts, philosophy, metaphysical musings, diverse (in every way) characters, and both tall and short tales. While this is an incredibly smart book worthy of deep dives and focused attention, it does not change the fact that this book is also pure FUN. Hopping around from story to story, each of which is its own world, was a unique experience. Dudley manages to effortlessly weave a thread through all these disparate sci-fi and science fantasy stories, keeping the reader on their toes, connecting the dots and placing the puzzle pieces together. What's also impressive about MIND IN THE GAP is that I could see it being for nearly everyone. If you're more into short stories than novels, you get a wide variety of stories and characters and worlds. If you're more into novels for their singular focus, this book is pieced together expertly, creating a similar cohesiveness to a novel. If you like fun sci-fi in the vein of AMAZING STORIES, you'll get that. If you like philosophical fantasy, you'll get that. If you like more personal, yet still philosophical/metaphysical stories, the likes of PK Dick, you'll get that. Then there's the playfulness reminiscent of Neil Gaiman and the DOCTOR WHO series, and you'll get a whopping helping of that, as well. A little something for everyone and an extremely enjoyable read. I'll be sure to read more by C.R. Dudley.
July 13, 2019
Mind in the Gap is a series of short stories that take the reader into realms of wonder. They aren't necessarily related, but they are connected by the characters' existential, metaphysical journeys. Dudley's writing took my imagination for a ride, on subway trains, trains of thought, and even a space capsule. In this collection, there are love stories. Despite all the questionable events occuring around them, the characters have feelings that are quite real, and human.
There are scenes throughout the collection that were palpably visual, and had me feeling as though I was in an altered state while reading. Mind in the Gap sheds light on the idea that the mind is indeed complex, and so is our perception. There is so much more to humanity and the universe that can be explored outside the humdrum of daily life. Mind in the Gap invites the reader to consider this. It is tought provoking, and artfully written.
There are scenes throughout the collection that were palpably visual, and had me feeling as though I was in an altered state while reading. Mind in the Gap sheds light on the idea that the mind is indeed complex, and so is our perception. There is so much more to humanity and the universe that can be explored outside the humdrum of daily life. Mind in the Gap invites the reader to consider this. It is tought provoking, and artfully written.
December 14, 2018
Having seen many promising writers come and go, I believe CR Dudley is one of those major artists we get the great fortune to glimpse just as their star is on the rise. I congratulate the author on writing a very impressive second volume. She’s really topped her game. I’m proud to have followed her career and expect great things.
Her narrative possesses a personal intimacy I find lacking in most modern storytelling. The characters are compelling, their stories comforting in often strange ways, like mom’s home cooking but, (and I add, tongue in cheek) with a garnish of cannabis. There is a matter-of-fact way of stating things that normally fall outside our common experience, but effortlessly inserts you into the new dimensions she describes. Brave New World-style scientific technological descriptions evoke intrigue throughout the book. Characters depicted taking commuter train rides bring to mind the opening scene in Aldous Huxley’s Chrome Yellow. Combine this with the spontaneity of a Will Self novel and you have the whole package that is Mind In the Gap.
You will find some truly amazing storytelling! It is a book that is more than the sum of its parts—layers reveal themselves after a second and perhaps third reading as the author sends us on an exhilarating ride through the world of the Gaps—as Ms. Dudley describes them—offering a refreshing glimpse at the Many Worlds Theory made popular by Bryce DeWitt in the 60s and 70s and still implemented in much of science fiction today, taking us on a remarkably realistic, and surrealistic, adventure.
I highly recommend this book.
SPOILER ALERT: After reading the last piece: ! ... Ready? I started back at the beginning and experienced the closest thing to a psychedelic epiphany I can imagine without the help of a mind altering substance. It immediately became clear what this book is about. The settings, the diverse stories all became connected in a sinuous thread of consciousness that weaves itself from beginning to end.
Her narrative possesses a personal intimacy I find lacking in most modern storytelling. The characters are compelling, their stories comforting in often strange ways, like mom’s home cooking but, (and I add, tongue in cheek) with a garnish of cannabis. There is a matter-of-fact way of stating things that normally fall outside our common experience, but effortlessly inserts you into the new dimensions she describes. Brave New World-style scientific technological descriptions evoke intrigue throughout the book. Characters depicted taking commuter train rides bring to mind the opening scene in Aldous Huxley’s Chrome Yellow. Combine this with the spontaneity of a Will Self novel and you have the whole package that is Mind In the Gap.
You will find some truly amazing storytelling! It is a book that is more than the sum of its parts—layers reveal themselves after a second and perhaps third reading as the author sends us on an exhilarating ride through the world of the Gaps—as Ms. Dudley describes them—offering a refreshing glimpse at the Many Worlds Theory made popular by Bryce DeWitt in the 60s and 70s and still implemented in much of science fiction today, taking us on a remarkably realistic, and surrealistic, adventure.
I highly recommend this book.
SPOILER ALERT: After reading the last piece: ! ... Ready? I started back at the beginning and experienced the closest thing to a psychedelic epiphany I can imagine without the help of a mind altering substance. It immediately became clear what this book is about. The settings, the diverse stories all became connected in a sinuous thread of consciousness that weaves itself from beginning to end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2020
Through Mind in the Gap author C.R. Dudley offers to take you on a mind-altering journey across the expanse of time, space and consciousness. Across thirteen self-contained short stories, with thirteen short intermission pieces between them, we are offered a fragmentary glimpse of many possible worlds and realities. In one sense this is a collection of sci-fi and speculative short fiction; we are presented with robots, bioengineering, glimpses of possible futures, dystopian landscapes and climate collapse. Yet these stories share a deep interconnection. This isn't an arbitrary collection of the authors writings - it is a singular piece of work, whole and self-contained.First, a caveat. I hugely enjoyed reading Mind in the Gap, not just once, but repeatedly (I'll discuss why further down). 'But then again,' some of my friends might say, 'you would!' By which, they would mean that I'm fascinated by philosophy, religion alongside various other esoteric subjects and Mind in the Gap falls precisely within the scope of those interests. This is a book for those who enjoy having their brains teased. It is not a book to read if you're after a straightforward, superficial adventure. That's not a criticism, either of Mind in the Gap nor of straightforward adventure books. However, if the idea of something like The Matrix with all of the mind-bending but none of the guns, kung-fu or tight leather pants strikes you as horrifying, this might not be for you.
There is no getting away from the fact that this is a conceptual book. Given that the stories range between two and five thousand words (nb - my estimate only) there is necessarily limited scope for characterization. Nevertheless Dudley introduces each set of characters with skill befitting the brevity of the short-story art form. We get a feel for ZXXX84 (Yes, that is their name) or Uncle Billy quickly and effectively. Despite the disparate world and feel of each story, as a reader I never felt particularly lost. And you will discover new worlds. There are spectacular imaginative leaps throughout the book. Dudley is a meticulous builder of worlds, both the familiar and the innovative. There are wonderful connections found between the leftfield and the mundane. Familiar features of everyday life, such as trains and subways, are collided with the unusual and unexpected to terrific effect.
I took particular pleasure in the books depiction of northern England. As a northerner myself, albeit of a Red Rose pursuasion, I found the descriptions of railway stations, car parks and towns to bear a comforting familiarity. Whilst this is obviously of limited relevance to most readers, given the global nature of todays world, they can be confident that Dudley is getting this stuff right. The picture is painted well.
The thematic choices of the collection are rich and varied. It's tempting to pick out consciousness as the overarching thread of Mind in the Gap, but that somehow seems too simplistic. In another way it could be argued that the key theme is precisely the lack or negation of consciousness. Across the many stories told Dudley touches upon souls, reincarnation (or should that be rebirth?), the emergence and annihilation of the ego, reality, illusion and deception. If you need a moment where everything comes together, you're likely to be disappointed. There is no big reveal, or twist as you might find in a mystery novel. Instead, the stories in Mind in the Gap are there to be savoured and rolled around the mind like a rich red wine. The truths they contain sit at the periphery of consciousness, becoming richer as they are left shimmering just out of focus, becoming more elusive if they are grasped more deliberately.
Which brings me back to why I enjoyed reading the book more than once. In order to see the parts clearly, one must see the whole. Who is Zane? Carla Jenkins or Uncle Billy? What is with the purple eyes? The bright dome? The inky, black spheres? A second or third reading will give a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of the stories and characters within them. All I will say beyond this is if the stories grip you, it's likely you will find yourself flipping back and forth between them before long. There are many layers to the book and lots of well placed 'Easter eggs'. Are they all intentional? I don't know - I found some lovely alignments between train times and passages from Revelation, but then this didn't work all of the time. Does that matter? I don't think so. It seems entirely fitting with the spirit of the book that we see a part of ourselves reflected back at us in the words and images presented.
In conclusion, when would I recommend Mind in the Gap? Well that depends. Is philosophical fiction your thing? Do you enjoy Kurt Vonnegut or Philip K. Dick? Then I would absolutely, one hundred percent recommend. However, the short story format means it may also be an excellent choice for someone looking to move beyond a linear plotted narrative - maybe you're after something speculative that will challenge you and make you think? Maybe you just want something different to the norm, something that isn't afraid to take on not one, but a whole cluster of big ideas all at once? There's just one thing I'd ask, however - if you do pick it up, let me know what you think is going on with those purple eyes...
There is no getting away from the fact that this is a conceptual book. Given that the stories range between two and five thousand words (nb - my estimate only) there is necessarily limited scope for characterization. Nevertheless Dudley introduces each set of characters with skill befitting the brevity of the short-story art form. We get a feel for ZXXX84 (Yes, that is their name) or Uncle Billy quickly and effectively. Despite the disparate world and feel of each story, as a reader I never felt particularly lost. And you will discover new worlds. There are spectacular imaginative leaps throughout the book. Dudley is a meticulous builder of worlds, both the familiar and the innovative. There are wonderful connections found between the leftfield and the mundane. Familiar features of everyday life, such as trains and subways, are collided with the unusual and unexpected to terrific effect.
I took particular pleasure in the books depiction of northern England. As a northerner myself, albeit of a Red Rose pursuasion, I found the descriptions of railway stations, car parks and towns to bear a comforting familiarity. Whilst this is obviously of limited relevance to most readers, given the global nature of todays world, they can be confident that Dudley is getting this stuff right. The picture is painted well.
The thematic choices of the collection are rich and varied. It's tempting to pick out consciousness as the overarching thread of Mind in the Gap, but that somehow seems too simplistic. In another way it could be argued that the key theme is precisely the lack or negation of consciousness. Across the many stories told Dudley touches upon souls, reincarnation (or should that be rebirth?), the emergence and annihilation of the ego, reality, illusion and deception. If you need a moment where everything comes together, you're likely to be disappointed. There is no big reveal, or twist as you might find in a mystery novel. Instead, the stories in Mind in the Gap are there to be savoured and rolled around the mind like a rich red wine. The truths they contain sit at the periphery of consciousness, becoming richer as they are left shimmering just out of focus, becoming more elusive if they are grasped more deliberately.
Which brings me back to why I enjoyed reading the book more than once. In order to see the parts clearly, one must see the whole. Who is Zane? Carla Jenkins or Uncle Billy? What is with the purple eyes? The bright dome? The inky, black spheres? A second or third reading will give a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of the stories and characters within them. All I will say beyond this is if the stories grip you, it's likely you will find yourself flipping back and forth between them before long. There are many layers to the book and lots of well placed 'Easter eggs'. Are they all intentional? I don't know - I found some lovely alignments between train times and passages from Revelation, but then this didn't work all of the time. Does that matter? I don't think so. It seems entirely fitting with the spirit of the book that we see a part of ourselves reflected back at us in the words and images presented.
In conclusion, when would I recommend Mind in the Gap? Well that depends. Is philosophical fiction your thing? Do you enjoy Kurt Vonnegut or Philip K. Dick? Then I would absolutely, one hundred percent recommend. However, the short story format means it may also be an excellent choice for someone looking to move beyond a linear plotted narrative - maybe you're after something speculative that will challenge you and make you think? Maybe you just want something different to the norm, something that isn't afraid to take on not one, but a whole cluster of big ideas all at once? There's just one thing I'd ask, however - if you do pick it up, let me know what you think is going on with those purple eyes...
September 24, 2018
I had the privilege of beta-reading Mind in the Gap, prior to release, and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. It is a non-linear, interconnected short story collection, with a beautiful narrative centred on the concept of travel, both physically and mentally.
The science fiction is strong throughout, and some of the ideas blew me away. There’s a reality-eclipse in ‘Baily’s Beads,’ for example. What? It’s not just the sci-fi which C.R excels at in this novel, but her use of Jungian theory, too. It helps if you have an understanding of Carl Jung’s work, for sure, but the stories are incredibly accessible. Some are heart-warming, some are terrifying; one felt as if I were reading a long-lost Hayao Miyazaki story.
C.R. is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors, and I cannot wait for her next release. If you enjoy contemporary science fiction and metaphysics, you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you did not pick it up.
The science fiction is strong throughout, and some of the ideas blew me away. There’s a reality-eclipse in ‘Baily’s Beads,’ for example. What? It’s not just the sci-fi which C.R excels at in this novel, but her use of Jungian theory, too. It helps if you have an understanding of Carl Jung’s work, for sure, but the stories are incredibly accessible. Some are heart-warming, some are terrifying; one felt as if I were reading a long-lost Hayao Miyazaki story.
C.R. is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors, and I cannot wait for her next release. If you enjoy contemporary science fiction and metaphysics, you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you did not pick it up.
April 25, 2019
Interesting read
A series of stories with an interwoven theme that sometimes reminds me of a darker Douglas Adams. Otherwise the author's voice is unique. I enjoyed this book.
A series of stories with an interwoven theme that sometimes reminds me of a darker Douglas Adams. Otherwise the author's voice is unique. I enjoyed this book.
March 9, 2019
I had so much fun reading this collection. I love the subtle connections between the stories. The characters are all well written, and the plots are so unique you will never guess what the next story will be like. I can tell C. R. Dudley did a lot of research and put a lot of thought into the intricate plots... but the stories read easily, the characters are casual and relatable. Anyone who likes sci-fi should definitely give this one a chance.
March 28, 2019
Reminiscent of Black Mirror style thrilling scifi, excellent writing and intriguing related stories make this a must read for anyone fascinated by the mind. The author uses vivid scenes and various metphors to challenge the reader to see the bigger picture.
The end was satisfying, and yet I'm still piecing together all the connections giving this book the rare quality for me of being easily re-readable. In that sense, the author leaves you wanting more, and I'll be on the lookout for it.
The end was satisfying, and yet I'm still piecing together all the connections giving this book the rare quality for me of being easily re-readable. In that sense, the author leaves you wanting more, and I'll be on the lookout for it.
January 3, 2019
Mind-bending, truly original science fiction. This is not a book to skim if you want to absorb all the subtle textures of the interlaced stories and commentary on humanity’s future. Take your time enjoying and thinking about Mind in the Gap. Highly recommend.
October 7, 2022
Good collection of short stories. Well written, linked non-linear tales. Fully enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews