This collection of short stories is a series of diverse and surreal narratives that delve into the human condition within the backdrop of a globalised world. These stories, while varying in content and theme, share an overarching sense of the strange and the profound. They are written with exceptional craftsmanship, offering intense and vivid scenes that capture both the sensuous and the repelling aspects of human existence.
In the first short story, we meet Alvin, a man who flies to Copenhagen for a bank-related meeting. However, upon arrival, he discovers the bank has been reduced to ruins and strange black insects fill the sky. Alvin, who trades in speculative capital, introduces the protagonist to a world of abstract finance, where one endlessly resells and buys possible future entities for substantial profits. Amid this financial chaos, a deep and tender connection grows between the two men. They impulsively decide to take a holiday to Romania, experiencing moments of happiness and intimacy. But one day, Alvin disappears, leaving the protagonist with an empty bank account and a journey back to the ruins of the bank, where employees work underground in peculiar positions.
“Bad Mexican Dog” is a two-part story set in Cahun, Mexico, revolving around the life of beach boys who serve tourists on the beach. The protagonist becomes close with Manu, another beach boy, and together they navigate a world of sexual rituals with both tourists and fellow beach boys. A tragic incident involving a tourist’s violent act leads to a ritual at the dark beach, creating an eerie atmosphere. When Manu leaves with a wealthy French woman, the protagonist is left behind, realizing the nature of the sun economy that drives their lives.
The story set in Rachel, Nevada, follows Antonio and Fay, who relocate to the desert town after losing their daughters. Fay is a member of a UFO club, and Antonio, skeptical yet jealous of her unwavering belief, ventures into the desert one night. He stumbles upon a mysterious transmitter and undergoes a surreal operation where he connects with it. As he screams in tandem with the machine, a strange encounter with a hovering vessel occurs, leaving him transformed. He eventually returns to the camper, forever changed.
In “Me, Rory, and Aurora,” the narrator moves in with a couple, Rory and Aurora, who are struggling with addiction. They live in a rundown apartment near train tracks in London. The narrator observes their lives, sleeps with them in their bed, and becomes a fixture in their home. Aurora, who is pregnant, attends The City Church and sells pills to fellow attendees. Rory’s propensity to invite homeless people into their home adds complexity to their already strained relationship. When Aurora goes into labor, she banishes everyone, leaving the narrator adrift in the city, longing for her.
These stories are a unique exploration of the human experience in a world unbound by time or place. The author crafts each narrative with extraordinary attention to detail, resulting in a collection that is both mesmerizing and unsettling. Through intense and surreal scenes, the stories capture the essence of our globalized world, often providing sharp and precise critiques of the tourism industry. Whether it’s the collapse of financial institutions, the enigmatic rituals of beach boys, or the transcendental experiences in the desert, these stories offer readers a glimpse into the strange and profound aspects of life in a globalized society.