Book Review: 30 Stories about Life & Death: Flash Fiction

An engaging collection of short stories, spanning geographies, cultures, experiences, and emotions.

30 Stories about Life & Death: Flash Fiction – Book Cover

Book: 30 Stories about Life & Death: Flash Fiction

Author: Henri Colt

Genre: Fiction, Flash fiction

Review copy: Reedsy

Available at: Amazon.in

Recommended: Must read

An engaging collection of short stories, spanning geographies, cultures, experiences, and emotions.

Brevity in storytelling is a commendable trait. Henri Colt’s 30 Stories about Life & Death: Flash Fiction is a good representation of succinct writing with a flair for engagement. Divided into two parts – Life and Death – this compilation of flash fiction has many riveting tales in various shades.

The stories explore the themes of mortality, love, loss, and connection. They are set in different locations around the world, from Paris to Tokyo, and feature diverse characters and situations. Humorous, tragic, poignant, and surreal – all of them are written in an elegant style that captures the essence of each situation and emotion.

Colt’s vast travel experience has influenced the settings of most of the stories. His passion for life and understanding of human travails and feelings bind words into endearing fiction. As a reader, I could imagine him creating stories during each of his travels, capturing the nuances of places and people in dexterously crafted words. Throughout the narrative, Colt encapsulates various cultural experiences, sometimes with explicit descriptions, and sometimes with tender emotions. The characters are also varied in each story – teenagers, elderly, youthful, adventurous, humorous, travelers, and artists – the writer showcases his observations of different personalities and scenarios.

The depth of characterization in each story keeps the reader engaged. There is much to read between the lines and much to savor and absorb. Through vivid descriptions and surprising twists, Colt portrays the complexity and vulnerability of the human heart and our choices in life. Life lessons are tucked into the stories. For instance, “Don’t think, Kyra” he counsels, “Just be.” Or “… when suffering ends, and joy spills forth like the birth of an idea.” I recommend you get a copy and find the lines that resonate and stay with you, long after you finish reading it.

I received an advance review copy for free from Reedsy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

“Darkness, my old friend”

Lines written for #FromOneLine 307

Darkness – an image by Bing Image Generator

Turn out the light
Feel Darkness crawl up
Your lap and cuddle
In the warmest embrace
Whisper about the scars
Let them out, the tears
With your deepest fears
When the words are done
Let it slip away, gently
Into the night, bearing
The heaviness of one
With stories never to be told

Sweet regret and sour guilt

Lines written for #FromOneLine 309

Desires – a contemporary style image generated by Bing Image Generators

It wasn’t exactly flavorless
The lingering touch of our lips
It tingled with sweet regret
Tasted a bit like sour guilt
A moment never meant to be
Had now opened doors;
The Desires sneaked in
Giggling, whispering, smirking
Uncontrolled, unabashed
Unrelenting; and I feared
Whatever will they think of next!

FromOneLine to Another: An Anthology

12 of my poetic experiments have been included in the FromOneLine to Another anthology of quirky and unique writing and art. The published book is now available on Amazon and Pothi, as paperback and hardback.

In early August, I received literally the best email and news of the year. Meghan Dargue, designer and editor, associated with the Kobayaashi Studios wrote –

“It gives me great pleasure to include you in the FromOneLine To Another Anthology, and I’m excited that we have so many previously unseen writings this time, with definitely a touch more of the surreal! It’s a wild read, for sure – thank you for being part of it!”

Meghan Dargue

What elated me further was that 12 of my poetic experiments have been included in this anthology of quirky and unique writing and art. The published anthology is now available on Amazon and Pothi, as paperback and hardback. For links and more information please visit The Bookshelf at Kobayaashi.

As much as my participation in Meg’s #FromOneLine prompts series on the micro-blogging site X (erstwhile Twitter) has given me joy and succor, being included in this anthology is special because of the challenge. The prompts included the first and last line and the writers had to create the words in between, hence the book title, From One Line to Another. A truly creative adventure; I am grateful for the platform that Meg and #KobayaashiStudio provide us each year. I am privileged to be part of another anthology. More on Kobayaashi blog. 

Fatigue

Lines written for #FromOneLine 304

Blurred vivid colors – an image by Bing Image Generator

Just like yesterday
Today ends with fatigue.
For hustle has consumed
The last remnants of rest
And what it once meant
To pause and reflect!