What do you think?
Rate this book
The Roller Coaster
The roller coaster is a fast-paced work of fiction written (short story) written from the perspective of a teenager who takes seasonal work as a fairground carnie; helping to put together, take apart and maintain the roller coaster. The boy works a summer season for Colm Andersson (an older friend, and neighbour) who owns and runs the fairground ride.
It quickly becomes obvious to the boy that there is something terribly wrong with the old machine...yet quite what, he is initially unsure. His first encounter with the old coaster, which takes place late one night, whilst he is looking around, leaves him feeling fear, disquiet and a deep sense that the machine somehow feeds off, or recharges itself on the negative feelings and fears of its riders. Or anyone who risks touching it.
Over the season, the boy witnesses and feels things that he never expected and what should have been a summer of working outdoors, and getting to see farther afield than the small town he lives in, actually turns into a nightmare. One that troubles him so deeply that sleep eludes him most nights and he sits with Colm talking. What he learns is that nightmares can become real, and when they do, they can have wicked-looking sharp teeth.
It quickly becomes obvious to the boy that there is something terribly wrong with the old machine...yet quite what, he is initially unsure. His first encounter with the old coaster, which takes place late one night, whilst he is looking around, leaves him feeling fear, disquiet and a deep sense that the machine somehow feeds off, or recharges itself on the negative feelings and fears of its riders. Or anyone who risks touching it.
Over the season, the boy witnesses and feels things that he never expected and what should have been a summer of working outdoors, and getting to see farther afield than the small town he lives in, actually turns into a nightmare. One that troubles him so deeply that sleep eludes him most nights and he sits with Colm talking. What he learns is that nightmares can become real, and when they do, they can have wicked-looking sharp teeth.
133 pages, Paperback
Published March 15, 2022
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
No one has reviewed this book yet.