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Falling from Trees
Falling from Trees is a collection of tales in the tradition of Italo Calvino,Jorges Borges, Stanislaw Lem and even Philip K. Dick.
And while coming from the speculative tale tradition Falling fromTrees strikes out new territory in exploring consciousness, identity,and the human condition. More than just embodying ideas, these stories arewritten with heart and longing. And humor.
The stories are at once playful and deeply serious. There is delight in readingthem.
" Falling from Trees is a collection of otherworldly tales fromFiorito. This set of loosely connected stories touches on a wide range oftimely and universal topics via science-fictional elements...readers willlargely find it entertaining. The stories run the gamut from fully realizedworks to quick, slice-of-life glimpses of characters...an often engaging shortstory cycle."
-Kirkus Reviews"Fiorito's prose is magical, evocative, mesmerizing."-New York Journal of Books
Fiorito's Falling from Trees is a collection of short storiesthat revolve around one theme - the relationship with the other, with what's 'different ' and troubles our balance. But it is precisely this 'diversity' thatsaves us because what apparently separates us is what unites us. The importantthing is to know, as one of the protagonists says, that ′′ everything isrelative ", even the distance between Earth and other planets. Fioritouses a surreal and dream style to outline his characters, children who drawalone and see ′′ the immortality of yellow", or aliens that bring specialgifts to first and foremost, the meaning of life. And so, thanks totheir gifts, all of us finally ′′ have a purpose ′′ and discover ′′ that theuniverse is made of music."
-Maria Rosa Cutrufelli, Author of The Woman Outlaw
"There is something magical about a well-written short story.Past masters of the genre such as Jorge Borges, Italo Calvino, Lafcadio Hearneand Henry James manage, in a few short pages, to instill in the reader a senseof wonderment, intrigue and mystery. The really great stories do not alwaysneed a twist ending to make their impact. Creating a sense of unease orplanting an idea that makes the reader look at the normal and mundane in adifferent way is sufficient.
In his anthology Falling from Trees Mike Fiorito achievesall of these things. In many of his stories he places his protagonists inlocations of total normality; a man waking up late at night and deciding to gofor a walk, a chance meeting with an old teacher at a religious shrine orfalling in love with a work associate. But all of these situations containwithin them, lurking just below the surface, a magical world of highstrangeness just waiting to erupt. In others he starts the narrative from alocation of high strangeness and has the mundane and the predictable break through.He then has a third variety, a series of vaguely linked stories involving themysterious entity known simply as "Smith". We never really discoverwho, or what Smith is, but our own imagination is allowed to fill in thedetails.
I thoroughly enjoyed these stories. So much so that as soon as Ihad finished them, I read them again. I suspect I will be returning to thisshort volume of gems many times in the future, and each time they will shineever brighter.'
-Anthony Peake, Author of The Hidden Universe
"Fiorito is an accomplished writer, and in this collection of short stories hecreates a series of intriguing vignettes, which together make up far more thanthe sum of their parts. The atmospheres conjured up stay with you long afterreading, by turns wistful, illogical, and deeply human. A diverting book with aunique flavor."
-Nikki Wyrd, Editor of the Psychedelic Press Journal
And while coming from the speculative tale tradition Falling fromTrees strikes out new territory in exploring consciousness, identity,and the human condition. More than just embodying ideas, these stories arewritten with heart and longing. And humor.
The stories are at once playful and deeply serious. There is delight in readingthem.
" Falling from Trees is a collection of otherworldly tales fromFiorito. This set of loosely connected stories touches on a wide range oftimely and universal topics via science-fictional elements...readers willlargely find it entertaining. The stories run the gamut from fully realizedworks to quick, slice-of-life glimpses of characters...an often engaging shortstory cycle."
-Kirkus Reviews"Fiorito's prose is magical, evocative, mesmerizing."-New York Journal of Books
Fiorito's Falling from Trees is a collection of short storiesthat revolve around one theme - the relationship with the other, with what's 'different ' and troubles our balance. But it is precisely this 'diversity' thatsaves us because what apparently separates us is what unites us. The importantthing is to know, as one of the protagonists says, that ′′ everything isrelative ", even the distance between Earth and other planets. Fioritouses a surreal and dream style to outline his characters, children who drawalone and see ′′ the immortality of yellow", or aliens that bring specialgifts to first and foremost, the meaning of life. And so, thanks totheir gifts, all of us finally ′′ have a purpose ′′ and discover ′′ that theuniverse is made of music."
-Maria Rosa Cutrufelli, Author of The Woman Outlaw
"There is something magical about a well-written short story.Past masters of the genre such as Jorge Borges, Italo Calvino, Lafcadio Hearneand Henry James manage, in a few short pages, to instill in the reader a senseof wonderment, intrigue and mystery. The really great stories do not alwaysneed a twist ending to make their impact. Creating a sense of unease orplanting an idea that makes the reader look at the normal and mundane in adifferent way is sufficient.
In his anthology Falling from Trees Mike Fiorito achievesall of these things. In many of his stories he places his protagonists inlocations of total normality; a man waking up late at night and deciding to gofor a walk, a chance meeting with an old teacher at a religious shrine orfalling in love with a work associate. But all of these situations containwithin them, lurking just below the surface, a magical world of highstrangeness just waiting to erupt. In others he starts the narrative from alocation of high strangeness and has the mundane and the predictable break through.He then has a third variety, a series of vaguely linked stories involving themysterious entity known simply as "Smith". We never really discoverwho, or what Smith is, but our own imagination is allowed to fill in thedetails.
I thoroughly enjoyed these stories. So much so that as soon as Ihad finished them, I read them again. I suspect I will be returning to thisshort volume of gems many times in the future, and each time they will shineever brighter.'
-Anthony Peake, Author of The Hidden Universe
"Fiorito is an accomplished writer, and in this collection of short stories hecreates a series of intriguing vignettes, which together make up far more thanthe sum of their parts. The atmospheres conjured up stay with you long afterreading, by turns wistful, illogical, and deeply human. A diverting book with aunique flavor."
-Nikki Wyrd, Editor of the Psychedelic Press Journal
136 pages, Hardcover
Published February 9, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 2, 2021
Falling From Trees is an anthology of scifi reads – speculative fiction short reads easily enjoyable in an afternoon of escapism. This is a book where you can let your imaginations run wild and in a unique exploration of imaginings be able to transport yourself into the other worldly realms of aliens and communication through music and dreams in an Asperger’s point of view, to evocative alien encounters with humans, discussion of climate change, lives of families and communities.
There are twenty one fantastic tales of mysteries and the strange yet all somehow and could be plausible as we realize these imaginings and the message within these bizarre yet addictive stories and encounters.
I am not one to read scifi SFF or speculative fiction, though I found this book readable and quite interesting, and definitely very intriguing none the less.
There are twenty one fantastic tales of mysteries and the strange yet all somehow and could be plausible as we realize these imaginings and the message within these bizarre yet addictive stories and encounters.
I am not one to read scifi SFF or speculative fiction, though I found this book readable and quite interesting, and definitely very intriguing none the less.
March 9, 2021
Check out my review on literary quicksand.com/2021/03/review-falling-...
February 16, 2021
Falling from Trees by Mike Fiorito is a recommended slim collection of short stories which all have science fiction elements.
These very brief speculative stories explore consciousness, identity, climate change, and the human condition. The collection consists of all soft science fiction stories with the focus more on the concept than the actual science. Admittedly, I generally appreciate hard science fiction stories more than the softer conceptual variety. The stories presented are also almost too brief. An interesting idea/concept/setting/character is introduced in a brief narrative, grabs your attention, and then it's over. Smith is the only recurring character who makes an appearance in four stories. The collection is entertaining and a quick read, while the success of the actual content of the stories was rather hit or miss for me.
Contents:
Climbing Time - Those with Asperger's lead the way when an alien species communicates through them.
The Love of a Dandelion - Colin loves drawing yellow suns.
The Thread - Aliens contact a man and tell him of their plans to save humans.
Twilight - The earth is annihilated with just a few random survivors.
Tiny Blue Oceans - A man is hopeful to overcome problems and find a way home as his capsule drifts between the earth and the moon.
Simulacrum - Roberto visits Lourdes.
Slow Time - We follow the actions of a half man living with/in nature.
The Unending - A man who lives by the tracks takes an odd late night ride on a train.
Everybody’s Perfect, Nobody’s Human - A man attends a week long corporate event. Work will set you free.
The Purest Rain - A crew who left Earth evolves into one consisting of pure thought.
All of The Days - A couple is offered to have their son remain 6 forever.
The Three Bridges - An astrophysicist meets a magician.
The Long Way - Philip stops at the bakery to buy a loaf of bread.
A Star in Time - Willy and Smith talk about what they are going to do.
The Numbers Man -Smith walks into Monroe's bar.
The Productions of Time - Smith visits the beach on the ocean.
Earth to Earth -Smith visits the Mojave desert.
Pale Leviathan - The heat is unbearable as climate change marches on.
Skies of Hell Flames - A dysfunctional couple drinks and argues.
Tomorrow’s Ghost -Liddy has reoccurring dreams of an alien while his wife is away at a climate conference.
Storytime - Twlf reads a story about earth to her son Pflx.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for review purposes from Apprentice House and TLC.
These very brief speculative stories explore consciousness, identity, climate change, and the human condition. The collection consists of all soft science fiction stories with the focus more on the concept than the actual science. Admittedly, I generally appreciate hard science fiction stories more than the softer conceptual variety. The stories presented are also almost too brief. An interesting idea/concept/setting/character is introduced in a brief narrative, grabs your attention, and then it's over. Smith is the only recurring character who makes an appearance in four stories. The collection is entertaining and a quick read, while the success of the actual content of the stories was rather hit or miss for me.
Contents:
Climbing Time - Those with Asperger's lead the way when an alien species communicates through them.
The Love of a Dandelion - Colin loves drawing yellow suns.
The Thread - Aliens contact a man and tell him of their plans to save humans.
Twilight - The earth is annihilated with just a few random survivors.
Tiny Blue Oceans - A man is hopeful to overcome problems and find a way home as his capsule drifts between the earth and the moon.
Simulacrum - Roberto visits Lourdes.
Slow Time - We follow the actions of a half man living with/in nature.
The Unending - A man who lives by the tracks takes an odd late night ride on a train.
Everybody’s Perfect, Nobody’s Human - A man attends a week long corporate event. Work will set you free.
The Purest Rain - A crew who left Earth evolves into one consisting of pure thought.
All of The Days - A couple is offered to have their son remain 6 forever.
The Three Bridges - An astrophysicist meets a magician.
The Long Way - Philip stops at the bakery to buy a loaf of bread.
A Star in Time - Willy and Smith talk about what they are going to do.
The Numbers Man -Smith walks into Monroe's bar.
The Productions of Time - Smith visits the beach on the ocean.
Earth to Earth -Smith visits the Mojave desert.
Pale Leviathan - The heat is unbearable as climate change marches on.
Skies of Hell Flames - A dysfunctional couple drinks and argues.
Tomorrow’s Ghost -Liddy has reoccurring dreams of an alien while his wife is away at a climate conference.
Storytime - Twlf reads a story about earth to her son Pflx.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for review purposes from Apprentice House and TLC.
January 22, 2021
A wonderful selection of short stories with a science fiction slant. I didn't know what I was getting into when I peeled back the first page but I was quickly lost in a delicious variety of quick tales that more often than not, like a plate of wonderful appetizers left me craving much more.
One of my favorite stories was entitled, 'A Star in time', which introduced us to a recurring character called simply 'Smith', who unbeknownst to anyone but the reader was actually an extra-terrestrial visitor, hidden in plain site who when pushed would divulge only that he was from "the south". In the first story, the language the characters used reminded me of old black & white movies and characters like Jimmy Stewart, I got the impression that Smith was new to this foreign world. In the following stories; 'The numbers man', 'The Productions of time' & 'Earth to Earth' I felt like decades had passed and Smith was finding his way, he got a job and this very un-ordinary entity had disappeared into the mundane life of a very ordinary existence. I really enjoyed this construct because it allows Smith to be an observer to humans in their natural environment and left me wanting more from this quirky characters observations of wonder in the mundane everyday goings on.
A brisk, enjoyable read that like any good book left me wanting more.
One of my favorite stories was entitled, 'A Star in time', which introduced us to a recurring character called simply 'Smith', who unbeknownst to anyone but the reader was actually an extra-terrestrial visitor, hidden in plain site who when pushed would divulge only that he was from "the south". In the first story, the language the characters used reminded me of old black & white movies and characters like Jimmy Stewart, I got the impression that Smith was new to this foreign world. In the following stories; 'The numbers man', 'The Productions of time' & 'Earth to Earth' I felt like decades had passed and Smith was finding his way, he got a job and this very un-ordinary entity had disappeared into the mundane life of a very ordinary existence. I really enjoyed this construct because it allows Smith to be an observer to humans in their natural environment and left me wanting more from this quirky characters observations of wonder in the mundane everyday goings on.
A brisk, enjoyable read that like any good book left me wanting more.
February 24, 2021
Great collection of short stories that will make readers think about future!
Mike Fiorito crafts a series of short stories that contain both science fiction and speculative fiction. Most of the science fiction stories are geared toward space travel, in one form or another, or with alien presence. I like how the aliens in each of the stories are more altruistic than what they are usually presented as in books and/or movies.
The stories with speculative fiction center around climate change and the future of our planet. This trend has been increasing across the board as the genre seems to be leaving behind the traditional destruction dystopian stories for stories of weather impacts and how we as a race are going to manage those in the future. I found myself thinking about these events as it seems all too realistic and what I would do if the world suddenly changed. I think that is the mark of a good author when they are able to make you think beyond the story you are reading.
Some of the stories have some mild language, which makes this book more appropriate for older young adults forward.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.
Mike Fiorito crafts a series of short stories that contain both science fiction and speculative fiction. Most of the science fiction stories are geared toward space travel, in one form or another, or with alien presence. I like how the aliens in each of the stories are more altruistic than what they are usually presented as in books and/or movies.
The stories with speculative fiction center around climate change and the future of our planet. This trend has been increasing across the board as the genre seems to be leaving behind the traditional destruction dystopian stories for stories of weather impacts and how we as a race are going to manage those in the future. I found myself thinking about these events as it seems all too realistic and what I would do if the world suddenly changed. I think that is the mark of a good author when they are able to make you think beyond the story you are reading.
Some of the stories have some mild language, which makes this book more appropriate for older young adults forward.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.
May 1, 2022
Such a wonderfully eloquent collection of short stories. Fiorito rather artfully invokes the reader to recall their own life experiences in order to establish a multitude of interpretations regarding these thought-provoking endings. Quite how Fiorito manages to build a great number of beautifully believable worlds around a plethora of charmingly warm and engaging charactures in less than a page is masterful and sheer poetry. Revisiting this book after its initial reading will always continue to inspire and entertain.
February 13, 2021
This is a very slim volume of tales. I hasten to call them short stories. They are more like vignettes. Some or loosely weaved together.
All of the stories revolve around climate change and the fate of the planet and I imagine it could be classified as science fiction. But it is not a depressing book even though the Earth implodes during the first tale.
I do wish that some of the stories' ends were elaborated on.
All of the stories revolve around climate change and the fate of the planet and I imagine it could be classified as science fiction. But it is not a depressing book even though the Earth implodes during the first tale.
I do wish that some of the stories' ends were elaborated on.
June 18, 2022
This is a book to read and reflect upon as we think about our lives, our world, and the possibility that we just may not have all the answers. Really enjoyed this collection of short stories.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews