Ever wondered how Little Red Riding Hood would grow up after her traumatic experience with the wolf? Ever wondered how you might react when you wake up in someone else’s body? What happens when a man shares a night of passion with a woman from his dreams and a neurotic comes face to face with his fears personified?
The tales inside explore these concepts, and more, in the first collection of short works by young British author Matthew Rowe. It is a mix of horror, comedy and traditional fantasy with an imaginative twist or two that includes the short 'Don’t Fear The Reaper', winner of Dark Fiction's monthly horror competition.
Don't worry though, not all of them are about zombies.
"Creatively Dark and Creatively Funny" Don't let the humorous summary fool you. This collection of short stories can be serious, and is definitely dark in places such as the edge-of-your-seat short, "Selling Liberty." If short reads are your thing, then you definitely should buy a copy of NOT ALL OF THEM ABOUT ZOMBIES.
"Quality Writing" I really enjoyed the writing style, the wording and imagery are excellent. This writer has good wit and refreshing honesty about himself, and the publishing world as well. I know how you feel, Matthew. I've spent years peddling my wares to publishers and agents as well for no result. I got close a couple of times, but couldn't quite get my foot firmly planted through the door before it slammed unapologetically into my face. Once again, well done. Great work!
"Not All of Them about Zombies" One good use of his introduction is that the author clues you in on the different styles and experimentation he was going for while writing each piece, while not giving too much away. For instance the first short story, “Selling Liberty,” challenges a reader’s interpretation of a character after being introduced half way through their scenario and not necessarily knowing what happened right from the beginning. Rowe’s idea for this story came while watching a movie, and demonstrates the often intriguing things a writer encounters and finds inspiration in. My favorite story follows this one. It’s called “The Happily Ever After.” After studying children’s literature, Matthew decided he wanted to write an update to a classic and he chose Little Red Riding Hood in which Red is all grown up and challenged with possibly making the same mistakes she did back when she was a child. First of all, I’m a huge fan of authors who use any character or person... More > we may already know from history or from another story and puts them into a new adventure. Michael Cunningham was a genious at this with exploring the life of Virginia Woolf in his acclaimed book The Hours. Rowe’s use of the Red Riding Hood story is both original and noteworthy because he has written it in the exact same fairytale-like feel as the original is usually told. My next favorite is called “Just a Fluke,” and is pure Twilight Zone at its best in which a man wakes up to find himself trapped inside of a woman’s body. Get your mind out of the gutter! It’s not that type of story, although the short entitled “Au Naturale” is. With it, the author has penned a fine piece of erotica that’s worthy of Playboy confessions, if not better. Traditional horror topics of immortality and also werewolves are covered, along with the Grim Reaper himself who appears in Rowe’s featured tale called “Don’t Fear the Reaper.” It was the story of the month in November 2005 at Dark Fiction UK. It follows a man who envisions himself as the reaper and uses his authority to target certain others who he thinks should die. If you were a fan of the television series, Dead Like Me, you will definitely enjoy this one! As I’ve said, Rowe’s take on supernatural and fantasy is original and whimsical. Forgetting a lack of brain eating zombies which has been done again and again both in writing and television, I was much more content with the themes and subjects Rowe chose to cover instead. He is indeed a promising young writer who deserves whatever acclaim comes his way. Keep up the good work, Matthew! Read the full review at www.lulubookreview.wordpress.com!< Less
