The Eclectic

by Colin F. Reynolds

Six short stories. Eleven poems. The sum total of the bid for immortality of one seven-billionth of the human population of our planet; lovingly crafted and honed in the course of twenty revolutions of that same planet around its sun. Since there's nothing new under it (the sun, that is) you could quite easily be forgiven for passing up this opportunity to own a copy of this work. But, were you to do so, you would never discover what happens when, in the far future, humans and birds team up to explore the galaxy together in 'A Watch of Nightingales'. Nor would you be in a position to wonder at the mysteries shrouded in the red mist, revealed within the linked tales of 'The Wooden Groat' and 'Necessity'. You wouldn't be able to marvel at the flash fiction piece 'Hubris' which explains what really happened to the Titanic. And the grand conclusion to the space battle that's portrayed in 'The Ouroboros Gambit' would forever be beyond your ken, as would the heart-rending finale 'Earthfriend', a homage to Stephen Donaldson's fantasy epic 'The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant'.

And as for the poetry: can you believe that anyone could pen a poem describing what happens when a sleeper is awakened by that most feared of all night-time creatures, the mosquito - and do so in a way that was guaranteed to make you laugh? Or that no fewer than three poems inspired by the massively multiplayer online roleplaying game 'Everquest II' would ever be brought together in a single volume? Existentialism, humanitarianism, borderism and (a very few) other -isms are encompassed by this tome.

91 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2020

About the author

Phlyarologist (part-time) and pendant§. Campaigner for action against anthropogenic global warming (AGW) and injustice in all its forms. Humanist, atheist, notoftenpist. Wannabe poet, writer and astronaut.

§ Pendant, n. One who, by correcting others, gives himself (or herself) enough rope by which to hang.

Reviews

[Bob Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

If your sense of humour is like mine, you will roar with laughter at some of these gems.
The Eclectic is a collection of poems and short stories that take a gentle but firm poke at reality. For example, the trickle-down effect is examined in a goblet-shaped poem, which correctly identifies the main reason our world is in trouble. One hilarious story tells you exactly what had happened to the Titanic, and why.
Or you might be interested in the REAL story of King Arthur.
I can recommend the productions of a delightfully twisted mind.