In this collection of shorts, author Gary Roen demonstrates a keen imagination, economic use of the English language and a mastery of his skills as a story teller, and all while gaining and keeping the attention of the reader.
Journey is a collection of short stories sure to engage and entertain any reader. The first set of stories focus on the adventures of Slotski Bear, a somewhat endearing if not at all typical teddy bear. Described by the author as “hideous” in appearance, and oft found atop a trash bin, Slotski does get around in the series of odd adventures, which typically deliver him right back to his trash bin.
The other stories throughout Journey are a “mash-up” of different science fiction tales and tech drawn from the fertile and somewhat quirky imagination of author Gary Roen. Many of these tales are inspired by Roen’s own journey returning to academia. This collection of short stories makes for a delightful afternoon of reading. The “journey” wraps on 3 fascinatingly short, almost poetic tales, each written with an nearly Haiku precision, and managing to capture there subjects and paint their characters in as few words as possible. The varied tales, the demonstrations of wit and precision use of the English language make Journey a fantastic read. Even the economy of words in the final stories, of which I am typically not enamored, were delivered in such a sharp and stark contrast to their topics as to really capture my attention and leave the reader in bemusement and even deep thought.
This is a great book to tuck under the arm and keep handy, as each story is a quick read, and even those connected stand well on their own, and a reader can and is very likely come back over and again for more.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/193795207X/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hanginwithsho-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=193795207X&linkId=6e76ead83ea5f803b9583d6414e50613
