Zuzanne Belec

Layers is a very apt title for this short story collection by Zuzanne Belec. In a small volume she manages to produce multi-layered tales which I found quite unique and intriguing. The eight stories focus on the power of the human spirit and this shone through quite strongly for me.

I'll be completely honest and say that I am not a fan of short stories on the whole. I'd much prefer to get stuck into a full length novel. However, Belec has produced a varied and interesting collection with stories that I felt had depth and which I found thought-provoking.

One of the stories, Mothers, will stay with me because of the subject matter. A cleverly written, mind-bending beginning led to a moving story with parallels with mothers everywhere. Another, In the Arctic Haze, has a fascinating setting and a rather concerning encounter. The opening story, In the Christmas Charge, made me smile. What's interesting is that each story took me somewhere different, both in terms of location and content.

Layers will take you away and drop you in another culture, then pick you up and take you somewhere else. It's an unusual read, very original and readable, with wisdom and intensity beneath the surface.… (mehr)

Layers by Zuzanne Belec is an exciting anthology of original, thought-provoking short stories. This work takes readers on a journey that covers a range of destinations from the lush rainforests of South America to the burning plains of Africa. Layers offers an eclectic mix of sub-genres, characters, plots, and settings. Not once while reading did I get bored.

I loved how each story took me on a new adventure. The diversity of the settings and the depth of the themes made for a stimulating, unique read. The vibrant imagery helped make Layers all the more striking. The stories ranged from hilarious to sorrowful. I found it impressive that Belec was able to evoke such a wide range of emotions so expertly. I did, however, enjoy some stories more than others. I felt a couple of them could have ended better while others could have been tightened up some more. At the same time, each story was engaging and carried staggering emotional weight. It was remarkable that Belec managed to create such well-rounded characters in the limited space allowed by the genre. This anthology is perfect for fans of contemporary fiction that often explores dark and heavy themes.

(Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of this book from the author for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own and are honest and unbiased.)… (mehr)