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The Problem With Humans: And Other Stories
In her first book, “Flash in the Dark: A Collection of Flash Fiction,” Allison Spooner offered stories that teetered between dark and light. Her second collection contains brief glimpses into the moments that make humans...well, human.
Spooner’s stories have been called “unique works of art,” “brilliant, disturbing, and thought-provoking,” and her last book a “truly fantastic collection of short stories.” In her second collection, she offers something for both lovers of humanity and those who are entirely fed up. From deadly mistakes and crass crimes to the sweet moments that once again give us faith in humanity, the stories in this collection will both break your heart and make you smile.
"From whimsical fantasy to the harsh realities of addiction, Ms. Spooner's stories have it all. Twists and turns and thought-provoking tales, you'll want to keep reading to see what's in store for you next." K. Lynn Smith, writer/creator of Plume and For Goodness' Sake
"The problem with humans…is that they suck. They’re also deliciously complex, as shown in the pages of this collection. This sampler platter of genre—science-fiction, horror, romance, fantasy—examines the human condition from within and without, eliciting every emotional response from delight to devastation. Allison Spooner accomplishes what writers crave and what readers seek—plot twists and clever turns of phrase; subtle parallels at both sentence and story level. And she makes it look easy." Leah McNaughton Lederman, author, editor: Cafe Macabre: A Collection of Horror Short Stories and Art by Women
Spooner’s stories have been called “unique works of art,” “brilliant, disturbing, and thought-provoking,” and her last book a “truly fantastic collection of short stories.” In her second collection, she offers something for both lovers of humanity and those who are entirely fed up. From deadly mistakes and crass crimes to the sweet moments that once again give us faith in humanity, the stories in this collection will both break your heart and make you smile.
"From whimsical fantasy to the harsh realities of addiction, Ms. Spooner's stories have it all. Twists and turns and thought-provoking tales, you'll want to keep reading to see what's in store for you next." K. Lynn Smith, writer/creator of Plume and For Goodness' Sake
"The problem with humans…is that they suck. They’re also deliciously complex, as shown in the pages of this collection. This sampler platter of genre—science-fiction, horror, romance, fantasy—examines the human condition from within and without, eliciting every emotional response from delight to devastation. Allison Spooner accomplishes what writers crave and what readers seek—plot twists and clever turns of phrase; subtle parallels at both sentence and story level. And she makes it look easy." Leah McNaughton Lederman, author, editor: Cafe Macabre: A Collection of Horror Short Stories and Art by Women
87 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 16, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 3, 2021
A collection of two-to-five page microstories. A young woman attends a strange funeral. An in-home caregiver is pressed by her boyfriend to rob their elderly employer. A sick farmer puts a dying dragon out of its misery.
The prose is sometimes awkward but some of these stories are really good. The Halfway House moved me. And the trilogy capped off by The Problem With Humans interlocks gracefully and serves as a cool supernatural allegory for some dark turns America has taken recently. I'd like to read more flash stories in that chain.
The prose is sometimes awkward but some of these stories are really good. The Halfway House moved me. And the trilogy capped off by The Problem With Humans interlocks gracefully and serves as a cool supernatural allegory for some dark turns America has taken recently. I'd like to read more flash stories in that chain.
January 17, 2020
An intriguing collection!
The Problem with Humans is a collection of snapshots in story form. Widely ranging in topic from the complexities of life, to the mysteries of death, to the intrigue of fantasy, each story strikes a different chord on the heart strings.
The Problem with Humans is a collection of snapshots in story form. Widely ranging in topic from the complexities of life, to the mysteries of death, to the intrigue of fantasy, each story strikes a different chord on the heart strings.
December 8, 2021
An interesting collection of flash fiction. A bit dark, with death often part of the story. That said many of them leave the possibility of hope. Check it out. They're short short stories that can be read on the run.
September 28, 2019
I deeply respect Allison Spooner's work and writing style. Deeply captivating, emotional pieces - some sweet, some thrilling, some somber - but each one worth reading again and again.
Writing and styles such as hers push me to continue to develop my own... the highest compliment I think one writer can pay another. Well done, and keep up the fantastic work.
Writing and styles such as hers push me to continue to develop my own... the highest compliment I think one writer can pay another. Well done, and keep up the fantastic work.
October 26, 2019
I really liked most of the stories in this book! There were a few that I thought were just so-so. I liked that the last 3 stories went together.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews