Vicious Circles: A Collection of Short Stories

by Ayman Farouk Taha

We usually live our lives in vicious cycles. We hardly can get out of them or break loose from their control. Sometimes they are related to some place, time, person, or event. Other times they are related to an idea so deeply planted inside us that we can't come out of its cocoon. Maybe they are related to a connection that we cant be free from its restrictions. Finally, sometimes they are related to ourselves; body and soul. We invent those circles or they are imposed upon us. Then we live within their borders. We rejoice them first, and then we complain. Or, we complain from them first, and then we give up ourselves to them happily. We try to break loose a lot, although the constraint, unconsciously, makes up happy. Or, we often look for a constraint to protect us from what our souls were created and imprinted to love; the freedom. We struggle with ourselves, others, and life; although we mostly don't know what we really want. Moreover, we do not dare to look for what we want. This is why most of us live in vicious circles.

212 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 11, 2013

About the author

Ayman Farouk Taha is an Egyptian finance and investment Consultant and instructor. He has recently decided to invade the fiction writing world. He has an MBA and a degree in management sciences from Egypt. Through his work, travels, readings, hobbies, and activities, he has been exposed to a lot about life, people, situations, places, and cultures. He decided to communicate and to share his ideas, thoughts, feelings, and dreams with others through his first book of fiction, Vicious Circles. It is a self-published collection of short stories about people and their endless struggles with themselves, others, and life.

Reviews

[Ronesa Aveela · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the author's note mentioned the vicious cycles we live in our live, it reminded me of my mother once telling about how we get recordings of our lives stuck in our heads, and keep playing them over and over again, refusing to let them go. This book tells much the same story in the tales of the individuals.

Although the stories are fiction (some a little supernatural), they show how our fears prevent us from moving forward in life--the "what-ifs" that prevent us from leaving our comfort zone, even if it's not really comfortable. What lies ahead could be worse, so better to stay with what you already know. A theme prevalent in many is: If you want your life to change, it has to start within you; you can't live in the past.

Most of the stories have rather sad outcomes, but all are enjoyable. If you want a look into the human mind, be sure to pick up this book. If you're a writer, it will give you great ideas for characters in your own novels.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting short stories that examine a person as they are dealt different situations in life. The author did a great job bringing the characters to life and making the reader think what they would do if handed the same set of circumstances. great job in this compelling collection.

[Brenda Mohammed · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Vicious Circles' is a collection of short stories about people, their struggles, and their choices in life.
'It is our choices... that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities'. J. K. Rowling
Each story teaches that we are the result of both the good and bad choices we make in life.
I enjoyed the book and recommend it to all.