Author – Mike Russell
Publisher – CreateSpace Independently Published
Genre – Short Stories/ Fantasy
Pages – 144
Format – Paperback
Release Date – 5th May 2016
Reviewer – Me AKA TheBookishHermit
My Review ⤵️
Here we have another set of strange and increasingly weird short stories, all with their very own hidden message and a strong dose of strange medicine!
Russell’s imagination clearly has no limits!
We begin with a strange tale about a chap called ‘Anthony Tobias Bradshaw’ who continues going to work every day even though the business that he worked for closed down twelve previously.
Then we have a story about a couple, it’s a love story of a different kind. After reading this one a few times I found several hidden messages within the sentences and it left me with a smile on my face. It’s a very clever story, one to be read slowly, allowing the imagination to take over!
I don’t want to give too much away so I’m not going to detail every story (there are eight altogether) but I must mention my favourite one from the collection and that is ‘The Spy’. This one is all about paranoia – at least that’s how it seems at first, a lady in a hospice is convinced that someone is continuously spying on her.
The short story actually gets very dark and emotional and I feel that the author may have injected something very personal into this one.
At first glance these stories might appear to some like the ramblings of someone under the influence of hallucinogens, but if you give them a chance and really read them properly, you will learn something. You will find comfort and understanding, you will feel your mind expanding, there will be questions to ponder and they may even encourage you to make some necessary changes in your life.
This is a brilliant book, written by a very clever man.
I would like to thank the author and publisher for sending me a copy of this book to read, enjoy and review!
About The Author ⤵️
Mike Russell was born in 1973. He grew up in the small village of Pulborough in the south of England. As a child, he enjoyed daydreaming, art and writing strange stories. As an adult, he enjoys daydreaming, art and writing strange stories. Mike Russell was awarded a Bachelor of Arts from Falmouth University and a Master of Arts from the University of Central England. Mike Russell’s books have been described as Strange Fiction, Magical Realism, Surrealism, Weird Fiction, Weird Lit, Absurdist Fiction, Metaphysical Fiction, Fantasy Fiction… but he just likes to call them Strange Books.
Link To Buy ⤵️
Thank you for reading!
If you like my reviews and are an author, publisher, company etc. and have a book, a book box or bookish merch that you would like me to review, please don’t hesitate to get in touch! I would love to hear from you!
Likewise if you have a passion for reading (which I assume you do because you are here) then feel free to chat with me about books, cats, gaming or anything you like! A hermit can get very lonely.
Have an awesome day, stay safe, hydrated and masked up!
Much love
#TheBookishHermit AKA Laura. xx
Reach Out To Someone If You Need To! ⤵️⤵️⤵️⤵️⤵️
Samaritans
Available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress, despair or suicidal thoughts.
- www.samaritans.org
- 116 123 (free to call from within the UK and Ireland), 24 hours a day
- Email: jo@samaritans.org
Other sources of advice and support
Mind
Mind offers advice, support and information to people experiencing a mental health difficulty and their family and friends. Mind also has a network of local associations in England and Wales to which people can turn for help and assistance.
Lines are open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm (except bank holidays).
- www.mind.org.uk
- InfoLine: 0300 123 3393 to call, or text 86463
- Email info@mind.org.uk
Rethink Mental Illness
Rethink Mental Illness works to help everyone affected by severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, recover a better quality of life. It provides effective services and support and campaigns for change through greater awareness and understanding.
- www.rethink.org
- National Advice Service: 0300 5000 927 (Open 9:30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday)
- Email advice@rethink.org
(Rethink was formerly called the National Schizophrenia Fellowship)
PAPYRUS UK
PAPYRUS is the national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide. They support young people under 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, as well as people concerned about someone else.
Their HopelineUK service is open 9am – midnight every day of the year (including weekends and bank holidays).
- www.papyrus-uk.org
- Helpline: 0800 068 4141
- Text: 07860039967
- Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
YoungMinds
- www.youngminds.org.uk
- Parents helpline: 0808 802 5544 (Mon-Fri from 9.30am to 4pm, excluding bank holidays)
- YoungMinds Crisis Messenger: text YM to 85258 (available 24/7)
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
A helpline for people in the UK who are down or have hit a wall for any reason, who need to talk or find information and support.
- www.thecalmzone.net
- Helpline: 0800 58 58 58
- Webchat: www.thecalmzone.net/help/webchat/
5pm to midnight, every day of the year
Sane
SANE services provide practical help, emotional support and specialist information to individuals affected by mental health problems, their family, friends and carers.
- Support Forum: www.sane.org.uk
- Call 07984 967 708 and leave a message, giving your first name and a contact number, and someone will call you back as soon as possible
- Saneline: 0300 304 7000 (currently unavailable)
- Textcare: http://www.sane.org.uk/what_we_do/support/textcare/
NHS mental health services
Find information, advice and local services on the NHS website. You can also get advice from the NHS 111 phone service.
The Bookish Hermit 