What Rough Beasts: Twenty Short Stories by Seth Chambers

by Seth Chambers

An amazing collection of tales ranging from dark and poignant to lighthearted and absurdist. Some of the memorable characters Fred, a deranged extraterrestrial with a talent for time travel; Hokar, a henpecked alien with an annoying penchant for infanticide; Geflink, a troglodyte from the Universe next door; Omar, an attorney with a downright supernatural gift for gab. Strange things happen amidst these pages. Dogs grow opposable thumbs and join the business world. A phone rings for eternity. Brains slip from their cranial confines to lead lives of their own. Deer go hunting. Dinosaurs preach. A slacker discovers a new world. And even Death himself finds a friend. Written by a bike messenger.

Genres: Fiction, Science Fiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published July 27, 2013

Reviews

[Sharon Solomon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved how unapologetically weird and creative this collection is. Every story feels like stepping into a different, beautifully strange nightmare — from time-warping aliens to dinosaurs trying to survive in the modern world. It’s dark, clever, and just the right amount of unsettling. If you’re a fan of bold sci-fi with a creepy twist, this one is such a fun ride.