A review by brennanlafaro
Black Bubbles by Kelli Owen
The latest re-issue from Poltergeist Press is the story collection Black Bubbles, from author Kelli Owen. The book contains 21 stories, all complete with author notes, and if you’ve read my thoughts on collections/anthologies, you’ll know author’s notes at the end of a story have a way of winning me over. Usually Kelli’s are a few thoughtful words, a couple paragraphs at most, about the genesis of the story. Some are just fun, others gave a nice insight and enhanced my enjoyment of a particular piece. If you are someone who prefers to read a story and develop your interpretation, I will defend your right to do so, but I like to get inside the author’s head.
One could argue that inside the head of Kelli Owen is a scary place to be. No doubt, packed with information on serial killers, zombies, and a myriad of other nightmares, both human and not, that fill the pages of Black Bubbles. Like the majority of collections, there were stories that I enjoyed, whose cleverness left me with a smirk. There were some that didn’t resonate with me, but were written with the same flair present throughout, and just may be your cup of tea. There were others that will stick with me, long after this book nestles into its new home on my shelf.
Allow me to highlight a few stand-outs. The Tin Box is a solid choice for an opener, and it goes in a direction that I didn’t expect. That being said, after reading the other twenty stories, I might have been more prepared if it came later on in the collection. Brian Made Me Do It is a fun, fourth-wall breaking flash fiction piece, only enhanced by the story notes. Well worth the time of anyone complicit in this thing we call the horror community. Dig the Hole is a terrific story about domestic abuse and revenge. It’s also added a new phrase to my vernacular. How’s That Make You Feel? is Kelli Owen writing inside the mind of serial killers, a place that she seems to feel, if not comfortable, at least well-versed. No implications here.
Two stories stuck with me above all others, however. Spell is a tough one to read as a parent. Hell, I would imagine it’s tough to read not being a parent. Like in the recent work of Andrew Cull in Remains, the mixture of grief and horror is beautifully blended and captured in this story.
The final and titular story, Black Bubbles, is infinitely creative. The moment I recognized what was going on in the story, that twinge of jealousy that can only come from wishing you had thought of this idea, hit home. It’s dark, scary, semi-cosmic, it’s got brilliant social commentary regarding children and medication, and it’s oddly plausible.
This book was a pleasure to spread out over the course of a few weeks, reading a story or so a day. In order for a story collection to be able to unfold in this manner, every story has to have some redeeming value. Even the ones that aren’t up my alley are still written in a way that begs you to try the next one. There’s likely to be something that invites you in, or keeps you up at night. Why not both?
I was given an e-copy by the publisher for review consideration.
One could argue that inside the head of Kelli Owen is a scary place to be. No doubt, packed with information on serial killers, zombies, and a myriad of other nightmares, both human and not, that fill the pages of Black Bubbles. Like the majority of collections, there were stories that I enjoyed, whose cleverness left me with a smirk. There were some that didn’t resonate with me, but were written with the same flair present throughout, and just may be your cup of tea. There were others that will stick with me, long after this book nestles into its new home on my shelf.
Allow me to highlight a few stand-outs. The Tin Box is a solid choice for an opener, and it goes in a direction that I didn’t expect. That being said, after reading the other twenty stories, I might have been more prepared if it came later on in the collection. Brian Made Me Do It is a fun, fourth-wall breaking flash fiction piece, only enhanced by the story notes. Well worth the time of anyone complicit in this thing we call the horror community. Dig the Hole is a terrific story about domestic abuse and revenge. It’s also added a new phrase to my vernacular. How’s That Make You Feel? is Kelli Owen writing inside the mind of serial killers, a place that she seems to feel, if not comfortable, at least well-versed. No implications here.
Two stories stuck with me above all others, however. Spell is a tough one to read as a parent. Hell, I would imagine it’s tough to read not being a parent. Like in the recent work of Andrew Cull in Remains, the mixture of grief and horror is beautifully blended and captured in this story.
The final and titular story, Black Bubbles, is infinitely creative. The moment I recognized what was going on in the story, that twinge of jealousy that can only come from wishing you had thought of this idea, hit home. It’s dark, scary, semi-cosmic, it’s got brilliant social commentary regarding children and medication, and it’s oddly plausible.
This book was a pleasure to spread out over the course of a few weeks, reading a story or so a day. In order for a story collection to be able to unfold in this manner, every story has to have some redeeming value. Even the ones that aren’t up my alley are still written in a way that begs you to try the next one. There’s likely to be something that invites you in, or keeps you up at night. Why not both?
I was given an e-copy by the publisher for review consideration.