Scenes from the Second Storey

by Amanda Pillar (Editor), Pete Kempshall (Editor), Kaaron Warren

Inspired Stories from Australian Authors
Scenes from the Second Storey is an anthology that pays homage to an album that Morrigan Books’ publisher, Mark S. Deniz, believes is one of the greatest of all time; Scenes from the Second Storey, by The God Machine.

Each story in this collection has been inspired by a track from the album. Quirky, dark, insightful and sometimes downright disturbing, these tales reflect the emotions and images our authors experienced when they heard ‘their’ song from Scenes from the Second Storey.

In Scenes, you will meet a girl struggling to find cleanliness in a world full of corruption with Kaaron Warren; follow the twisted mental pathways of the egocentric with Robert Hood; watch two men search for enlightenment down a dark path with Paul Haines; and dance with a girl struggling to find her role within society with Cat Sparks.

These snippets are a mere taste of what you will discover between the covers of this anthology. If you love The God Machine or are looking for a collection that boasts a stable of talented Australian writers, you must grab a copy of Scenes.


Scenes from the Second Storey
Stories:

Dream Machine - David Conyers
She Said - Kirstyn McDermott
The Blind Man - Felicity Dowker
I’ve Seen The Man - Paul Haines
The Desert Song - Andrew J. McKiernan
Home - Martin Livings
It’s All Over - L.J. Hayward
Temptation - Trent Jamieson
Out - Stephen Dedman
Ego - Robert Hood
Seven - Stephanie Campisi
Purity - Kaaron Warren
The Piano Song - Cat Sparks

245 pages, Paperback

First published March 3, 2011

About the author

Amanda Pillar is addicted to writing. Not in the fun kind of way, more in the has-to-get-her-fix kind of way. But that's a good thing, right? It means she's busy working on her next book and has plans for many more to come, all with lots of snark. Because snark.

Amanda has had almost a dozen books published, alongside a variety of short stories, as well as solo and co-editing over half a dozen anthologies. People say it's because she's an 'over-achiever' but, in reality, Amanda doesn't understand the concept of 'relaxation'. (Please feel free to explain it to her. Use small words.) Compounding this issue, Amanda has commenced work on a PhD. Because she's crazy.

Oh, and in her day job, she's an archaeologist. (And no, she doesn't get chased around site by rogue boulders, thank the flying spaghetti monster. She doesn't even want to imagine the OH&S paperwork THAT would cause).

Reviews

[Mihai Adascalitei · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like music, but I cannot say that is one of my passions. I guess I like it as much as any other person, I enjoy listening and buying the albums of the bands and singers I like, but I tend to be pretty conservative and inconsistent on the matter. But when I heard about Amanda Pillar and Pete Kempshall’s anthology based on a music album, The God Machine’s “Scenes from the Second Storey”, the concept I was immediately intrigued and my curiosity picked. I was very interested to see how the wheels of imagination were spun by The God Machine’s songs.

“Dream Machine” by David Conyers – After seventy-six years in Hell Barry Adamson is reassembled at the Hell’s Overload order for an assassination mission. David Conyers spawns with frightening ability scenes that could fuel the most terrifying of nightmares. The hell’s torments traded for a world of endless corridors full of strange paintings and whispers, the painful reconstruction of Barry Adamson’s body and an operation held in the hallucinatory surgical tent together with the deviant methods of training are meticulously shaped into an amazing story. The reason for Barry Adamson’s punishments in Hell is revealed too, but I found it lacking a bit of motivation. I understand from the author’s afterword, however, that “Dream Machine” is part of a series of interconnected short stories, so maybe these aspects have a connection with the other tales. Nonetheless, David Conyers’ “Dream Machine” is the perfect start for the anthology.

“She Said” by Kirstyn McDermott – It is the story of an artist, Josh, and of his girlfriend and muse, Mallory. A beautiful and melancholically story, but with very dark elements. The inspirations and creation of art works tightly hand in hand with life in general and love in particular here. There is a parallel between Josh creating his art pieces and his romantic relationships with his lovers and muses. The touch of life on the artwork gets a new meaning on “She Said” though, but despite this new distinction Josh doesn’t seem to be able to feel fully accomplished neither in art or life.

“The Blind Man” by Felicity Dowker – After the savage beating of a school colleague Greg is condemned to a suspended twelve-month juvenile detention and one hundred hours of community service. While serving his community service hours at The Willows aged care facility Greg meets the mysterious Mr. Salioso. There is a twist in the presence of Mr. Salioso, but the true horror of the story is not found there. The story is told in a strong and bitter voice of Greg, a character with an internal turmoil, but with whom the reader cannot feel sympathetic. Moments of tenderness are turned into brutality and innocence is twisted by violence in a story that is uncomfortable in many ways, but very difficult to forget at the same time.

“I’ve Seen the Man” by Paul Haines – The story of an addictiveness. Paul Haines plays his addicted character to perfection, revealing his dependency late into the story for a greater impact on the reader. The end of the story adds a heavier accent on this aspect, but also a sadder tone. Paul Haines’ recent and unfortunate departure from our world gives “I’ve Seen the Man” new depth and meaning.

“The Desert Song” by Andrew J. McKiernan – When people start disappearing in an outback town Josh the undertaker goes out into the desert for coffinwood trees to use for his coffins while Reverend Garland Wallace sees the situation as an opportunity to gain new followers and redeem their souls. The post-apocalyptic setting is the scene where religion and science clash again. Since neither ideology is willing to make concessions the conflict will rapidly escalade. The solitude of the desert is highlighted by a new world emerged after a world-conflict. The respective conflict is barely hinted by Andrew J. McKiernan, but enough to give the setting shape and representation. The zombie/vampire tropes take a scientific form in “The Desert Song” and that is a very welcomed changed for two sub-genres that tend to become very stereotypical.

“Home” by Martin Livings – The soldier Jack tries to makes sense of his surreal present situation. “Home” is a haunting short story, with elements that not only send Jack, the main character, in an uncertain position, but makes it feel like a perpetual nightmare. Or an endless punishment in Hell. Martin Livings’ story has an undertone that hints at the horrors of war, be they physical or mental.

“It’s All Over” by L.J. Hayward – James goes to an isolated old lighthouse reported to be haunted by a ghost in search of material for his psychology thesis, but also in need to make peace with his past and present. L.J. Hayward creates a very nice ghost story mixing atmosphere with mystery while steadily building the climax amplified by an excellent twist. The journeys James takes down his memory lanes into the past leads the reader to what seems to be a certain outcome, but the story’s finale makes this deceiving one of the main qualities of “It’s All Over”.

“Temptation” by Trent Jamieson – Bolland and Smirker are attempting to cross Victoria Bridge. This is the base idea of Trent Jamieson’s story, but the imagined world of “Temptation” is definitely wider. Crossing a bridge seems to have become a profession in this story and the task is not as simple and carefree as we know it. The bridges are a world on their own, labyrinthine and dangerous as the setting that encompass them is very dark. But Trent Jamieson’s story is very confusing, raising more question than offering answers. It has an intriguing universe and I did not ask how this world came into existence, but I had a few unanswered inquires, important to the development of the story in my opinion, that don’t seem to have an answer. Unfortunately, I have to say that I was unsatisfied by the general feeling left by “Temptation”.

“Out” by Stephen Dedman – Suri was born and raised on zero gravity, but the perspective of landing on a new planet is not as welcomed for her as it is for the rest of the space crew. A wonderful story, which comes with a twist that is another excellent addition to this particular turns encountered in the anthology. The story is told through the voice of a tech and offers the tale of a misfit from the perspective of another misfit. A very solid tale, with a wonderful tone and a clever spin.

“Ego” by Robert Hood – Stefan Clemens and Merrin reached a breaking point in their relationship, but when Merrin’s younger sister, Alice, shows up at Stefan’s door things take a new turn. “Ego” is a short story that keeps the reader almost clueless of what it is actually taking place and what is going to happen. If I can make a comparison it is like walking along a dark corridor with a closed door at the end outlined at the edges by the light behind it. I was never certain what awaited me behind the door, but curiosity push me forward and rewarded me at the end. Better still, I recommend a return to the opening paragraph of “Ego” after finishing Robert Hood’s story, because in the light of the story’s conclusion that particular start recompenses the reader further more. I was not sure about the significance of the main character’s cancer, but after reflecting on this matter a bit more I believe that this is another great approach from the part of Robert Hood, because I do think that in the case of “Ego” cancer doesn’t refer literally to the disease, but rather to a more subtle psychological affection, as dark and dangerous as this terrible illness is.

“Seven” by Stephanie Campisi – Elizaveta tries to cope with the disappearance of her beloved Mikhail and recollects the relationship with him. The story exhales a melancholy infused atmosphere. The main character suffering is almost palpable, the bitter memories of her past lover and their not always easy relationship are enforced by the feeling of solitude induced by her move from home country and the isolation she feels in the new home. Most of the story conflict is implied, nothing is stated clear in the face of the reader. The same goes for the speculative element of the story, only barely seen, but efficient nonetheless. With an excellent technique Stephanie Campisi might not line up “Seven” is the same category as the rest of the stories when it comes to the force with which the subject is delivered, but it is a very sensible tale.

“Purity” by Kaaron Warren – Unsatisfied by her personal life and the medium she lives in Therese joins Calum and Daniel, an unusual preacher and his grandson. It is a story that touches firmly the bizarre, but with an adequate effect. Kaaron Warren is proficient in creating the atmosphere of religious hypnosis and the image of a strange cult leader and his followers. The end is unsettling and amplifies the impression of grotesque and strangeness.

“The Piano Song” by Cat Sparks – Charise fights against a system and tries to find her unique way in the middle of an imposed behavior and hierarchy. Cat Sparks creates a world, a vision of Earth’s possible future, in which the music stars are created by a certain pattern, each role is clearly defined and where uniqueness is not easily accepted. Charise’s struggle against the all defining current ends in a shift of her perceivable reality, inducing a dreamlike state with cheerful tones, but with an unclear border between the two.

I am not sure about The God Machine’s “Scenes from the Second Storey”, it doesn’t seem to fit any of my musical preferences, but Amanda Pillar and Pete Kempshall’s anthology is impressive. I’ve rarely seen such an exceptional collection, with such powerful voices, strong narratives and outstanding stories. I might seem overly excited by it, but I assure you that Amanda Pillar and Pete Kempshall’s “Scenes from the Second Storey” is nothing but top quality. It is an anthology to be held dear, a collection to be read and re-read.

[Alan Baxter · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you think you recognise the title Scenes From The Second Storey from previous posts, you’d be right. It’s been nominated for Best Anthology in the Aurealis Awards, Ditmar Awards and Australian Shadows Awards, and numerous stories from it have been nominated all over the place as well. It’s got a lot of attention and deservedly so. I picked up a copy after the launch at Worldcon last year and it’s just made it to the top of my reading pile.

Scenes is a strange but rather cool concept. Mark Deniz of Morrigan Books came up with the idea, based in his love of the God Machine album of the same name – Scenes From The Second Storey. He wanted to pay homage to that, one of his favourite albums, by editing an anthology of short fiction, with each story being named after each track on the record. In the end two anthologies emerged – one with international contributors and one with Australian contributors. It’s the Australian edition, edited by the ably talented Amanda Pillar and Pete Kempshall, that I read. The talent commisioned for this book is awesome – here’s the ToC:

Dream Machine – David Conyers
She Said – Kirstyn McDermott
The Blind Man – Felicity Dowker
I’ve Seen The Man – Paul Haines
The Desert Song – Andrew McKiernan
Home – Martin Livings
It’s All Over – L.J. Hayward
Temptation – Trent Jamieson
Out – Stephen Dedman
Ego – Robert Hood
Seven – Stephanie Campisi
Purity – Kaaron Warren
The Piano Song – Cat Sparks

Each story takes its name and inspiration from a song on the album, with each author penning a speculative yarn in their own unique style. There’s really not a weak story in this book, but the real standouts for me were Kirstyn McDermott’s She Said, a creepy exploration of art and muse; Robert Hood’s Ego, an out there ghost story that takes some great twists and turns; and Kaaron Warren’s Purity, a tale exploring a cult of purity and laughter that is just beautiful in concept and execution. Seriously, Kaaron’s work is invariably mind-blowing, she really is a prodigious talent. Her collection, Dead Sea Fruit, is quickly rising to the top of my reading pile and I can’t wait.

So Scenes manages to be that rare thing – a different, intriguing anthology with no weak spots. It’s also made me deseperate to hear the record now, so I’ll be picking that up soon. It sounds like it’s just my cup of tea. After each story the author has written a paragraph or two about how their story came to be, based on their listening to the track in question, which only adds to the depth of the book.

So get yourself a copy – you can get it in print or ebook.

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tough to review this anthology as I know the publisher and many of the contributors.

I wanted to like this book. I really did. But when I reached the end I was left feeling...flat and worn out. The stories are inspired by a band called "The God Machine". I'm not familiar with their music but judging by the stories in this antho, it must be pretty bleak. I found almost all of the stories were energy sapping and with very little light to huddle under. I enjoyed Trent Jamieson's piece the most, I think because it was very different to the rest. Andrew McKiernan's story was also quite entertaining but he fell into the common trap of trying to explain what was happening to his characters. (I'm surprised the editor didn't latch onto this and suggest some sanding back.)

There's some fine writing in this antho but in the end I couldn't give it more than 3 stars.

[Shane Cummings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Without reservation, this is one of the strongest Australian anthologies of the 2000s. Scenes from the Second Storey (Australian Edition) highlights many of the 2000s' best and brightest authors at the top of their game. The stories by Conyers, McDermott, and McKiernan are among their very best. More importantly, the stories from Hood, Campisi, and Sparks stretch their technical capabilities as writers, demonstrating sides of them that haven't been shown in previous outings. The remaining stories are all uniformly solid. There is genuinely not a weak story in the bunch, although some might find a few of the stories not to their taste.

Read my full review on HorrorScope: http://www.horrorscope.com.au/2011/01...

[Alan Baxter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an outstanding anthology, well worth a read. My full review is here: http://www.alanbaxteronline.com/2011/...