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Whispers in the Ear of a Dreaming Ape
The debut short story collection from Joshua Chaplinsky, author of Kanye West-Reanimator. Thirteen weird pieces of literary genre fiction. Singularities, ciphers, and reappearing limbs. Alien messiahs and murderous medieval hydrocephalics. A dark collection that twists dreams into nightmares in an attempt to find a whisper of truth.
- GenresHorrorShort Stories
174 pages, Paperback
First published October 12, 2019
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264 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 21, 2022
Collection of bizarre short stories. Here's my mini review of each one:
Letters to the Purple Satin Killer
What kind of jail mail might a hunky serial killer get? Well, this story will give you some imaginative ideas. Told through letters, from the killer’s mom to variously enamored females. It’s a little creepy, a lot funny, and a jolly good time of explicit and implied melodrama. Also more realistic than it ought to be!
Twice Amputated Foot
Infused with whimsical elements, but somehow leaves you feeling enriched. Essentially the story of a not-so-unique father who has a very miraculous experience and how it doesn’t really change the family structure that much. Another great blend of genres, including on-point humor and a splash of fairytale. Short, but effective.
The Black Hole
An alcoholic watches his daughter’s life flash by in the span of seemingly one sitting at an intergalactic bar where time inside slows down and time “outside” speeds up. Another home run short story that utilizes magic/physics to deliver a very real theme. Gets a little out there toward the end, but that doesn’t distract from the poignancy. Three amazing short stories in a row? Impressive! This far in, and it’s already worth the price of admission.
Homunculoid
A futuristic society reviews a “retro” video game that’s like a cross between The Sims and Grand Theft Auto. Your character’s genetic lottery decides what kind of obstacles will be faced in the game. Using nerdy gamer language, we start to piece together that this fictional video game sounds a lot like the world we live in today. There’s social commentary on religion, racial inequality, sexism, politics, and more. Another cleverly constructed short tale that has a lot to say behind an engaging metaphor. Love it!
Maison D’Oeufs
Begins with drama as a celebrity emerges from a limousine to a crowd of protesters. Something is amiss and controversial, that’s clear. The reveal isn’t quite specific enough though. What kind of procedure—specifically—is going on? The writing is superb, but I think it relies too much on subtext. Still good.
Mummer’s Parade
No idea what's going on with this one. Oh well. They can't all be winners!
The Hand of God
A trippy exorcism of opposites, where a man is possessed by God rather than the Devil, but faces similar terrors nonetheless. Features genuinely frightening tongue-in-cheek televangelists and gives a new meaning to being enraptured by the spirit. A bit mind-boggling, but a blast to read from beginning to end.
Supreme Mathematics: A Cipher
The raving philosophies of a lunatic? No idea, but on to the next story!
Whispers in the Ear of a Dreaming Ape
The title story has many twists and surprises. A compelling journey but a bit too random for me.
The Whole Infernal Machine
Much deception and slight of hand in this Orwellian world where Slaughterhouse Five is both required reading and an impossible-to-read banned book. In fact, most "analog books" are banned, or heavily redacted with blacked out sentences. Our boy protagonist can sometimes decipher redacted sentences through context, but his therapist warns "harboring Restricted Material in your mind is a much more serious offense than reading it on the page."
Things are shaken up when a new girl arrives. She's unfamiliar with the "rules" of this world and probably wouldn't abide by them even if she was. With her help, the boy is able to escape this Matrix of sorts, but what he finds on the other side is not so different.
A compelling short story that layers mystery and intrigue with each page. We learn about the world piece by piece and, by the end, are quite desperate to find out what exactly is going on. The ending leaves a number of questions unanswered, but is impressively able to tie up many loose ends. It's a thinker and highlight of the collection.
Aft Lavatory Occupied
We've been in the Twilight Zone for much of these stories, but it doesn't get more Rod Serling than this mystery in the skies. It's not just an airplane ride from hell, it's an airplane ride in the multiverse. Each segment replays a familiar scene--with some subtle differences and disturbing nuances. The man in seat 24A has no idea how he got on the plane, or where he's going, and we're eager to find out why.
Hinted answers present themselves, making this a good discussion piece, but if you're looking for a spelled out solution to the bizarre occurrences, you'll be out of luck. In some ways, the enduring mystery makes it better. Fabulously paced and written--another highlight.
The Gospel of X
Written as a religious text, complete with King James language, chapter, verse, and bold font when the "Prophet" speaks. Meant to be an alternate reality Jesus story, though it also takes on organized religion and revises the famed Solomon tale where the "wise" King tells two women arguing over a baby to slice it down the middle so they can both have a half. In this version, there are two men arguing over a boy. The Jesus stand-in proclaims that neither man shall have the child because he's claiming the boy for his own depravity.
Such echoes of familiar stories call out the horror and rape elements found in Biblical texts. By detaching us from the "sacredness" of Old and New Testament verses it's possible to recognize just how bizarre and terrifying scripture can be. Notably the gore, high body count, and frequency of fathers offering their pubescent daughters as sexual payment for various contracts. That it's often hard to tell when Chaplinsky is quoting the Bible directly or writing hyperbolized horror is exactly the point.
I can't count how many times I've heard the Cut-That-Baby-in-Half story preached as the most brilliant example of wisdom ever spoken. In reality, of course, it's quite grotesque. "The Gospel of X" effectively takes a step back and says Wait a minute, this is a guide for righteous living? Yikes! I've not read anything else that accomplishes such a mission so perfectly. A "must-read" for sure!
Nobody Rides for Free
Couldn't get into this one. Too many characters, I think, and a lot of shouting over one another. Difficult to follow. Oh well.
OVERALL...
An above-average collection of short stories. Yes, there's a few duds, but at least they're short! The stand-outs are generally exceptional. Recommended!
Letters to the Purple Satin Killer
What kind of jail mail might a hunky serial killer get? Well, this story will give you some imaginative ideas. Told through letters, from the killer’s mom to variously enamored females. It’s a little creepy, a lot funny, and a jolly good time of explicit and implied melodrama. Also more realistic than it ought to be!
Twice Amputated Foot
Infused with whimsical elements, but somehow leaves you feeling enriched. Essentially the story of a not-so-unique father who has a very miraculous experience and how it doesn’t really change the family structure that much. Another great blend of genres, including on-point humor and a splash of fairytale. Short, but effective.
The Black Hole
An alcoholic watches his daughter’s life flash by in the span of seemingly one sitting at an intergalactic bar where time inside slows down and time “outside” speeds up. Another home run short story that utilizes magic/physics to deliver a very real theme. Gets a little out there toward the end, but that doesn’t distract from the poignancy. Three amazing short stories in a row? Impressive! This far in, and it’s already worth the price of admission.
Homunculoid
A futuristic society reviews a “retro” video game that’s like a cross between The Sims and Grand Theft Auto. Your character’s genetic lottery decides what kind of obstacles will be faced in the game. Using nerdy gamer language, we start to piece together that this fictional video game sounds a lot like the world we live in today. There’s social commentary on religion, racial inequality, sexism, politics, and more. Another cleverly constructed short tale that has a lot to say behind an engaging metaphor. Love it!
Maison D’Oeufs
Begins with drama as a celebrity emerges from a limousine to a crowd of protesters. Something is amiss and controversial, that’s clear. The reveal isn’t quite specific enough though. What kind of procedure—specifically—is going on? The writing is superb, but I think it relies too much on subtext. Still good.
Mummer’s Parade
No idea what's going on with this one. Oh well. They can't all be winners!
The Hand of God
A trippy exorcism of opposites, where a man is possessed by God rather than the Devil, but faces similar terrors nonetheless. Features genuinely frightening tongue-in-cheek televangelists and gives a new meaning to being enraptured by the spirit. A bit mind-boggling, but a blast to read from beginning to end.
Supreme Mathematics: A Cipher
The raving philosophies of a lunatic? No idea, but on to the next story!
Whispers in the Ear of a Dreaming Ape
The title story has many twists and surprises. A compelling journey but a bit too random for me.
The Whole Infernal Machine
Much deception and slight of hand in this Orwellian world where Slaughterhouse Five is both required reading and an impossible-to-read banned book. In fact, most "analog books" are banned, or heavily redacted with blacked out sentences. Our boy protagonist can sometimes decipher redacted sentences through context, but his therapist warns "harboring Restricted Material in your mind is a much more serious offense than reading it on the page."
Things are shaken up when a new girl arrives. She's unfamiliar with the "rules" of this world and probably wouldn't abide by them even if she was. With her help, the boy is able to escape this Matrix of sorts, but what he finds on the other side is not so different.
A compelling short story that layers mystery and intrigue with each page. We learn about the world piece by piece and, by the end, are quite desperate to find out what exactly is going on. The ending leaves a number of questions unanswered, but is impressively able to tie up many loose ends. It's a thinker and highlight of the collection.
Aft Lavatory Occupied
We've been in the Twilight Zone for much of these stories, but it doesn't get more Rod Serling than this mystery in the skies. It's not just an airplane ride from hell, it's an airplane ride in the multiverse. Each segment replays a familiar scene--with some subtle differences and disturbing nuances. The man in seat 24A has no idea how he got on the plane, or where he's going, and we're eager to find out why.
Hinted answers present themselves, making this a good discussion piece, but if you're looking for a spelled out solution to the bizarre occurrences, you'll be out of luck. In some ways, the enduring mystery makes it better. Fabulously paced and written--another highlight.
The Gospel of X
Written as a religious text, complete with King James language, chapter, verse, and bold font when the "Prophet" speaks. Meant to be an alternate reality Jesus story, though it also takes on organized religion and revises the famed Solomon tale where the "wise" King tells two women arguing over a baby to slice it down the middle so they can both have a half. In this version, there are two men arguing over a boy. The Jesus stand-in proclaims that neither man shall have the child because he's claiming the boy for his own depravity.
Such echoes of familiar stories call out the horror and rape elements found in Biblical texts. By detaching us from the "sacredness" of Old and New Testament verses it's possible to recognize just how bizarre and terrifying scripture can be. Notably the gore, high body count, and frequency of fathers offering their pubescent daughters as sexual payment for various contracts. That it's often hard to tell when Chaplinsky is quoting the Bible directly or writing hyperbolized horror is exactly the point.
I can't count how many times I've heard the Cut-That-Baby-in-Half story preached as the most brilliant example of wisdom ever spoken. In reality, of course, it's quite grotesque. "The Gospel of X" effectively takes a step back and says Wait a minute, this is a guide for righteous living? Yikes! I've not read anything else that accomplishes such a mission so perfectly. A "must-read" for sure!
Nobody Rides for Free
Couldn't get into this one. Too many characters, I think, and a lot of shouting over one another. Difficult to follow. Oh well.
OVERALL...
An above-average collection of short stories. Yes, there's a few duds, but at least they're short! The stand-outs are generally exceptional. Recommended!
April 14, 2020
Originally posted at Cemetery Dance March 25th, 2020
https://www.cemeterydance.com/extras/...
It’s this reader’s opinion that short story collections are the best way to read a new author. It’s the quickest way to discover an author’s versatility; each story an opportunity to showcase a variety of unique skills without being locked into one narrative.
I also believe that a reader begins their relationship with a book with the cover. In this case, primate skulls in bold, appealing colors with a recognizable Matthew Revert style. A real winner for me. A cover-buy.
“Whispers in the Ear of a Dreaming Ape” is a weird, memorable, and intriguing title. What a clever first impression because it speaks to exactly what the reader will experience while reading these stories.
The first story, “Letters to the Purple Satin Killer,” is straight up brilliant. I’m not going to mince words. The style is confident, almost cocksure, commanding the reader’s attention and establishing authority. An epistolary story told by women writing letters to a convicted murderer. Definitely one of those short stories where I could have read a few hundred pages more of what Chaplinsky was giving out. There was a lot going on in those letters.
From that story on into the next dozen, it’s clear that Chaplinsky is comfortable writing in multiple different styles, formats, and points-of-view. As a whole, Whispers is a neon sign of where Chaplinsky is going as an author, and an invitation to readers who want to follow him there.
The stories range from traditional storytelling to something a little more atypical to downright strange.
The collection’s last story is another one I want to mention. In high school, if you bummed a ride from a buddy, it was common to hear the saying, “ass, gas or grass,” suggesting that the driver would take any of those three things as compensation for driving you around. Chaplinsky wrote a short story based on this saying and I will never, ever, NEVER, unsee it or not think of “nobody rides for free” if I hear that classic saying again. I was on the edge of my seat and if I wasn’t holding my Kindle, fervently reading, I would have bitten my nails down to the quick. Heart-pounding, nerve-wracking horror and the perfect ending to a pretty tight collection of stories. I recommend this one to fans who want to dive deeper into fresh, bizarro, experimental horror and a change of pace.
https://www.cemeterydance.com/extras/...
It’s this reader’s opinion that short story collections are the best way to read a new author. It’s the quickest way to discover an author’s versatility; each story an opportunity to showcase a variety of unique skills without being locked into one narrative.
I also believe that a reader begins their relationship with a book with the cover. In this case, primate skulls in bold, appealing colors with a recognizable Matthew Revert style. A real winner for me. A cover-buy.
“Whispers in the Ear of a Dreaming Ape” is a weird, memorable, and intriguing title. What a clever first impression because it speaks to exactly what the reader will experience while reading these stories.
The first story, “Letters to the Purple Satin Killer,” is straight up brilliant. I’m not going to mince words. The style is confident, almost cocksure, commanding the reader’s attention and establishing authority. An epistolary story told by women writing letters to a convicted murderer. Definitely one of those short stories where I could have read a few hundred pages more of what Chaplinsky was giving out. There was a lot going on in those letters.
From that story on into the next dozen, it’s clear that Chaplinsky is comfortable writing in multiple different styles, formats, and points-of-view. As a whole, Whispers is a neon sign of where Chaplinsky is going as an author, and an invitation to readers who want to follow him there.
The stories range from traditional storytelling to something a little more atypical to downright strange.
The collection’s last story is another one I want to mention. In high school, if you bummed a ride from a buddy, it was common to hear the saying, “ass, gas or grass,” suggesting that the driver would take any of those three things as compensation for driving you around. Chaplinsky wrote a short story based on this saying and I will never, ever, NEVER, unsee it or not think of “nobody rides for free” if I hear that classic saying again. I was on the edge of my seat and if I wasn’t holding my Kindle, fervently reading, I would have bitten my nails down to the quick. Heart-pounding, nerve-wracking horror and the perfect ending to a pretty tight collection of stories. I recommend this one to fans who want to dive deeper into fresh, bizarro, experimental horror and a change of pace.
November 12, 2019
You know how some short story collections are a parade of same-y stories that feel like someone's attempt to impress George Saunders? This ain't that. You get a staggering variety of stories. Weirdly, this book and another favorite from this year both have stories where airplane bathrooms figure prominently. "Nobody Rides For Free" was my personal favorite. Because I like the sick shit.
February 16, 2024
Macabre and Deliciously Twisted
3.5 rounded up to 4
What a macabre and weird collection of stories. It was reading with that feeling of, “I don’t want to, but I can’t stop!” Some of these stories I still have no idea what they were about and others were epic and deliciously twisted. I’m still digesting some of them and probably will be for a while!
3.5 rounded up to 4
What a macabre and weird collection of stories. It was reading with that feeling of, “I don’t want to, but I can’t stop!” Some of these stories I still have no idea what they were about and others were epic and deliciously twisted. I’m still digesting some of them and probably will be for a while!
August 20, 2020
Joshua Chaplinsky lays out some intriguing ideas in this collection of short stories available free with Kindle Unlimited. A few fun reads as well as some duds.
The titular story "Whispers in the Ear of a Dreaming Ape" failed to live up to this premise of some fascinating immortal being who chronicles the rise and fall of our species. After the promising setup it shifted gears to a sort of pale imitation of a surrealist Burroughs story, not much at all to do with the title or the stunning cover artwork.
"The Whole Infernal Machine" is one of the best stories I've read this year, however. This is the tale of a boy coming of age in an insular society disrupted by the arrival of a girl, abruptly doubling the size of his classroom from one to two. He begins to wonder about where the girl came from and the reader will be contemplating the mind-blowing layers of this world long after setting the book down.
I also enjoyed "The Gospel of X," a weird biblical parable about a fallen angel set in a distant post apocalyptic future; "The Black Hole," a meditation on alcoholism as time dilation; "Mummer's Parade," a gore-drenched medieval fantasy; and "Aft Lavatory Occupied," a trippy story set in the skies that starts with a bang, though it dragged on a bit too long and unfortunately the author didn't quite "land the plane" with a satisfying ending.
"Letters to the Purple Satin Killer," "Twice Amputated Foot, "Maison d'oeufs" and "Nobody Rides For Free" were decent reads though not particularly memorable. I didn't enjoy at all "Supreme Mathematics," "Homunculoid," or "The Hand of God"
She stumbled out of the chaos, wrapped in a cloak of stars. She traversed oceans, wandered through foothills, hid amongst the simian whelps. She bore witness to their transformation from cave-dwellers to cosmonauts, and their inevitable fall back to Earth.
The titular story "Whispers in the Ear of a Dreaming Ape" failed to live up to this premise of some fascinating immortal being who chronicles the rise and fall of our species. After the promising setup it shifted gears to a sort of pale imitation of a surrealist Burroughs story, not much at all to do with the title or the stunning cover artwork.
"The Whole Infernal Machine" is one of the best stories I've read this year, however. This is the tale of a boy coming of age in an insular society disrupted by the arrival of a girl, abruptly doubling the size of his classroom from one to two. He begins to wonder about where the girl came from and the reader will be contemplating the mind-blowing layers of this world long after setting the book down.
I also enjoyed "The Gospel of X," a weird biblical parable about a fallen angel set in a distant post apocalyptic future; "The Black Hole," a meditation on alcoholism as time dilation; "Mummer's Parade," a gore-drenched medieval fantasy; and "Aft Lavatory Occupied," a trippy story set in the skies that starts with a bang, though it dragged on a bit too long and unfortunately the author didn't quite "land the plane" with a satisfying ending.
"Letters to the Purple Satin Killer," "Twice Amputated Foot, "Maison d'oeufs" and "Nobody Rides For Free" were decent reads though not particularly memorable. I didn't enjoy at all "Supreme Mathematics," "Homunculoid," or "The Hand of God"
December 16, 2025
Meh. I'm struggling to get through these short stories. I liked the first ones but now I'm dragging my feet to read it. Every time I get back to this collection, I end up bored and sighing.
Guess it's time to throw in the towel.
DNF ~60%
Guess it's time to throw in the towel.
DNF ~60%
October 27, 2025
The Purple Satin Killer is a Chad.
I also really liked The Gospel Of X.
I also really liked The Gospel Of X.
September 25, 2019
There are transcendent stories in this collection and forgettable ones.
No bad material, though.
THE BLACK HOLE is straight up the best shot story I've read this year. Closely followed by the oddly moving WHOLE INFERNAL MACHINE and TWICE AMPUTATED FOOT. It's hard to describe what Joshua Chaplinsky is good at, but he's way better than your average short story writer. He's like a drive-in Brian Evenson. He's writing about weird, incongruous reality, but without the idiosyncratic use of language.
It's exactly how you should read this collection: like going to the drive-in, except you're dreaming about it and the films shown make sense in a dislocated way.
No bad material, though.
THE BLACK HOLE is straight up the best shot story I've read this year. Closely followed by the oddly moving WHOLE INFERNAL MACHINE and TWICE AMPUTATED FOOT. It's hard to describe what Joshua Chaplinsky is good at, but he's way better than your average short story writer. He's like a drive-in Brian Evenson. He's writing about weird, incongruous reality, but without the idiosyncratic use of language.
It's exactly how you should read this collection: like going to the drive-in, except you're dreaming about it and the films shown make sense in a dislocated way.
September 9, 2021
Straight up weird collection of short stories ranging from a portrait of a serial killer as seen by the fan mail he receives, to a disturbing but entrancing story of a prophet, and ending in the bizarre shock horror of what can only be described as the worse game of ‘wheel of fortune’ you could ever imagine.
February 26, 2024
Dynamite!
This is a fantastic collection. I enjoyed all these stories, but my favorites were "Mummer's Parade," "The Black Hole," "Twice Amputated Foot," "The Hand of God," and "Letters to the Purple Satin Killer." I'm looking forward to more from Chaplinsky. Highly recommended!
This is a fantastic collection. I enjoyed all these stories, but my favorites were "Mummer's Parade," "The Black Hole," "Twice Amputated Foot," "The Hand of God," and "Letters to the Purple Satin Killer." I'm looking forward to more from Chaplinsky. Highly recommended!
December 1, 2022
A super collection, with The Gospel of X and Nobody Rides For Free being two of the best shorts I've read this year. A great author who delivers a really varied collection here. Recommended.
November 18, 2019
Yo, I rate my own book 5 stars BECAUSE I CAN!!!
January 17, 2020
*review pending*
November 12, 2019
The opening story, “Letters to the Purple Satin Killer”, is told in epistolary form, as letters received by a convicted murderer during his time in prison. The letters are from a wide range of people, from his mother (who offers a sympathetic voice, not shared by her husband, as detailed in the letters), to a lonely admirer, to a college student and more. Chaplinsky not only creates some very unique characters with very particular characteristics, but he manages to convey so much in such short letters, and captures the individual voices of the letter-writers with great humour. It all makes for a wonderful opening story, and gives us a taste of the author’s style.
“Twice Amputated Foot” begins with a bizarre miracle, before turning into a slice of life story about one man’s relationship with his father, and his family. What begins with an absurd premise quickly develops into some heartfelt and deep retrospection from the narrator as he recalls memories of his late father and the effect his death had. In all the ways it is different to the opening story, it is similar in the author’s ability to craft a concise story, while seemingly giving the narrator all the space needed to deliver an engaging and beautifully-written tale. Full of wonderful passages, yet not a word is wasted.
It would be reasonable to assume that the vast majority of people know what a black hole is, in general, astronomical terms. The informal definition, according to the Oxford dictionary, is “a place where money or lost items apparently disappear without trace.” This description certainly fits the bill in “The Black Hole”, as Max crosses an event horizon, which also happens to be the threshold of a local bar. He begins a discussion with the bartender that very quickly loses all sense of time as it is consumed by the black hole that is the bar. It makes for a rather poignant story about absent parents and the way time can just slip through our fingers. Beautiful language and some nice flourishes along with a perfect and unique narrative style make for a great read.
Written in the style of a column from a near future gaming magazine, “Homunculoid” explores the “classic” 21st century MMORPG game Homunculoid and its lasting effect. Through typical headings associated with this type of column (“Gameplay”, “Environment”, “Walkthrough”, etc.), Chaplinsky relates a game that bears more than a striking resemblance to 21st century society, complete with all manner of injustices and prejudices. For example: “At the onset of gameplay, a random Ethnic Aesthetic is assigned, determining your Social Status.” This should leave us in little doubt as to the nature of the game and the direction of the story as it holds a mirror up to the inequality of our so-called civilised society. A story that manages to deliver a heartfelt message while also entertaining.
“Maison D’oeufs” is certainly one of the stranger stories in the collection. A clearly well-to-do woman of great wealth arrives at a clinic that is under siege by protestors. The interior is clean and fresh and, well, clinical. She flashes back to another clinic that she was forced to visit when she was younger, and draws parallels with this visit. The ending is quite strange and, as the title suggests, eggs play a part in what transpires, both in real-time and in her memories.
“Mummer’s Parade” feels very much like a dark fantasy, complete with a feudal, medieval setting and monarchy. At the opening of the story, Triboulet, a jester – possibly based on a jester of the French court who lived between 1479 and 1536 – sits on the throne, having relieved the King of his ear and now wearing it around his neck. Whenever he wishes something done, he whispers it into the ear and it is carried out by his mummers – animals with human faces. It is a strange tale, totally removed from the other stories on offer. But it is also completely dark and engaging as Triboulet, using sorcery, seeks to carry out a most foul deed.
Jack is a reformed catholic in “The Hand of God”, meaning he had religion once, but has managed to escape its clutches. However, he is not in the clear as he continues to be haunted by visions and ghostly visitations of a preacher. When he opens up about it to his girlfriend, she suggests he seek help from an old friend of hers. As well as the completion of this story, he also must contend with questions that arise about his relationship with Esther, and her relationship with Cousin Frank. Great characters, great dialogue, and great descriptions make for a great story.
Chaplinsky takes the word ‘cipher’ and seems to explore all of its connotations in “Supreme Mathematics: A Cipher”. The story is told in parts, each with a heading and a numerical value in some code as adhered to by the main character, “A girl with a sword”, a former student who ventures through a hostile landscape while recounting lessons from her master. Here the author experiments with the structure of the story, and it really works. Of course, it takes more than an interesting structure to make a story work and, thankfully, Chaplinsky proves he can combine it with great content and interesting characters to deliver an entertaining tale.
While “Whispers in the Ear of a Dreaming Ape” opens with a distinctly cosmic vibe, it soon adopts a more straightforward narrative style, told in first-person and recounting the protagonist’s relationship with an enigmatic woman. It is the story of two lonely characters who share many things in common, yet seem to drift out of each other’s lives. It is less about things happening, and more about love and friendship, over a vast timeframe. By the end of the story it has gone full circle, returning to the cosmic vibe with which it opened. It is a widely held belief that, if an author chooses to title their collection after one of the stories included, it ought to be a strong one. To that I can only say this story only seems to get better with multiple reads.
With “The Whole Infernal Machine”, the author again seems to be taking great care to give his work a meaningful title. As a machine is comprised of multiple parts which, when used properly, performs some function, so too does the environment in the story. A boy lives in a prison-like environment, governed and run by robots. He lives in a tiny room, attends School and Church and Therapy, and is allowed brief periods Outside, in a small garden with a tiny view of the sky. The entire compound is surrounded by an unassailable wall, and he lives there alone. Until The Girl arrives. Soon he begins to question his reality, and begins to consider what lies beyond the wall. However, by the time he reaches the end of his story, we discover that life has a habit of repeating. This story has much less hope than the previous offering, is somewhat bleaker, but it is no less entertaining.
“Aft Lavatory Occupied” has an Outer Limits feel to it, almost science fiction but not quite. The protagonist of this story awakens on a flight during turbulence and is immediately disoriented. He is bombarded with sensory information from the cabin around him while trying to determine who he is and where he is going. Unfortunately, throughout the story, he awakens again and again, each time apparently on a different flight. This doesn’t seem to register with him whenever he awakens, but he does seem to experience moments of déjà vu as he hears sounds he heard the previous occasions, or witnesses people he recalls from before. The story develops a nightmarish, never-ending quality that soon has the reader spiralling out of control along with the protagonist.
“The Gospel of X” is written as though it is verse from a bible, detailing a prophet. Yet, it does not concern anyone saintly or angelic. It tells the story of a strange being who is cast out by his siblings, only to land in the desert of mankind, and gain a saviour-like following. What follows are passages that seem to mirror events that could have happened to Jesus Christ or some other religious icon, yet have a much darker intent. Some readers may consider it a challenge to read a whole story written as though it were from the bible, but Chaplinsky does an excellent job of keeping it light and entertaining enough that it never feels like a chore to read. In fact, some of the description and character interaction is so horrific it keeps us gripped right to the bitter end.
In “Nobody Rides for Free”, we are introduced to Trisha and Rake, stranded on the side of a highway and trying to hitchhike. They are shown to be desperate and fleeing from something that happened in a nearby town. They are so desperate, they are prepared to pay just about anything for their passage. But the driver that picks them up will really put that to the test by the end of this story. Chaplinsky does an excellent job of effortlessly peppering the story with seemingly innocuous description that actually comes back to play a major part in the development of the plot. This is no coincidence; it is the mark of a thorough and meticulous storyteller. Also, some of the imagery later in the story is the mark of a writer with a dark and twisted sense of humour, but it really works for this type of story.
Thirteen stories, each more different than the last, each showcasing the tremendous talent of a storyteller unafraid to challenge himself through alternative narrative structure, or point of view, or subject matter. No matter the challenge, Chaplinsky knocked it out of the park. Given his aforementioned cult hit, Kanye West – Reanimator, which demonstrated his ability to meld a dated horror story with pop culture to hilarious results, and now such a varied collection (varied only in subject and delivery; the end result is unanimously high quality fiction), the question we now need answered is: what shape will Joshua Chaplinsky’s next long-form work take? Whatever he chooses to showcase next, I will be front and centre. And, if you enjoy this collection as much as I have, I know I won’t be alone.
“Twice Amputated Foot” begins with a bizarre miracle, before turning into a slice of life story about one man’s relationship with his father, and his family. What begins with an absurd premise quickly develops into some heartfelt and deep retrospection from the narrator as he recalls memories of his late father and the effect his death had. In all the ways it is different to the opening story, it is similar in the author’s ability to craft a concise story, while seemingly giving the narrator all the space needed to deliver an engaging and beautifully-written tale. Full of wonderful passages, yet not a word is wasted.
It would be reasonable to assume that the vast majority of people know what a black hole is, in general, astronomical terms. The informal definition, according to the Oxford dictionary, is “a place where money or lost items apparently disappear without trace.” This description certainly fits the bill in “The Black Hole”, as Max crosses an event horizon, which also happens to be the threshold of a local bar. He begins a discussion with the bartender that very quickly loses all sense of time as it is consumed by the black hole that is the bar. It makes for a rather poignant story about absent parents and the way time can just slip through our fingers. Beautiful language and some nice flourishes along with a perfect and unique narrative style make for a great read.
Written in the style of a column from a near future gaming magazine, “Homunculoid” explores the “classic” 21st century MMORPG game Homunculoid and its lasting effect. Through typical headings associated with this type of column (“Gameplay”, “Environment”, “Walkthrough”, etc.), Chaplinsky relates a game that bears more than a striking resemblance to 21st century society, complete with all manner of injustices and prejudices. For example: “At the onset of gameplay, a random Ethnic Aesthetic is assigned, determining your Social Status.” This should leave us in little doubt as to the nature of the game and the direction of the story as it holds a mirror up to the inequality of our so-called civilised society. A story that manages to deliver a heartfelt message while also entertaining.
“Maison D’oeufs” is certainly one of the stranger stories in the collection. A clearly well-to-do woman of great wealth arrives at a clinic that is under siege by protestors. The interior is clean and fresh and, well, clinical. She flashes back to another clinic that she was forced to visit when she was younger, and draws parallels with this visit. The ending is quite strange and, as the title suggests, eggs play a part in what transpires, both in real-time and in her memories.
“Mummer’s Parade” feels very much like a dark fantasy, complete with a feudal, medieval setting and monarchy. At the opening of the story, Triboulet, a jester – possibly based on a jester of the French court who lived between 1479 and 1536 – sits on the throne, having relieved the King of his ear and now wearing it around his neck. Whenever he wishes something done, he whispers it into the ear and it is carried out by his mummers – animals with human faces. It is a strange tale, totally removed from the other stories on offer. But it is also completely dark and engaging as Triboulet, using sorcery, seeks to carry out a most foul deed.
Jack is a reformed catholic in “The Hand of God”, meaning he had religion once, but has managed to escape its clutches. However, he is not in the clear as he continues to be haunted by visions and ghostly visitations of a preacher. When he opens up about it to his girlfriend, she suggests he seek help from an old friend of hers. As well as the completion of this story, he also must contend with questions that arise about his relationship with Esther, and her relationship with Cousin Frank. Great characters, great dialogue, and great descriptions make for a great story.
Chaplinsky takes the word ‘cipher’ and seems to explore all of its connotations in “Supreme Mathematics: A Cipher”. The story is told in parts, each with a heading and a numerical value in some code as adhered to by the main character, “A girl with a sword”, a former student who ventures through a hostile landscape while recounting lessons from her master. Here the author experiments with the structure of the story, and it really works. Of course, it takes more than an interesting structure to make a story work and, thankfully, Chaplinsky proves he can combine it with great content and interesting characters to deliver an entertaining tale.
While “Whispers in the Ear of a Dreaming Ape” opens with a distinctly cosmic vibe, it soon adopts a more straightforward narrative style, told in first-person and recounting the protagonist’s relationship with an enigmatic woman. It is the story of two lonely characters who share many things in common, yet seem to drift out of each other’s lives. It is less about things happening, and more about love and friendship, over a vast timeframe. By the end of the story it has gone full circle, returning to the cosmic vibe with which it opened. It is a widely held belief that, if an author chooses to title their collection after one of the stories included, it ought to be a strong one. To that I can only say this story only seems to get better with multiple reads.
With “The Whole Infernal Machine”, the author again seems to be taking great care to give his work a meaningful title. As a machine is comprised of multiple parts which, when used properly, performs some function, so too does the environment in the story. A boy lives in a prison-like environment, governed and run by robots. He lives in a tiny room, attends School and Church and Therapy, and is allowed brief periods Outside, in a small garden with a tiny view of the sky. The entire compound is surrounded by an unassailable wall, and he lives there alone. Until The Girl arrives. Soon he begins to question his reality, and begins to consider what lies beyond the wall. However, by the time he reaches the end of his story, we discover that life has a habit of repeating. This story has much less hope than the previous offering, is somewhat bleaker, but it is no less entertaining.
“Aft Lavatory Occupied” has an Outer Limits feel to it, almost science fiction but not quite. The protagonist of this story awakens on a flight during turbulence and is immediately disoriented. He is bombarded with sensory information from the cabin around him while trying to determine who he is and where he is going. Unfortunately, throughout the story, he awakens again and again, each time apparently on a different flight. This doesn’t seem to register with him whenever he awakens, but he does seem to experience moments of déjà vu as he hears sounds he heard the previous occasions, or witnesses people he recalls from before. The story develops a nightmarish, never-ending quality that soon has the reader spiralling out of control along with the protagonist.
“The Gospel of X” is written as though it is verse from a bible, detailing a prophet. Yet, it does not concern anyone saintly or angelic. It tells the story of a strange being who is cast out by his siblings, only to land in the desert of mankind, and gain a saviour-like following. What follows are passages that seem to mirror events that could have happened to Jesus Christ or some other religious icon, yet have a much darker intent. Some readers may consider it a challenge to read a whole story written as though it were from the bible, but Chaplinsky does an excellent job of keeping it light and entertaining enough that it never feels like a chore to read. In fact, some of the description and character interaction is so horrific it keeps us gripped right to the bitter end.
In “Nobody Rides for Free”, we are introduced to Trisha and Rake, stranded on the side of a highway and trying to hitchhike. They are shown to be desperate and fleeing from something that happened in a nearby town. They are so desperate, they are prepared to pay just about anything for their passage. But the driver that picks them up will really put that to the test by the end of this story. Chaplinsky does an excellent job of effortlessly peppering the story with seemingly innocuous description that actually comes back to play a major part in the development of the plot. This is no coincidence; it is the mark of a thorough and meticulous storyteller. Also, some of the imagery later in the story is the mark of a writer with a dark and twisted sense of humour, but it really works for this type of story.
Thirteen stories, each more different than the last, each showcasing the tremendous talent of a storyteller unafraid to challenge himself through alternative narrative structure, or point of view, or subject matter. No matter the challenge, Chaplinsky knocked it out of the park. Given his aforementioned cult hit, Kanye West – Reanimator, which demonstrated his ability to meld a dated horror story with pop culture to hilarious results, and now such a varied collection (varied only in subject and delivery; the end result is unanimously high quality fiction), the question we now need answered is: what shape will Joshua Chaplinsky’s next long-form work take? Whatever he chooses to showcase next, I will be front and centre. And, if you enjoy this collection as much as I have, I know I won’t be alone.
June 25, 2025
Loved the language and the feel. Some of the subject matter left me in limbo. I am still thinking about The Whole Infernal Machine, which gave me the same feelings as when I read The Giver as a child.
December 23, 2019
Based on his podcast appearances and Kanye West:Reanimator, I went into this short story collection expecting to laugh with every-other sentence, but I was pleasantly surprised to find not only humor but also a thoughtful exploration of the human condition. These ¨whispers¨ is an eclectic mix of style and tone with excellent writing as the unifying thread. All the stories are weird but remain grounded even when the style of the story is experimental. I didn´t think I was reading something bat-shit crazy but rather something strange and unique. Like I said before, some stories hit the emotional nerves more than others, with The Black Hole and the titular story forcing me to pause and think about their powerful themes. indeed, Whispers in the Ear of a Dreaming Ape balances humor and poignancy expertly. Other stories such as the first and last one in the collection, are brimming with irreverence and a sense of ¨I can´t believe I´m reading this¨. They are fun stories to bookend this collection. I look forward to rereading many of these stories several times over. And I can´t wait for Chaplinsky´s next novel
November 15, 2019
This guy manages to give you all the feels about society, human nature and philosophy with just the right balance of irreverence, honesty and absurdity. And it’s all done in creepy, bite-sized intervals!
July 6, 2020
Modern, bizarre, and interesting short stories that go away from conventional stories. The first one was amazing, maybe my favorite from all of them. There were a few just way too weird or confusing, or just kind of boring, to be honest. Overall it's great that there are these kinds of writers, but I didn't connect with most of the stories.
December 13, 2020
This collection of short stories is plenty dark, which is pretty much what I was hoping for.
If for nothing else this collection is worth a read just for 'Nobody Rides For Free', though the rest of the material is grimly fine, as well.
If for nothing else this collection is worth a read just for 'Nobody Rides For Free', though the rest of the material is grimly fine, as well.
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September 27, 2020What Joshua Chaplinsky has given us with Whispers in the Ear of a Dreaming Ape is an experimental set of stories that mostly shine with brilliant insight and are always entertaining. It’s a close look at humans on the macro level through a micro lens. He’s showing us how little our lives actually matter, but in the end, they’re still our lives. Within this short book, he’s packaged optimism in a cloak of cynicism, which is truly the only way to do it.
March 25, 2023
I wasn't sure what to expect from this collection, as I'd only read one of Chaplinsky's short stories previously. I was incredibly impressed by his ability to wield dark humor despite my general distaste for horror or gore. To my delight, even during the darker parts, I was steadily engaged and entertained. The stories are very well written and touch on a variety of themes, many of which I immediately related to. An excellent read that I'd recommend to all.
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