Prior to this book, I’d never read anything from Mariana Enríquez. Don’t hate me! Now that I’ve read this fabulous collection of short stories, I can’t wait to discover more from this Argentine author. In fact, The Dangers of Smoking in Bed is a perfect introduction. Within these pages, I discovered some of the most unsettling and disturbing fiction that I’ve ever read. As my readers know, I adore horror in all its myriad of grisly forms, and what Enríquez has accomplished here is some of the finest pieces of psychological horror you will find in contemporary literature.
The Dangers of Smoking in Bed (2009) by Mariana Enríquez and translated from Spanish by Megan McDowell in 2021; Photo Credit: Natalie Getter (Rating: 4 out of 5 stars)
The twelve stories that exist in these 187 pages are at once terrifying while also being so beautifully captivating. Enríquez is a modern-day wizard, conjuring up an army of dead and missing children, teenage obsession that becomes murderous, and a curse that undoes an entire neighborhood in glorious karmic retribution. I firmly believe that the first story in any author’s collection sets the tone and expectations for what is to follow, and here “Angelita Unearthed” does just that with this tale of a woman being haunted by the ghost of her grandmother’s deceased sibling. This opener is so bizarre, more so by the protagonist’s relaxed attitude to the insane events occurring.
Enríquez is so wickedly twisted, and I say this as a compliment. One of my favorite stories was “Where Are You Dear Heart?” about a woman obsessed with damaged hearts that becomes darker and darker until it meets a crescendo about taking your desires too far. It’s just so ghastly! Obsession is a recurrent theme in several of these stories, such as “Meat” about a group of super fans who take their devotion to their dead idol to insane extremes.
Another stand-out for me was “The Well” about a young woman suffering from paralyzing anxiety who tracks down a witch who might be the answer to curing her affliction. This one contains a classic twist ending as a family secret is unearthed. The longest story in the collection is ‘Kids Who Come Back’, in which a disgruntled government worker is haunted by the memory of a disappeared girl, who is found after several years having not aged a single day. When other missing and assumed dead children begin to reappear, the story builds to something that is equally horrifying and heartbreaking. While these stories all stand alone, they also connect together, forming a deeper theme on loss. Death, isolation, and abandonment all occur here, bringing a poignancy beneath the chills and frights.
Enríquez’s prose (as well as Megan McDowell’s perfect translation) is magical, deceptive by being casual, delivered just right to keep you reading even when you begin to feel this creeping dread. This author keeps you feeling unsettled and knows just how much her readers enjoy being scared. For a collection enveloped in paranoia and unease, The Dangers of Smoking in Bed is compulsive reading and remarkably well-crafted. It’s an impressive feat that will keep you reading well past your bedtime.
“At that age, there’s music playing in your head all the time, as if a radio were transmitting from the nape of your neck, inside your skull. Then one day the music starts to grow softer, or it just stops. When that happens, you’re no longer a teenager. But we weren’t there yet, not even close, back when we talked to the dead.”
Have you read this book? I’d love to know your thoughts! Let me know with a comment below.
Earlier this week, I published my review of Cursed Bunny by Korean author Bora Chung. If you read that post, you’ll know I loved this varied collection of short stories from the bottom of my heart. In fact, I was so enamored with Cursed Bunny, that I immediately reserved her next book of short stories from my local library. Your Utopia contains another set of breathtaking pieces, but this time the emphasis is science fiction, perhaps making this a more cohesive collection. Where Cursed Bunny jumped around a little (fantasy, horror, science-fiction), the eight stories comprising Your Utopia are thematically linked. There’s a shift here to speculative fiction, providing the reader with views into the future with a few technological twists. Translated once again by Anton Hur, this book is another phenomenal achievement from Bora Chung.
Your Utopia (2024) by Bora Chung and translated by Anton Hur; Photo Credit: Natalie Getter (Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars)
At first, I was a little concerned after reading the first story. “The Center for Immortality Research” is a light-hearted work about an anniversary event that turns into a complete comedy of errors. As this is Bora Chung, expect her to shock her readers at the very end of this story. While this was an entertaining piece, it was far from being a favorite for me. I actually began to fear that I wouldn’t enjoy this collection as much as Cursed Bunny. My feelings completely changed with the second story. “The End of the Voyage” focuses on a group sent into space after a global pandemic that turns people into cannibals. When the virus gets aboard the spaceship, this story turns into a terrifying fight for survival. The last sentence of this one gave me the chills and will be remembered for quite some time.
Most of the stories feature the darker side of technological advancement and the effect it does (and will) have on our lives. “Maria, Gratia Plena” is about a technician who is scanning the brain of a criminal in a coma in order to piece together how a crime actually happened. The title story, “Your Utopia,” is told from the point-of-view of an intelligent car fighting to survive after humanity has been wiped out. This one turned out to be another favorite and served as another nightmare version of the future.
My favorite from this book has to be “A Song for Sleep.” The narrator for this one is a sentient elevator who becomes curious and then slowly falls in love with an elderly resident. It’s so heartbreaking (and so GOOD) as this artificial intelligence works so hard to understand life and the eternal question of why humans must age and die. If this story fails to move you, then you don’t have a soul!
As I write out my thoughts on here, I’ve come to the realization that the stories on here are just as varied as they were in Cursed Bunny. While all eight of the pieces in Your Utopia are science fiction, you’ll find some that are emotionally evocative and some that are lighter in tone, such as “A Very Ordinary Marriage”, in which a husband discovers that his wife is an extraterrestrial. Suffice to say, there’s something to enjoy for every taste. The final author’s note titled “The Art of Mourning” provides some great insight into Bora Chung and her work as an activist. I’m so thankful to have discovered her stories and now eagerly wait for the next ones.
“For the first time since my activation, I do not want to operate. I want to keep the traces of her fingertips close to me and to remain here with my doors open, playing this single song for her forever.”-“A Song for Sleep”
Have you read this book? I’d love to know your thoughts! Let me know with a comment below.
This year, I’ve made it a personal quest to read more short story collections. It’s been going much better than expected, and I’ve had the pleasure of reading some incredible short stories from some of the most brilliant writers of contemporary fiction. During this journey, I discovered a couple of interesting trends: all the short story collections I’ve read are from women writers, and the works are extremely dark. Two of these books come from the genius of Korean author Bora Chung. I read her first book, Cursed Bunny, back in February. When I was finished, I knew immediately that I would be reading her recent follow-up, Your Utopia, and so I reserved it from my local library. While I was originally planning to review both together, I’ve decided to keep them separate, as they are quite different stylistically. One leans more toward horror, while the other is heavily science fiction. So let’s discuss the delightfully twisted tales of Cursed Bunny!
Cursed Bunny (2017) by Bora Chung and translated by Anton Hur; Photo Credit: Natalie Getter (Rating: 5 out of 5 stars!)
This is the most varied assortment of stories I’ve ever encountered in one book! I thought I knew what I was getting into with this collection, particularly as the first two stories were firmly rooted in body horror. The opener titled “The Head” is so disgusting that the less I say about it, the better. You’ll just have to read it to see what I mean. The second tale called “The Embodiment” is so surreal and Kafkaesque, as a woman becomes inexplicably pregnant despite never having been with anyone. Rather than provide any sympathetic advice, however, her physician tells her that in order to have a normal baby, this young mother will have to find a suitable father. The story then becomes an allegory on parenting and the pressures of a woman in Korea believing she must have a man in her life. Chung infuses both of these opening stories with a lot of humor, but it doesn’t take long for them to become so disturbing. I completely loved these stories, and, rightfully so, was mistaken in believing that all ten stories would be works of horror. Far from it, as Chung proves she is adept at moving from genre to genre with equal skill.
For example, “Goodbye, My Love” is fully in the science fiction vein, focusing on a scientist and her relationships with the androids she creates. While she works through the difficult decision to send her first ever creation back to the factory as it’s become obsolete, she wonders if perhaps the android has feelings about this as well. “Snare” is a dark version of the classic golden goose fable, while “Ruler of the Winds and Sands” is a fantasy fable taking place on a desert world. In this one, a princess embarks on a mission to restore the sight of the prince she is to marry, only to discover that things are not as they seem, and that human nature is a terrible thing.
Another group of stories take a darker and supernatural approach. One of the best horror shorts I’ve ever read is called “The Frozen Finger” and is a claustrophobic story of a woman trapped in a sinking car in complete darkness with only a cold hand for company and support. It’s so chilling! (no pun intended). Another favorite from this collection, “Reunion,” is a clever ghost story that takes the reader in so many directions, leading us to examine the darkness that exists in each of us. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the title story of this phenomenal book. “Cursed Bunny” is told from the point-of-view of a grandfather who takes revenge on a company by gifting them a cursed object, a rabbit lamp shade. As the story unfolds, we see how the curse works on a family but also how it comes back on the grandfather himself.
Overall, Chung’s first collection is an impressive debut, with translator Anton Hur doing an extraordinary job in converting these twisted tales for us English readers to enjoy. Here’s my warning: as impressed as I was with this book, I recognize it’s not for the squeamish or for the faint of heart. I encourage you dear reader to have the courage to check out this intriguing collection from one of my new favorite writers. If you still say Bora Chung is a no-go, I ask that you wait for my review of Your Utopia before making a decision.
“I could finally understand the horrific and cruel clarity of what he considered to be meaningful. The desperation and immense fear that your life, as well as the future to come, hinged on a moment.”-“Reunion”
Have you read this book? I’d love to know your thoughts! Let me know with a comment below.
Welcome to my wrap-up post for March, as I sit here and ponder, “How are the first three months of 2024 already gone?” I suppose time flies when you’re having fun reading. Overall, it was a splendid month, both for books and for personal reasons. Natalie and I spent a week on vacation visiting the Florida coast. Highlights included exploring an old World War II fort and lots of shopping. Anytime I’m out of town, I always try to purchase at least one book from the experience. I think this time, I took home five, which I will hopefully review at some point in the near future!
A word of warning in that this wrap-up post will be a bit longer than past ones. Since I only read five books this month and only did one review, I’ll be giving this list in a mini-review format. So hopefully, at least one book below will “tickle your fancy” as the kids say.
Five fabulous books by five fabulous women! And, as always, the photos are from the fabulous Natalie Getter!
Let’s start with the one book I did review this month. In my post, I talked about how If We Were Villains is such a beautifully written and complex novel, that it deserves a reread in the near future. While serving as a terrific suspense thriller, the novel also works as an introduction to the works of Shakespeare, with emphasis on the tragedies. And let me tell you, this book is definitely a tragedy. However, the author takes this book to new heights with dynamic characters, exquisite language that alternates between real-world language and Shakespearian dialogue, and a structure that transforms the book into a five-act play.
The book is full of tension from the very beginning, as our protagonist Oliver is telling his story from ten years ahead of the horrible events that occurred to him and his six friends as drama students at an elite arts college. If We Were Villains is a glorious work that has fueled my love of dark academia. Whether you love Shakespeare or not, this is still a well-written tale to enjoy. (5 stars)
Brainwyrms by Alison Rumfitt:
Last year, I read a disturbing horror novel calledTell Me I’m Worthless by Alison Rumfitt, a writer who I believe is one of the strongest voices in LGBTQ+ literature. Like many readers, I’ve been curious to read her next novel. Rumfitt’s sophomore novel is horror once again, exploring similar themes of political extremism, transphobia, and the path of creeping fascism. Rather than a haunted house story, Brainwyrms takes body horror to the extreme to explore trauma, fetishes, and the most disgusting moments I’ve ever encountered in a work of fiction to the point where you question how this got published. In fact, I paused my reading of this one to read something else, not that it was badly written by any means, but I was unprepared for the dark directions this book would take. I did pick it back up and finish it, and while Tell Me I’m Worthless is the stronger novel, this one also forces us to take a hard look at the world and of ourselves.
Rumfitt’s experimental writing style works well in the horror genre, taking unexpected twists in a voice that is both conversational and yet quite loud and aggressive at times. This novel will always be divisive, for the disgusting parts and the political nature of the horror, so clearly this will be a work that will only be recommended to certain readers. More general readers will most likely put this book down at less than 50 pages. I did enjoy the tone of Rumfitt’s introduction, where a future fictionalized version of herself sets up the tone of the novel well. While the previous novel included a trigger warning, this one contains two, at the beginning, and a middle interjection where readers are encouraged to take a break and return. You have been warned. (4 stars)
Kissing the Witch by Emma Donoghue:
Having read two of Emma Donoghue’s other books (Room and The Pull of the Stars), I’ve come to realize that this is an author with such versatility. Once again, she completely surpasses my expectations with Kissing the Witch: Old Tales in New Skins. I love retellings of classic fairy tales and have even tried writing some of my own. This stunning collection manages to capture the effortless narratives of old tales being passed around in conversation, yet infusing them with with a raw intensity that explores feminism and gender roles in a lovely work that is pure magic.
I love the blending of the old and the new with so many delicious twists. What if Cinderella fell in love with the Fairy Godmother? What if the “beast” from Beauty and the Beast was female? While these stories are fresh and exciting, they still contain all the violence, humor, and harshness you know from the Brothers Grimm. This is far and away from the likes of Disney. Death is a matter of normalcy, blood is spilt, lives are threatened, and women are savage and ambitious, yet noble, beautiful, and courageous. In Donoghue’s hands, nothing is black and white: villains are not simply evil, and the heroines aren’t quite as flawless as contemporary tales make them out to be. In fact, the dichotomy between heroine/villain becomes quite blurred, particularly when you get stories from the perspectives of the evil stepmothers and ruthless work matrons. I look forward to reading more from Donoghue, as she continues to surprise and impress! (4.5 stars)
The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie:
I’ve read a lot of Agatha Christie up to this point, and I will continue to do so. Her second published novel was not what I was expecting at all. Rather than your traditional locked room mystery, The Secret Adversary is Christie’s first attempt at giving the world a spy thriller for a novel. It’s hard to imagine the Queen of Mystery as being a young and vibrant woman, but this work proves that this is exactly who she was at the time of penning this novel. Full of vibrancy and youthful fun, this rollicking adventure introduces the world to the crime-fighting team of Tommy and Tuppence.
Set immediately after World War I, these two old friends reunite without a penny to their names. With a lack of anything better to do, they decide to become detectives, and within minutes, are swept into international intrigue involving some stolen documents, a missing woman, and a mysterious figure known as “Mr. Brown” who is a criminal mastermind hiding in the shadows. As you can tell, this novel requires some suspension of disbelief with its overreaching coincidences and melodrama. This is a novel clearly rooted in its time fueled by the aftermath of the War, the rise of the Bolsheviks, and the sinister world that seemed to have emerged from the Armistice. While not the typical pace of a Christie narrative, this one is complete bonkers and over-the-top fun from start to finish. On another note, I did learn recently that Tommy and Tuppence are the only Christie protagonists who age in real time, so I’m very curious about how these characters develop in subsequent adventures. (4 stars)
Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado:
Finally, I decided to read another short story collection called Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado. It’s been sitting on my shelves for months. I picked it up with no idea what to expect, and I’m happy to report that I couldn’t have ended March on a stronger note! Through the lens of magical realism, Machado explores the many ways in which women’s bodies are often mistreated, exploited, and controlled. Each story in this collection is unique and inventive. Here are some of the plots: a woman runs through an inventory of her past loves to keep herself sane during the apocalypse; an epidemic causes all the women in the world to slowly fade away; the longest tale in this collection is a series of vignettes following the characters of Law & Order: SVU but includes ghosts, buried traumas, and evil doppelgangers (so nuts and yet so good).
My favorite story in this collection keeps changing, but for now it is “The Husband Stitch.” This is a retelling of the classic folktale about the girl with the green ribbon around her neck. I remember reading that one as a child, and it scaring the ever-loving piss out of me. Machado seamlessly weaves countless fairy tales, myths, and urban legends into this piece (the hook-handed man, the girl raised by wolves, the girl who dies of fright in cemetery) and by the end they all begin to run together with one common theme: women being punished for being women. Machado’s exploration into trauma and healing has taken this therapist’s heart by storm. So much, in fact, that I’m planning to read more from this author sooner than later. These stories are so well-written, and I encourage everyone to check out this extraordinary writer. (4.5 stars)
I have a lot more I’d like to say, but that can wait for another time. Cheers to another great month of literature!
“Maybe we are all marked in some way, even if it’s impossible to see.”-“The Husband Stitch”
What was your favorite book in March? Let me know with a comment below!
One of my goals for 2023 is to expand my horizons through reading more translated works of fiction, particularly in some of my favorite genres, to which science fiction is number one. So you can imagine my excitement on discovering one of the best translated works I’ve ever read. Kim Bo-Young has already earned a reputation as one of South Korea’s strongest voices in science fiction. I’m Waiting for You and Other Stories marks the author’s first translated work here in the United States, and what an introduction to this amazing writer! Ever since discovering Mary Shelley, I’ve been on the search for more great women science fiction writers, and I cant wait to read more from Kim Bo-Young. This collection of four stories should be considered required reading, as I found them exquisite and wanting so much more.
I’m Waiting for You and Other Stories (2021) by Kim Bo-young, translated by Sophie Bowman and Sung Ryu, Photo Credit: Natalie Getter
The four stories in this collection are actually two pairs of connected tales, with the first and last story making up one narrative, and the two middle stories connecting together. The title story, “I’m Waiting for You,” was originally written in 2015 by the request of a fan who asked if the author would write a story he could use in order to propose to his girlfriend. I don’t think I can name many authors that would create a story for one devoted reader in mind. That’s quite a romantic tale, and this story is such a powerful one surrounding lost love and human determination. Kim Bo-Young would later pen a follow-up story, “On My Way to You.” These stories follow an engaged couple who are on different missions in different parts of space. A series of unfortunate circumstances continue to happen to each of them, resulting in years continuing to pass as they work to find each other again. Meanwhile, centuries pass on Earth, and the devastating effects of various factors result in humanity becoming nearly extinct. I felt the crushing weight of loneliness on behalf of the protagonist of “I’m Waiting for You” who is staying alive powered by hope and to also keep the memory of their beloved alive.
“So you saved my life. Whatever age you’re in now, whether you’re dead already, or still alive somewhere, traveling among infinite clusters of stars.”
Both “I’m Waiting for You” and the follow-up story “On My Way to You” show the power of true commitment. You can be together with someone, even when you’re light years apart, as long as you live in someone’s memory. Through the pair of stories, we see different life experiences, as one suffers the crippling effects of loneliness, while the other suffers torment due to the actions of others. While each of the two stories can be read separately, they work together beautifully. Be prepared to cry.
The second narrative, “The Prophet Of Corruption” and “That One Life” is a complex science fiction story with origins in Buddhism and Korean mythology. The protagonist is Naban, a powerful God who is capable of dividing themselves and reincarnating into the moral Lower Realm in order to learn. Earth is considered a school, merely a training ground for learning. But soon there is moral conflict, and the result is a fascinating look at individualism versus collectivism.
These middle stories examine concepts of karma, identity, and suffering. Throughout, Naban battles their own doubts while engaging in battle with numerous other powerful beings. There’s Fuxi, who believes that everyone deserves a perfect life and suffering is pointless. Tushita believes everyone would be happier merged as one consciousness. The story also explores how so many myths portray the interplay between Gods as simultaneous parents, children, lovers, and rivals.
I Am Waiting For You includes plenty of supplemental material , such as author notes on Kim’s inspirations for her stories and the initial reactions of the recipients of “I Am Waiting For You” and “On My Way To You,” along with correspondence between the book’s two translators, Sophie Bowman and Sung Ryu. I enjoyed reading everything, but I was also frustrated as several works by the author were referenced that are not available here in the states yet.
I’m Waiting for You and Other Stories is an immersive, sci-fi experience that is filled with humanity while also taking the reader to a different time and place. The blending of space travel with mythology was fun. Also, it was so interesting and sad to read about how beings such as Gods and computers (as well as humans) view Earth as just a big playground. The story of two star-crossed lovers in space makes this book well worth the time and a great reminder of how precious this thing called life truly is.
“Back then, just the fact of living meant I wasn’t alone.”
Have you read this book? I’d love to know your thoughts! Let me know with a comment below.
I Would Rather Be Reading 