Title: Petrification
Author: Reggie David
Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
ASIN: B08NFMHSZK
Pages: 194
Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy
Reviewed by: Anthony Avina
Hollywood Book Reviews
To make sense of life, oftentimes people will turn to fiction to find ways of coping or explaining some of life’s greatest challenges or questions. Whether it is what happens to people after they die, or how mankind can possibly process the horrors that they unleash on one another, fiction can be the great canvas for which writers paint these vast images that help explore these topics or themes at length.
It is in that vein that author Reggie David presents his book, “Petrification.” The collection of short stories is a healthy mix of stories that explore some major concepts in life. From the impact that isolation can have on the mind, to the ways in which depression and a challenge to one’s nature can negatively impact how they conduct themselves in life, each story is meant to challenge the reader to embrace the fantastic, often macabre and always insightful themes that the author has woven into the fabric of each tale.
From the very first story, the author manages to capture the imagination and creativity that masks the profound themes of each story. The imagery and atmosphere each story creates makes for very artful, thought-provoking tales which speak to the larger stories being told. The Afterlife was a perfect example of this, as this story took the time to explore how different people experience death and the afterlife depending on how they lived their lives. The story not only speaks to the idea that mankind’s ideas about life after death are just that, ideas, but to the idea that life itself is meant to be lived and shouldn’t be taken for granted. In Morbidity, the haunting realities of death, war, drugs, and so much more highlight the shocking realities of what humanity is capable of.
A collection of stories that delve into every type of genre, from surrealism and genre fiction to literary fiction, science fiction, and even elements of horror, each story is met with unique character development, powerful themes, and thought-provoking narratives which will stay with readers long after the story ends. The wealth of stories and different genres allows for a multitude of different readers to appreciate this collection, and the balance of abstractionism and surrealism that the author infuses into each story makes them both compelling and engaging, as they did in Morbidity. This book not only entertains but also encourages introspection, making it a must-read for anyone navigating the complexities of modern life. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!