A wonderful, free short story () for children, but for adults as well.
Grandmother has died, but the casket has disappeared the day before the burA wonderful, free short story () for children, but for adults as well.
Grandmother has died, but the casket has disappeared the day before the burial. The entire family - with its imperfect relations - comes together, is in shock, even the police have trouble finding out "whodunit". But the culprit did honour her last wishes. ;-)
Not only that, the ending confirms how (un)tight the family ties were. ...more
Zonder het televisiequizprogramma 'De Slimste Mens ter Wereld' zou ik nooit geweten hebben wie Elisabeth Lucie Baeten is. Dit heeft haar BV-schap een Zonder het televisiequizprogramma 'De Slimste Mens ter Wereld' zou ik nooit geweten hebben wie Elisabeth Lucie Baeten is. Dit heeft haar BV-schap een enorme boost gegeven, hoewel haar humoristische filmpjes als "Katrien van Politiek PR" de springplank waren. Ook zou ze meegeschreven hebben aan het tweede seizoen van 'Nonkels', een fantastische reeks! Een andere TV-reeks, 'Loslopend wild', zou ook van haar hand zijn. (Dank u, Google, Wikipedia, ...)
Daarnaast schrijft ze boeken, zoals dit hier: 'En ze leefden nog'. Hierin werden 4 bekende sprookjes - die altijd eindigen met "En ze leefden nog lang en gelukkig." - herwerkt in een hedendaagse context, met de nadruk op de vrouwelijke personages die in deze versies zelf hun weg kiezen, doen wat ze willen doen, en bijgevolg van zich laten horen: De Kleine Zeemeermin, Doornroosje, Belle en het Beest, en Rapunzel. Dankzij de recente wedstrijd (juli 2024) van Pelckmans Uitgevers (of eerder Uitgeverij Vrijdag, dat in de groep is opgenomen) heb ik mij weer even kind kunnen voelen, even iets eenvoudigers kunnen lezen.
Grote tekeningen, veel kleur, zodat de personages goed uit de verf komen. De tekst is op rijm gezet, korte versjes, een handvol per pagina. Elk verhaaltje in zo'n 12 pagina's lang/kort, waardoor dit boek snel uit is. De rijmpjes zijn eenvoudig, soms wat stuntelig, maar wel knap gevonden. Het boek is immers gemaakt voor kinderen, hoewel niets volwassenen ervan weerhoudt om het ook even ter hand te nemen. Een verhaal moet niet altijd complex geschreven zijn, daar dienen sprookjes niet voor.
Groot minpunt dan weer wel, m.i.: witte tekst op lichte achtergrond = moeilijk leesbaar. Voorbeeld: witte letters op gele of roze achtergrond. Zou zwarte/donkerblauwe/... tekst te contrastrijk, te "fel" zijn geweest?...more
Poëzie is nooit mijn dada geweest, niet op school, niet eens de school verlaten. Ik heb het meer voor uitgeschreven teksten waarin de nodige uitweidinPoëzie is nooit mijn dada geweest, niet op school, niet eens de school verlaten. Ik heb het meer voor uitgeschreven teksten waarin de nodige uitweidingen en contexten beschreven worden, zij het dan met een poëtische invloed, geen probleem.
Hoewel poëzie in verschillende vormen beschikbaar is en zelfs eeuwenoud, spreekt de versstructuur me helemaal niet aan. Ook niet het soort van Michael Williams in verschillende kortverhalen in de Dragonlancereeks, om maar een tegenvoorbeeld te geven. Of zelfs dat van de Canadese schrijver Guy Gavriel Kay, wiens (historische) romans echter meer dan de moeite waard zijn: Tigana, The Lions of Al-Rassan, The Last Light of the Sun, ...
Nu heb ik dit kleinnood, 'Hier ligt de waarheid in overdaad', het debuut van Myriem El-Kaddouri (stadsdichter van Kortrijk voor de komende 2 jaar), via een recente wedstrijd van Uitgeverij Vrijdag - opgegaan in Pelckmans Uitgevers - gewonnen, het maakte deel uit van een boekenpakket.
'Hier ligt de waarheid in overdaad' springt er niet alleen uit qua dikte (slechts 54 pagina's), maar ook qua taal en soort "boek"/"verhaal" dat ik gewoonlijk lees. Ik lees amper in het Nederlands (of Vlaams), behalve als het om non-fictie gaat en de occasionele vertaling van een roman. Qua fictie, origineel of vertaald, vind ik helaas amper mijn gading; vandaar de voorkeur om vooral in het Engels en het Frans te lezen, met af en toe wat Duits.
Maar terug naar het debuut van mevrouw El-Kaddouri. Het werk is ingedeeld in 3 delen: * Oorsprong * Tussenruimte (of Tussen ruimte) * Verzet
Onder elke titel zijn een aantal gedichten opgelijst die ermee verband houden. Eigenlijk is het bijna (?) autobiografisch qua opzet en inhoud. De gedichten hebben betrekking op afkomst, op familie, op gezin, op een partner hebben/vinden, op vrouw-zijn, op vriendschappen, op verlies, op het leven, op prettige of onprettige gebeurtenissen, enz.
Mevrouw El-Kaddouri weet met de Nederlandse taal zeer goed om te springen en dergelijke situaties, gevoelens, ... neer te pennen. Qua taalgebruik is dit zeker zeer mooi geschreven, hoed af voor het talent.
Maar zoals eerder geschreven, heb ik weinig voeling met poëzie, kan ik dus niet inschatten in hoeverre dit werk evenwaardig is aan andere poëtische werken. Of werkt het zo niet, een dergelijke vergelijking? Sommige gedichten, een kleine meerderheid, spraken me echter wel aan, anderen vond ik dan weer te vaag of beperkt in beschrijving....more
This little academic work, barely 90 pages thin, dates from 2014, and tackles the question about transhumanism (also) being a kind of humanism? Of couThis little academic work, barely 90 pages thin, dates from 2014, and tackles the question about transhumanism (also) being a kind of humanism? Of course, the treating is concise and based on a handful of topics about artificial intelligence and mankind, and how mankind can "evolve" in the future towards a closer collaboration with technology, if not evolve into something beyond human. Not to mention a droid or cyborg like in the film 'Terminator' (1984).
There are three chapters, sandwiched between an introduction and a concluding little chapter, completed with a list of used abbreviations and a bit of information on the document's author, his works and general works about the presented theme.
As written in the introduction (paraphrased):
In the first chapter - American and European high-level reports -, transhumanism is introduced and explained and how reports have helped acknowledge the existence and acceptance of this concept in the USA and in Europe. However, and as is still the case today, there's enthusiasm for this development/evolution, but also fear for the unknown or its possible consequences on various levels.
In the second chapter - What is transhumanism? -deals with the history of the term, of the concept, of the movement behind transhumanism, and what transhumanism actually means, what it entails, what it stands for, what its principles are, and how it differs from traditional humanism. Furthermore, the professor explains in a schematic way the "transhumanist philosophy" with its various aspects: political, epistemological, anthropological, ontological, and ethical.
The third chapter explores/discusses some of the ideas of transhumanism - especially the political, social and ethical questions - by taking a few works on transhumanism (or close to it) as basis.
The Conclusion comes back to the basis for this essay and how the ideas about and for transhumanism deserve to be out in the open and taken seriously.
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Contrary to the previous work around AI and transhumanism I read - La Guerre des intelligences à l'heure de ChatGPT by Dr Laurent Alexandre -, this little academic work explains in a far more civilised, but not as accessible, way what transhumanism is, how it came about and what it actually means, whereas Dr Alexandre applied a more fear-mongering approach and how the West better step up its game to not be overwhelmed/overtaken/dominated by e.g. China.
As the late professor Hottois clearly showed, there's an entire movement, philosophy behind transhumanism. Of course there will always be prejudices, discrimination, and so on, on both sides: "normal" humans vs "transhumans", as there will be open-minded people who will regard "transhumans" as "normal" people and accept the choices the latter made for whatever reason. There is, however, still a lot of work to be done to explain to the public what it entails, despite many work and reports having been written in the past decades.
In short: A recommended introduction to transhumanism and how broad it can go, but also its impact on various domains. In the coming decades, even various laws will have to be (re)written or amended, with the practical consequences in daily life. ...more
'Encrer l'avenir' is a common title for a series of anthologies, published by the Belgian Livr'S Éditions in collaboration with the 'Encrer l'avenir' is a common title for a series of anthologies, published by the Belgian Livr'S Éditions in collaboration with the and its museum, . So far, three anthologies have been published:
The objective is simple: Organise a writing event for students aged 15 years to 20 years, have them write a short story around a certain theme. However, I don't know if each student had total freedom or if they had to follow certain rules or guidelines, stick to certain topics. The best stories are then picked to be published.
If the first anthology had fourteen stories, the second one held seven, and this third one contains five. Weren't there enough candidates? Or enough good stories? Or maybe not enough time for all participants to write a story within the set span of time?
Like in the second anthology, a few authors - indicated by (*) made their return for this third edition.
Table of contents: (*) Eulalie Borsus - Au fil de l'eau A nice story showing the contrast between old school and new school: windmill, vegetable garden, ... vs batteries, though at a high cost and high energy bills/invoices. Us vs them, those following current trends/methods vs those choosing not to and thus not be troubled by the problems of the modern, fast way of living and having to recharge batteries at a high price. Until the modern people sheepishly realise the "hippies" aren't a menace or bad after all, as they are the sole alternative to expensive energy. Then again, the man and woman too are a contrast: while he's more critical of his neighbours, interacts rarely with them, she (mute) rather sees the positive side of aiding the them... within limits. With our current way of living, there's no way back to how it was in e.g. the Middle Ages or even 100 years ago, for obvious reasons, but finding the "right" middle is what is needed, not shifting from one extreme to the next.
Louise Beckers - Les chiens sont-ils liquides ? A thought-provoking story about people living the wealthy, carefree life of living in an enclosure dominated/regulated by digital technology. A sky-high wall full of screens showing your daily dose of videos, like we find on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, ..., yet also serving to protect the enclosure against invaders, floods and other disasters, all thanks to the companies that have been dominating our lives for the past decades: Apple, Microsoft, Facebook, Amazon, ... whose names were altered for this story. As is told in the story - and also perceived as such in the real world -, the people living outside should be happy to have a "responsible" and "privileged" life. After all, they live close to the factories producing power/electricity for those in the enclosure, they live close to said factories to be able to solve a problem with it emerges, ... even if the air and living conditions on their part of the wall aren't as fantastic as the inhabitants inside the enclosure can enjoy. The dogs in the title? Oh yes, it's a robotic one here, though with the malfunction of drooling heavily. Also, food is not prepared in-house, but delivered by drones. Everything is digital, online. Your typical companies (Apple, Amazon, Deliveroo, Adidas, ...) are of course renamed, but have been used to show our current lives and how dependent we have become on them for news, food, security and more. The story also serves to show how many of us today don't really see any trouble in this any more, how we have been and continue to be brainwashed into believing that going full-digital/electric will solve many if not most of the world's problems.
Maëva Decorte - Le ThreEnergy : pas de place pour le changement Ah, the world's good-doers of making the world "greener", more "eco-friendly", yet won't accept any criticism or obstruction or interference, not externally, not internally, as everything is AI-controlled. It's a story that could have fit in the first anthology, which dealt with the theme of 'Data'. While there are true entrepreneurs who contribute to a better world, there are also entrepreneurs "green-washing" their activities.
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Whereas the first anthology was about 'data' and questioning its use (smartphones, AI, CCTV, body/dash cams, Big Data, ...), the second one revolved around exploring: space, life, nature, and more. This third one is about energy and how it's used today. Are we responsible enough? Is it better than the fossil fuels of the past decades? What are possible consequences? What role do politics play?
Despite only containing five stories, it's interesting to read how these young writers see the situation today, how it influenced them to write their respective stories. I would have liked to see a bit more stories on the matter - if only to expand the scope -, but as I wrote above, maybe circumstances weren't as favourable as before.
'Encrer l'avenir' is a common title for a series of anthologies, published by the Belgian Livr'S Éditions in collaboration with the 'Encrer l'avenir' is a common title for a series of anthologies, published by the Belgian Livr'S Éditions in collaboration with the and its museum, . So far, three anthologies have been published:
The objective is simple: Organise a writing event for students aged 15 years to 20 years, have them write a short story around a certain theme. However, I don't know if each student had total freedom or if they had to follow certain rules or guidelines, stick to certain topics. The best stories are then picked to be published.
If the first anthology had fourteen stories, this second one holds seven. Some authors, indicated by (*), also saw their stories published in the first one.
Table of contents: Gaylord Culot - Casier 146 A story that has been written man times, in many versions. A man seeks immediate help from a police inspector, has valuable information to share, though his life is at stake. Something involving various crimes, the evidence saved on a USB-stick hidden in a safe. It's well-written, a page-turner, though one little mistake that was probably overlooked in the correction process. ((view spoiler)[The police inspector sends a last message to his spouse, then destroys his SIM-card. However, when arrived at the motel, he received an message from his friend/colleague whom he had informed about the case. Unless he had a second mobile phone or second SIM-card, but that's not clear here. (hide spoiler)])
Marine Florins - La Forêt aux mille Ombres A nuclear catastrophe has ravaged Earth, the outside world is hostile, like in Hugh Howey's 'Silo' series, Philip K. Dick's 'The Penultimate Truth' (my review with links to Howey's books), and many more. Survivors either live in bunkers or near the borders of the continent, where radiation levels aren't as high, yet do exist. One needs protective suits to venture outside. A couple is sent out to investigate, to gather scientific data, has to wear special suits and masks to protect themselves. They also brought their dog along, which they adopted/took over from people who no longer wanted her. And cunning/devious/naughty as a dog can be, she manages to escape, roam the forest, until she comes a little too close to the river. A search party is set up. All's well that ends well, despite on nasty effect from going outside without protection. A cute story, all in all, showing how pet animals too need consideration and care at such times.
Naël Aster - Tout se passera bien A very weird story, consisting of different parts that are not directly linked to one another. Someone's imagination running rampant, as if the character's on drugs, also, depending on the game the mind's playing, our character not feeling connected to the world, not caring much for his fellow human being. And she - eh, he - is, in fact, as later shall be made clear, not fit for society as it is. From start to finish, quite an unexpected flow of events concerning a psychiatric patient... +/-180 years from now. Whether or not it's a foretaste of how society will deal with such people, remains to be seen, of course.
(*) Victoria Berton - Et soudain je respirai A train of thought about life, about being alive? About the wonder of living? One reference is about 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley, where Dr Frankenstein created life, no matter how unnatural the result was. And when at some point breathing becomes hard, it's a pet like dog that comes to the rescue. Or rather, "breathes" back life into you, encouraging you to not give up. To realise once more the splendour of life, even if his (or her) is coming to an end. A touching story, I must add.
Some are pure fiction, offer reading entertainment or maybe even a glimpse of how the respective authors see the future; others remain closer to the Earth, could very well be personal (or second-hand) experiences. The Walloon SFFF-future is bright, however, judging by the quality of these first two anthologies. So yes, another recommended collection of stories.
'Encrer l'avenir' is a common title for a series of anthologies, published by the Belgian Livr'S Éditions in collaboration with the 'Encrer l'avenir' is a common title for a series of anthologies, published by the Belgian Livr'S Éditions in collaboration with the and its museum, . So far, three anthologies have been published:
The objective is simple: Organise a writing event for students aged 15 years to 20 years, have them write a short story around a certain theme. However, I don't know if each student had total freedom or if they had to follow certain rules or guidelines, stick to certain topics. The best stories are then picked to be published.
Table of contents: 01) Maroua Baidouri - Le dernier secret: A good story to begin this anthology. In our contemporary society, with social media, all sorts of cameras (body, dash, traffic, CCTV, ...), smartphones, everything connected, out in the open, do secrets still exist? Of course they do, but on a personal level? Many people put their entire lives online and/or are filmed every day (when going to work, when walking around town, when driving their cars, ...), which also puts the data at risk, as it can be used and abused by anyone having access to it. But there was one (old) man (probably a baker), who decided that his house didn't need to be connected to the network. An ideal place for children to have a little secret without the world knowing what they were doing, and so be free of the constant pressure of being watched.
03) Eulalie Borsus - Garcin: A story about a young man who, reserved as he is, goes to his counsellor for advice on how to obtain more "data". Data can be anything: hobbies, activities, desires, financial situation, social status, ... It's with data (instead of money) that one an buy things, too, just like with any ordinary bank card. Only, our man prefers to keep his desires, hobbies, talents for him, doesn't like to share them with the world or even the authorities. Until he finds out, by calling the Bureau of Data, in charge of everyone's "files", that they already know all about his situation, even if he preferred to keep it all secret. Every action (or data) reported results in a better financial situation. Next to the personalised advertisements, of course. A short story about today, but could predict a dangerous future.
04) Maëlle Heeren - Visionneur: As many do today, watching videos made by others (especially influencers, celebrities, ...), be it on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, ... Here, it's VueCam (a play on words involving the university FUCaM?). Until his professor recommends someone who makes informative videos. Added to bookmarks. Still wanting to kill time and a few braincells, the young man connects to a live cam that hasn't any viewers yet. The person films his every doing, shopping, walking, even committing a crime. However, as a viewer, you must make sure never to open the tinted windows, for your own security. Alas, our student did open a window, because it was a hot day. With dire consequences. In short, be careful online, whose streams you follow, because it can all be traced. Unless you didn't record your doing as a viewer.
* Max: divorced, lost about everything after that, yet wants a relationship and especially a child. Finds a place to sleep with people who support his cause, travels from country to country, city to city to protest against the over-present surveillance. Max's brother had been arrested and all trace of him has vanished. No one knows where he was, except the authorities. As Max has lost everything (wife and income), depends on others, he doesn't have the means to pay for medical care, unfortunately. And yet, he remains determined, like many others who protest against this new kind of society.
A dark tale that doesn't bode well for the future, our future for which the basis is being created today.
07) Estelle Vigneron - Seconde chance: A dark, sad story about a father, who's a former prisoner, trying to make ends meet for his son and himself, yet struggling to find the money to maintain a certain standard. Especially when his son asks him for a new toy, as other children in school have, yet his father having to refuse for the n-th time. Until... there's only one solution left, albeit it a drastic one. One that would go to the core of why our man can't get a job. He gets paid well for it, as their situation (for him and his son) have improved greatly. But it was a one-time offer, not a definite stream of income. Meanwhile, he's being followed-up by a consultant of the town he lives in; everyone's tracked, after all. As push comes to shove, in the end, she offers him a final alternative. Which is? (view spoiler)[Based on what I heard in the podcast linked below, it should be this: disappearing from the grid, thus not being tracked any more. (hide spoiler)]
09) Astrid Lavalleye - Une petite braise What if a computer (or AI) determined what to study, based on your marks in secondary education/high school? Do you follow its advice and proposed direction? Or do you follow your own intuition, desires, dreams? Martin did the latter, contrary to what the system and even a consultant recommended him, trying to persuade him to not go against what was "supposedly" good for him. Of course, the system was right, Martin changed direction, then used that knowledge in his job to try to create a better world. Great stuff here.
10) Aude Vanoeteren - In memoriam: This is the story of two opposing cultures and classes meeting one another. She, upper class, he, lower class. She's a student, he's a painter, trying to bring colour to the town. They start off on the wrong foot, but in the end do meet regularly. A bit like in the film 'Titantic', with Kate going below-deck with Jack to meet the rest of third-class and have a ball. Unfortunately, our student here has a tracker and after a few times her parents start wondering why their daughter isn't at home at night. The consequences are dire for her, mainly her parents' doing. Meanwhile, our painter has completed his piece of art, showing everything that's wrong with the world and the gap between the rich and the poor. Fantastic story!
11) Wanda Carlot - Le cas 7361B5: an overview of exchanges between a man and his AI (like Siri, Alexa, ...) at home. His AI follows his every doing via audio and video. Every misstep, every word is recorded, anything suspicious is logged and sent to the police. However, while an AI is programmed to work according to certain rules, it learns and after a while... it becomes sentient, even knows remorse, which turns out well for your character. Or does it? Or in other words, how safe is having such a system in your house, in this day and age, where TikTok, Huawei, and other companies pass on information to China, the USA, ...?
12) Charlotte Jergeay - Lucid dreamer: Big Brother is everywhere, but here there is a service that checks up on people in their dreams. This way, the government wants to nip any potential nuisance or crime in the bud. In other words, through a special device, the people working for this service can access one's dreams. If a person is sleeping peacefully, having a beautiful dream, he/she is left alone. If on the other hand, one is having a nightmare of any kind, there is reason to investigate further and dissect the nightmare. If the nightmare involves a potential, future crime, the person is taken out. Here, however, while the dream was a nightmare, the consequences would be for someone else, not the dreamer. An original idea for a story, but also showing how it can be mentally heavy for a person on the other side to investigate people's dreams. A bit like how working at an emergency centre is also demanding.
13) Victoria Berton - Sotsialen: The title is, I believe, a play on words: Sozialen (German), as there is mention of points and social media. A story about how you can earn points if you stay in line, live as you're ordered/supposed to. Any trespassing or misstep will cost you points, to the point that the "system" will no longer recognise you. No more grocery shopping, no more school
14) Alice Van Lierde - Jusqu'au dernier: The longest story of the pack, telling the tale of androids in a world of humans, but one android having some kind of remorse about humanity disappearing. One "human" android is charged with tracking this hacker, who, through a virus, destroys his fellow compatriots. Until the last one. And that phrase/title will prove to be a double-edged sword. Can androids and humans co-exist? Or is it one or the other? Potential racism, on a new level? Can androids have feelings? Can they be considered human when constructed and designed like a human being and programmed to behave like one? Or do they remain machines?
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Like in any anthology, there are always stories that stand out and others not that much, even if there is not a single bad story here. The future is bright (despite the themes in this edition), as many writers here have shown they can write a good story. Other stories were, at least to me, either not developed enough or had a weird ending, as if cut off or the story being an extract of a grander story. Yet, all do ask pertinent questions regarding our current way of living (smartphones, AI, CCTV, body/dash cams, Big Data, ...), which direction we are or risk heading into, ... and foremost, who controls it all? How can all this technology be used for good (what is "good"?)?
Overall, a nice mixture between dystopian tales and tales that vie for a future with less intrusion, less tracking, less , and more freedom.
The stories that stood out for me: * Eulalie Borsus - Garcin * Estelle Vigneron - Seconde chance * Astrid Lavalleye - Une petite braise * Aude Vanoeteren - In memoriam * Wanda Carlot - Le cas 7361B5 * Charlotte Jergeay - Lucid dreamer * Alice Van Lierde - Jusqu'au dernier
'Oasis' is a little story about climate refugees from Europe (here: Belgium) seeking shelter and/or a better life in Africa, more particularly Congo. 'Oasis' is a little story about climate refugees from Europe (here: Belgium) seeking shelter and/or a better life in Africa, more particularly Congo. Did Belgium's colonial history play a role in determining the setting?
Anyway, we follow the story through the eyes of a little girl, Naïa, who befriended Martin, a Belgian boy seeking refuge, meanwhile following lessons in school. Literature is their glue, like the one book by the deceased French author Ayerdhal: 'Demain, une oasis' (1991). Her mother works at the Immigration Department.
As the country is flooded with immigrants/refugees, not everyone's application is accepted, neither is Martin's.
As the roles are reversed, it shows how anyone can end up in such a situation and that immigration is not a joke, that it is tough for all (refugees, public services, ...). As we can clearly see with the refugee crisis that's still going on on European soil.
A touching little story, no doubt about that. You can read/download it for free at .
Similar stories, be it in context or setting:
John Christopher - The World in Winter (1962, reissue 2016) (my review)
Nnedi Okorafor - La Fille aux mains magiques (2021) (my review)
Terre de sang et de sueur (La Machine, #1) (2021) (my review) Note: The second/last volume is to come out in March 2023, also via Éditions ActuSF....more
'Mille et une torches' is one of the latest additions to Stefan Platteau's series 'Les Sentiers des astres', which started with the novel 'Manesh'. Th'Mille et une torches' is one of the latest additions to Stefan Platteau's series 'Les Sentiers des astres', which started with the novel 'Manesh'. The series started as a trilogy, but it "soon" turned out that it would be a quartet in five parts. So, a fifth/final novel is expected to see the light of day... "soon enough".
'Mille et une torches' can be read/downloaded for free at . There's also an educational file () containing a short interview with the author, a bit of background information on this short story, the series, some historical information on fantasy, and of course questions about the story for the pupils/students to analyse and answer.
All the stories take place in the city of Mons, Belgium. You'll never see La Grand Place, Rue Nimy, the little monkey built into the Town Hall (Hôtel de Ville), and other streets and establishments (church, bell tower, shops, institutions, ...) in the way again. Mind you, it promises to be a bit of a dark ride, however. Geoffrey Claustriaux is an enthusiast of authors like H.P. Lovecraft and Stephen King, while Emilie Ansciaux has a more cunning approach for the dark edges of her stories.
One aspect I do like in books like this one: the author's comments about how the story came to be. This allows for a better understanding.
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Janvier - La Sonate de Malaster - Geoffrey Claustriaux: a diabolical story, set in a hotel, about a musician who's been doomed for 200 years to play a devilish composition that... awakened the demons from Hell, yet also keeps them at bay. Quite original, haunting, but also entertaining. (4/5)
Mars - Correspondances - Geoffrey Claustriaux: A man finds, in the attic, a chest with letters from his grandfather, whom he's never known. And so he discovers more about his family roots. Apparently, his grandfather never was able to come over and meet his grandson, who had always been told his grandfather died in the war. But the dates of the letters prove otherwise: there's mention of a secret project called SHAPE ((view spoiler)[
(hide spoiler)]). He was chosen for a mission in space, yet upon his return, he had a serious skin condition, which was a riddle to all: eyes everywhere, an alien entity that had taken over his body and severe consequences for those who tried to eradicate it. A creepy story, but one of the outstanding ones in this anthology. According to the author, this story is a tribute to Stephen King's story 'I Am the Doorway' (). (5/5)
Avril - Le rêve du chat - Emilie Ansciaux: Talking cats in Mons? Funny story, another outstanding one, albeit with a bitter end. The boy waiting for the girl to open her shop. But the cats would play a vile role here, especially as the entire city was deserted. A story about cats, thus, and their malicious characters. (I'm more of a dog person, however)
Mai - Chocolat - Geoffrey Claustriaux: Another haunting story, though not among my favourite ones here. A couple is on the road, but by inadvertence, the man suddenly runs over a child. From a nearby gypsy community. While the woman wants to call the emergency services, the husband will have none of it, as they already have enough trouble as it is (they were heavily intoxicated, coming back from a Christmas dinner with at their friends' place). And they will have more trouble, as the mother of the child put a curse on them or rather their second child, their daughter. She had a serious condition that would not allow her to live a normal life. One day, she disappears, the police finds nothing, despite a thorough investigation. Only, no one thought about their first child, their son? (3/5)
Juin - Margot et le furet - Emilie Ansciaux: A lovely story about being a writer, seeking inspiration... and discussing the story with one's character(s), who seem to have their own ideas about how the story should unfold. (4/5)
Juillet - Putain de temps - Geoffrey Claustriaux: Not something I wanted to read, considering the fact that my grandmother recently was brought to a residential care centre. Geoffrey Claustriaux turned this into one frightening experience, a true dead end for the elder who can no longer live at home and take care of themselves. (4/5)
Août - Mons 2115 - Emilie Ansciaux: An (other) SF-story here, playing with the space-time continuum, when all of Mons would be flooded, a bit like Kim Stanley Robinson's 'New York 2140', which I haven't really read yet, just couldn't get past the first tens of pages (see here). Our character is sent back time and again to accomplish a mission, yet each time she is sent back, she's lost her memories and the details of the mission. Said mission is to retrieve an object so that the city does not get flooded. It's almost like a very bad dream (or nightmare). (3/5)
Septembre - Origines - Geoffrey Claustriaux: Ah, a dive into the history of Mons and in particular the little monkey built into the wall of the Town Hall. A few articles (in French): , . Touching the monkey is said to bring good luck and fortune. But for Geoffrey Claustriaux, the monkey hides a dark(er) history. Something in vein of Lovecraft. Quite a different view on the matter compared to the real history. In any case, another excellent story. (5/5)
Octobre - Cinq en un - Emilie Ansciaux: This story revolved around a woman who's possessed by a handful of other personalities. It's hard to figure out the woman's own personality, as the others take the upper hand. Or rather, there's an internal hierarchy. The woman was a bit like Monk (of the same-titled ), calculating/counting things, linking one thing to another, seeing connections. Until one night when the woman's psychologist, whom she was seeing because of her "problem", is found dead, and a her male colleague takes over. Multiple personalities, struggling for power and domination. This reminded me of Brandon Sanderson's 'Legion', which I read five years ago, see here. However, as the struggle was real, Astrid (the main character in Ms Ansciaux's story) saw no other way out but... Did she commit the act? Was it one of the personalities? (4/5)
Novembre - Nature Morte - Geoffrey Claustriaux: Mons and the arts, there's a history here too. This diabolical story is somewhat similar to the first one, 'La Sonate de Malaster'. Here, however, it involves a painter and the Grim Reaper, with the Bell Tower as central building. All in all, not bad. (3/5)
Bonus - Jusqu'au bout - Geoffrey Claustriaux: A story about a couple's daughter coming home. Both parents are nervous, anxious at how she will respond to the homecoming. She has not been the easiest child, has quite a temper and takes everything for granted, even bosses her parents around. Big mouth, rude, disrespectful, in everything. She drives her parents up the wall in no time. Speaking of walls, it will be her last resting place. Or as the saying goes: What goes around, comes around. This story is somewhat related, in context, to one of the previous ones: 'Chocolat'. (4/5)
Short stories are always an excellent gateway into the worlds, imagination and universes of authors, if only because novels are much longer. Not every author is as proficient at short stories as they are at novels and vice versa. As I wrote in the beginning, this was my first encounter with both authors' writings and I have not been disappointed at all, despite a few stories I didn't like as much as the others.
This free, little story is about a young girl (Elizabeth Wintrop) who carries with her a box that contains a 144 year old document, a parchment of PenThis free, little story is about a young girl (Elizabeth Wintrop) who carries with her a box that contains a 144 year old document, a parchment of Pennsylvanian sheepskin. Its text is not to be uttered, else the end of the world will be nigh.
As it goes with young children at school, they either stand alone or belong to one or another group: the popular ones or the despised ones: ploucs in French. As Elizabeth doesn't hail from a rick background, she's by default classified as "plouc", even though she doesn't wish to be part of any group. Bullying, by the rich/fancy group, evidently, is part of the process. Dare to defend yourself and the teacher(s) won't choose your side. At first.
It's at lunch that Elizabeth gets into a fight with one of the rich girls, and loses her rucksack... and the magic box. Because of this "warm" welcome, Elizabeth has tried numerous times to contact her sister, Abby. To no avail. Elizabeth manages to recuperate her rucksack, yet finds the box missing. Panic galore! The obligatory exercises during chemistry class help to take her mind off the problem at hand. Until she sees the box on Mr Terry's desk. Curious as he is, he reads the text aloud. Despite Elizabeth's outcry - one is to be silent during the exercises -, the damage is done, doom has descended upon the world of man.
(view spoiler)[The lab's dwarf hamster grows into a giant hamster - Beelzebub found a gateway into the world of man -, swallows Mr Terry, threatens to bring demise to the people, but Elizabeth gathers all her courage and gets him back in line by threatening to cast him back to hell. They settle an agreement, however. Mr Terry is brought back from the dead, though not in the classroom, but far, far away in the Amazonian forest. You have to read the story to see the humour of it. Also, Beelzebub decreased his hamster's body shape back to as good as normal proportions. (hide spoiler)]
'Ploucs, magie et hamster nain' is a fun, entertaining story, in which "ploucs" seem to be more courageous than anyone else. Not to mention the poor hamster that was the main victim.
More such short stories, by other authors, can be found for free (PDF) at . Excellent material if you have only a few minutes to read....more
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