Martin Mundt

There are people out there that don't consider writing an art form. Though in reality a well written short story or novel is a work of art. A writer creates a world, characters and situations meant to entertain us as readers. Some writers have an easy time making us laugh, scaring us and making us scratch our heads in disbelief. Synchronized Sleepwalking by Martin Mundt is a book that does all of these things.

With a name like Synchronized Sleepwalking you know right away that this isn't your average read. This book includes stories that could fit in different genres, such as Horror, Science Fiction, Fantasy and bizarre fiction. To give an example of how bizarre this book is the first story is a work of flash fiction called A Bird In Hand. It's about a man who goes to see a dominatrix that owns a parrot. When the dominatrix leaves for a bit, the man has "relations" with the parrot. If you think that's weird it gets much weirder later and with this being the first story I was left with the feeling of "What the heck kind of book is this?"

The second story is one called The Girl With A Motorcycle For A Heart. The setting is a futuristic world where everyone is born a criminal and when you turn 18 you have to pay for the sins of your past lives. A girl named Penny has just turned 18 and she is different then the other criminals because she is innocent. There was a heartbreaking point in this story about what jealousy can do to someone and how your past defines your future.

Another good one in this collection that's bizarre with a great point to it was Chair. On the surface this is an odd one with a man who is trying to become a billionaire by selling his body parts and who eventually gets a job as a chair. This story maybe hilarious with the description of what he feels as he lives his life as a chair and sells his body parts but it also has a good message about what people are willing to give up to be rich. The ending of this one is excellent when we find out that even people who give up everything will still pass judgement on others.

If horror is your game this anthology has it in the The Black House. I like the idea here of a haunted house where a man learns of the existence of sin eaters: creatures that are invisible and are waiting to take your soul when you die a sinner. The description of the old mansion and the sorcerer that owned it are excellent in this creepy story.

The best thing about this book is probably how it goes from fantasy in The Once Upon A Time King where someone takes over a kingdom in an original way to comedy along with a vengeful chicken in The Saga Of El Polo. Synchronized Sleepwalking is the kind of book you buy if you like a little comedy and weirdness with your horror. Though this is more than just a book full of weird stories, several of these stories have a great message to them and you have to appreciate a book that makes you laugh and think at the same time.… (mehr)

With a collection of short stories like this, the only way I can review it is to note my instant impressions as I read, or quote some lines I thought were really good. Overall, this is a book I would take on a trip to relieve boredom. With 27 stories to select from, there is a lot of diversion. And all the stories are great although the “chicken trilogy” did not impress me until The Chicken Killers. Then I was impressed again.

A Bird in Hand Where parrots and lawyers become one.

The Girl With a Motorcycle for a Heart Just in case you think innocence is always rewarded…

Breathless How can you know when it is really over?

He Passed Himself Away There really seems to be someone for everyone. This was one of my favorites.

The Pale Blue Zenith of the Sky This is a great story. I resisted the urge to google some of the titles mentioned.

Chair A very gruesome and disturbing tale centered on the theme of enduring optimism.

Skinny Bones Momma looked like too much candlewax dripped by a sloppy child onto the skinny wick of a skeleton. It is not over ‘til the fat lady sings.

Lost Dog When life is more than just a walk in the park.

The Once-Upon-A-Time King When the middle of the story becomes more important than the beginning or the end.

Flying You realize belatedly that, although confusion has always been more than generous with his time, understanding has consistently been something of an asshole toward you.

Live Poultry not remarkable, chicken kills man

El Pollo continuation of above, chicken kills “brothers”

The Chicken Killers a man cannot truly comprehend his own insignificance until his very life has been saved … by a chicken. Third in a series of chicken stories.

Still Life With Walls Jeff’s future was nailed.

Boom As promised by the title, the most explosive story of the lot.

The Time I Didn’t Meet Christopher Walken The reader is led by the anticipation of how a print version of Walken’s distinctive speech pattern emerges.

That Is the Man, Said the Boy An inspiring story of the usefulness of every life.

Summer of Love People should have their own dreams. When you start having the dreams of others, the results can get twisted.

And Death Came Down Like Moonlit Frost A story of final, true commitment

The Camera Loves Her Regrets that crossed generations.

The Black House There is a memorable first line here. And the Sin eaters watch you sleep.

To Continue Forever Here we find another version of the Ultimate Question.

Honk Bumper stickers are not to be believed.

Wet With Me Back to the very beginnings.

The Scrimshaw Museum Beauty vs. Death and the art of scrimshaw.

Anniversary And then the wish was fulfilled.

The Falling of Astronauts Like Rain Another version of Schwarzenegger’s “I’ll be back.”

… (mehr)