Unusual Occurrences

Unusual Occurrences by Glenn Rolfe is a collection of dark stories about aliens and ghosts and nature and monsters of all sorts. Though the topics are speculative or supernatural, the characters and themes like family, grief, and fear are relatable, the language was casual, like a friend - probably wearing a band tee - telling a story, and the collection was overall a fun read.

The stories and my brief commentary:

Out of Range: This is why I still collect DVDs and physical books.

Abram’s Bridge: If he is Li’l Ron and his grandpa is Big Ron, is his dad Medium Ron? No. It’s Greg.

The Fixer: I love anything with a Monkey’s Paw/Pet Sematary vibe.

Not Kansas Anymore: Baaaa-aaaa-t! (In Matt Berry voice)

Skull of Snakes: I like folklore but don’t love the Native American curse of it all

Fire: Tough choices are tough.

Too Much of a Dead Thing: Every LARPer and every tabletop gamer mentioning anything gets that question. “Like Dungeons & Dragons?”

Harry’s Inevitable Extinction: This is why we choose the bear.

Halloween Worm: That’s one introspective bully. “I got no real friends.”

The Rooster: Fuck cancer.

The House on Mayflower Street: How do the creepy dolls always get you?

Jackie Boy: That escalated quickly.

Welcome to Paradise: I didn’t know Bob Ross did any boat paintings.

Girl by Day: Creature by night. Aren’t we all?

Boom Town: I don’t know if it’s the mentions of Stephen King or if my brain would have done it anyway, but even though it’s not the same thing, I can’t stop thinking about the section in The Stand where King describes in a few sentences or paragraphs what’s happening to various (non-main character) people around the country. No great loss.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the review copy for my unbiased opinion.