Forrest’s Reviews > A Forest with its Mouth Open Wide & Other Stories > Status Update

"The European Monster Part Two" is dark and obtuse, much like the philosophy of Emil Cioran, the inferred inspiration for the story (first published in a volume of stories dedicated to the Romanian philosopher). Here the narrator finds himself in a labyrinthine situation, becoming a part of a (political? criminal?) machine at the heart of which is the titular monster, perhaps a modern Minotaur.

Profoundly existential, yet hopelessly defiant, "The Chamber in the Universe" examines monuments, devotion, power, hope, and death. The temple representing as empty vessel exposing the hollowness of existence, while being the instrument by which the common-builder nudges the cosmos, even a particle's-width; one of the most human of desires: to matter, even when nothing matters. To make one's mark forever in the void.

"Black Chroma" is set in what seems to be a post-apocalypse, though it may be the structure of the narrator's mind that is collapsing, rather than civilization. Paranoia and agoraphobia combine to expose (him?) to the bright pinpoint lights of the cosmos, a nakedness only occulted by self-burial. Five stars.

My second time reading the novella "Orphans on Granite Tides". This has been revised from the original (which I've read previously). Not sure what changes were made - I should ask Adam - but wow, does that prose POP! The first two paras on P.46 are going to need to be quoted as an example. Absolutely stunning.