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Oversight
A small collection of dark science fiction by Bram Stoker Award-winning author Michael Bailey. Includes "Darkroom" and "SAD Face" (novelettes), and "Fade to Black" (short story).DARKROOM: After living most of her life blindfolded, for fear of what she might see, Grace shifts though time in a series of strange experiments involving old-fashioned black-and-white photography in order to create a flipbook of her father aging in reverse. Near completion of her project, and no longer able to go through with it on her own, she brings along her likewise blindfolded and temporarily deafened sister, for fear of what they might also hear in their travels, and together they take snapshots, wandering their childhood home, hand-in-hand, albeit with added disabilities to protect them from that which doesn’t hide so well in the past. The undeveloped, they soon discover, what they’d forgotten of their troubled youth, is perhaps more frightening than what they later develop in the darkroom. SAD FACE: Yuliya dons a prosthetic face designed to help her cope with Social Anxiety Disorder, the essential oil infused mask not only disguising her expression, but the wet city stench as it soothes. Time, it can only stop when someone takes a photo, and that’s what they did, whoever made it; they took her picture and made her a mask to hide behind whenever social phobia bullied her. A dead-face: expressionless, eyes only visible through open sockets, mouth slightly parted; the way she imagined she’d look the day she died. And now, whenever someone sees her, or stares at her, wearing her Yuliya mask, they are looking at her past. Yet behind her SAD face, she sometimes finds confidence, until she takes it off to uncover the woman hiding beneath.FADE TO BLACK: A bonus short story that explores optophobia, the fear of opening one’s eyes.
- GenresHorrorShort Stories
134 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 9, 2018
89 people want to read
About the author
Michael Bailey
128 books68 followersMichael Bailey is a recipient and ten-time nominee of the Bram Stoker Award, a five-time Shirley Jackson Award nominee, and a three-time recipient of the Benjamin Franklin Award, along with several independent publishing accolades. He has written, edited, and published many books of various genres. His latest is Righting Writing, a nonfiction narrative used as curriculum for aspiring writers, and Silent Nightmares: Haunting Stories to Be Told on the Longest Night of the Year, an anthology co-edited with Chuck Palahniuk to be published by Simon & Schuster in fall of 2026. He is also the screenwriter for Madness and Writers, a creative documentary series about writers, and a producer for numerous film projects. Find him online at nettirw.com, or on social media @nettirw. He is represented by Lane Heymont of the Tobias Literary Agency.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 25, 2018
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The book I received is a hardcover, signed by the author and numbered 28/60. This edition also includes the story SAD Face. This small collection is titled Oversight, but it isn't listed on Goodreads yet, so I'm reviewing each story separately.
SAD face is a story about mental illness told in a future society where people who suffer from social anxiety can wear masks or "prosthetic faces" with skins on them that resemble them perfectly. Yuliya starts to wear her mask everywhere, but the world isn't quite comfortable with the masks, and Yuliya ends up suffering consequences because of it. Eventually she is forced to face who she is without the mask.
SAD face is a story about mental illness told in a future society where people who suffer from social anxiety can wear masks or "prosthetic faces" with skins on them that resemble them perfectly. Yuliya starts to wear her mask everywhere, but the world isn't quite comfortable with the masks, and Yuliya ends up suffering consequences because of it. Eventually she is forced to face who she is without the mask.
November 25, 2018
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The book I received is a hardcover, signed by the author and numbered 28/60. This edition also includes the story SAD Face. This small collection is titled Oversight, but it isn't listed on Goodreads yet, so I'm reviewing each story separately.
Right from the first sentence I was immediately drawn into this story. As it progressed I was utterly engrossed. This is a bizarre little story with a rather disturbing ending. I hesitate to really say anything about it, because the way the story unfolds is absolutely brilliant. I'll just say that it involves septuagenarian sisters who are looking for answers about their childhoods. The way the sisters go about finding those answers is unique, and the story builds a sense of dread right up to the end.
Read this one.
Right from the first sentence I was immediately drawn into this story. As it progressed I was utterly engrossed. This is a bizarre little story with a rather disturbing ending. I hesitate to really say anything about it, because the way the story unfolds is absolutely brilliant. I'll just say that it involves septuagenarian sisters who are looking for answers about their childhoods. The way the sisters go about finding those answers is unique, and the story builds a sense of dread right up to the end.
Read this one.
December 31, 2018
This is the first story included in the limited edition I’m reading titled “Oversight”. Review to come soon - must read the next story first.
From my review on Sci Fi and Scary_
Michael Bailey DOES the thing in this short novella. Temporarily self-blinding herself with gauze and blindfolds, Grace is determined to revisit the past and photograph her late father and her surroundings in order to document a very troubled time in her life. No conventional travel occurs here, and I hesitate to give any more detail than I already have. Let’s just say this story borders on sci-fi horror for me.
Next, the writing is superb. As I read, it felt like the house being described was my own – the parents’ bedroom, the stairwell, the restroom, the girls’ room, the living room…ALL OF IT. This resulted in me giving my surroundings the side-eye that evening. I truly enjoy how Bailey uses description and masterful storytelling; he has a way of showing what is happening in enough detail to suck the reader in, but he holds back JUST enough to allow us to make the story our own in a way. I adore that in a novella. Heck, I adore that in any length of writing.
From my review on Sci Fi and Scary_
Michael Bailey DOES the thing in this short novella. Temporarily self-blinding herself with gauze and blindfolds, Grace is determined to revisit the past and photograph her late father and her surroundings in order to document a very troubled time in her life. No conventional travel occurs here, and I hesitate to give any more detail than I already have. Let’s just say this story borders on sci-fi horror for me.
Next, the writing is superb. As I read, it felt like the house being described was my own – the parents’ bedroom, the stairwell, the restroom, the girls’ room, the living room…ALL OF IT. This resulted in me giving my surroundings the side-eye that evening. I truly enjoy how Bailey uses description and masterful storytelling; he has a way of showing what is happening in enough detail to suck the reader in, but he holds back JUST enough to allow us to make the story our own in a way. I adore that in a novella. Heck, I adore that in any length of writing.
April 3, 2019
"And each time she revisited, the past became darker."
I read Darkroom as part of a collection of novellas by Michael Bailey. Darkroom was my introduction to his work, and it caught my attention from the beginning. This story gets darker as it goes on, and it deals with an intense topic. It's a heartbreaking read, and the horror aspect of the story made it creepier. I feel like this one had the potential to be scary, and I wish it would have tapped into that side a little more. It got a little confusing toward the end with who was doing what, but it was still good. I liked this one.
I read Darkroom as part of a collection of novellas by Michael Bailey. Darkroom was my introduction to his work, and it caught my attention from the beginning. This story gets darker as it goes on, and it deals with an intense topic. It's a heartbreaking read, and the horror aspect of the story made it creepier. I feel like this one had the potential to be scary, and I wish it would have tapped into that side a little more. It got a little confusing toward the end with who was doing what, but it was still good. I liked this one.
July 30, 2018
Review coming soon for this amazing, heartbreaking story.
March 29, 2021
I don’t know that I’ve read more lovely prose from a modern author. Perfect words on every page. A very enjoyable read.
While the endings of the stories had so much resolution that they left me wanting a bit more (sadness, uncertainty?), I loved the journey of getting there. Truly unique premises for both SAD face and Darkroom.
Bailey is one to watch.
While the endings of the stories had so much resolution that they left me wanting a bit more (sadness, uncertainty?), I loved the journey of getting there. Truly unique premises for both SAD face and Darkroom.
Bailey is one to watch.
May 24, 2021
Never read anything quite like these stories. They are unique in the way that they will probably affect each reader differently. Of course every story does that to some extent but for me I needed to reread each one after finishing it. Really enjoyed the second read through, rather like an “ahh ha” moment.
September 2, 2025
These were all beautiful in painful and strange ways. Having never read any of the authors work before, these three shorts cemented a place on my shelf and the hope for more in the near future.
July 30, 2018
Another fantastic story from Bailey. Review coming soon.
February 7, 2020
A collection of three short stories, "Oversight" is a dark, moving, and at times baffling read that will please most any fans of the strange, dark and haunting. The premise of each tale is strikingly creative and immediately gripping, and it is these novel scenarios combined with strong, attention-grabbing beginnings that represent the strength the book.
In the first story, "Darkroom," two elderly sisters conduct a strange camera experiment as they attempt to reconstruct their childhood, piecing together snapshots of memories that have been strangely transformed by trauma and time. The middle tale, "Sad Face" follows Yuliya, a young woman attempting an unsettling, dystopian treatment for the problem of severe social anxiety. And, finally, in "Fade To Black," a young woman resolves to face up to a phobia born of a summer camp prank gone terribly wrong.
I was pleased to find that each of the stories in "Oversight" featured female protagonists, women who were not stereotypical, each with great potential to resonate with readers. But, despite the initial promise of their characters and the intrigue of their various environments and circumstances, they remained somewhat hollow, completely outshone by the worlds and atmospheres of the tales they populated. The strongest characterization of the collection is found in the second story, "Sad Face." However, for the greater roundness of character found in Yuliya, the reader will likely find her story stiff and confusing.
Still, it bears repeating: the tales found in "Oversight" are something special, and this uneasy, memorable, and imaginative collection of stories is more than worth a read or three.
In the first story, "Darkroom," two elderly sisters conduct a strange camera experiment as they attempt to reconstruct their childhood, piecing together snapshots of memories that have been strangely transformed by trauma and time. The middle tale, "Sad Face" follows Yuliya, a young woman attempting an unsettling, dystopian treatment for the problem of severe social anxiety. And, finally, in "Fade To Black," a young woman resolves to face up to a phobia born of a summer camp prank gone terribly wrong.
I was pleased to find that each of the stories in "Oversight" featured female protagonists, women who were not stereotypical, each with great potential to resonate with readers. But, despite the initial promise of their characters and the intrigue of their various environments and circumstances, they remained somewhat hollow, completely outshone by the worlds and atmospheres of the tales they populated. The strongest characterization of the collection is found in the second story, "Sad Face." However, for the greater roundness of character found in Yuliya, the reader will likely find her story stiff and confusing.
Still, it bears repeating: the tales found in "Oversight" are something special, and this uneasy, memorable, and imaginative collection of stories is more than worth a read or three.
June 4, 2020
The title story started out slow for me. Time traveling senior citizens? Taking hundreds of pictures of their past? Huh? I kept reading and it slowly began to dawn on me that this was a story of human horror. The kind that survivors bury deep in their psyches. I began to read faster to find out what happened in the past to keep the two women blind and deaf for so long. I’ll need to go back and reread it again!
“SAD Face” was another kick in the teeth. I’d prefer an emotional support animal for social anxiety. To each his own. Yuliya reminded me of Eleanor Vance from “The Haunting of Hill House.”
The bonus story, “Fade to Black,” was a gut punch. How a traumatic experience can terrorize a survivor like an underwater monster menacing the heroine of a Universal movie. And what it takes to deal with your deepest fears.
I received this book as part of my “Night Worms” subscription. Thank you Mother Horror!
“SAD Face” was another kick in the teeth. I’d prefer an emotional support animal for social anxiety. To each his own. Yuliya reminded me of Eleanor Vance from “The Haunting of Hill House.”
The bonus story, “Fade to Black,” was a gut punch. How a traumatic experience can terrorize a survivor like an underwater monster menacing the heroine of a Universal movie. And what it takes to deal with your deepest fears.
I received this book as part of my “Night Worms” subscription. Thank you Mother Horror!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2020
To see or not to see
Two novellas and a short story that each deal with sight and truth in different ways.
In the first, two elderly sisters travel back in time to their childhood.
In the second, a woman with social anxiety hides behind a mask.
In the third, a woman is haunted after nearly drowning as a child.
Beautifully written, the emotions of the characters are deeply moving and profound. There is a lot to think about in these tales. I will be looking out for more of this authors work for sure.
Two novellas and a short story that each deal with sight and truth in different ways.
In the first, two elderly sisters travel back in time to their childhood.
In the second, a woman with social anxiety hides behind a mask.
In the third, a woman is haunted after nearly drowning as a child.
Beautifully written, the emotions of the characters are deeply moving and profound. There is a lot to think about in these tales. I will be looking out for more of this authors work for sure.
July 12, 2022
Darkroom is brilliant blindfolded horror that unfolds a past of childhood dramas. The traverse throughout the house with the sisters and their progress to create a photo album of their late father sleeping in a chronological reverse is creepy to the end. I could see this story as a A24 movie production.
SadFace is a futuristic mental illness story that follows one woman’s path to hide her true self to only face the sadness in the end. This novella I did not care for so much, but the consequences that unravel gives the story its interesting ending.
Signed Bookplate Edition # 36/60
SadFace is a futuristic mental illness story that follows one woman’s path to hide her true self to only face the sadness in the end. This novella I did not care for so much, but the consequences that unravel gives the story its interesting ending.
Signed Bookplate Edition # 36/60
November 1, 2022
These were all solid stories. I didn't find that any one stood out from the others, but I guess if I had to pick a favorite, it would be Darkroom. It was really...dark. And also sad, but with a distinct vibe of vindication.
There are some heavy topics here - so be warned. I'll pop those under a spoiler tag:
There are some heavy topics here - so be warned. I'll pop those under a spoiler tag:
April 5, 2020
4.50 stars
December 31, 2018
Full review to come for www.scifiandscary.com soon. Need to process this one a little more - darn good, but my mind is all twisted up
From Sci Fi and Scary review:
First, this story left me with a “what in the heck did I just read” feeling. It is such a head trip. Honestly. In fact, upon finishing, I immediately ran to other bookish friends to talk it out. I am okay with not knowing if interpreted the story correctly; I think it is supposed to leave the reader feeling disjointed and unsure of reality, perhaps because this is how Yuliya lived her life, in a state of perpetual fear and uncertainty.
Sci-Fi Horror or No?
I classify this as sci-fi horror as well. Partly because of Yuliya’s SAD (social anxiety disorder) mask, and partly because of the twists that arrive later in the story. Wholly different than Darkroom, SAD Face still explores sight – how do we see ourselves, how do others see us, and how can we trust that what we do see really is the truth?
The fascinating part about this tale is Bailey’s ability to make the reader feel this same sense of confusion and anxiety. Finally, the only reason this isn’t rated as a 5 for me is that there are some areas I just wanted a tad more explanation and detail – especially when it came to the ending.
From Sci Fi and Scary review:
First, this story left me with a “what in the heck did I just read” feeling. It is such a head trip. Honestly. In fact, upon finishing, I immediately ran to other bookish friends to talk it out. I am okay with not knowing if interpreted the story correctly; I think it is supposed to leave the reader feeling disjointed and unsure of reality, perhaps because this is how Yuliya lived her life, in a state of perpetual fear and uncertainty.
Sci-Fi Horror or No?
I classify this as sci-fi horror as well. Partly because of Yuliya’s SAD (social anxiety disorder) mask, and partly because of the twists that arrive later in the story. Wholly different than Darkroom, SAD Face still explores sight – how do we see ourselves, how do others see us, and how can we trust that what we do see really is the truth?
The fascinating part about this tale is Bailey’s ability to make the reader feel this same sense of confusion and anxiety. Finally, the only reason this isn’t rated as a 5 for me is that there are some areas I just wanted a tad more explanation and detail – especially when it came to the ending.
April 3, 2019
I thought this story was about one thing, and it turned out to be about something else. I feel like this story went over my head a bit. It got kind of complicated, and I'm still not entirely sure what happened. That being said, it was still an interesting story, and it had my attention.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews